Chapter 6 ISLA'S POV

Everything changed in an instant. The ground suddenly felt unsteady beneath my feet and my reality shifted.

One minute I was staring at Cade's retreating, my body still humming from his touch and reeling in ecstasy; the next I was plunged into a reality of shock and terror.

My phone felt heavier than usual as sweat trickled down my spine with uneven breaths while I stared at the photo of Cade and me, locked in a desperate kiss. My head was thrown back, his hands tangled in my curls while both legs gripped his waist. My stomach churned from embarrassment.

The picture was a bit blurry, taken from afar but it was unmistakably us. The caption burned my eyes, making them water:" Cade's new plaything?"

"Plaything" The air left my lungs violently. The word ruined a sensual, blissful experience, and all it mattered to me.

My career, my professional reputation suddenly torn apart in a single viral moment. The hate comments, and death threats from unknown numbers.

My life is royally screwed from the public humiliation unfolding online. I let the tears flow freely.

"Isla, you ready? The car would be here soon" Cade's voice laced with authority came from the other side of the door.

I couldn't let him see me cry as I wiped my tears and hurriedly tried to put myself together.

"Isla?" Cade called impatiently.

"Just a minute sir" My voice strained as I scrambled into my clothes. I felt every ache and sensation while I picked my clothes from the floor; a reminder of my night with my boss.

How stupid of me.

I looked at myself in the mirror trying to hide my red marks from the rest of the world.

My eyes are puffy from crying, my lips swollen from kisses. I didn't look like a respected historian. It looked like the caption described me as a "plaything".

I splashed cold water on my face, fixed my hair, and applied a little blush on my cheeks. I had a job to do at the Thorne's estate.

I finally opened the door with a straight face that was ready to crack.

"I hate to be kept waiting" His voice boomed in the hallway. The hunger in his eyes is now replaced with a sharp pointed look that screams "business".

"I'm sorry s.."

"Meet me downstairs," he said cutting me off and staring intently at me, softness returning to his eyes.

"Everything alright?" he asked.

"Yes sir, just tired" I lied

A smirk spread across his lips as he muttered "You should".

--

The flight back home was painfully silent. We sat in the plush seat of his private jet, the space between us was filled with everything we weren't saying. The memory of our bodies, our sweat mixed, his release on my boobs, how he made me say daddy repeatedly while he fucked me from the back. It all hung in the air, thick and unacknowledged

He worked from his tablet, frowning at his documents. I could tell that he was stressed. His two top buttons were undone and all I wanted to do was just...

"Get a grip Isla"

I scolded myself and stared out the window at the endless clouds, seeing only the word "I'M CLOSE" which sent Cold shivers down my spine giving me goosebumps and forcing me into a deep sleep.

I woke up with a soft tap on the shoulder.

"Ma'am, we've arrived at the estate," the chauffeur said holding the door while I blinked in confusion.

"Mr Cade carried you to the car" I nodded as I watched him walk to the estate door.

Getting down, I tried to catch up with him walking in hurried steps as he continued striding towards the door.

He twisted the doorknob and stopped making me bump into his broad back.

He eyed me suspiciously and shoved his hands into his pocket."Isla about last night..." he spoke, his voice stiff not breaking eye contact.

"It was a mistake that can't happen again, the foundation project is way too important to be ruined by some...Isla, pretend it never happened."

I stood motionless remembering one word "plaything".

--

The longest walk of my life was from the front door of the Thorne estate to my office which Eleanor showed me before I went on my trip with Cade. It felt eerily silent and comfortable. I had a work laptop, a work phone on my desk, and some files.

I immediately got to work, the quicker I finished this job, the better for me and my mental health. I sorted out some files and pieced together some letters which I planned to take home to arrange. Going through some business transactions receipts, I failed to notice a shadow cast on my desk until a man cleared his throat; a soft apologetic sound.

"Mr Lucan" I stood up straightening my skirt, extending my hand for a shake.

"Miss Campbell... Luke if you like me, Lucan if you don't" He said kissing the back of my hand.

"Mr Thorne, it's nice to have you...have a seat please" He gave me a cheeky smile while my stomach growled loudly.

"Someone's hungry... Miss Campbell have you had a proper meal today or baby brother doesn't feed you? Lucan asked making me feel more embarrassed.

"I..."

"Meet me downstairs Isla, I don't like to wait," Lucan said cutting me short. I grabbed my bag and joined him downstairs whilst trying to ignore an angry Cade. I wondered why they hate themselves so much and I was going to find out

"Isla, it seems you have no work to do?" Cade spat, cocking his eyebrows.

"Relax brother, it's her lunch break she'd be back in no time" Lucan retorted with a pat on Cade's shoulders.

"Isla, to my office now!"Cade's voice boomed as he clenched his fist. I could feel the tension rising and a smirk on Eleanor's face, wondering whose side she was on.

"Don't be a killjoy" Lucan said in between laughs as he pulled me into his parked limousine.

Cade stormed into the mansion, with an indifferent Eleanor trying to catch up.