Emma pov
Emma Sterling woke up to the soft sound of her phone vibrating on the bedside table.
She did not open her eyes immediately. She already knew what the messages would be about. Meetings. Numbers. Schedules. Decisions that could not wait. Her life never waited.
She finally reached for the phone and checked the screen.
Five missed emails. Three messages from her assistant. Two calls from Andrew.
Emma sighed and sat up in bed.
Her bedroom was large and neat. Everything was placed carefully. The curtains were light gray, the walls were white, and the city skyline filled the glass windows. From the outside, it was a perfect place to live. From the inside, it felt quiet in a way that sometimes hurt.
She stood up and walked to the window. The city below was already moving fast. Cars, people, noise. Power.
This was her world.
Emma owned Elysium Parfums, one of the most successful perfume companies in the country. The company had been built by her father, but she had taken it higher. She had worked hard for it. Still, many people believed she had everything handed to her.
They did not see the pressure.
She went into the bathroom and washed her face. Her reflection stared back at her. She looked confident. Strong. That was the version of herself the world knew.
But last night, something had changed.
Her mind returned to the delivery guy outside the hotel.
Trevor.
She remembered his calm voice. The way he spoke without trying to impress her. The way he looked at her like she was just a person, not a name or a brand.
Emma shook her head slightly.
"Get yourself together," she said softly.
There was a knock on the door.
"Emma?" Lisa's voice came through. "You're awake, right?"
"Yes," Emma replied. "Come in."
Lisa Monroe entered the room with a tablet in her hand. She was dressed neatly, her hair tied back. Lisa had been with Emma for years. She was more than an assistant. She was family.
"You have a board meeting at ten," Lisa said. "A product review at noon. And Andrew wants lunch."
Emma frowned. "He didn't ask."
Lisa raised an eyebrow. "He never does."
Emma gave a small smile. "Did I miss anything important?"
Lisa hesitated. "The investors are nervous. They want reassurance."
"They always do," Emma said calmly.
Lisa studied her face closely. "You look distracted."
"I'm not," Emma replied quickly.
Lisa did not argue, but she knew better. "You were different last night."
Emma picked up a perfume bottle from the table and turned it slowly in her hand. "It was a long night."
Lisa sighed. "Andrew wasn't happy that you stepped away from the gala."
"I needed air," Emma said.
"Andrew doesn't like surprises," Lisa replied.
Emma looked at her. "That's the problem."
They shared a quiet moment before Lisa changed the subject.
"I'll have the car ready in thirty minutes," Lisa said.
Emma nodded. "Thank you."
After Lisa left, Emma dressed for work. A clean suit. Simple jewelry. Professional. She looked like a woman in control.
But inside, her thoughts returned again to Trevor.
She did not understand why.
At the office, the atmosphere was serious. Glass walls. Polished floors. People walked quickly, greeting Emma with respect.
"Good morning, Ms. Sterling."
"Good morning."
She entered the boardroom and took her seat at the head of the table. The meeting started right away.
Sales reports. Marketing plans. Expansion ideas.
Emma listened carefully and responded with clear decisions. This was where she felt strongest. Business made sense. People did not always.
Halfway through the meeting, her phone buzzed.
Andrew.
She ignored it.
After the meeting, Lisa followed her into her office.
"You handled that well," Lisa said.
"It's my job."
Lisa hesitated again. "Andrew called me too."
Emma looked up. "About what?"
"Lunch. He already booked the place."
Emma leaned back in her chair. "Of course he did."
The restaurant was expensive and quiet. Andrew Whitmore was already seated when Emma arrived.
He stood up and kissed her cheek. "You're late."
Emma sat down calmly. "I was working."
Andrew smiled, but his eyes were sharp. "You're always working."
"And you're always counting," Emma replied.
Andrew laughed lightly. "That's why we're perfect."
Emma did not answer.
They ordered food. Andrew spoke about business deals, future plans, and public appearances. He spoke as if everything was already decided.
"I think we should announce the wedding date soon," Andrew said casually.
Emma froze slightly. "We didn't agree on that."
Andrew looked at her. "It's time. The public expects it."
"And what do I expect?" Emma asked quietly.
Andrew frowned. "Emma, don't start this."
She met his gaze. "Start what? Wanting a choice?"
Andrew leaned forward. "You have everything. Why are you acting unsure?"
Emma thought of last night. Of standing outside the hotel. Of a simple conversation that felt real.
"I just want to breathe," she said.
Andrew sighed. "You're overthinking."
"No," Emma replied. "I'm finally thinking."
The tension between them was thick.
Later that evening, Emma returned home feeling drained. She kicked off her shoes and walked straight to the window.
The city lights glowed below.
She picked up her phone without thinking and opened her notes app.
Trevor.
She typed his name, then stopped.
"What am I doing?" she whispered.
There was another knock at the door. Lisa again.
"Long day?" Lisa asked.
"Yes."
Lisa sat beside her. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Emma hesitated, then spoke softly. "Do you ever feel like your life is planned by everyone else?"
Lisa nodded. "Every day."
Emma smiled sadly. "I met someone last night."
Lisa turned to her. "Someone?"
"Yes. Just… someone."
Lisa did not press her. She simply said, "Be careful. But also… be honest with yourself."
Emma looked out at the city again.
Somewhere out there, Trevor was living a life completely different from hers.
Emma could not stop thinking about it