CH 10: ONE WRONG MOVE

Chapter Ten: one wrong move

AT BLAKE'S SOFTWARE ENTERPRISE

Amelia's POV

The heels of my Louboutins clicked against the marble floors of Blake Enterprises, the sound echoing like a rhythmic reminder of my authority. The staff scrambled to keep up as I paced through the halls, barking commands and fixing mistakes.

"Janet, I said the report should be on my desk by noon, not in your inbox waiting for me to ask!" I snapped at my assistant, who stammered out an apology.

I didn't have time for incompetence. Not today. Not ever.

I was halfway to the boardroom when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I stopped, pulling it out with an annoyed sigh. The name flashing on the screen made my stomach churn.

Lucinda Clarke.

My wicked stepmother.

For a second, I debated ignoring the call, but knowing Lucinda, she'd keep calling until I picked up. I rolled my eyes and pressed the answer button, holding the phone to my ear.

"What is it, Lucinda?" I said, not bothering to mask my irritation.

Her voice came through sharp and cold, as always. "Is that how you greet your mother, Amelia? No wonder people think you're a disgrace."

I clenched my jaw, my free hand balling into a fist. "I'm busy. What do you want?"

"What I want," she drawled, "is to remind you of the family name you're carrying. Blake Enterprises might have your name on the papers, but the Clarke reputation is tied to you now. Don't forget that."

I scoffed. "Tied to me? The same reputation you destroyed when you married my father and ran his company into the ground?"

"Watch your mouth," she snapped. "You wouldn't have the power you're flaunting now if it weren't for me. So don't act like you're above reproach."

I rolled my eyes, but I kept my tone even. "If this is just another lecture, I don't have time for it."

"Oh, it's not a lecture, dear," Lucinda said, her voice turning saccharine sweet. "It's a warning. You've always been reckless, Amelia. Don't let your little power trip ruin everything we've worked for. And for heaven's sake, stop embarrassing the family."

I gritted my teeth, my patience snapping. "I'm not embarrassing anyone. I'm running this company the way it should've been run years ago. If you have a problem with that, take it up with someone who cares."

Lucinda let out a humorless laugh. "Careful, Amelia. You might think you're untouchable, but one wrong move and everything could come crashing down."

Before I could respond, she hung up, leaving me standing in the middle of the hallway, seething.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket and took a deep breath, straightening my posture. Lucinda Clarke had been a thorn in my side for as long as I could remember, but I wasn't about to let her ruin my day.

I turned on my heel and continued toward the boardroom, my resolve even stronger.

But her words lingered in the back of my mind like a shadow. One wrong move.

For a moment, I wondered if she knew something I didn't.

I stormed into my office, slamming the door shut behind me, my heels clicking furiously against the polished floor. I barely had time to take a calming breath when the door opened again without a knock.

I spun around, ready to unleash my fury on whoever dared, but the sight before me made me pause.

There he was—Lucas Grant, Ethan's childhood friend, leaning casually against the doorframe with that infuriatingly smug smile. He looked annoyingly perfect, his sharp jawline and piercing green eyes practically screaming privilege. His tailored suit hugged his tall frame, and his hair was perfectly tousled, like he hadn't spent a second trying.

"Well, well, Amelia," he said, stepping inside uninvited. "Still as fiery as ever, I see."

I crossed my arms, glaring at him. "What are you doing here, Lucas? I don't recall inviting you."

He smirked, shutting the door behind him. "You didn't. Ethan asked me to check on things. And by the looks of it, I arrived just in time. Heard you had a little run-in with your stepmother. She still breathing fire?"

I narrowed my eyes, motioning for him to sit. "What I deal with outside this office is none of your concern. If Ethan sent you, then get to the point and leave."

Lucas chuckled, his confidence irritating me to no end. He strolled over to the plush chair opposite my desk and sank into it, his long legs stretching out like he owned the place.

"Relax, Amelia. I'm not here to steal your throne. Just checking on my old friend's investment."

I sat down, refusing to let him get under my skin. "Investment?"

"You," he said simply, his gaze sharp. "Ethan put you in charge of this branch because he trusts you. But trust can only go so far."

I leaned forward, my tone icy. "If you're here to question my capabilities, save your breath. I don't need your approval, Lucas."

He smirked again, but this time there was something darker behind it. "Careful, Amelia. You're playing a high-stakes game here. Make sure you don't overplay your hand."

I opened my mouth to retort, but before I could, his phone buzzed. He glanced at it briefly, his expression shifting to something more serious.

"Looks like I'll have to cut this little chat short," he said, standing up. "But don't worry, Amelia. I'll be around."

As Lucas began to rise from his seat, I quickly adjusted my expression, letting a coy smile replace my glare. I leaned back slightly, tilting my head in what I hoped was a casual but confident way.

"Lucas," I said softly, stopping him mid-motion. He froze, one eyebrow arching in curiosity.

"Are you really going to pretend you don't notice me?" I asked, my voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. "Am I not beautiful enough to catch your attention?"

For a moment, he just stared at me, his sharp green eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to decipher my intentions. Then, that infuriating smirk of his returned.

"Amelia," he said, sitting back down and folding his arms. "You've always been beautiful. You don't need my validation to know that."

I felt a flicker of satisfaction at his words, but his next statement doused it instantly.

"But let's not play games," he continued, his tone dropping to something dangerously low. "You don't strike me as the type who cares about what I think. So, what is it you really want?"

I hesitated for just a second before shrugging, feigning nonchalance. "Maybe I just wanted to see if you had a heart under all that arrogance."

Lucas laughed—a deep, rich sound that filled the room. "Trust me, Amelia. I have a heart. But I don't let it cloud my judgment. And neither should you."

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his gaze piercing. "Whatever game you're trying to play here, be careful. Because if you're aiming to get a reaction out of me—or Ethan—you might not like the outcome."

I felt my pulse quicken, but I refused to let it show. "Who said I was playing a game?"

He stood up this time, not giving me a chance to stop him again. "Everyone plays games, Amelia. The trick is knowing when to fold."

With that, he turned and left the room, leaving me staring after him, a mix of anger and intrigue swirling inside me.

I hated him.

But for some reason, I couldn't stop thinking about him. Very handsome and his lips and small like that of a woman

Oh my Lucas !

As the door clicked shut behind Lucas, I leaned back in my chair, my thoughts spiraling. I tried to focus on the paperwork in front of me, but all I could think about was the way his eyes had pierced through me, the way his voice had sent an unexpected shiver down my spine.

I quickly shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away. This isn't the time for this, I told myself. But despite my best efforts, his image lingered in my mind. His confident demeanor, the subtle arrogance that seemed to coat every word he spoke, and that undeniable magnetism.

I bit my lip, imagining what it would be like if he had stayed a little longer. If I'd pushed him further, made him stay in my office for just a few more minutes... What would have happened then?

I could almost feel his presence, his steady gaze that never seemed to falter, his posture that exuded control and power. Why is he so damn irresistible?

I let out a frustrated sigh and stood up, walking over to the window. The city sprawled out before me, but my mind was far from the skyline. It was still locked on Lucas—on the way he looked at me, like he was studying me, dissecting every little thing. I couldn't help but wonder what he was really thinking, if he was as intrigued by me as I was by him.

Stop it, Amelia, I scolded myself. You're married. You're Ethan's wife. This is ridiculous.

But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the thoughts of Lucas Grant. His charm, his sharp wit, his ability to make me feel like I was both in control and out of control at the same time... It was all so... intoxicating.

I sighed again, shaking my head, trying to refocus. I can't be thinking like this. Not now, not with everything else going on.

As I turned away from the window, lost in my thoughts, the sound of the door creaking open startled me. I whipped around, heart racing, expecting to see one of the staff or maybe even Ethan, but it wasn't him.

It was Lucas.

He stood there in the doorway, his eyes locking with mine, his expression unreadable. My breath caught in my throat.

"Did you think I'd just leave?" His voice was low, almost a whisper, but it sent a shiver through me.

Before I could respond, he stepped closer, his presence filling the room, making the air feel thicker, charged. My pulse quickened, and I took a step back, trying to maintain some semblance of control.

"Lucas, what are you doing here?" I asked, my voice shaky, betraying my calm exterior.

His lips curled into a slow, deliberate smile. "I think you know exactly why I'm here, Amelia."

And with that, the door clicked shut behind him.

My heart raced as Lucas stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. He was so close now, I could feel the heat of his body, the tension hanging thick in the air. My breath hitched as his face neared mine, his lips just a breath away.

But before anything could happen, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway, getting closer and closer. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. Lucas quickly pulled back, his hand dropping from my arm as he glanced toward the door.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath.

We both stood there, frozen, as the footsteps grew louder. I couldn't breathe. I needed to get out of here before someone walked in and saw us. But my legs felt like lead, rooted to the spot.

Lucas gave me a quick, sharp look, then grabbed my wrist gently but firmly. "We need to go," he whispered.

I nodded, too stunned to speak, as he guided me toward the back door. We moved swiftly, almost silently, as the footsteps came closer, the sound of someone approaching the office door.

Just as we reached the door, I heard the door handle rattle. Panic surged through me.

"Amelia?" a voice called from the other side.

It was Ethan.

My breath caught in my throat.