Heartbeat in the Penthouse

As she stepped into the Voss Tower elevator, her heart pounding as the doors slid shut. The mirrored walls reflected her nervous expression, her jeans and sweater a stark contrast to the penthouse's polished luxury.

She clutched a container of lemon lavender tart, a peace offering for the conversation ahead with Elliot.

His text last night—We'll figure it out together—had steadied her after the latest anonymous email, but the words still echoed: Keep pushing, and you'll lose more than a job.

Cassandra's threat felt like a knife at her throat, and the scholarship decision, expected any day, only tightened the blade.

The elevator dinged, and Elliot opened the penthouse door before she could knock, his gray eyes warm but shadowed with worry. He was in a fitted black shirt and jeans, his hair slightly tousled, like he'd been pacing. "Lila," he said, his voice soft but urgent.

"You okay?"

"Yeah," she lied, stepping inside. The living room glowed with lamplight, the city skyline twinkling beyond the windows.

A spread of Thai takeout—pad thai, green curry, mango sticky rice—sat on the coffee table, and the sight of it eased her nerves. "You went all out," she said, setting the tart down.

"Trying to bribe me with food?"He grinned, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Guilty. Figured we needed fuel to deal with… everything."

He gestured to the couch, his expression sobering.

"Show me the email again. I need to know exactly what we're up against."

Lila sat, pulling up the latest message on her phone and handing it to him. His jaw tightened as he read, his fingers gripping the phone like he wanted to crush it.

"She knows about the scholarship," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

"That's not a coincidence. She's got someone feeding her information."Lila's stomach churned.

"You think she's got connections at the Culinary Institute? How? I mean, she's rich, but…" She trailed off, the idea too big, too terrifying.Elliot set the phone down, running a hand through his hair.

"Cassandra's got friends everywhere—boardrooms, charities, even academia. It's how she operates. But I'm not letting her touch you or your dreams. My lawyer's tracing the emails, and I'm meeting with the board tomorrow to shut down her rumors."Lila nodded, but fear clawed at her. "What if she goes after my job? Or the scholarship? Elliot, I can't afford to lose either. The Institute's decision is coming any day, and if I don't get that scholarship, I'm screwed."

He leaned forward, his hand finding hers, warm and steady.

"You're not losing anything. I'll make sure of it. And the scholarship—you're gonna get it. I know it."

Her throat tightened, his touch grounding her even as her heart raced. She wanted to believe him, but the anonymous donation he'd made—revealed at her interview—still sat heavy.

"Elliot," she said, pulling her hand back. "About the scholarship… was that you? The anonymous recommendation?"He froze, his eyes searching hers.

For a moment, she thought he'd deny it, but then he nodded, his expression soft but unapologetic.

"Yeah. I wanted to help, Lila. You deserve that chance, and I didn't want you to feel… obligated."Her chest ached, a mix of gratitude and unease.

"It's amazing, but… it's a lot. I don't want you fixing my life, Elliot. I need to do this on my own."

"I know," he said, his voice low.

"It wasn't about fixing anything. It was about believing in you. I see you, Lila—your talent, your heart. I just wanted to give you a shot."

Tears pricked her eyes, and she looked away, focusing on the takeout to hide her emotions.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"I just… I'm scared. Of this, of us, of Cassandra. Everything's happening so fast."He moved closer, his knee brushing hers.

"I'm scared too," he admitted, his voice raw. "I haven't felt like this since… ever. Not even with Cassandra. But you're worth it, Lila. Whatever it takes, I'm in."

Her breath caught, the memory of their kiss flooding back—his lips, his warmth, the way he'd made her feel like she belonged. She wanted to kiss him again, to lose herself in him, but the email's threat held her back. "What if she doesn't stop?" she said.

"What if she ruins everything?"

"She won't," he said, his tone fierce. He cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek.

"I'm not letting her hurt you. We'll fight this together."Before she could respond, her phone buzzed on the table, a new email notification. Her heart sank as she opened it, Elliot leaning in to read over her shoulder: You think he'll save you? He can't even save himself. Walk away, or the scholarship's gone. Lila'shands shook, but Elliot's voice was steady.

"She's bluffing," he said, though his eyes burned with anger.

"She's trying to scare you. We need to go on the offensive."

"How?" Lila asked, her voice trembling. "She's got power, connections. I'm just—"

"You're not just anything," he cut in, his hands still on her face.

"You're Lila Harper, and you're stronger than she'll ever be. I'm calling my lawyer tonight. We'll trace this email, and I'll make sure the Culinary Institute knows about her threats. They won't let her interfere."Lila nodded, his certainty anchoring her.

But as she looked into his eyes, something shifted—fear giving way to resolve. She wasn't alone in this, not anymore.

"Okay," she said, her voice steadier.

"But I need to do something too. I'm not letting her bully me."Elliot's lips curved, a spark of pride in his eyes

. "That's my girl. What's the plan?"

"I'm meeting my mentor, Sofia, tomorrow," she said, the idea forming as she spoke. "She's an instructor at the Institute. If I tell her about the emails, she might know someone who can help—maybe flag Cassandra's influence. And I want to confront her myself. Not now, but when I'm ready."Elliot's brow furrowed.

"Confront Cassandra? Lila, she's dangerous."

"I know," she said, her jaw tightening.

"But I'm not hiding. She's trying to take my dreams, my life. I won't let her."He studied her, then nodded, his expression softening. "You're incredible, you know that?" He leaned in, his lips brushing hers—soft, tentative, a question.

She answered, kissing him back, her hands sliding to his chest, the world fading to the warmth of his touch.

The kiss deepened, hungry and sure, his hands pulling her closer until she was practically in his lap.

Her fingers tangled in his hair, and for a moment, Cassandra's threats, the scholarship, the world outside didn't exist. It was just them, heartbeats syncing, promises unspoken but felt.

When they pulled apart, breathless, Lila rested her forehead against his.

"We're really doing this, aren't we?" she said, half-laughing, half-terrified.

"Yeah," he said, his voice rough with emotion.

"We are. No going back."Her phone buzzed again, shattering the moment. She ignored it, but Elliot's eyes flicked to the screen, his expression hardening.

"Check it," he said.

"If it's her, we're ending this tonight."

She opened the email, her heart sinking: Last warning. Drop out, or I'll make sure the Institute knows you're a fraud.

Elliot's hand tightened on hers.

"She's done," he said, standing to grab his phone.

"I'm calling Rebecca now. And tomorrow, we'll talk to Sofia. We're not letting her win."Lila nodded, her resolve hardening. With Elliot by her side and Sofia in her corner, she felt stronger than ever. Cassandra could threaten all she wanted, but Lila was ready to fight—for her dreams, for Elliot, for the life she was finally daring to claim.