Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Harper settled into her position at Scott Industries effortlessly. With her impressive design skills and approachable demeanor, she quickly became a valued member of the team Yet here she was, sighing as sh as she rearranged the fresh flowers on her desk for the third time that werk Ellen leaned over from the neighboring workstation, coffee mug in hand. "Another bouquet Girl, if I had someone sending me flowers every other day, I'd be doing backflips, not looking like someone deleted your design f Harper plucked out two roses and handed them ass. "Heer. Maybe they'll bring you better back than they're bringing me. The problem wasn't having an admirer-It was that her admirer happened to be Tyler Scott, her literal boss. The power dynamic made everything awkward After the Dylan disaster, she wasn't emotionally ready for anything new. Plus, office gossip was the last thing she needed when trying to rebuild her career.]] Her phone it up with another message from Tyler. Dinner tonight? No pressure. Previously, Harper had poistely declined each invitation with various excuses But today, she deleted her usual rejection and typed a simple "OK."|| Tyler's response was inediate: "Really? Awesome! Italian spot on Newbury? 7:30 "See you there," she replied Harper had finally agreed because she needed to set boundaries face-to-face. Continued rejection vis text was getting awkward. When she arrived at the restaurant, Tyler was already seabed, wearing a navy button-down that made his eyes look even bluer As the host led her to the table. Tyler presented her with a small arrangement of jasmine flowers. "I noticed you gifted today's roses to Ellen. Not your favorite? || Harper bent to smell the delicate blossoms, genuinely appreciating their subtle fragrance || The roses were beautiful. Just thought Ellen could use the mood boost after her breakup. "And what about the guy sending them? Tyler asked, his casual tone not quite masking his interest Harper took a sip of water, buying time.]] Tyler, I need to be straight with you. This she gestured between them."-probably isn't a good idea." "I'm not just messing around here, Harper, he said, meeting her gaze. I know it's complicated with work and everything, but I'm serious about getting to know you. Harper couldn't find the right words, so she said nothing, examining the menu with unnecessary As pursuing executives went tyler had been nothing but respectful. Thoughtful gifts that weren't ostentatious, sweet potes that weren't creepy, and total professionalism at work The silence stretched between them, punctuated only by the soft jazz playing in the background "Let's just enjoy dinner," 1yr finally said, breaking the tension. "No pressure. [] Harper barely touched her pasta but found herself finishing her second glass of cabernet, then reaching for a third] Tyler gently moved the wine bottle away. "Maybe slow down a bit? You've hardly touched your food."| Maybe it was the dechul, but Harper felt her carefully constructed walls beginning to cramide.|| literally don't remember him anymore," ale murmured, tracing the rim of her glass, so why does it still hurt?-||| "Remember who?" Tyler asked, leaning forward with genuine concern The wine had loosened her tongue. I know I was wrong to chase him for so long, but after the accident, I thought I'd finally moved on. "Why wouldn't he listen when I tried to explain? Why would be..." she faltered, "push me into the water just because she said to? Why did he believe her without even asking me?"|| As she spoke, she unconsciously pushed up her sleeve, revealing the angry red burn sears that were still healing Tylerexpression changed instantly when he saw the wounds. Something flashed in his eyes-shock, then anger, then deep concern. her fragmented story, he piered together what had happened. Some asshole had not only broken her heart but physically endangered her, which explained why she kept him at arms length || With unexpected gentleness, he reached across the table and lightly touched her scarred wrist Harper," he said quietly, "I don't know w what h t happened exactly, but I promise Til never hurt you like that. And if you let me, I'll do everything I can to help you leave those memories behind for good. 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.