Unlawful Shadows | +18

Chapter 2

Elowen's POV

I pushed open the stall door, my face still damp from hastily splashed water. I looked at myself in the mirror, taking a deep breath as if trying to inhale strength. "Pull yourself together, Elowen," I muttered, fingers tracing the outline of my reflection. "You're acting so unprofessional right now."

Determined, I straightened my posture and walked out of the restroom. The cold air in the corridor felt like a slap to my face, bringing a semblance of clarity to my thoughts. As I approached the elevator, the man at the reception desk glanced up, a flicker of relief passing over his features.

"Ms. Nocturne, your presence has been requested back-"

However, before he could finish, my eyes caught the gleam of closing elevator doors. Panic surged through my veins at the thought of being back in the room with the two brothers, and I broke into a sprint, slipping through the narrowing gap just in time. The doors closed behind me with a soft thud. 

I stood there, catching my breath, only to find I wasn't alone. 

Zephyr Tenebris stood in the elevator, an embodiment of meticulous perfection. Every strand of his dark hair seemed to obey the laws of order, carefully gelled back yet maintaining an air of effortless elegance. His sharp jawline and defined features spoke of aristocratic grace, each detail etched with precision.

From the tip of his polished shoes to the impeccably tailored suit that hugged his well-built frame, there was an undeniable allure to Zephyr's appearance. His physique, sculpted and powerful, hinted at the presence of concealed strength beneath the layers of fabric. The suit, a seamless extension of his commanding presence, accentuated rather than concealed the chiseled contours of his body.

In his hand, he held a sleek briefcase, a symbol of authority that complemented the aura of power he exuded. His gaze, stormy gray and penetrating, seemed to strip away any pretense or facade. It was a look that demanded attention, a silent proclamation of dominance.

Zephyr's attractiveness wasn't just in his physical features; it was in the composed confidence that radiated from him. It was the way his presence filled the confined space of the elevator, almost overbearing yet undeniably magnetic.

I stepped further into the elevator, trying to compose myself as I greeted Zephyr politely.

"Good morning Mr. Tenebris." 

The air seemed to thicken around me as his unwavering gaze focused on my face. His stormy grey eyes, sharp and perceptive, narrowed ever so slightly, undoubtedly catching the traces of redness and swelling around my eyes. The air of silent observation hung between us, and I felt a pang of self-consciousness under the scrutiny of his penetrating gaze. Despite my attempts to mask the emotional turmoil, Zephyr's discerning eyes seemed to read more than I was willing to reveal.

'Of course I run into him,' I thought, thinking back to the dismal day I've had so far. 'And it hasn't even been an hour since I stepped into the building,' I almost pouted as I thought. I didn't know if I should be thanking the gods or cursing them. Running into all three of the brothers in one day? Sounds great, unless we factor in the situation I'm in. 

'Fuck, this must be a great first impression,' I thought, recalling the way I stumbled into the elevator and the evident signs that I bawled my eyes out in the restroom just a few minutes prior.

'Don't be ridiculous, Elowen. He barely even noticed you,' I thought as I glanced up to see his eyes staring back at me through the reflection. 

Quickly looking back down, 'Well, regardless of that, you're definitely going to be fired so it doesn't matter what he thinks of you,' I assured myself. Why do I feel relief at the thought of that? I'm going to be fired.