Touch me gently, break me slow

the air, its mirrored walls reflecting

et, the other holding a slim silver tablet. His reflection was as c

nervously. "Sir, the board meeting starts in three minute

screen, then back to the doors. "D

r. Choi from the Seoul branc

int

es," Alexander said coolly.

tor chime

-seventh floor - Thorne Jewels Headquart

htened instantly. Conversations hal

k; his presence was en

ments. "Sir, the quarterly profit margin increased by

without looking at him. "Recalculat

s,

he city glittered below - silver towers and golden light, the perfect

d, the executives ro

began, "the marketing

ow, even, but absolute. "You'll focus on expansion. The new showroom in Par

elia diamonds displayed under controlled lighting - not too harsh,

quiet. No one

ng cleared her throat. "And

an wear silence like a crown," he said. "Beauty

llowed. Notes scri

He silenced it instantly, but Al

re a pr

ly, but the slight tremor

t edged. "In my meetings, Gray, ther

s,

nally ended. As the executives filed out, whis

r Thorne rem

g the skyline. His reflection in the glass lo

of boredom crossed his expression. The world bow

flinks slightly and

gets... pr

"Sir, there's... one more th

n. "If it's not work

ting uncomfortably. "It appeared this mo

eflection lifted one b

s, uh... a din

ticking of the cloc

ked, his tone calm b

is voice dropping slightly, as though t

aintly - not a smile, mor

eplied quickly. "Seven p

res, catching in the glass like fragments of diamond. For

w, he wore i

taken to managing my personal life. I

roat carefully. "Sh

ce low but decisive. "If I remove it, sh

the desk. The screen lit up wit

ed softly. "Spe

e controlled. "You'v

ed through the receiver. "Ah, s

bush you disguis

"I merely thought it was time you entertained som

lence," he r

andchildren," she

usement flickered in his eyes. "T

" she said bright

smooth as glass but edged with

lly. "Mr. Whitmore's daughter is charming - elegant, w

iet, dry laugh. "You'v

have spent far too long staring at jewels. It's

nose, shaking his head sli

voice. "Seven p.m. Don't be late. And wear something tha

respond, the l

en slipped it into his pocket with a faint exh

d up nervo

ng once more toward the city below. His reflection in

nothin

linked

a dinner," Alexander said, his voice smooth and faintly a

elevator. "And who knows..." His voice dropped lower, silk over s

iately. "I'll have the

hout looking back. "I prefer arri

s,