My husband is a bartender

The drive from Jackson's apartment to the Stallion Group headquarters was quiet, but Stella found her thoughts anything but calm. Her fingers drummed lightly on her lap as she stole a glance at Jackson, who was focused on the road. There was something steady about him—his calm demeanor, his deliberate movements—both intrigued and unsettled her.

When they arrived at the executive parking lot, Jackson parked smoothly and they alighted. Jackson came around and handed her the the car key.

She stood still, watching him with a mix of curiosity and hesitation."I will be leaving first." Stella gave a brief nod, her lips pressing together.

She watched as he turned to leave, an inexplicable urge to stop him bubbling up. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Why trouble him, I barely know him? she thought.

But as his figure moved further away, she called out, "Jackson!" He paused, turning to look at her.

"Thank you," she said, her voice softer than she intended.

Jackson blinked, momentarily surprised, before a faint smile tugged at his lips. "I'm heading back. Take care of yourself, Miss Stallion," he said, his tone polite but distant.

Stella nodded briefly, telling herself to let him go. She stood there for a few seconds longer, staring at the space he'd vacated.

"We're practically strangers", she reminded herself, shaking her head and stepping into the elevator with her assistant.

Inside, the assistant kept sneaking glances at her, her curiosity practically radiating off her.

"If you have something to say, just say it," Stella said, her voice clipped.

The assistant jumped, clearly startled. "I—um—I was just wondering… Who was that guy?"

"Jackson," Stella said simply. "A bartender."

"A bartender? He doesn't look like one. He's too refined for that."

Stella quirked a brow. "You think bartenders can't be refined?"

"No, no, I didn't mean that," the assistant rushed to clarify. "It's just… He seems like he comes from a noble family, "He has this… aura, that screams I am not to be trifled with."

Stella let out a small laugh. "He's exactly what he says he is. And besides, what does it matter to you?"

The assistant wasn't convinced but decided to change her approach. "Then why were you at his place?"

"Apartment," Stella corrected. "I ended up there because I was drunk and wasted last night. Nothing more."

The assistant nodded slowly, though her expression suggested she had more questions to ask.

Before she could voice them, the elevator dinged, and Stella stepped out with a firm stride, effectively ending the conversation.

The assistant dropped the subject, though her curiosity lingered. She quickly switched to the assistant mode running through her boss schedule for the day, updating and making amendment.

Stella entered her office with grace. As she settled into the chair, she leaned back, relaxing her back while her eyes briefly closed.

For reasons she couldn't quite grasp, her thoughts drifted back to Jackson—his steady presence, his quiet strength, his calmness, his subtle smile—it all lingered longer than she'd expected.

A small smile tugged at her lips, but it quickly faded when a knock sounded at her door.

"Miss Stallion, Alex Dalton is here to see you." her secretary announced."

Stella's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a cold, steely gaze. "Send him in," she said, her tone clipped.

Alex strolled in with the confidence of a man who believed the world revolved around him. His tailored suit clung to his broad frame, his smirk grating on Stella's nerves.

"Stella," he drawled, "you've been avoiding me. I thought I'd drop by and check on you. Let's have dinner tonight."

She didn't bother hiding her disdain. ""I'm busy and I have already scheduled an appointment."

Alex's smirk faltered. "You don't even know what time I planned and you are already refusing."

"Doesn't matter. My schedule is full," she said, her tone sharp.

Alex frowned, "There's nothing on your schedule during dinner."

"It is now," Stella replied, her tone firm and final.

Alex stepped closer, his voice dropping to a warning growl. "You can't keep running from this. Our families have invested too much in this arrangement for us to play games."

Her lips curled into a cold smile. "I'm not playing games, Alex. I'm just not interested."

His irritation bubbled over. "Our families expect us to marry. Do you really think you can keep putting this off?"

Her gaze locked with his, sharp and unyielding. "I'll decide when I'm ready, Alex. Not you. Not anyone else can do that."

His jaw clenched, and for a moment, his polished demeanor slipped. "You know it is impossible Stella, you can't afford to defy this. You know exactly what's at stake."

Her gaze didn't waver. "What's at stake is my choice, and I've made it."

His face darkened, and he leaned in closer. "Okay, I will wait for you to come around no matter how long but I wonder if our families will."

Without waiting for her response, he turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Stella leaned back in her chair, exhaling a long breath. Her irritation simmered, without thinking, she reached for her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen. She wanted to call Jackson, to hear his calm and steady voice, but a quick search of her contacts reminded her she didn't have his number.

She frowned, making a mental note to get it the next time they crossed paths. Her fingers tightened around the phone as she leaned back in her chair, a wry smile forming. She couldn't explain why, but something about Jackson's presence felt… grounding.

Meanwhile, Alex stormed out of the building, his mind a flurry of anger and strategy his mind churned with thoughts of how to bend her to his will. One way or another, Stella Stallion would fall in line. He slipped into the backseat of his car, pulling out his phone.

"She's still being difficult," he told the person on the other end of the line. "But don't worry. She'll come around. She doesn't have a choice."

As he ended the call, his lips curled into a sinister smile. Stella may think she's in control, but this is a game I always win.