Alex's POV
As I sat in my office, staring at the various reports and emails piled on my desk, I found my mind wandering back to Emma. I hadn't heard from her in a few days, and it had started to gnaw at me. I wanted to know how she was doing, how her company was holding up. After that night at the club, when I'd felt something shift between us, I found it hard to push her from my thoughts.
When I finally picked up my phone to text her, I wasn't sure what I was expecting. A simple check-in? Maybe just an excuse to see her again? But when I hit send, I was genuinely concerned. I could tell things were tough for her; she had that fierce determination, but it seemed like the pressure was mounting.
When her reply came back, I could sense the stress in her words. **"Busy. Work stuff. It's been a little crazy here."**
I wanted to reach through the screen, shake her, and tell her to take a breath. It wasn't just "work stuff"—I knew it was more than that. It was the weight of her dreams, her ambitions, and I could almost feel the exhaustion radiating off her texts.
So I offered to help. It was impulsive, maybe, but I meant it. I had the resources, the connections, and honestly, I wanted to be there for her. Not just as the cold billionaire everyone thought I was, but as someone who could actually support her.
**"I can help. Let's meet up."**
The response came quickly, and I could practically feel her hesitation through the screen. **"You don't have to do that."**
I smiled slightly, knowing that she was probably weighing the options. But the truth was, I wanted to help her. More than that, I wanted to be near her again.
**"I know. But I want to. Where are you?"**
When she sent me her office address, a sense of purpose surged through me. I stood up, grabbing my jacket and keys, ready to head out. It was time to see her, time to figure out what was really going on.
As I drove through the city, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was on my way to something important. The thought of Emma stressed, struggling with her company, tugged at me. I admired her tenacity; she was building something real, something she cared about deeply. And it frustrated me to see her facing these obstacles alone.
When I arrived at her office, I took a moment to gather my thoughts before heading inside. The building was modern, bustling with energy, but I found myself focused solely on the idea of Emma. I wanted to see that spark in her eyes, to reassure her that she wasn't alone in this.
Walking through the reception area, I could see her office door slightly ajar. I knocked softly and pushed it open, taking in the sight of her sitting at her desk, papers scattered everywhere. She looked stressed but beautiful, her brow slightly furrowed, lost in thought.
"Hey," I said, stepping inside.
Her eyes widened slightly as she looked up, and for a moment, everything else faded away. It was just us, and I could see a mix of relief and worry wash over her face.
"Alex," she said, her voice a little breathless. "Thanks for coming."
"Of course," I replied, leaning against her desk. "What's going on?"
She hesitated, and I could see her weighing whether to let me in on the full scope of her troubles. "It's just… a lot right now. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this ship from sinking."
My heart tightened at her words. She was carrying so much on her shoulders, and I could tell it was weighing her down. "You don't have to do it alone," I said, my voice steady. "Let me help."
She looked at me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine as if trying to gauge my sincerity. I could feel the tension in the air, the unspoken words hanging between us. I didn't want to cross any lines, but the urge to pull her into my arms and promise her that everything would be okay was overwhelming.
"I don't know where to start," she finally said, her voice quiet.
"Let's take it one step at a time," I suggested, wanting to give her a sense of control in the chaos. "Show me what's been going wrong."
She nodded, and I watched as she took a deep breath, clearly trying to pull herself together. The way she composed herself, how she pushed through the stress, made me admire her even more. But it also made me want to protect her.
As she began explaining the issues with the suppliers and the inventory shortages, I listened intently, taking mental notes. She was passionate and articulate, even amidst the chaos. There was a fire in her that I hadn't seen in anyone else, and it made me want to fight for her even more.
"I've tried reaching out to the vendors," she continued, her voice tinged with frustration, "but they've gone quiet on me. It's like they don't care."
I frowned, not liking the sound of that. "Let me make some calls. I have connections that might help."
Emma looked up, surprise flickering in her eyes. "You'd do that?"
"Absolutely," I said, a smile tugging at my lips. "This is what I do. Let me handle the logistics while you focus on your vision."
She studied me for a moment, and I could see the hesitation in her expression. But then, just like that, a spark of hope ignited. "Okay," she said softly. "That would mean a lot to me."
And in that moment, I knew this was just the beginning. We were on the brink of something bigger than either of us had anticipated. I could feel the weight of the situation, but also the promise of what could come next. As we dove into her challenges together, I felt a new connection forming between us—one that was raw, unfiltered, and electric.
This was more than just helping a friend. This was me stepping into her world, and I was ready for whatever came next.