OBSESSION

TEN.

Bethany was filled with anxiety as she walked into the office the following Monday. She had Logan's days had blurred into one another, each dragging painfully slowly as he pushed through a demanding week, all the while consumed by thoughts of Bethany.

It was strange to him, almost foreign, how deeply she'd settled in his mind, occupying nearly every quiet moment. No matter how packed his schedule, or how focused he forced himself to be, his mind wandered back to her—her laughter, the warmth in her eyes, the way her fingers had brushed through his hair as if they belonged there.

The memory of her touch and the feel of her against him haunted him, and he didn't try to fight it. For once, he had no desire to control his emotions; Bethany had broken through that barrier, and he felt entirely captivated.

He reminded himself constantly that they'd only just begun this connection, but that did little to dull the anticipation growing inside him. Logan had never met a woman who could enthrall him so completely.

She was brilliant, unafraid to speak her mind, and had an intensity he found irresistible. Each time he imagined her, a sense of warmth spread through him, and he found himself wanting to know more about her—her thoughts, her dreams, her fears.

It had been a very long time since anyone had interested him beyond the surface level, and the feeling made the days that much longer.

He knew she was deep in work. The repairs on the apartment building had begun right on schedule, and R&M had been hustling to keep pace with the project's demands.

The deadline was non-negotiable, with the building expected to be completed and open to buyers by the end of the month. He could picture her, probably buried in blueprints and material samples, her desk cluttered with sketches and ideas. He knew she'd be working long hours to ensure everything was in place, and that only made him admire her dedication even more.

Logan was also feeling the pressure. He had been meticulously piecing together the foundation of Legacy Realty, and the success of this building was everything to him.

He'd invested his own time, money, and reputation into the project, betting on the hope that a fresh, community-centered approach could attract buyers who valued more than just profit. He wanted to create a space that people would love, where they would create lives and memories—a stark contrast to the corporate coldness his father valued.

The conference room buzzed with quiet murmurs as his team gathered, documents and mock-ups laid out across the expansive table. Logan stood at the head, his stance straight and his arms crossed, as he listened to Greg, his project manager, speak up about the upcoming grand opening event.

"We should seriously consider reaching out to your father's buyers," Greg suggested, his tone as confident as it was careful. "These people are ready investors, and they could fill the units with a single purchase order. We wouldn't have to worry about sales dragging on."

Logan felt a pang of frustration but kept his expression neutral. He shook his head firmly, his voice calm but resolute.

"No. I don't want foreign investors who only care about profit margins and rental yields. We're creating a community here, a place people will live, not just a space for profit. I want buyers who actually care about the area, who will become a part of it."

Greg looked momentarily taken aback, his eyes flicking to the others for support. There was an uneasy silence as the team absorbed Logan's conviction. They'd grown used to seeing this kind of determination from him, but this time there was something more—something almost personal, as if he wasn't willing to compromise, not even a little.