Chapter 4 No.4

4

Ten minutes earlier, Hali had been in the elevator, ascending from the lobby after a quick errand to grab a sandwich she was too nauseous to eat.

The elevator had stopped at the 30th floor-Marketing. Two women walked in. They were senior managers, dressed in sharp blazers, holding iced coffees. They didn't even glance at the junior assistant huddled in the back corner.

"Did you hear about the dress?" one of them asked, reapplying her lipstick in the mirrored reflection of the doors.

"Of course. Everyone is talking about it," the second one replied. "But get this-Finley Butler was seen driving a woman out of the garage on Saturday morning. In the Maybach."

Hali shrank into her oversized sweater. She wished she could turn invisible. She stared at the floor numbers, willing them to change faster.

"Who was she?"

"No idea. But rumor has it she was wearing Chanel. Like, runway Chanel."

Hali stopped breathing. She clutched her paper bag so hard it crinkled loudly. The women glanced back at her, annoyed by the noise, then turned back to their conversation.

"Whoever she is, she won't last. Ezra Gardner doesn't do relationships. He does acquisitions."

The elevator pinged at the 45th floor. But before the doors could open, the car stopped at 44-Executive Conference Rooms.

The doors slid open.

Ezra stood there.

He was flanked by Finley and two other board members. The air in the elevator instantly evaporated.

The two marketing managers gasped audibly. They straightened their spines, their gossip instantly forgotten.

"Mr. Gardner," they chorused, their voices trembling with sudden reverence.

Ezra didn't acknowledge them. His gaze went straight over their heads to the back corner. To Hali.

He stepped into the elevator. The space was already small; now it felt microscopic. He didn't stand at the front. He walked to the back, standing right next to Hali.

His arm brushed against hers. The heat radiating off him was intense.

Finley stepped in and pressed the button for 45. The doors closed.

The silence was deafening. The two managers were holding their breath, terrified they had been overheard.

Ezra shifted his weight. He didn't look at Hali, but he spoke.

"Is the air conditioning in Design malfunctioning?"

The managers jumped. "Uh, no, Mr. Gardner. It's quite comfortable."

Ezra turned his head slowly, looking down at Hali. His eyes lingered on the high, thick collar of her charcoal sweater.

"It must be freezing," he said, his voice dropping an octave. "To warrant such... heavy wool."

Hali felt her face catch fire. He knew. He knew exactly why she was wearing it. He was mocking her. He was marking her.

"I run cold," Hali managed to say, her voice barely a squeak.

Ezra's lips twitched. A ghost of a smile.

"Really?" he murmured. "That wasn't my impression."

The elevator dinged at 45. The doors opened. The two managers bolted out as if the car were on fire, muttering hurried goodbyes.

Hali moved to follow them, desperate to escape.

"Stay," Ezra said.

She froze. Finley held the door open, his face a mask of professional indifference.

Ezra turned to her. He reached out.

Hali flinched, backing into the corner.

Ezra didn't withdraw. His hand came up to her neck. His fingers, warm and rough, brushed against the sensitive skin just below her ear. He hooked a finger into the collar of her sweater and adjusted it.

"Your tag is sticking out," he lied.

His knuckles grazed the bruise he had left there. A jolt of electricity shot down Hali's spine, making her knees weak.

He leaned in, his voice a whisper that only she could hear.

"Hide it well, Hali. I don't like sharing what's mine."

He pulled back, his face returning to its stony mask. "Into my office. Now."

He turned and walked out. Hali stood there for a second, her legs trembling, her skin burning where he had touched her.

Yara texted her phone: You okay? You've been gone forever.

Hali couldn't type. Her hands were shaking too hard. She stepped out of the elevator and walked toward the heavy wooden doors, knowing she was walking into a trap she had helped set.

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