When I arrived at the office, I had barely settled into my seat when Director Aimy from the secretarial department added me to a WhatsApp group.

The group name was simple:

"Resort Vacation."

I paused for a moment before tapping into it.

At the top of the chat, a group announcement had already been pinned:

"As a token of appreciation for the hard work of the É&B, M&F, and M&E departments, CEO Blackwood has decided to personally sponsor a two-day vacation at one of the company’s resorts for everyone."

My eyes lingered on the message.

É&B, M&F, and M&E were all brands under Blackwood Dominion Enterprises. M&F focused on clothing, while M&E specialized in skincare. The three departments had always maintained a close working relationship.

Still...

This wasn’t a company-wide arrangement.

Only a select few departments were included.

The group chat quickly became lively.

Freed from the usual formal setting, employees began reacting enthusiastically:

"Thank you, CEO Blackwood!"

"CEO Blackwood is so generous!"

"A resort trip? I’m definitely going!"

I scrolled through the messages quietly, my expression unreadable.

Alexander had mentioned something like this before.

At the time, I hadn’t taken it seriously.

I had thought—

By now, we would already be divorced.

My fingers paused slightly over the screen.

But things hadn’t gone the way I expected.

And now...

Here we were.

<<<>>>

I spent the whole day trying to finish my work, including tasks for the next few days since I wouldn’t be able to work during the vacation.

By the time I was done, it was already past 7:00 p.m., and everyone else had already left.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

I was sorting through some documents and didn’t look up.

"Come in."

Footsteps approached.

When I finally raised my head, I froze.

Alexander was standing by my desk, watching me.

I hadn’t expected him to still be here.

"CEO Blackwood?" I said, slightly surprised.

"Are you done?" he asked. "If yes, then let’s go."

"Okay," I replied quietly.

I packed up, closing my laptop and picking up my bag.

"Let’s go," I said.

We walked out of the office together, heading toward the elevator.

As we passed by, Sophia stepped out of her office and caught sight of us leaving together. A flash of jealousy flickered in her eyes.

Ever since the last public scandal, my relationship with Alexander had returned to something that seemed normal on the surface. But she could clearly feel the distance he had placed between them.

She underestimated me.

We reached the underground parking garage and got into the car.

When we got home, dinner was already prepared. We ate quietly, and afterward, I freshened up and went straight to bed.

Alexander did the same.

A while later, I felt the bed dip beside me.

"Alicia, are you asleep already?"

"Not yet."

"Do you still feel sick?"

"No, I’ve just been really tired lately."

There was a short pause before his voice dropped.

"How about I help you relax?"

I turned slightly to face him, confused.

"How do you relax?" I asked.

In the dim light, I noticed the glint in his eyes.

He propped himself up, hovering slightly over me, and placed his hand on my exposed thigh, drawing slow circles.

A shiver ran down my spine.

"Just lie down," he murmured.

"No... no," I said immediately, pulling down my nightwear.

"You don’t want to?" he asked, withdrawing his hand and staring into my eyes.

I bit my lip, my expression betraying me.

Sensing my wavering resolve, he carefully lifted the hem of my nightwear and bent down. Seeing that I didn’t try to stop him, he continued...

I felt completely limp, like a puddle of melted clay, resting in Alexander’s arms. My face was flushed, my lips slightly parted as I panted for breath.

Sensing my shudder, Alexander slowly looked up, cleaning the moisture from his mouth.

"How do you feel? Are you completely relaxed now?" he asked softly.

I leaned against him, too exhausted to move, letting out a contented "Mm," like a sleepy kitten.

Alexander got up and went into the bathroom to wash his mouth. He returned with a towel while I lay there, sleep slowly trying to pull me under.

Gently, he cleaned me up before taking the towel back to the bathroom. When he returned, he lay down beside me and carefully drew me into his arms.

I closed my eyes and drifted into a deep sleep.

Half-conscious, I was awakened by the sound of a phone ringing.

It lasted only a few seconds before someone picked up, and for a moment, I wondered if I was still dreaming.

Then I heard it—

Soft, intermittent sounds.

The door opening.

Then closing.

My eyes snapped open.

The room was pitch dark.

I turned slightly and glanced at the space beside me.

Empty.

So it wasn’t a dream.

Someone had called Alexander.

Not long after, the door handle turned quietly.

Alexander stepped back inside, his movements light, almost cautious. He glanced at me, probably thinking I was still asleep, before heading to the closet.

He changed quickly.

Silently.

Then left again.

The door clicked shut.

The room fell into silence once more.

Moments later, the faint sound of a car engine echoed from downstairs.

I stared at the ceiling in the dark.

I had a feeling...

The call had been from Lilian.

I wanted to ask.

But I didn’t dare.

I was a coward—

Unwilling to humiliate myself any further.

Even if I tried to stop him...

I knew he wouldn’t stay.

I closed my eyes, but sleep never came.

I kept tossing and turning, my mind refusing to rest.

Just before dawn, the sound of the car engine returned.

A moment later, the door opened.

Alexander walked in, looking worn out, and lay down beside me as if he had never left.

I said nothing.

Pretended I didn’t know.

At 6:30 a.m., he got up on time and went downstairs for his usual run.

After he left, I slowly opened my eyes.

They were clear—

But bloodshot.

As if I hadn’t slept at all.

I stayed in bed for a while before finally getting up just before 7.

After freshening up and getting dressed, I went downstairs.

Alexander was already there, sitting on the sofa, waiting for breakfast.

"Up already? Let’s eat," he said, setting down his newspaper as he stood.

His gaze lingered on my face.

"Didn’t sleep well last night?"

I gave a vague reply.

"Just stress."

Alexander didn’t say anything more.

A moment after we started eating, Maria brought down our suitcases.

"Just leave them there. Jim will load them into the car—we’ll drive to the resort," Alexander said.

"You’re driving?" I asked.

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

"I won’t go with you. I’ll take the bus with the others."

"Why?"

"I think it’s better," I replied flatly.

Seeing my firm stance, Alexander sighed but didn’t press further.

The company had arranged buses to take everyone to the seaside resort. With over forty employees from three departments, the atmosphere was lively as everyone arrived with their luggage, chatting excitedly after work.

By the time I got downstairs, some had already boarded.

I stepped onto the bus, found an empty seat at the back, and settled in quietly as more people filed in.

"Director Alicia, may I sit here?" a male voice asked.

I looked up and nodded. "Sure."

"Thanks."

"You’re welcome."

It was Leonard from the M&E department—someone who had once shown interest in me. I had never encouraged it, and things had faded naturally.

Suddenly, someone exclaimed, "CEO Blackwood, you’re riding with us?".....