_Chapter 10: A Crack in the Facade_
Mia's eyes lingered on the sketches, her mind reeling with the implications. She had never seen Alexander as an artist, as a person with a creative soul. He had always been the ruthless billionaire, the man who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.
But now, as she looked at the sketches, she saw a different side of him. A side that was vulnerable, sensitive, and beautiful.
As she handed the book back to Alexander, their fingers touched, and Mia felt a jolt of electricity run through her body. She pulled her hand back, feeling a flush rise to her cheeks.
"Thank you for showing me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alexander's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, Mia saw a glimmer of something there. Something that looked almost like... kindness.
"You're welcome," he said, his voice low and husky. "I wanted you to see that there's more to me than just my business persona."
Mia nodded, feeling a sense of understanding wash over her. She realized that Alexander was trying to show her that he was human, that he had feelings and emotions just like everyone else.
As they stood there, the tension between them was palpable. Mia felt like she was standing on the edge of a precipice, staring into the unknown.
And then, without warning, Alexander reached out and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. His fingers touched her skin, and Mia felt a jolt of electricity run through her body.
She pulled back, feeling a flush rise to her cheeks. "I should go," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alexander nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Yes, you should."
Mia turned and walked away, feeling like she was leaving a part of herself behind. She couldn't shake the feeling that Alexander had seen something in her, something that she had been trying to keep hidden.
As she stepped out of the penthouse apartment, Mia felt a sense of uncertainty wash over her. She didn't know what to make of Alexander's actions, or what he wanted from her.
But one thing was for sure: she couldn't ignore the way she felt when he touched her. She couldn't ignore the spark that had ignited between them.
And as she walked away from the penthouse apartment, Mia couldn't help but wonder what would happen next. Would Alexander try to pursue her? And if he did, would she be able to resist him?
The questions swirled in her mind like a vortex, pulling her under with their intensity. Mia knew that she had to be careful, that she had to protect herself from Alexander's charms.
But as she walked away from the penthouse apartment, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was already in too deep.