Unlawful Shadows | +18

Chapter 5

Third Person's POV

Zephyr's polished shoes clicked against the marble floor as he strode out of his lavishly adorned office. His face, the epitome of sophistication, betrayed no hint of the internal turmoil churning beneath the surface. A nod to his secretary signalled an unspoken command, a seamless ballet of movements hinting at his unyielding dominance.

The corridors echoed with the rhythmic beat of his steps, a stark contrast to the turbulent thoughts that raged within his mind. The burden of countless cases weighed on his shoulders, an invisible mantle of responsibility that he carried with practiced ease. As he traversed the office landscape, a fleeting annoyance gnawed at him, directed at his brother Lysander, who seemed to have an unquenchable thirst for workload.

Damn Lysander and his penchant for work. The man could drown in his paperwork for all I care.

'What use is all this power and influence if it chains me to this endless grind?,' he thought. The corporate empire, a well-scripted play where he danced on strings woven by the demands of his position. The charming smile, the charismatic words—all part of the elaborate performance.

He scoffed inwardly, eyes narrowing with a subtle menace. Lysander would commend him for his work ethic, but little did he know the depths of Zephyr's discontent. The burdens carried by the eldest weighed heavily on Zephyr's shoulders, the weight of his brother's dreams a relentless force that drove him to the brink.

A twisted smile tugged at the corner of his lips. The public was blissfully ignorant of the storm within, captivated by the charismatic facade he carefully crafted. Few dared to peek beyond the veil, and those who did often found themselves ensnared in the enigma of Zephyr Tenebris.

The world knew him as Zephyr Tenebris, the charismatic and charming businessman. Little did they suspect the shadows that lurked within, the darker truths concealed behind the allure of his smile.

The elevator doors slid open like a curtain unveiling a performance. Zephyr stepped into the confined space, the polished metal interior reflecting a distorted version of himself—a mask concealing the shadows lurking beneath the veneer of charm.

Just before the doors could shut, a woman ran in the elevator.

The sudden intrusion of the woman stirred Zephyr from the depths of his thoughts, pulling him into the present with a jolt. The rhythmic thud of her panting echoed in the confined space, a stark contrast to the controlled ambiance he typically exuded. In that fleeting moment, the world seemed to pause, the universe conspiring to bring forth an unexpected disruption.

His eyes locked onto her, an involuntary curiosity sparked within him. It was an unfamiliar sensation, one that had seldom graced his composed demeanor. Zephyr found himself inexplicably drawn to this woman who, as of yet, remained unaware of his presence.

He watched her, a predator assessing its prey. Her long, ebony hair framed her face in an intricate dance, casting shadows that added a mysterious allure to her delicate features. A petite face radiated innocence, and Zephyr couldn't help but be captivated by the purity that seemed to emanate from her very essence.

A smirk curled on his lips, an internal acknowledgment of the newfound intrigue she had stirred within him. Zephyr had everything he could wish for and more, and hence it was a rarity for Zephyr to feel anything remotely resembling desire, but in that moment, an unexpected hunger gnawed at the edges of his consciousness.

This woman was different. She held a magnetic allure that beckoned him, awakening a dormant longing he had long forgotten. His thoughts, typically composed and controlled, now wandered into uncharted territory. The prospect of unraveling the innocence that cloaked her intrigued him, an unsettling desire to be the force that shattered the pristine facade.