RENT A HEART

Chris POV.

It had been a week since my discharge from the hospital, and I was swamped with work at Atlantis as we prepared for the merger between Atlantis and Stratos, but most importantly, we were on the verge of acquiring Nexus, thanks in no small part to Cole Mickelson's unexpected assistance. Frederick definitely hadn't seen that coming.

"Come on in," I said to whomever was knocking on the door, my voice slightly weary.

"Sir, everything is set for the meeting," my assistant, Patrick, informed me.

"Alright, I'll be out shortly," I replied, and he left. A few seconds later, I heard my door open and shut again, but this time, there was no knock beforehand.

"Patrick, I already said I was coming," I said, not bothering to look up from the stack of paperwork on my desk. However, the delicate scent of a familiar fragrance wafting through the air told me that it wasn't Patrick after all.

"Should I tell Patrick that?" the familiar, playful voice said. "Eve," I exclaimed, my voice filled with warmth and surprise. I immediately abandoned the documents on my computer to greet her.

It had only been a few days since I'd last seen her, but I had missed her terribly.

"Baby, I've missed you. I was almost going crazy," I said, my voice husky with emotion as I wrapped her in a tight embrace, burying my face in her hair and breathing in her sweet, familiar lavender scent.

"Well, you don't look the part," she scoffed jokingly, tilting her head back to look at me, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she held onto me.

I moved away a little to feign a wounded expression, "Can't you see it on my face, love? I was absolutely miserable without you," I said, pouting dramatically. She laughed heartily, her voice like music to my ears.

"What an actor," she said, her eyes dancing with mirth as she reached up and pinched my cheeks playfully.

"I missed you too," she said softly, her voice suddenly serious. She leaned in and kissed me, her lips brushing against mine in a fleeting caress. The kiss started off slowly and tenderly, but then quickly shifted gears as I deepened the connection, sucking on her lower lip and exploring the depths of her mouth with my tongue, unable to get enough of her taste.

After a minute, we reluctantly separated to catch our breath. Eve had that look on her face, the one that always sent my blood racing, making me ache for her with a desperate intensity. I didn't know if it was her flushed skin, her swollen lips, or her dreamy obsidian eyes, but it sent me over the edge. All I wanted at that moment was to make passionate love to her right there and then, forgetting all about the meeting, forgetting all about everything except for the intoxicating woman in my arms. Without warning, I captured her lips again, kissing her with a fierce, urgent hunger.

This time, the kiss wasn't a slow burn; it was fiery, desperate, and consuming. It was as if I couldn't get close enough, as if I needed to merge with her completely, erasing the distance between us. I needed her, and I needed her now, with a primal intensity that threatened to overwhelm me.

"I can cancel the meeting..." I said, my voice hoarse, barely able to catch my breath. "No, the meeting is really important, but I can move it up by an hour, maybe even two or three," I said hurriedly, waiting anxiously for her reply, desperate for her permission.

But she just smiled broadly, her eyes shining with understanding and affection. She reached up and cupped my face in her hands, her touch grounding and calming.

"Breathe," she whispered, her voice a soothing balm as she searched my eyes. Her simple words seemed to do the trick, and I focused on her, drawing in a deep, steadying breath. My heartbeat started to slow down, the frantic urgency beginning to dissipate. "I'm here… I'm not going anywhere. Let's have the meeting, and then we'll have all day to ourselves," she said, her voice soft and reassuring.

"Alright then," I said, my smile widening. "But I can still kiss you, right?" I asked, wrapping my hands around her waist and nudging her closer, unable to resist the temptation to touch her.

"Of course you can," she said, her eyes dancing with playful affection as she wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer. I took that as my cue and leaned in, capturing her mouth in another kiss, softer this time, but no less passionate.

We were lost in our own little world, oblivious to everything around us, when we heard someone clearing their throat pointedly from inside my office. I reluctantly broke the kiss and looked behind Eve, my heart sinking with a mixture of embarrassment and surprise. Standing in the doorway was Mrs. Mickelson, her expression unreadable, accompanied by Frank, who looked equally uncomfortable.

"Mrs. Mickelson," I called out, my voice strained, acutely aware of how compromised I looked. I wondered how long she had been standing there, witnessing our intimate display. The butterflies in my stomach took flight, and I suddenly felt like a teenager caught necking with his girlfriend by her mother.

"Mum" Eve called out suprised as she turned to see her mum who wore a smirk on her face.

"What are you doing here?" Eve asked, suprised to see her.

"For the inauguration of the new board members meeting, and why are you here making out with the General director of Atlantis when you should be at your company preparing for the for the most anticipated Skyline fashion week?" She asked raising an eyebrow at us.

I cant say if she was mad or disappointed with what she saw that she addressed me so formally or if that's how she is in a business setting, some people can be like that.

I heard Eve scoff and folded her hands in front of her chest.

"First of all mum, Chris is my boyfriend" she said but was interrupted by her mum "not when in the office, here he is the Director" her mum argued.

"Mum surely you do not expect me to address my boyfriend formally when we are together?"

"Chris tell her" she turned at me pouting.

I shifted at where I stood as i didnt know who to side with. Inwardly i sided with Eve but because I needed to curry some favor from her regarding Eve i had to remain mute.

I gave a nervous laugh before staring daggers at Frank for not informing me before hand of her arrival.

"Uhmm, let's calm down now shall we, ma'am please have a seat, babe please sit too" I said.

She grumpily came and sat beside me.

"I wanted to see you before the meeting starts, how are feeling?" She asked me, I couldnt help smiling at how concerned she is of me.

"I am prepared ma'am, Stratos may not have been as big as Atlantis, but i can handle bigger personalities" I said

"Good. Now, if you don't mind, Frank, lead me to the conference meeting room," she said, her gaze unwavering, before turning and leaving with Frank, who obediently led the way,

As soon as the door shut i turned and held her hand to pacify her.

"Love, I'm sorry I have to leave you right now" i said.

"Well let's go then" she said smiling and giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

I was momentarily confused at to what she meant and then it finally clicked.

"This was the surprise you talked about some days ago?" I asked surprised while she beamed and nodded.

I hugged her immediately, i couldn't believe it.

"Your company shares were unbelievably expensive but who cares" she said letting out a soft laugh.

"How did I not know about this? How did no one tell me?" I asked happily surprised.

"I bought it using a proxy and besides it would have defeated its purpose if i bought it directly using my company's name" she explained.

I couldn't be more prouder of having such a thoughtful and loving woman in my life.

"Chris, what's wrong?" she asked concerned, reaching out and touching my face, but I just embraced her. "I'm fine, and thank you" I said,

"Aww, you're welcome love" she said patting me gently at the back.

After getting some of the things I needed from my office we left and headed for the conference hall.

The meeting lasted for few hours before finally coming to an end as we wrapped up every necessary information and finalised the purchase of Nexus group of companies.

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Frank had suggested we celebrate the inauguration of the new board members and the successful acquisition of Nexus, so we agreed to meet up at our favorite spot, Eden nightclub.

I sat with Frank in our reserved VIP booth, eagerly awaiting Eve, who had mentioned she would be bringing her friend, Stephanie.

I had also extended an invitation to Cole, Eve's brother, whose involvement had been instrumental in acquiring Nexus. Lizzy was also slated to join us, but she had texted earlier to let me know that she would be running late due to a late-night video shoot.

Cole was the first to arrive, and he did so bearing a bottle of expensive wine.

"Congratulations," he said, his voice as dry and understated as ever, and offered me the bottle with a slight nod.

I smiled and accepted it, genuinely surprised by his thoughtfulness. It was almost endearing, coming from someone who typically projected an air of aloofness and cold detachment.

Shortly after, Lizzy appeared, her presence immediately injecting a burst of vibrant energy into the booth.

"Congratulations, baby!" she exclaimed, her voice loud and enthusiastic, and immediately launched herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck in a tight hug. I glanced behind her, relieved to find Cole studiously ignoring us, his expression carefully neutral. I gently unwound Lizzy from around me, patting her back.

"Thank you, Lizzy," I said, my voice warm. I watched as she turned her attention to Cole, her eyebrows furrowing in disapproval.

"Why are you wearing a suit in a club?" she asked, settling into the seat beside him.

"What I wear is none of your business," Cole said, his voice curt, before picking up his glass of dirty martini, pointedly ignoring her.

"Well, it is my business if you're going to be hanging out with us tonight. How are you even going to dance in that?" she queried, her tone incredulous.

"Who said anything about dancing?" he asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow at her, his lips twitching almost imperceptibly, as if suppressing a smile.

I pinched the space between my eyes, trying to ward off the burgeoning headache that threatened to erupt. I silently prayed for Eve to arrive already, hoping to distract from the awkward, predictable back-and-forth banter between Cole and Lizzy.

Thankfully, as if summoned by my silent plea, I saw Eve and Stephanie walking in, their presence immediately brightening the dimly lit space. I was already smiling, mentally searching for the right words to compliment Eve, when I noticed someone stop directly in front of her, blocking her path. My blood ran cold, and my smile instantly vanished.

"You've got to be kidding me," I said, my voice a low growl, instinctively standing to my feet, my fists clenching at my sides.