A Cautionary Note

It felt oddly quiet the morning following Cole's late-night meeting. As though it were holding its breath, waiting for something to happen, the mansion was motionless and strangely quiet. As I sipped my coffee beside the living room's wide window, I looked around the expansive garden, which suddenly felt more like a maze.

By the time I went to bed, Cole had not come back, and he was still missing when I awoke. His obsession with his work was nothing new, yet something about his absence today felt odd.

The sound of heels clicking on the marble floor disturbed the stillness. I turned to see Kaitlyn, who was already making an impression with her fine scent and flawlessly arranged blond curls.

She smirked as she walked into the room and said, "Oh, don't look so surprised." "Cole asked me to come over. Something to do with talking about the charity gala.

I arched an eyebrow, momentarily not believing her. It sounded as likely as the sun rising in the west for Cole to invite Kaitlyn over.

"Kaitlyn, what do you want?" I asked, maintaining a steady tone.

Her eyes glinted dangerously as she sat on the edge of the couch. "Calm down, sweetheart. I was simply hoping we could talk for a little while.

"How about?"

"Cole," she said, as though the response was clear.

The way she pronounced his name as if she owned it, made my chest constrict. I waited for her to continue without answering.

"How many weeks have you been here?" Kaitlyn started by examining her immaculately groomed nails. "And you already believe you understand him?"

"I have no suspicions," I responded warily.

"Good," she responded, smiling sharply. Because, well, here's the thing about Cole: when he feels like it, he's charming. That enigmatic, gloomy thing he does? It is impossible to resist.

I made myself remain composed by clenching my hands.

Kaitlyn went on, her tone shifting to one that was more malicious, "But don't let it fool you." "Cole Montgomery is indifferent to people. He takes his business seriously. Always has, and always will.

I defended him so immediately that I surprised myself by saying, "That's not true."

She laughed coldly. "Oh, my dear. You're very cute. How many times have I heard him make promises that he didn't intend to fulfill? How many people has he burned in the name of "business," do you know?

I shook my head, not wanting to be offended by what she had said. "Cole isn't flawless, but he's not the monster you portray him as."

She seemed to have been waiting for me to say it because her smile grew. "Did he share the agreement he reached with my father with you?"

"What's the deal?"

She spoke in a whisper as she leaned in closer. "He ruined Aria, my family's business. After promising us a partnership, he undercut us so badly that we were forced to sell to him. Cole is a man like that—calculating, merciless, and always looking forward.

My thoughts were racing as I gazed at her. Did she tell the truth? Or was this simply another one of her ploys to make Cole and me less friendly?

"Why are you stating this to me?" Finally, I asked.

With a softer tone, Kaitlyn added, "Because I've been where you are." "I lost everything when I fell in love with him once as well. All I'm trying to do is keep you from making the same error.

My throat became suddenly dry as I swallowed forcefully. "I believe you ought to go."

She smoothed her beautiful outfit as she stood elegantly. Take care of yourself, sweetheart. Don't claim I didn't warn you, though.

She then turned and left, leaving me alone while her comments continued to reverberate in my mind.

---

The remainder of the day was a blur. The things Kaitlyn had said kept coming to mind. Her words kept returning, sowing doubts that I was unable to ignore no matter how hard I tried to brush them off.

I felt like I had a new perspective on Cole when he eventually returned home that evening. I hesitated for the first time when he entered the living room with his hair a little unkempt and his tie loose.

"A busy day?" I asked, trying to sound informal.

He poured a tumbler of scotch for himself and added, "Something like that."

I kept a close eye on him, looking for any indication that Kaitlyn's claims were accurate. However, his guarded attitude made him appear as unreadable as ever.

After a time, I continued, "Cole, may I ask you a question?"

His eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced at me. "What is it?"

"Have you ever struck a deal with Kaitlyn's dad?" Trying to speak steadily, I asked.

He responded instantly. He put the glass down a bit too forcefully, and his eyes darkened and his jaw tightened. "What did you hear Kaitlyn say?"

"She stopped by earlier," I acknowledged. "She claimed that you ruined her family's business."

Cole ran a hand through his hair and sighed softly. Aria, I didn't destroy anything. I took advantage of the poor choices her father made. That's the way business operates.

I tightened my chest and whispered, "So it's true."

His tone was stern as he continued, "Don't twist this." Like she has done to everyone else in her life, Kaitlyn is attempting to control you. Avoid falling for that.

I said, "But you didn't deny it."

His look was impenetrable as he gazed at me. Because I don't need to defend myself in front of you or anybody else. I took the necessary action.

It wasn't only what he said that hurt; it was also the way he said it as if he had already determined I wouldn't comprehend.

"Do you see everything that way?" Quietly, I asked. "Just a contest to win?"

He added in a chilly tone, "Life is a game, Aria." "And you'll be better off the sooner you realize that."

Although his words caused me to feel a knot in my throat, I chose not to show him how hurt I was. I stood up and said, "I suppose Kaitlyn was right." "You always prioritize business."

My heart thumping, I turned and left the room before he could reply.

Kaitlyn's warning reverberated in my head more loudly than ever as I made my way upstairs to my room.

Was it wrong of me to put my trust in him?

Or was it a mistake to think Cole Montgomery was more than his vicious ambition?