[
BONUS
Chapter
for reaching 600 PS! Thank you all!🤍 ]
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[EVE]
That morning, I was jolted awake by the commotion outside.
Groggily, I made my way to the window and peeked out to find a van parked in the driveway, unloading boxes of photo shoot equipment.
That's when it hit me—today was the magazine shoot day!
Élysée Luxe!
Of course, just as I was processing that, a light knock came at the door.
I opened it to see Victor standing there, his face fresh and cheerful, while I probably looked like I'd just crawled out of bed.
"Good morning, Eve," he greeted, his tone warm and slightly amused. "Sorry if we woke you."
"No, no, I was already up," I said, stifling a yawn. "What's up?"
Victor lifted a garment bag with a hint of excitement. "Sinclair picked out a dress for you for today's shoot. Thought I'd bring it over."
I glanced at the bag, my eyes lighting up at the luxurious fabric peeking through the protective cover.
"Thanks," I said, reaching out for it.
Seconds passed and Victor still didn't budge from the doorway, just lingering there with an odd look on his face.
"Need something else?" I asked, raising a brow.
He blinked, looking a bit flustered as he finally shook his head. "Oh, no . . . it's just . . . you've got something in your eye."
He gestured, and I instinctively rubbed my face, hoping to get rid of whatever
"morning glory"
was left over.
Victor chuckled softly and stepped closer. "Here, let me help."
Before I could react, he gently brushed his thumb near my eye, his fingers cool against my skin. I stilled, feeling a bit flustered myself, until he held up a small eyelash on his fingertip.
"Make a wish," he said, his usual serious expression softening with a smile that made him seem almost . . . charming.
It felt silly, but it wouldn't hurt. I closed my eyes and made a wish, whispering silently. Nothing big or grand, just a little hope for the day.
When I opened my eyes, he was watching me with a look that felt both comforting and a little too intense.
"Thank you," I said, gathering myself. Somehow, my morning felt a little brighter.
I was used to his polite friendliness by now, but something about this moment was warmer. Between the two sides of Victor—the sharp, no-nonsense version and this softer one—I had to admit, I liked this side a lot more.
Afterward, I blew the eyelash from Victor's hand and gave him a small smile.
"What did you wish for?" he asked.
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a secret anymore, would it?" I replied playfully.
He chuckled, a soft warmth lighting up his face. "Alright, I'll see you downstairs. The photo-shoot is still five hours away, so take your time," he said, stepping back to give me some space. But before he left, he gave me one last reassuring smile.
I shut the door, feeling unexpectedly uplifted.
Looking at the dress, I took in its elegance. The fabric was a soft, creamy white, with delicate, intricate embroidery along the bodice and a subtle shimmer that caught the light just right.
It wasn't overly fancy, but rather a quietly elegant design that felt timeless. The neckline was graceful, dipping slightly but remaining modest, and the dress itself flowed down in soft folds that would move beautifully.
A simple pair of earrings or a bracelet would be enough to complete the look—nothing too extravagant.
I had a feeling Sinclair had chosen it precisely for its simplicity, knowing it would highlight my features without overwhelming them.
"Time to get ready," I murmured, taking a deep breath. The thought of seeing Sullivan and Sophia didn't sit well with me, but maybe I could use this chance to ask about where they had really found me.
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Victor walked out of Eve's room with a wide smile, a trace of warmth still on his face from their exchange. But as he turned down the hallway, his smile faded.
Standing a few feet away was Cole, his expression unreadable but his gaze intense.
Victor's face cooled instantly, shifting into a more guarded, serious demeanor. "You're still here?" he asked, tone low and direct. "Seems you have a lot of free time for a Fay."
Cole's eyes narrowed, a flash of irritation evident, and the temperature between them drop several degrees. "What are you doing in front of Eve's room this early?" he asked, his voice like ice.
Victor's smile returned, but it was edged with mockery. "I don't answer to you, Cole."
"You do if it concerns Eve. I'm her head of security, and I don't trust you hanging around her door."
Victor laughed, a sharp, mirthless sound. "Of the two of us,
you're
the real danger to her," he said, his tone cutting. "Or have you forgotten how you've hurt her all these years?"
Cole's jaw tightened, but he kept his tone steady. "That's in the past, now I will never do anything to hurt Eve."
"Oh, really?" Victor raised a brow, voice taunting. "Because from where I stand, you've already done a fine job of it. And now, here you are, playing the protective act to keep anyone else away from the one who would truly love her. Pathetic."
Cole's gaze darkened, the threat unmistakable. "Stay away from her, Victor."
Victor's smile dropped, his expression turning deadly serious. "No,
you're
the one who needs to stay away. I'm here to heal what you've broken, and I won't let you get in my way."
Cole took a step forward, standing nose to nose with Victor, his height matching the older man's and his voice as cold as stone.
"I don't care who you are," he hissed. "If you so much as think of hurting Eve, I'll stop you—whatever it takes."
Victor chuckled again, but this time, there was no amusement in it. "You're no threat to me, Cole. Unlike you, I know what I want, and I'm not a foolish boy who strings her along. I intend to make her mine. Officially."
Cole's expression cracked a little, his fists clenching. His eyes sharpened, dangerously intense, but Victor wasn't intimidated the least.
"That's right," Victor said, leaning in closer, his voice a low whisper. "I intend to court her—with marriage in mind. Unlike you, I'm a man who knows exactly what he wants. And I won't let you, or anyone else, get in my way."
Cole's lips pressed into a thin line, his glare unrelenting, but for once, he seemed to lack a retort.
Victor held his gaze for a beat longer, then turned away, glancing over his shoulder with a final, taunting smile.
"Just thought you should know." And with that, he walked off, leaving Cole fuming in his wake.