Chapter 7 Gavin's breath caught . He was blocked and ignored . " This is all an act , he told himself . ' She's rushing off because she knows I'll see right through her . There was no way she really meant breakup . ' ' We've never had a real fight . She didn't cry , didn't make a scene . This isn't how someone acts when it's really over . Just a cold war . Whoever caves first loses . Gavin couldn't accept that Cecilia had really moved on . ***** The VIP elevator dinged open at the 17th floor . Project Manager David nearly choked on his coffee when Gavin stepped out -again . ' Second surprise visit this week , ' he thought , his grip tightening on the paper cup . ' Should I say something about Cecilia ? No , better keep my mouth shut . ' He forced a smile as Gavin approached . Gavin glanced at Cecilia's empty desk , then casually tapped the elevator button . " I pressed the wrong floor , " he said smoothly , as if it were the most natural mistake . ' She's avoiding me , probably secretly worrying about me right now . The doors closed with a soft chime , his expression unreadable . ***** As evening fell at Tate's Grand Feast , the group of friends sipped red wine under the warm glow of chandeliers , all noticing Gavin's dark mood . When the conversation turned to him , Gavin swirled his wine dismissively. " The food's terrible , " he lied , avoiding everyone's gaze . " Don't you dare say that . " Xavier shot up from his chair . " My restaurant's reputation is built on seafood . I personally instructed the chef to prepare his finest work . If his cooking fails to impress you , I'll have to fire him ." " Gavin won't touch shellfish unless someone peels it for him ," Charles quipped , the unspoken name hanging in the air. " Preferably hand - fed , like a spoiled emperor . " His smirk said what he didn't . Everyone knew who used to do that for Gavin . Gavin's gaze darkened . He had never peeled his own seafood . Back when Cecilia was here , his plate was always piled with perfectly prepared bites . Catching Gavin's dark look , Charles grinned and rolled up his sleeves . " Allow me , Your Majesty , " he teased , dangling a peeled . lobster in front of Gavin . The whole table burst into laughter . Gavin set down his fork with deliberate calm . " That's enough , " he said , his voice cutting through the laughter . " I'd like to at least keep my appetite for the wine . " " Since when can't you take a joke ? " Charles pulled back , realizing Cecilia's absence was affecting Gavin more than expected . " Still haven't made up with her ? " In a flash , he snatched Gavin's phone . " I texted her , but got no reply . She's clearly waiting for you to reach out first . " " Wait- " Gavin's hand shot out , but Charles had already hit send . A beat later , Charles stared at the screen in shock . " She blocked you ? " Gavin's throat tightened . An awkward silence fell over the table . " Gavin , " Charles leaned in , voice dropping to a murmur , " this isn't just a tantrum . Cecilia's seriously done . Swallow your pride and apologize now , or you'll spend years regretting it . " Gavin set his jaw , shaking his head . Just as the tension peaked , a friend came back from picking up his date . " Guess who I just saw in the lobby ? " he announced , grinning . " Cecilia . Who said they were fighting ? Look , she's here , always putting Gavin first ." The shadow on Gavin's face dissolved into a smug smile . 1/3 12:44 Tue , Aug 12 G 95 % 回 X Chapter 7 But ten minutes later , Cecilia still hadn't appeared . Xavier slipped away to check the security cameras , returning with an awkward expression . " Maybe she couldn't locate us . She's actually in a private dining room on the fourth floor , the Crawfords ' reservation . " " So Cecilia came here for someone else ? " Charles ' words hung in the suddenly airless room . Every head swiveled toward Gavin , whose expression darkened like thunder rolling in . In the fourth - floor private dining room , Cecilia positioned her tablet on the table , presenting the design concept for the exhibition . Across from her sat a man in an impeccably tailored suit , a blue silk tie secured with a silver pin , a wristwatch worth millions . Every detail screamed old money . " Mr. Crawford , if the contract terms work for you , we can close the deal today . " Cecilia addressed Neil Crawford , head of the Crawford Group . While the Crawfords and the Fosters did business together , they were also competitors . The Crawfords owned half of the city's luxury hotels . " Ms. Jordan , mixing business with dinner ? That's the kind of commitment I like to see . " Neil nodded at the seafood feast laid out before them . " The contract can wait . Let's eat first . " " Of course , " Cecilia agreed readily , her practiced smile unwavering . Years of boardroom battles had made this dance second nature . With the jewelry exhibition details to finalize , she focused on her salad , carefully avoiding the seafood . Neil watched her closely . " Not your taste ? Last time with Mr. Foster , you peeled shellfish the entire evening . I assumed you loved it . Shall we get you something different ? " Cecilia never liked seafood , especially all that peeling . " No thanks , " she said . " I need to get back to work . " Now that she wasn't Gavin's secretary anymore , she wore flat shoes and kept her nails short and simple . For the first time in years , Gavin's preferences didn't factor into her choices . Neil picked up on her meaning immediately . " They say you switched from secretary to project team , " he said , leaning forward . " With your skills , why stay at Foster's ? Come to Crawford Group . Just tell me what you need ." ' Job offer or something more ? ' Cecilia kept her smile steady while weighing his words . " Don't tell me Crawford Group is short on secretaries , Mr. Crawford . What about Ms. Lawrence ? Or Ms. Zoller ? " Her skin prickled under his gaze , too heavy for a business meeting . " Bad choice of words , " Neil eased up , softening his stare . " Secretary work was beneath you . Look at this exhibition plan . It shows exactly what you're capable of . The offer is real , and it'll keep . Crawford Group always has a spot for you . " " Appreciate the offer . " Cecilia deftly avoided giving an answer . After the dinner , the moment the contract was signed , she rose from her seat . " I'll send the follow - up documents by email , Mr. Crawford . Good evening ." Cecilia hadn't driven herself tonight . As she stepped into the cool night air , she flagged down a taxi and slid inside , finally exhaling the tension she had been carrying all evening . ** On his way to the parking garage , Neil ran into Gavin near the elevators . " Mr. Foster , " he said , raising an eyebrow . " What a coincidence . Unless you were waiting for me ? " Gavin's expression turned sharp . " I've told you before . Cecilia belongs with me . Watch your step . " Their families ' business ties meant unavoidable encounters . Any man could see what Neil really wanted from Cecilia . And it wasn't just business . 2/3 12:44 Tue , Aug 12 G H 0 X - Chapter 7 " Mr. Foster , you've got it backwards . Ms. Jordan invited me today . " Neil's cocky grin was designed to irritate . As things were heating up , Charles and Xavier showed up . " Hey now , we're all friends here ," Xavier cut in , stepping between them . He had known Neil for years too . " Come on , man . You know Cecilia's with Gavin . Don't go after someone else's girl . " Neil raised his hands with fake innocence , that annoying smirk still on his face . " Hold on , " he said slowly , " why assume I'm chasing her ? Maybe she's the one interested in me ? " Gavin finally lost it . " Cecilia's mine , " he growled , his voice low and dangerous . " We've been together for years . She's not available , not now , not ever . Cross that line , and you'll regret it ."