Sinful Heaven

**12- Rethinking

The following day, Eleanor and Blake walked into the conference room, where the trio-Leonardo, Alejandro, and Roberto-awaited them. The atmosphere was tense with anticipation as they settled into their seats.

"Thank you for joining us," Leonardo began, his tone professional yet warm. "We wanted to discuss a potential opportunity with Stephen Campbell."

Eleanor felt a knot tighten in her stomach at the mention of Stephen's name. She didn't need to hear any more. "I'm not interested," she said firmly, cutting through the air with her conviction.

Blake glanced at her, a mix of surprise and concern in his eyes. "Eleanor, can we at least hear them out?" he suggested gently. "It might be worth considering."

"No, Blake. You don't understand," Eleanor replied, her emerald eyes flashing with determination. "Stephen has been trying to get me to be with him for years. I know he'll try to manipulate the situation to his advantage, and I refuse to be part of that."

The trio exchanged looks, sensing the tension in the room. Alejandro leaned forward, his expression softening. "We respect your decision, Eleanor, but can you explain why you feel so strongly about this?"

Eleanor took a deep breath, trying to articulate her feelings. "I've worked hard to build my career and reputation. I don't want to be seen as just 'the girl' Stephen is interested in. I don't want that kind of attention. It's overwhelming, and I know it will distract me from my work."

Blake nodded, wanting to support her but also concerned about the opportunity they might miss. "I get it, Eleanor. But what if we approach it differently? If you focus on the project and not on Stephen personally, you could shine without feeling pressured by his interest."

Roberto chimed in, "Blake has a point. If we keep the focus on your expertise and the project itself, it might mitigate any unwanted attention from Stephen."

Eleanor considered their words, her resolve wavering slightly. "I appreciate that you all want to support me, but I just can't see this working without it becoming something bigger than what I'm comfortable with."

Leonardo crossed his arms thoughtfully. "What if we set boundaries? We can have a clear discussion with Stephen about the expectations and ensure that he understands this is a professional collaboration, not a personal one."

Eleanor bit her lip, weighing her options. The thought of being involved with Stephen was daunting, but the prospect of the project also excited her. "I just don't want to be put in a position where I feel like I have to prove myself or where my worth is judged based on his interest."

Blake reached over and placed a reassuring hand on her arm. "You're worth so much more than that, Eleanor. We're all here for you, and we'll make sure that you're treated with the respect you deserve."

With that reassurance, Eleanor took a deep breath. "Okay, I'll consider it, but only if we lay down some ground rules. I want to make it clear from the start that I'm here for the work, not for any personal drama."

The trio exchanged relieved glances, grateful for her willingness to reconsider. Alejandro smiled. "That sounds fair. Let's approach it with a solid plan and ensure you feel comfortable every step of the way."

Eleanor nodded, feeling a mixture of apprehension and excitement as they began to discuss how to tackle the meeting with Stephen, knowing they would support her through whatever challenges lay ahead.

As Eleanor stood in the conference room, the weight of their words settled heavily on her shoulders. Each of the three men radiated a unique intensity that both thrilled and intimidated her, and she couldn't ignore the way they claimed her in their own distinct manners.