Vanessa's POV
Are you sure about this? Maya asked for the hundredth time.
I stood in front of my bathroom mirror, applying lipstick with shaking hands. Red. Bold. The color of war.
No, I admitted. But I'm doing it anyway.
Six weeks. That's how long it had been since I'd called Jake Morrison and agreed to work together.
Six weeks of secret meetings in parking garages and coded text messages. Six weeks of sharing information about David while maintaining a public distance. Six weeks of pretending I didn't notice the way Jake's eyes lingered on me during those meetings. Or the way my heart raced when his name appeared on my phone.
We'd agreed to work separately—share intel but maintain independence. Safer that way. Less complicated.
Except nothing about Jake Morrison was simple.
He's going to be at the investor meeting today, Maya said, leaning against the doorframe. Are you ready to see him?
I thought about the last time I'd seen Jake, five days ago in a dimmed parking structure. He'd shown me evidence about David's shell companies. We'd stood close, reviewing documents on his phone, and his cologne had wrapped around me like a drug.
When our hands brushed reaching for the same page, he'd pulled back like I'd burned him.
Sorry, he'd muttered.
It's fine, I'd lied.
But it wasn't fine. Because I'd wanted him not to pull away.
Lyn? Maya's voice snapped me back to the present. You're doing that thing again.
What thing?
That thing where you think about him and get this look on your face.
I don't have a look.
You totally have a look. Maya grinned. It's the same look I had when I met my husband. The 'I hate that I'm attracted to him' look.
I'm not attracted to Jake Morrison. The lie tasted bitter.
Sure you're not.
My phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number—except I'd memorized that number weeks ago.
Good luck today. You'll kill it. —JM
My stomach did that stupid flip thing it always did when he texted.
I typed back quickly: Thanks. See you at the meeting.
Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
You look good in red.
I froze. How did he know what I was wearing?
I looked out my window. Across the street, a black car sat at the curb. Even from here, I could see Jake in the driver's seat, phone in hand, looking up at my apartment.
Our eyes met across the distance.
He'd been watching me. Making sure I was safe before the meeting.
Something warm bloomed in my chest—something dangerous that felt way too much like affection.
I grabbed my jacket and headed for the door. Let's go. We're late.
We have twenty minutes.
I need coffee first.
What I really needed was to not think about Jake Morrison sitting outside my apartment, making sure I was okay.
The investor meeting was brutal. Twenty potential investors, all asking pointed questions about my fraud allegations and public failures.
I answered each one with facts, data, and controlled fury.
Then Jake Morrison walked in.
Every head turned. He commanded attention just by existing—tall, perfectly dressed, radiating power and wealth.
His eyes found mine immediately. Held for just a second too long.
My face went hot.
Mr. Morrison, the lead investor said, surprised. We didn't know you'd be joining us.
I'm considering an investment, Jake said smoothly, taking a seat. Directly across from me. I wanted to hear Ms. Chen's pitch firsthand.
Our eyes met again. There was something in his gaze—support, maybe. Or challenge. Or something else I didn't want to name.
I continued my presentation, hyperaware of Jake watching me. Every time I made a strong point, I saw the corner of his mouth lift slightly. Almost a smile.
When I finished, the room erupted in questions.
How do we know you won't steal our investment like you allegedly stole from Marcus Reeves?
Before I could answer, Jake's voice cut through the room. That's a loaded question based on unproven allegations. Ms. Chen was never charged with theft because there was no theft. Perhaps we should focus on the actual business model instead of tabloid gossip.
Silence.
Jake's eyes were cold as he surveyed the room. Unless this is a serious business meeting. In which case, I'm happy to invest ten million in VanChen AI's Series A round. Today.
The room exploded.
Ten million. From Jake Morrison. The man who'd destroyed my deal three years ago was now investing in my company.
Our eyes met across the table, and something passed between us. Something that made my pulse race and my skin feel too tight.
I... I couldn't find words.
That is, Jake continued, his gaze never leaving mine, if Ms. Chen will accept my investment. I understand if she'd prefer to work with other investors. Given our history.
He was giving me an out. Letting me reject him publicly if I wanted to.
But I didn't want to.
I accept, I heard myself say. Thank you, Mr. Morrison.
His smile was small but genuine. My pleasure, Ms. Chen.
The meeting ended with three more investors pledging money. Maya was ecstatic as we gathered our things.
Jake appeared beside me as I packed up my laptop. Up close, he smelled like cedarwood and ambition.
Can we talk? he asked quietly. Privately?
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
We stepped into an empty conference room. The door clicked shut behind us, and suddenly we were alone.
You didn't have to do that, I said.
I know. Jake stepped closer. I wanted to.
Why?
Because you deserve support. Because David's trying to isolate you. Because— He stopped, his jaw tightening. Because I believe in what you're building.
We were standing too close. I could see the flecks of gold in his dark eyes. Could feel the heat radiating off his body.
Jake—
My phone exploded with notifications. Both our phones did.
I pulled mine out with shaking hands, grateful for the interruption.
A news alert: Business Insider Announces Business Person of the Year Nominees.
I clicked it. And my blood turned to ice.
Three names:
Marcus Reeves, CEO of Chen-Reeves Technologies
Jake Morrison, CEO of Morrison Properties
Vanessa Chen, CEO of VanChen AI
No, I whispered.
Jake had gone completely still beside me.
Within seconds, social media exploded.
Twitter: #MorrisonChenFeud trending worldwide.
Tech blog headline: Corporate Enemies Nominated Together—Gala Will Be Explosive.
Another headline: Battle of Exes and Enemies: Most Dramatic Business Awards in History.
I clicked on an article. It had photos of all three of us with the caption: The most controversial nominees in Business Insider history.
This is bad, I breathed.
This is strategic, Jake said darkly. David probably arranged it. Maximum chaos. Maximum publicity.
Marcus and David will use this to humiliate me. Again. In front of everyone.
Jake's hand touched my elbow—just a light touch, but it sent electricity up my arm. Then we don't let them. We show up together. United front.
Together? Jake, the press already hates our relationship. They think—
They think we're enemies. Let them think it. Let Marcus and David think it too. His eyes burned into mine. But you and I know the truth. We're not enemies anymore.
What are we then?
The question hung between us, heavy with meaning.
Jake's hand was still on my elbow. His thumb brushed against my skin, and I saw his pupils dilate.
I don't know, he admitted quietly. But I know I don't want to be your enemy.
My phone rang, shattering the moment.
Maya's number. I answered on speaker.
Lyn! Did you see the nominations? Maya was screaming with excitement. You're nominated! This is huge!
I saw.
Wait, why do you sound weird? What's wrong?
Marcus and Jake are also nominated.
Maya went silent. Oh. Oh shit.
Yeah.
Where are you right now?
I looked at Jake, who was still standing close enough that I could feel his body heat. I'm... in a meeting.
Okay, well finish up and get home. We need to strategize. The press is going to go insane with this story.
She was right. My phone was already exploding with interview requests and social media mentions.
I'll be there soon, I promised.
When I hung up, Jake was watching me with an expression I couldn't read.
I should go, I said, even though I didn't want to.
Vanessa. He caught my hand as I turned away. His fingers wrapped around mine, warm and strong. This nomination—it's going to get ugly. David will use it against both of us.
I know.
But you're not alone. Remember that.
I looked down at our joined hands. Six weeks ago, I'd sworn I'd never trust Jake Morrison. Now he was holding my hand and I didn't want him to let go.
Why are you being so nice to me? I whispered.
Jake's thumb stroked across my knuckles, sending shivers up my spine. Maybe I'm tired of being the villain in your story.
What do you want to be instead?
His eyes met mine, dark and intense and full of something that made my heart stutter.
I'm still figuring that out.
He released my hand slowly, like he didn't want to let go either.
I'll call you later, he said. To discuss strategy for the awards.
Just strategy?
The question slipped out before I could stop it.
Jake's smile was slow and devastating. For now.
He left, and I stood alone in the conference room, my hand still tingling where he'd touched it.
This was dangerous. Whatever was growing between Jake and me—it was reckless and stupid and completely irresponsible.
But I couldn't seem to stop it.
My phone rang. Unknown number.
I answered without thinking. Hello?
Ms. Chen? A young male voice. Professional but friendly. This is Ryan Morrison. I'm Jake Morrison's assistant.
My heart skipped. Yes?
Mr. Morrison wanted me to reach out directly. He has a proposal—a business arrangement that could benefit both of you regarding the awards ceremony.
What kind of arrangement?
Not over the phone. Can you meet tomorrow? Two PM. I'll text you the address.
I... what is this about?
Ryan's voice dropped lower. It's about managing the media narrative. And about David Chen. Mr. Morrison believes he's planning something for the awards gala. Something that could destroy both your reputations.
Ice flooded my veins. What kind of plan?
He'll explain everything tomorrow. Please come, Ms. Chen. Your career depends on it.
The line went dead.
A text arrived immediately with an address—a downtown restaurant. Private. Exclusive.
I stared at my phone, my mind racing.
What was Jake planning?
And why did part of me desperately want to find out?
That night, I couldn't sleep. I scrolled through social media, watching the internet explode over the nominations.
#MorrisonChenFeud was trending #1 worldwide. People were creating memes, placing bets, speculating wildly.
Someone had created a poll: Who will win Business Person of the Year?
The results made me sick:
Marcus Reeves: 47%Jake Morrison: 34%Vanessa Chen: 19%
Last place. Even with Jake's support and my successful launch, people still thought I was a fraud.
I threw my phone across the room.
Maya appeared in my doorway. Can't sleep either?
They hate me, Maya. No matter what I do, I'm always going to be the woman who got played. Twice.
So prove them wrong. Win that award.
How? Marcus has David. Jake has his empire. What do I have?
Maya sat on my bed. You have me. You have your brilliant mind. You have investors who believe in you. And whether you want to admit it or not, you have Jake Morrison.
Jake's not—we're not
You're something, Maya said knowingly. I saw how he looked at you at that investor meeting. That man is not looking at you like a business partner.
My face went hot. We're working together to take down David. That's all.
Mmhmm. Is that why you keep touching your hand where he held it?
I looked down. I was rubbing my knuckles where Jake's thumb had stroked them.
Damn it.
It doesn't matter how he looks at me. We can barely trust each other. Anything more would be—
My phone buzzed. I retrieved it from where I'd thrown it.
A text from Jake: Can't sleep either. Thinking about tomorrow's meeting. And about you.
My heart stopped.
About you.
Not about the situation. Not about David. About me.
I stared at the message, my fingers hovering over the keyboard.
Maya peered over my shoulder and gasped. Oh my God. He's flirting with you!
He's not
'Thinking about you'? That's flirting! Maya grabbed my phone. What are you going to say back?
Nothing. It's inappropriate. We're working together.
So? My husband and I work together. Started as colleagues. Now we're married.
That's different.
How?
Because I don't hate your husband!
Do you hate Jake Morrison?
I opened my mouth to say yes. But the word wouldn't come.
Because the truth was, I didn't hate him. Not anymore. Not after six weeks of secret meetings and shared goals and moments where he looked at me like I was something precious.
Not after he'd invested ten million in my company and held my hand like he was afraid to let go.
I don't know what I feel, I admitted quietly.
My phone buzzed again.
Jake: Sorry. That was inappropriate. See you tomorrow. Sleep well, Vanessa.
Something about seeing my name typed out by him made my chest ache.
I typed back before I could stop myself: I can't sleep when I'm thinking about strategy. Or when my former enemies text me.
Three dots appeared immediately. My heart raced.
Jake: Former enemies. I like that. What are we now?
Maya squealed. He's definitely flirting!
Shh! I typed back: Still figuring that out. You said you were too.
Jake: Come to the meeting tomorrow. Maybe we'll figure it out together.
My hands were shaking. This felt like more than business. More than David. More than revenge.
This felt like something that could hurt me worse than any betrayal.
Me: Two PM. I'll be there.
Jake: Good. And Vanessa? Wear red again. I meant what I said. You look good in it.
I dropped the phone, my face burning.
Maya grabbed it and read the message. Oh, you're so screwed.
I know, I whispered.
Do you like him?
I thought about Jake's dark eyes. His rare smiles. The way his hand felt wrapped around mine. The way he'd defended me in that investor meeting without being asked.
The way he made me feel safe when everything else was falling apart.
I don't want to, I admitted. But I think maybe I do.
Then tomorrow's meeting is going to be very interesting.
That night, I dreamed about dark eyes and dangerous smiles and hands that held mine like they didn't want to let go.
When I woke, my phone had one more message from Jake, sent at 3 AM:
I'm glad you called me six weeks ago. Even if it was just for revenge. —J
And below it, one more:
That's a lie. I'm glad you called because it meant I got to know you. The real you. Not the enemy I thought you were.
I read the messages five times, my heart pounding harder each time.
Tomorrow's meeting wasn't just about David or the awards or business strategy.
Tomorrow was about Jake and me figuring out what we were becoming.
And that terrified me more than anything David could do.
My phone rang at 6 AM, shocking me out of sleep.
Unknown number. I answered groggily. Hello?
Ms. Chen. A woman's voice. Cold. Official. This is Detective Sarah Park with the San Francisco Police Department. We need you to come to the station this morning to answer questions regarding allegations of corporate espionage and hacking.
Sleep vanished. What?
Chen-Reeves Technologies has filed a formal complaint. We're opening an investigation. Nine AM. Don't be late.
She hung up.
I sat frozen, staring at my phone.
Nine AM. The same time I was supposed to meet Jake.
Marcus had filed charges. Criminal charges.
I could go to jail.
My phone buzzed. A text from Ryan Morrison:
Mr. Morrison heard about the police complaint. The meeting is now even more urgent. He'll meet you at the police station at 9 AM. He's bringing his lawyer. And Ms. Chen? Don't say anything without legal representation. This is a trap.
I read the message three times, my heart pounding.
Jake was going to meet me at the police station. With his lawyer. To protect me.
Another text came through:
From Jake: I told you you're not alone. I meant it. See you at nine. We'll handle this together. —J
Together.
Six weeks ago, I'd been completely alone. Destroyed. Broken.
Now Jake Morrison—the man I'd hated for three years—was standing between me and arrest.
And I was starting to realize that maybe, just maybe, he'd been standing beside me all along.
I just hadn't been ready to see it until now.
Maya appeared in my doorway. The police called you too?
I nodded numbly.
What are you going to do?
I looked at Jake's message. At the words we'll handle this together.
I'm going to trust him, I said quietly. I'm going to trust Jake Morrison.
Maya's eyes went soft. You really like him, don't you?
I really do, I admitted. And that's the scariest thing that's happened to me yet.