Chapter 30 30 Chapter 30 - No Turning Back Morris's POV The phone rang, and I answered on speaker, greeted by the shrill voice I'd grown to despise. "Morris, what the hell is going on with the finance floor renovation? I never authorized this!" I leaned back in my leather executive chair, a smirk forming on my lips. "Lower your tone, Eddie. I'm not one of your underlings to be barked at-I'm your superior. This company bears my name, and I don't require your permission to make changes." "This is outrageous!" Eddie's voice climbed an octave higher. "I had barely left the building when Paula informed me that finance must relocate to the sixteenth floor-with marketing! Finance cannot possibly share space with another department, especially those creative types! I tried returning, but the elevator won't even stop at our floor!" "The message was perfectly clear," I replied, enjoying his distress. "Finance is being renovated. Follow the instructions in the email. Starting Monday, the sixteenth floor is your temporary home. Finance and marketing will coexist-we don't have another vacant floor." "That's not how corporate operations work, Morris. Who suddenly decided our floor needed renovation?" "Nothing sudden about it, Eddie. I toured the floor yesterday, remember? I observed several issues requiring immediate attention, including electrical hazards. So I, as CEO and sole proprietor, made the executive decision to renovate." I could practically hear him seething on the other end, which delighted me. Making Eddie's professional life miserable had become something of a hobby, and I knew sharing space with marketing would drive him insane. "If finance must relocate, we should move to the executive floor. We handle confidential matters. You need to reconsider immediately." "And sacrifice my peace? Absolutely not. The decision stands-adapt to it." "Don't treat me like some subordinate!" Eddie barked. "Then stop behaving like one. Anything else?" "I need access to retrieve files and equipment, Morris. Authorize elevator access immediately." "Unnecessary, Eddie. Paula has already coordinated everything. The transition will happen over the weekend to prevent workflow disruption. Monday morning, everything will be prepared." "Unacceptable! There are highly sensitive documents that can't be handled by just anyone." His voice betrayed unmistakable panic, which immediately triggered my suspicions. "Precisely why Paula will oversee everything personally. You and your team report to the sixteenth floor Monday morning. Until then, your presence in the building is neither required 11:33 < 30 Chapter 30 - No Turning Back nor welcome. I'm instructing security to deny your entry to prevent interference with Paula's work. Any further concerns?" Not waiting for his response, I slammed the receiver down, my jaw clenched in annoyance. Eddie always managed to elevate my blood pressure. I picked up the phone again, dialing security. "Tobias, effective immediately: building access restricted until Monday. No employees, not even directors. Only those explicitly authorized by myself, Paula, or Darren are permitted entry." I hung up and turned my attention to my gorgeous assistant seated nearby. My irritation instantly dissolved, replaced by a different kind of heat. Something about this woman ignited something primal within me with just a glance. She maintained her professional demeanor, legs elegantly crossed, posture perfect. But her composure didn't fool me-her eyes revealed she felt the same electricity crackling between us. As I moved toward her, knocking at the door interrupted us, followed by Darren's obnoxious comment: "Morris, open up or I'll assume you're ravishing your stunning assistant on that couch!" Monica blushed crimson, and I couldn't help smiling at her reaction. I strode to the door, opening it with an exaggerated eye roll as Darren sauntered in with that insufferable grin. "Just finishing a quickie?" he quipped. Upon seeing Monica composed on the couch, his expression fell, immediately shifting to apologetic. "Damn! Monica, I sincerely apologize-I was just teasing Morris. Please don't take offense..." "Relax, Darren," she responded coolly. "When your friend finally gets me in bed, it certainly won't be on this office couch with you pounding at the door." Darren's jaw dropped. I couldn't contain my laughter-my bold, brilliant assistant never ceased to amaze me. I approached her, planting a kiss on her cheek while maintaining intense eye contact. "Definitely not," I agreed, voice husky. "It will be on a luxurious king-sized bed where I can explore every inch of you without interruptions from idiots at the door." The fire blazed in her eyes, confirming her arousal. My gaze dropped momentarily to her chest, noting her hardened nipples beneath her silk blouse. This woman would be my undoing. Unable to resist, I placed one knee on the couch cushion and captured her lips in a deep, demanding kiss, cradling her face between my hands. When we separated, she was breathless, and Darren cleared his throat awkwardly behind us. I was rock-hard again, but somehow maintained my composure. "We'll continue this interlude later, angel. Unfortunately, my colleague has impeccable timing." 11:33 213 < 30 Chapter 30 - No Turning Back "I think he's jealous," she teased. "If you gentlemen don't require anything else, I should get home to my son." "Won't you wait? I can drive you," I offered, reluctant to end our time together. "Thank you, but I need to relieve the babysitter. See you tomorrow." I helped her stand and stole another quick kiss. As she passed Darren, she paused, placing her hand on his shoulder with a deceptively sweet smile. "Right now, I'm contemplating violence against your person." I burst into laughter as she departed. There was no denying it anymore-I was completely, irrevocably falling for this woman. There was absolutely no turning back. Comment In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. As their romance blossoms, Hector grapples with concealing his true identity to capture Jane's heart. However, their love story takes a tumultuous turn when jealousy rears its ugly head, threatening to unravel the delicate balance they've built. This modern romance novel delves into themes of hidden identities, unexpected love, and the complexities of maintaining a relationship shrouded in secrecy. With its blend of sweet romance and suspenseful twists, "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" stands out for its exploration of hidden feelings and the consequences of revealing long-held secrets. For readers seeking a captivating tale that combines elements of romance, intrigue, and emotional depth, this ongoing story is available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in the world of Jane and Hector as their journey unfolds against the backdrop of hidden truths and heartfelt revelations.