Page 57 of Surrendering to the Obsession

Allen hesitated, about to leave, when his phone rang.

“Yes?” he answered

“Hi, Allen. Miss Mia Bennett is here to deliver some documents for Mr. Graves. Should I send her in?” the receptionist asked.

Allen said quickly, “Wait a moment. I’ll inform Mr. Graves.” He turned toward Alexander. “Mr. Graves, the receptionist says Mrs. Graves wants to deliver some documents to you.”

Before Allen could finish, Alexander slid out of his chair and was already heading for the door.

Chapter 10 Quench My Hunger

Mia stood stiffly in the lobby, fingers twisting the corner of the paper in her hand until it crumpled slightly. Her shoulders were tight, posture rigid, as if bracing herself for something she couldn’t quite name. The receptionist behind the desk gave her a polite, practiced smile.

“Please wait here, Miss Bennett,” she said.

Mia nodded, but she didn’t sit. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, glancing around the lobby with quiet vigilance, ears catching every footstep, every murmur.

Then Harold appeared at the doorway.

He froze mid-step the moment his eyes landed on her. A slow, calculating smile spread across his face, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Without hesitation, he hurried toward her, stopping just a hair’s breadth from her. He leaned slightly forward, invading her space with a confidence that made her instinctively step back, though she didn’t dare show fear.

“Mia?” His voice was smooth, teasing, with a hint of curiosity edged with something sharper. “I thought you worked inAlexander’s office as his secretary. What are you doing here, waiting around?”

Mia straightened, her back stiffening, eyes wide with surprise—and something else, a flutter of caution she couldn’t hide. “I have something important to deliver—just these documents. Then I’ll head straight to my desk.”

Harold’s grin widened, leaning in closer so his voice dipped low, conspiratorial. “Alright… but there’s something more important I want to discuss with you.”

Mia tilted her head slightly, eyebrow arched, measuring his tone carefully.

“Isn’t your marriage with my brother… just a marriage of convenience?” His words slipped out, eager, probing. “Maybe you should—”

“Don’t talk about my marriage!” Mia snapped. “No one knows about my marriage to Alexander here.”

Harold’s eyes narrowed for a moment, then a mischievous grin spread across his face. He reached out, clasping her hand in his. “That’s why I want to propose something. How about you leave my brother and marry me instead?”

Mia froze, her breath catching. Her eyes widened, and her hand twitched under his touch, a mix of shock and instinctive recoil.

“You—are joking, right? You’re young. You have time… many options…” Her voice was sharp, disbelief lacing every word.

Harold shook his head slowly, leaning in closer, his thumb brushing across the back of her hand. “I’m past the age of waiting. I can get married right now! How about you? Give up the fake marriage with my brother and marry me for real?”

Before Mia could respond, a shadow fell over them.

In one swift motion, Alexander yanked Mia from Harold’s grasp, pulling her tight against his chest. His hand gripped her waist, body shielding hers.

Alexander’s eyes blazed, dark and dangerous, as they locked onto Harold. “Why are you touching her? Don’t dirty her hands.”

Alexander’s hand moved over Mia’s, brushing hers as if erasing Harold’s touch from her skin.

Harold stepped back, brow furrowed, lips pressing into a thin line as anger flickered across his face.

Ignoring Alexander, he turned back to Mia, voice attempting charm but faltering under Alexander’s glare. “How about lunch? Alexander must be busy. Let’s go, we can have lunch together.”

But Alexander cut him off immediately, his voice cold and sharp. “Yes, I am busy. And she’s busy too. I will feed her. Now, get lost!”

Alexander grabbed Mia’s wrist and yanked her along, leaving Harold seething in their wake. He didn’t give her a moment to protest, dragging her toward the office elevator with a determined grip.

When they reached the elevator, he released her wrist and stepped inside first, his hand already pressing the floor button. Mia froze at the threshold, eyes darting around the lobby, scanning for any witnesses. She stayed rooted to the spot, reluctant to step inside.