Chapter 2: An Irresistible Deal

Emma's Point Of View

The elevator doors slid shut with a soft ding, sealing me inside as the floor numbers ticked upward. My heart pounded against my ribs, a relentless rhythm of worry. Adrian Steele’s reaction to yesterday was anyone’s guess, and I wasn’t naive enough to think he’d just let it slide. The man wasn’t known for his mercy, especially not when it came to his staff.

Rumors had it that I am the longest assistant he had ever had. The rest would one to work for him with the intentions of seducing him, it did work, they seduced him but the hot fired immediately after the fun. I on the other hand despises him and nothing would ever happen between us that's why I still have my job!

I leaned against the cold metal wall, I took my mind off the consequences of my actions yesterday and the doctor's words began slicing through my thoughts like shards of glass. "Miss Carter, you are running out of time, If he has an episode like this one more time, we might not be able to save him."

Brandon, My baby brother. My only surviving relative.

I pressed my hands to my temples, trying to steady the storm inside my head. He was all I had left, my only family. I had to save him. I needed money, and I needed it fast.

The elevator jolted to a stop, the sudden motion pulling me out of my spiral. The doors opened to reveal the familiar expanse of the 21st floor, home to Mr Steeles office. At 8 a.m., it should have been empty. Adrian never showed up before 9. It was practically written into company policy.

But, of course, I was wrong.

The first thing I saw was his door, slightly ajar, a small but unmistakable sign that Adrian Steele was already here. A wave of dread crashed over me.

I shuffled to my desk, every step heavier than the last. My legs felt like lead, my body weighed down by exhaustion and fear. Dropping into my chair, I buried my face in my hands. My pulse thundered in my ears as I tried to collect myself, but it was futile.

“You better have a good reason for running off yesterday without so much as a word.”

The voice was ice-cold, slicing through the air like a whip.

I jerked my head up so fast it hurt. There he was, standing by his office door, his tall frame towering like some cruel god of retribution. Adrian Steele. The bane of my existence.

“M-Mr. Steele,” I stammered, stumbling to my feet. My voice came out shaky, my nerves fraying by the second.

He didn’t respond, just fixed me with those piercing blue eyes that could cut a person in half. “In my office,” he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. Without waiting for a reply, he turned and disappeared through the door.

I hesitated, my palms slick with sweat. "Just get it over with," I told myself. Straightening my spine as much as I could manage, I followed him inside.

The air in his office was heavy, oppressive. His desk, a sleek fortress of dark wood and steel, sat between us as he settled into his chair. His gaze locked on me, sharp and unyielding.

“Explain,” he said, the single word loaded with expectation.

I froze, my throat dry as sandpaper. Should I tell him the truth? Would he even care? Or should I come up with some excuse, something that wouldn’t make me get fired?

“Don’t keep me waiting, Miss Carter.” His voice was sharper this time, the edges jagged enough to cut.

I swallowed hard, my hands trembling at my sides. “I… I got a call from the hospital,” I began, my voice barely above a whisper. “It was about my brother. He’s… he’s been sick for almost a year. He had a serious episode yesterday that requires my attention, and they said....” My voice cracked, but I pushed on. “They said he needs surgery urgently because if this episode happens again, they might not be able to save him.”

Silence filled the room, thick and suffocating. Adrian didn’t say a word. He just stared at me, his expression unreadable. I couldn’t tell if he was annoyed, indifferent, or maybe even amused.

Finally, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “I think I may have a suitable solution for you.”

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. My eyes widened as the implication sank in.

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “No, I’m not… I won’t…”

I took a step back, my heart pounding in my chest. My arms instinctively crossed over my body, shielding myself from what I assumed was coming next. “If you think I’m going to.. ”

A sharp, guttural laugh burst from him, echoing off the walls. It wasn’t the kind of laugh that warmed a room. It was cold, mocking, and it made my skin crawl.

“Relax, Miss Carter,” he said, his tone dripping with condescension. “I wouldn’t be caught dead in bed with someone like you.”

The words hit me like a slap, the sting spreading across my chest. My cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and fury, but I bit my tongue. This was my boss. Lashing out wasn’t an option, no matter how much I wanted to.

He smirked, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “What I meant,” he continued, “is that I can fund your brother’s surgery. But there’s a condition.”

The room tilted slightly, his words hitting me like a sucker punch. My lips parted, but no sound came out. Fund Brandon's surgery? Relief and suspicion warred inside me, twisting my thoughts into knots.

“W... What condition?” I finally managed to choke out, my voice barely audible.

Adrian leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving mine. “Marry me.”

The words were calm, casual, like he’d just asked me to fetch him a coffee.

I froze, my brain unable to process what I’d just heard. My heart raced, my chest tight and aching.

“What?” The single word fell from my lips, laced with disbelief.

And that’s where it ended... the calm before a storm I didn’t yet understand.