Josh reaches out, trying to grab my arm, desperation etched into his face. "Anna, please, listen to me!" he pleads. "I swear, she seduced me! I didn’t know what I was doing! She came onto me, and I just... I’m a man, Anna. I love you so much—you have to believe me!"I turn to him slowly, my expression blank, disbelief swirling in my chest. What does being a man have to do with this? My voice is low but sharp, cutting through his pathetic excuses. "So what if she came onto you? How does being a man somehow justify sleeping with my best friend?"Josh falters, unable to form more words. i guess its a good thing though, he can keep his lies to himself.I shift my gaze to Lisa, who is now standing stiffly, arms crossed. Her eyes narrow as she senses the endgame approaching. She doesn't even try to fake innocence anymore."And you," I start, my voice steady but cold.But before I can say more, Lisa interrupts with a sneer, tilting her head mockingly. "And me what? So what if I slept with yo
Alaric’s POVI slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled my nostrils, and a dull ache throbbed in my shoulder. Dammit, I thought, piecing together fragments of memory.I’d been jumped right outside the café after visiting my cousin on campus. I had walked to the back to take a call when two guys came out of nowhere and attacked me. They caught me off guard, but I managed to fight back. Unfortunately, one of them got a lucky hit, stabbing me in the shoulder. The knife must’ve hit an artery because the blood wouldn’t stop.As I struggled to keep pressure on the wound, a girl had appeared. She’d helped me reach my phone and called for help, but everything after that was a blur. I must’ve passed out before anyone arrived.Groaning, I tried to sit up, only for pain to shoot through my shoulder. Before I could move further, Tristan, my personal assistant, rushed to my side. "Easy now, sir," he said, gently pressing me back onto the bed
As I rode to the Drax Industries building, I mentally rehearse my plan for the day. Inspired by heist movies, I feel confident in my approach. First, I’ll scope out the building, observing it from every angle to get a sense of the layout and security. Then, I’ll wait and see if Alaric, the CEO, shows up at the building himself, making it easier for me to spot him.If that doesn’t happen, I have a backup plan: find a way to sneak inside, maybe through a delivery entrance or a back door. Regardless of the method, I am committed to entering the building today.As I arrive at the building, I decide to ditch the nose mask, realising it might draw more attention than it deflects. With my plan set, I step out of the car and begin scoping out the building. I walk around it, observing the architecture and security features from every angle.After my reconnaissance, I settle into a low-profile spot to wait, hoping to catch sight of Alaric. I wait for about an hour, keeping my movements casual a
I hesitated, weighing the enormity of the decision. Could I commit to working for someone like Alaric for two years? The man oozed power and control—qualities that both intrigued and unnerved me. Yet, the thought of saving my father’s company overshadowed every reservation. This might be the only chance to rescue our business from the brink of disaster. "I need more details," I finally said, meeting Alaric's gaze with a firm resolve. He gave a small nod, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Pressing the intercom on his desk, he spoke in a commanding tone. "Tristan, please come in." My curiosity was piqued as I wondered who Tristan was and how he would help me understand more. Moments later, the door opened, and in walked a man I recognized instantly. He was one of the people who had helped Alaric in the alleyway—and, as soon as he spoke, I placed his voice as the one who had answered my call for help yesterday. Tristan approached the desk with practiced efficiency, d
I sank into my bed, the soft embrace of the mattress pulling me into its comforting hold. The evening’s events replayed in my mind as I stared at the ceiling, the glow of the bedside lamp casting soft shadows on the walls. Today had been a monumental, life-altering event. Just yesterday, I was struggling with the weight of my father’s failing company, the looming threat of debt, and the sense that everything was slipping through my fingers. Now, I had a deal—a path forward, even if it meant tethering myself to Alaric for the next two years.How drastically different my life feels now. It wasn’t perfect, but for the first time in a long while, I felt like I had some control. Yet, a part of me was scared. What if this deal changed me in ways I couldn’t foresee? Would I still recognise myself in two years? I sighed, brushing those thoughts aside. One step at a time, Anna.The soft ping of my phone startled me. Reaching for it, I saw a new message.Ciara: Hey, Anna! 😊 Want to grab coffee
I felt a strange mix of nerves and determination as I smoothed down the tailored blazer I’d picked out with Mom over the weekend. Paired with a skirt and my favourite heels, it felt like I was stepping into a whole new version of myself. My wardrobe, once a chaotic mix of casuals and forgotten trends, was now stocked with elegant, professional pieces. I felt confident, more like someone ready to take on the corporate world.Alaric had kept his word. By Friday, Dad’s company had received a string of new contracts, and for the first time in years, I’d seen him truly relaxed. The furrow in his brow had softened, and there was an ease to his laugh that I hadn’t heard in ages. It reminded me why I’d made this deal in the first place.Now it was my turn to keep up my end.As I stepped out of the cab and stared up at the sleek, towering glass building that housed Drax Enterprises, a chill ran down my spine. Was it the air conditioning spilling out from the revolving doors, or was it just the
As Tristan wrapped up the tour, he stopped just outside Alaric’s office, his tone shifting from casual to professional.“Alaric has a meeting in five minutes,” he said, glancing at his watch. “You’ll need to deliver these files to him and assist during the presentation. First impressions matter, Anna.”I nodded, clutching the stack of files tightly. “Got it. Thanks, Tristan.”With a steadying breath, I stepped into Alaric’s office. He was seated behind his imposing desk, typing away on his laptop. The late morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a sharp glow on the polished surfaces.“Mr. Sinclair ,” I began, keeping my voice steady. “The meeting starts in five minutes. Here are the files you’ll need.”He looked up, his piercing gaze momentarily locking onto mine before shifting to the documents in my hands. “Okay,” he said simply, his deep voice calm but commanding.When he stood, I was struck again by his sheer presence. At six foot five, Alaric tower
That evening, I trudged into the house, my feet aching from the day’s efforts. My mom was in the kitchen humming softly, while Dad and Brian were seated in the living room, engrossed in a lively debate about some sports game. The aroma of freshly cooked stew filled the air, a comforting reminder that home was my sanctuary after a long day.“How was work?” Mom asked, peeking her head around the corner.I kicked off my shoes and dropped my bag by the stairs. “It was good, actually,” I said with a tired smile. “Exhausting, but... good.”Brian gave me a curious look. “Good? Who are you, and what have you done with my lazy ass sister?”I rolled my eyes. “It’s only my first day."Mom chuckled. “Dinner’s ready. Come eat before you head upstairs.”We ate together, the familiar sounds of clinking utensils and light conversation grounding me. When the meal was done, I excused myself, retreating to my room. After a quick shower, I collapsed onto my bed, letting out a satisfied sigh.I thought ab
As our lips stayed locked, his hands roamed the entirety of my back, his touch leaving trails of fire in their wake. Then, without warning, he gripped me firmly under my thighs and lifted me effortlessly, pressing me against the wall. A gasp escaped me, but he swallowed it with another searing kiss, his lips moving hungrily over mine. His mouth left mine, tracing a path down my jaw, kissing and sucking at the sensitive skin near my ear. “I want you so bad,” he whispered, his voice thick with need. “I can’t take it anymore.” A shiver ran through me as he turned us around, still holding me effortlessly, his lips trailing down my neck. Before I knew it, I was being tossed onto the bed, the air leaving my lungs in a shaky exhale. Our eyes locked. Slowly, he reached for the hem of his shirt, pulling it over his head and revealing the body I had only caught glimpses of before. I thought I had imagined how beautiful he looked beneath all those tailored suits, but I hadn’t. His
After being treated, all I wanted was to go home and shower. Hospitals had always made me uneasy—the too-bright lights, the sterile scent of antiseptic, the hushed voices that carried an air of urgency, sadness and dread. I turned to Ellie, who was sitting beside me, scrolling through her phone. "Are you going to be fine alone? I would really like to head home," I told her, stretching slightly, my body still sore from everything that had happened. She looked up and studied me for a moment before nodding. "I’ll be fine. My parents just texted me—they’re close." Relieved, I gave her a small smile before I stood to leave. Alaric had been waiting outside, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall, ever the picture of casual authority. As soon as he saw me, his posture relaxed slightly. "Ready?" he asked. I nodded, and together we made our way toward the exit. We had barely turned a corner when we spotted a couple walking toward us. They had an air of aristocracy abo
Ellie and I crept forward cautiously, our bodies still tense from the fear that had gripped us all night. The voices outside were getting clearer, but we couldn’t be sure if they belonged to a friend or foe. My heart pounded in my chest, my pulse roaring in my ears as we peeked around the rusted metal door. Then I saw them. Alaric and Damian. They stood near the cluster of black SUVs, heads bent together as they talked frantically, their expressions thick with worry. It was a rare sight—Alaric, always composed, and Damian, always carefree, now both looking visibly shaken. Before I could even process it, Ellie and I took a hesitant step forward. That was all it took. They spotted us. Their expressions shifted instantly, pure relief washing over their faces as their eyes locked onto us. They broke into a run. Ellie barely had time to react before Damian reached her first, yanking her into his arms with such force she let out a soft gasp. He buried his face in her shoulder, hi
We both froze instantly, our breath catching in our throats, unable to let it out for fear of making a sound. In the dim glow of the moonlight filtering through the warehouse’s cracked windows, I could see the same horror mirrored on Ellie’s face. “I swear I heard talking here,” one of the men muttered as two figures stepped inside. “They can’t have come this far,” the other scoffed. “I think you’re just imagining things." then silence "Fine, let’s just take a quick look.” Ellie’s grip on my hand tightened, and I could feel the faint tremor in her fingers. In the darkness, I saw her other hand inch toward her purse, reaching for the pepper spray canister again. Her lips barely moved as she whispered, “We need to leave. Slowly.” I gave a tiny nod, my pulse pounding in my ears. Luckily, the two men had wandered deeper into the warehouse, away from the only entrance. We moved cautiously, each step careful and doing everything to avoid making a sound. We were so close. Just a few
The car finally jerked to a stop after a few hours, its tires crunching over uneven ground. My heart pounded violently against my ribs as the driver turned in his seat and sneered, “Get out.”Ellie’s fingers wrapped around my wrist, and she leaned in close, her breath warm against my ear. “Remember what I said,” she whispered. “Don’t worry—I’ll be right behind you.”My panicked mind scrambled to recall her words. Run. She had told me to run the moment she gave the signal. it made me feel much better that she would be with me as I did.I swallowed hard and gave her the tiniest nod to show I understood.“I thought he told you two to get out!” The other man barked impatiently.As we stepped out of the car, I noticed Ellie subtly slipping her hand into her purse, fingers curling around something small and cylindrical. The dim lighting made it hard to see exactly what it was, but I knew better than to believe it was anything harmless.After getting out of the car, we faced our captors, the
The car ride started off peacefully, with the engine's quiet hum and streetlights' soft glow flashing through the tinted windows. Ellie had been laughing just moments ago, still chuckling over one of Damian’s ridiculous dares. But as soon as she asked the driver how long it would take to take me home, and he replied, her posture changed.She tensed, her fingers suddenly latching onto my hand with surprising force.I turned to her, confused. “Ellie—”“Where’s the usual driver?” She interrupted, her voice still smooth but noticeably sharper.The man didn’t even flinch. “He had an emergency,” he answered. “I’m his replacement.”My stomach twisted. Something about the way he said it, so casually, so unconcerned, made my skin prickle with unease.Ellie didn’t respond right away. A second passed. Then another. Her fingers twitched slightly against mine, like she was weighing her options. I heard the tiniest, almost imperceptible intake of breath before she slowly reached for the door handle
Anna’s POVAfter Alaric left, I decided to take full advantage of the free day ahead of me. I changed into something comfortable—an oversized sweatshirt and a pair of soft shorts—then grabbed a blanket and plopped onto the massive sectional in the living room.With the remote in hand, I scrolled through streaming options before finally settling on a show I’d been meaning to catch up on. The enormous flat-screen was a luxury I had always looked forward to using, and I sank deeper into the couch, fully immersing myself in the fictional world playing before me.Hours passed in a haze of binge-watching and snacking. It was the most relaxed I had felt in a long time, and for once, I didn’t let my mind wander to things like fake engagements, intimidating fathers, or the fact that I’d told Alaric last night that I wanted him to kiss me. Nope. Not thinking about that at all.Just as I was about to start another episode, my phone buzzed beside me. I grabbed it, squinting at the unknown number
As I drive toward my parents’ estate, my mind is already running through all the possible things they might want to discuss. My engagement. Why I didn’t tell them. And most importantly, why my fiancée is my assistant. I sigh, rubbing a hand over my face, already feeling the weight of the conversation before it even happens. My mother won’t be too difficult to deal with. She’s always been the more understanding one, even if she had her own hopes for my future. Since we were young, she had subtly pushed for me to marry Eleanor, since she was the daughter of her close friend turned sister. A perfect match in her eyes—elegant, poised, well-connected. But I never saw Eleanor that way. Maybe because of my distrust toward Damian back then. Maybe because I had no interest in a marriage of convenience. Either way, I never considered her as an option. Despite her wishes, I know my mother well enough to believe that, at the end of the day, she would put my happiness first. Even if she might
I turned to leave, my heart hammering in my chest, but then—"Anna."I froze mid-step, the sound of my name rolling through the steam-filled room like a slow, lingering caress.Another groan followed, rough and guttural, filled with something that sent a shiver down my spine.My fingers curled into fists at my sides.I should leave. I should pretend I heard nothing. I should not—under any circumstances—stay here, pulse racing, heat coiling low in my stomach, wondering…But he said my name. That meant I had a reason to check, right? Maybe he needed something. Maybe he was hurt. Maybe I just wanted an excuse.Swallowing hard, I took a careful step forward, tiptoeing closer to the slightly ajar bathroom door. The steam curled outward, warm and thick, licking at my skin like an invitation. My heart pounded against my ribs as I nudged the door open just a bit more.And then—oh.The glass surrounding the shower was clear.Completely, mercilessly see-through.My breath hitched, and I immedia