Velvet chain

was a mausoleu

d closer to the table, placing her well manicured hands on the cool surface. Her red nails tapped softly a rhythm that made the interns near the door flinch " you get one chance with me" she said softly " don't waist it" James paled . Andrea straightened, adjusted the diamond necklace around her neck, and turned without another word. The meeting was over. She didn't need to say it. Her silence was command enough. The elevator door opened with a soft chime, and she stepped inside alone, pressing the button to her private floor. As the door slid shut, her shoulders relaxed just slightly. Just enough. She closed her eyes. Behind them, for a moment she wasn't Andrea Delacroix, billionaire CEO and media darling. She was just a woman trying to breathe through a glass coffin of power. A face flashed behind her eyelids dark hair, soft smile, eyes that used to look at her like she was magic. She opened her eyes again before the pain could take root. Never again. She reminded herself. Never trust them again. Never believe then and. The elevator ding softly, and the door slid open. Back to the world. Back to the amor. That night, the office was mostly empty, save for the hum of the city lights and the whisper of the wind against the glass . Andrea return