: The Con

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ckwood's penthouse. As I entered the vast room, which was very diff

he world was just outside my door. The space had a stark, even inhospitable feel to it thanks to sleek fur

ed, "Your room is down the hall," in

rap and turned to fac

tying his tie. He walked with the dexterity of someone w

room's door. With immaculate white walls, a king-sized bed with immaculate sheets,

e following year, this was my new existence. Luxurious, fanta

les were presented as orderl

about a business merger, "We will maintain separate living

s I prodded the well co

ublic gatherings. No changes to the scri

meras and questioning made

vailable to you for persona

s darted to me as if he dare

eye and replied, "I'

he corner, but it wasn

back. Additionally, Elena, prudence is crucial. If there is any depart

hat was becoming tighter in

g routine of Adrian's home life. I felt like an outsid

r locked in his office. I made an effort to establish a pattern, reading in the v

rances were a ve

photographers as soon as we got out of the vehicle. Adrian put his hand on the

" he said, so softly

hurt my cheeks,

were quick and

ou two get

married to one of the

ng to have c

nded to each one, and as I stumbled,

ry with a suave "she's still adjusting." "

spoke outside of these occasio

as calculated as his moves, and he was courteous yet aloof. I once brought him

es from his laptop, he

ore, I stood at the doorway. "Ar

his face inscrutable.

nversations, it

ut tangible. His dark, unfathomable eyes would sometimes linger on me when he thought I wasn't looking. A

own at one of thos

s, Adrian adjusted his cufflinks in the

than normal as he sa

t it," but the zip

thout saying anything. As he pushed the zipper up, his fingertips

ands lingered for a little too long, and as I glanced u

e night was the

d by another person's anxious, muffled voice. I got o

I paused, feeling gui

at it takes." "I want to bury

ond speaker said, quic

that easy. If th

er my foot as I bent

ices c

voice was piercing

oat. A shudder ran down my spine as he stood th

"What are yo

cing for an explana

however. He moved in closer, sha

, "You'll forget whatever you think you hea

e like a noose, and as I looked into

efore I could stop myself, the words

me since I'd met him. And instead

e when he ordered, "G

lingered in my though

ve been terrified by the size