Chapter 3 BEHIND THE MASK

The soft hum of the city outside the office building did little to calm Elena's nerves as she arrived at Julian's publishing house the following week. It wasn't just the looming event; it was the electric tension between them that left her feeling both alive and on edge. The brief encounter after their meeting had lingered like a delicious ache, one she couldn't quite shake.

Today, Julian had called her into his office to discuss the final details of the book launch. But as Elena stepped into the sleek, glass-walled conference room, her pulse quickened at the sight of him.

Julian stood by the window, staring out at the skyline, his broad shoulders hunched as though the weight of the world was pressing down on him. His usual composed demeanor was nowhere to be seen. Elena could see the faintest shadow of frustration in his posture, and for the first time, she wondered what secrets lay beneath the surface.

"Ms. Moore," he greeted, his voice low and cool, but there was a hint of something... else. Something darker. "I trust you're well?"

"Just fine," she replied, her voice steadier than she felt. She stepped into the room, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. "I've brought the updated plan for the launch, as you requested."

Without looking at her, Julian nodded toward the table, where a folder lay open, waiting for her. Elena's gaze flickered to it briefly before settling back on him. His presence was undeniable, a magnetic pull she couldn't ignore.

"You're not the usual kind of event planner," he said, his tone casual, but his eyes were sharp, as if seeing right through her. "Most people would be rattled by all the publicity surrounding an event like this. You seem... unaffected by it."

"I've learned to compartmentalize," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. The truth was, Julian Hayes unsettled her in ways she didn't understand. She couldn't afford to lose control, not when the stakes were so high.

He finally turned to face her, his eyes locking onto hers. "Is that so?"

The sudden shift in the air was palpable. The silence stretched, heavy and thick with unspoken words. Elena could feel the tension rising between them, thickening with every passing second. His gaze drifted to her lips, and for a heartbeat, she wondered if he was imagining what it would be like to kiss her.

"I've been thinking about you," Julian said softly, his voice rougher than before.

Elena's heart skipped a beat. She took a step back, her mind scrambling for control. "You've been thinking about me?"

"I've never met anyone like you, Elena," he murmured, taking a step toward her. His hand brushed against her arm as he passed, sending a jolt of electricity through her body.

Before she could respond, the door swung open with a sharp click, and a new voice interrupted the moment.

"Julian! I didn't expect to find you here with Ms. Moore," a sultry voice purred.

Elena turned, startled, to see a striking woman standing in the doorway. She was tall, with a figure that seemed to belong to another world, a world filled with endless possibilities. Her dark hair was swept into a messy bun, and her lips were painted a deep shade of crimson. She was wearing a leather jacket that clung to her curves in all the right places, and there was a certain confidence about her that was both intimidating and alluring.

Julian's expression softened, a playful glint appearing in his eyes as he looked at the woman. "Veronica," he said, his voice warm but distant. "What brings you here?"

"I was just passing by," Veronica said, stepping into the room without waiting for an invitation. Her gaze slid over to Elena, her eyes scanning her with an almost predatory interest. "I didn't realize you had company, Julian. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

Elena tried to maintain her composure, but the air had shifted. There was something charged between Julian and this woman-something unspoken but undeniable. It was clear that they were familiar with one another in a way that suggested more than mere acquaintance.

"I was just finishing up with Elena," Julian said, his voice firm as he turned back to the table. "We're discussing the launch."

Veronica's lips curved into a teasing smile. "Of course, I'll leave you two to it. But you know, Julian, if you're ever in need of a little distraction..." Her voice trailed off as she winked, her gaze lingering on him a moment longer than necessary.

Elena watched the exchange carefully, her stomach knotting with a mix of confusion and jealousy. Was this woman part of Julian's life? More than just a colleague?

As if sensing her discomfort, Julian's tone turned slightly colder. "Veronica, I think we've all had enough of distractions for one day."

The woman shot Elena a look that was far too knowing before turning to leave. But just as she reached the door, she paused, glancing back with a sly smile. "Don't be too long, Julian. I'll be waiting."

Once the door closed behind Veronica, the room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Elena couldn't ignore the surge of emotions rising within her-jealousy, uncertainty, and something else she didn't want to name.

She turned to Julian, but his gaze was fixed on the table, his jaw tense. He didn't speak, and Elena wasn't sure if she should. The moment had been shattered, and the intimacy they had shared only a few minutes ago now felt like an illusion.

"I didn't expect her," Julian said after a long pause, his voice low and unreadable.

Elena nodded, her lips pressing together. "It's fine," she replied, though the words felt hollow in her mouth.

For the rest of the meeting, they both kept their distance, the electricity between them dampened but never fully gone. Elena could feel the weight of his words from earlier, the way they had danced around the line of something more than just professional, something dangerously close to desire.

When the meeting finally ended, Julian stood and offered her a nod, his expression unreadable.

"Elena," he said, his voice soft but laced with something darker. "We'll need to discuss a few more things. Later. Perhaps after the launch?"

Elena wasn't sure if he was referring to the event or something else entirely, but as she left his office, her mind raced with a thousand unanswered questions. Julian Hayes had always been a mystery. But now, with Veronica's sudden appearance and the way Julian's mood had shifted so abruptly, Elena was beginning to wonder if she was stepping into a world she wasn't prepared for.

As she stepped into the elevator and the doors slid shut, Elena leaned back against the cool wall, her pulse still racing. The quiet of the elevator felt too loud, too suffocating. She thought about Julian's words, his touch, the tension that had crackled between them. She couldn't deny it any longer-she was drawn to him in a way that was impossible to ignore.

But how far would she let herself fall?