Ella's POV
If there was one thing I hated more than Leo Sterling, it was being forced to work with Leo Sterling.
Unfortunately for me, that was exactly my reality now.
The Sinclair-Sterling luxury partnership had been finalized, the contracts were signed, and our teams were already buzzing with excitement.
But I wasn't excited.
Not when it meant being in constant close proximity to the man who infuriated me more than anyone else.
And today? Today was our first official site visit.
I woke up with zero enthusiasm for the day ahead.
After a quick shower, I dressed in a fitted emerald green pencil dress, paired with nude stilettos and my signature gold jewelry—powerful, professional, and unshakable. If I had to be around Mr Sterling, at least I'd look like I was in complete control.
I grabbed a croissant and an iced coffee on my way out, checking my phone as I slid into my BMW.
Harper: Mr Sterling's team just confirmed the meeting. You're meeting him at the new resort location at 11 AM. Don't kill him.
I smirked, shaking my head.
Harper knew me too well.
But then, just as I pulled onto the main road, my morning took a turn for the worse.
Because guess who decided to cut me off again?
Leo. F*cking. Sterling.
I slammed my brakes, my croissant flying out of my hand.
"You have got to be kidding me," I muttered under my breath.
Up ahead, his sleek silver Aston Martin took a sharp turn, effortlessly weaving through traffic, while I glared at the back of his damn car.
I knew we were meeting at the same place, but this? This felt personal.
I hit the gas, catching up just as we approached the resort entrance.
The second we both parked, I stepped out and marched straight to his car as he casually adjusted his cufflinks, looking infuriatingly calm.
"Are you actually incapable of driving like a normal human?" I snapped.
Mr Sterling smirked. "If you drove faster, it wouldn't be a problem."
I inhaled sharply, counting to three before I committed a felony.
"We are at a business meeting, Sterling. Try to act like a professional."
He took a step closer, his green eyes dancing with amusement. "You seem upset, Sinclair."
I let out a sharp laugh. "Wow. What gave it away? The part where you nearly killed me with your reckless driving, or the part where you're acting like an arrogant prick—again?"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Relax, Sinclair. You'll live longer."
I wanted to strangle him.
But I had a business to run.
So, I turned on my heel and strode toward the resort entrance, pretending like I wasn't two seconds away from losing my mind.
The resort was still under construction, but even now, I could tell it was going to be stunning.
Large glass-paneled windows overlooked the coastline, the scent of salt and fresh air wafting through the unfinished corridors. Marble floors gleamed under the sunlight, and workers moved around us, installing fixtures and finalizing the luxury suites.
Mr Sterling walked beside me, effortlessly commanding the space, exuding power and control.
I hated how easy it was for him.
"So," I said, breaking the silence, "where exactly does my brand fit into this grand empire of yours?"
Mr Sterling glanced at me. "Your team will handle the wellness and spa experience. High-end skincare treatments, exclusive Sinclair beauty lounges in the penthouses and VIP suites—a full integration into the resort experience."
I folded my arms. "And I get full branding control?"
Mr Sterling smirked. "Negotiable."
I stopped walking. "No, Sterling. Non-negotiable."
His smirk widened. "You're fun when you're bossy."
I narrowed my eyes. "And you're exhausting."
He chuckled but didn't argue. Smart man.
We continued the tour, stopping at the penthouse suite—the crown jewel of the resort.
It was breathtaking. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, a private terrace with a panoramic view of the ocean, sleek modern interiors dripping in wealth.
Mr Sterling stood beside me, hands in his pockets.
"This will be one of the most expensive resort suites in the country," he said, his voice quieter now.
I exhaled. "It's… incredible."
He glanced at me, studying me too closely.
"What?" I asked, suddenly uncomfortable.
"You actually look impressed."
I rolled my eyes. "Don't get used to it."
His smirk returned. "Wouldn't dream of it, Sinclair."
After a long day of walking, negotiating, and not murdering each other, we were scheduled for a private dinner at the resort—a tradition for the main sponsors.
I changed into a sleek black dress, elegant yet understated, and made my way to the dimly lit rooftop terrace where the dinner was set up.
Mr Sterling was already there, dressed in a dark navy dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, casually holding a glass of whiskey.
He looked… good. Annoyingly good.
I sat across from him as the waiter poured wine into my glass.
For the first few minutes, we ate in silence, neither of us eager to start a conversation.
But then, out of nowhere, Leo spoke.
"Did you always want to run a beauty empire?"
I blinked, caught off guard. "Excuse me?"
He leaned back, watching me. "Sinclair Enterprises. Did you always know this was what you wanted?"
I hesitated. No one ever asked me that.
I sipped my wine before answering. "It started with lip-care products in college. I didn't grow up with money, so I had to be resourceful. It wasn't glamorous at first, but I built something. And now, here we are."
Leo's gaze flickered. "You didn't grow up with money?"
I stiffened. I hadn't meant to say that much.
"Not everyone is born into wealth, Sterling," I said smoothly, deflecting.
He studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
And for the first time, he didn't have a comeback.
I hated how exposed I suddenly felt.
I needed to shut this down.
So I smirked, crossing my legs. "What about you? Did you always want to be a corporate overlord?"
Leo chuckled, shaking his head. "Hardly. My father wanted me to take over the family business, but I refused. I built Sterling Enterprises my own way."
I raised a brow. "Daddy issues?"
He huffed out a quiet laugh. "You could say that."
For a brief second, we weren't fighting.
We were just two people—two enemies—trying to figure each other out.
But then he smirked again, breaking the moment. "Careful, Sinclair. Keep asking me personal questions, and I might think you like me."
I rolled my eyes. "In your dreams, Sterling."
Leo chuckled, taking a sip of his whiskey.
And just like that, the moment was gone.
But something told me this wasn't the last time he'd try to break past my walls.