Chapter 7 Threatened

~007

The Whisper of Jealousy

---

By Wednesday, Bella Bluefield was doing everything in her power to pretend that nothing had changed.

She came into work early. She left late. She buried herself in sketches and fabric research. She smiled politely at coworkers and kept her head down during meetings. She didn't visit the 20th floor again-not unless summoned. And Xavier, to his credit, hadn't summoned her.

But that didn't mean he wasn't watching.

Bella could feel it. In the way her name showed up more frequently in task assignments. In how she suddenly got access to confidential campaign previews. In the subtle shift of tone when managers referred to her-like they had been told to treat her like someone who mattered.

The rest of the office noticed it, too.

And not everyone was subtle about it.

"So, who'd you have to flirt with to get put on the Valentino brief?" came a voice behind her as she exited the shared design lab.

Bella turned, eyebrows raised.

It was Camille-senior designer, model-tall, always dressed in sharp black, and never one to whisper when she could sting. Her gaze was amused but cold.

Bella gave a tight smile. "Maybe they just liked my pitch."

Camille crossed her arms. "Or maybe Xavier Louis likes your everything."

The jab landed deeper than Bella expected. She held Camille's stare. "Is there something you want to ask me?"

"No," Camille said with a shrug. "Just wondering how long it'll take before the rest of us are working under you-pun intended."

Bella's spine stiffened. "Wow. You sound threatened."

"I'm not," Camille replied smoothly. "I've earned my spot here. You? Still looks like you're trying out for the role."

Before Bella could speak, Clara's voice echoed down the hall. "Bella! Quick word, please."

Bella turned, grateful for the interruption. Camille gave her one last smirk before vanishing down the corridor like a panther that had already drawn blood.

---

Inside Clara's office, the air was cooler, the lighting soft.

Clara gestured for Bella to sit, eyes flicking over the tablet in her hands.

"I've just gone over the concept notes you submitted for the autumn capsule," she said. "They're fresh. Thoughtful. The edge of streetwear, but still luxury enough to keep our core audience. I like it."

Bella's cheeks flushed with pride. "Thank you."

Clara closed the tablet. "And so does Xavier."

Bella's throat tightened.

Clara continued, unaware-or perhaps unconcerned-by Bella's reaction. "He wants you to present at the interdepartmental strategy session next Friday. Don't panic, it's internal. But the big names will be there."

Bella blinked. "He... wants me to present?"

"Yes," Clara said. "And I agree. You've got a voice worth hearing."

Bella didn't know what to say. Gratitude burned beneath her ribs, tangled with anxiety.

"Clara..." she began cautiously. "May I ask something?"

"Of course."

"If people... start saying things. About why I'm getting these opportunities. What happens then?"

Clara leaned forward, eyes sharp. "Then they'll have to work harder. And get over it."

Bella stared.

Clara's tone softened. "I didn't build my career in a vacuum. I've had people assume I slept my way up more times than I can count. But truth always outlives gossip, Bella. And your truth is written in your work."

Bella exhaled slowly. "Thank you."

"One more thing," Clara said. "If something did happen between you and Xavier before... I don't want to know. But I will say this: don't let anyone make you ashamed of something that made you feel alive."

Bella left the office with her heart full of a dozen different things-relief, fear, fire, pride.

And confusion.

---

That night, Bella met her best friend, Zara, for drinks at a rooftop lounge in Le Marais. The view of the Eiffel Tower lit up the horizon, and smooth jazz hummed in the background, but Bella barely touched her wine.

Zara, on the other hand, sipped hers like liquid gold and raised a brow.

"Okay," she said. "You've said nothing in ten minutes. Which means either you're pregnant, or you slept with your boss."

Bella groaned. "Zara."

"Don't 'Zara' me. Spill."

Bella hesitated, then leaned in. "It was before I knew he was my boss."

Zara's eyes went wide. "Girl. What?!"

"I met him at that charity gala. We connected. Had a night. Thought it was over. Then I get this interview, and... it's his company."

Zara whistled low. "Plot twist."

Bella rubbed her forehead. "It was one night. I didn't even give him my name. But now he's... here. Everywhere."

"And you still want him."

Bella didn't answer.

"That's not a no."

Bella sighed. "He's dangerous."

"Most good things are."

"He's powerful."

"And yet here you are, shaking the table."

Bella gave a half-smile. "I don't know what I'm doing."

"Yes, you do," Zara said. "You're doing what you always do-you're surviving. Thriving. Just don't forget who you are, Bella. No matter how fine he is, no matter how high the stakes-you're not a girl who gets swallowed by someone else's world. You create your own."

Bella looked out at the city lights.

And for the first time all day, she breathed freely.

---

Back in his penthouse, Xavier sat in silence.

He had reviewed Bella's capsule pitch three times. Each time, he found something new. A hidden detail. A clever reference. A rebellious thread that felt so her.

He had read hundreds of design documents over the years. But this was the first time he'd read one and felt it.

She was more than a spark.

She was lightning.

And he was dangerously close to walking straight into the storm.