Chapter 4

Chapter Four

Emilia’s POV

The morning light filtered softly through the heavy drapes, casting a golden glow across the spacious room. I blinked, momentarily disoriented, before I remembered where I was: Lucas’s penthouse, a place so luxurious it felt surreal. Sitting up, I took in the details of the room, each one more exquisite than the last. The events of last night drifted back to me, especially Lucas’s cryptic words about today. A part of me wanted to slip away and avoid whatever he had in mind, but I knew that wasn’t an option.

A gentle knock sounded on the door. “Miss Emilia?” Jesse’s polite voice drifted through.

“Yes, come in,” I called, pulling myself together.

Jesse entered, carrying a tray with breakfast—freshly cut fruit, pastries, and coffee—and a carefully selected outfit, much nicer than anything I owned. I could tell Lucas had planned for every detail, right down to the delicate jewelry laid out beside the clothing.

“Good morning,” I greeted her, smiling despite the unease swirling in my stomach. “This is all…a lot to take in.”

Jesse smiled back, though it was a restrained, professional smile. “Mr. Lucas wants you to be comfortable, Miss Emilia.”

Comfortable. I couldn’t help but think there was nothing comfortable about this. I was here for my protection, or so Lucas claimed, but everything about this world felt foreign, a reminder of how far removed my life had been from his.

“Do you… know Lucas well?” I asked, hoping she’d offer some insight.

Jesse’s smile didn’t waver. “I’ve worked here for a while,” she replied simply, giving nothing away. “Mr. Lucas has instructed me to let you know he’ll be waiting downstairs in the lobby once you’re ready.”

Once she left, I dressed in the outfit she’d brought—a chic, sophisticated dress that hugged my curves without being too revealing. It made me feel strangely exposed yet powerful, like I was stepping into someone else’s life. Smoothing my hair, I took a deep breath and headed downstairs, hoping I could handle whatever Lucas had in mind.

Lucas’s POV

I was waiting by the elevator when Emilia stepped into the lobby. Her presence stirred something within me, a mixture of pride and something deeper. She looked beautiful, though I could see a flicker of nervousness in her eyes. I ignored the part of me that wanted to reassure her.

“You look… suitable,” I said, a small smile playing at the corners of my mouth. I gestured for her to follow me, and together we walked outside, where the sleek black car awaited.

She glanced at me, curiosity glinting in her eyes. “Where are we going?”

I glanced at her but didn’t answer, instead focusing on the drive. She seemed to understand the silence, and I caught her watching the passing cityscape through the tinted windows, her gaze a mixture of awe and disbelief.

We stopped first at an upscale boutique where I’d arranged for her to select a few outfits for upcoming events. I could tell she was uncomfortable, hesitant even, as I waved off her objections.

“Consider it part of fitting into this world,” I said simply. “You’ll need to look the part.”

Emilia tried on several outfits, each one highlighting her natural beauty in a way that was impossible to ignore. As she stood before me in a sleek black dress, I saw her glance at herself in the mirror, a faint blush creeping into her cheeks. I didn’t let myself linger on the sight for too long.

Emilia’s POV

After the boutique, Lucas took me to a place I’d only heard about in passing—a high-end club with a reputation for catering to the elite. As we stepped inside, I felt eyes turn our way, people murmuring as they took in Lucas’s presence. He commanded attention effortlessly, a quiet yet powerful presence that seemed to silence the room.

I stayed close to him, feeling distinctly out of place among these impeccably dressed people who seemed to thrive on power games and subtle glances. Lucas introduced me to a few of his associates, each one as polished and formidable as he was. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was an outsider, a visitor in a world where I didn’t belong.

One conversation caught my attention. Two women nearby were speaking in hushed tones, casting quick glances at Lucas before one of them mentioned Isabella’s name. My heart sank at the sound of it.

“Isabella? Is she here?” one of the women asked, her voice laced with curiosity and something darker.

“No, but I heard she’s making moves,” the other replied. “Lucas better watch his back. You know the price of loyalty in his world…”

Their voices faded, but the ominous tone lingered. My stomach churned, and I realized how little I actually knew about Lucas and his life beyond the surface. Was he really protecting me, or had I been pulled into something far more dangerous?

Back at the Penthouse

By the time we returned to the penthouse, the weight of the day hung heavily on me. The opulence, the whispers, Isabella’s name—everything felt like it was closing in, suffocating me. As we stepped inside, I couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Lucas,” I said, my voice trembling slightly, “why am I here? I feel like… like a pawn in some game I don’t even understand.”

He turned to me, his gaze intense, unreadable. For a moment, a flash of vulnerability softened his expression before his usual mask returned.

“Emilia, I told you before. You’re here to be safe, to be kept away from the mess your boss dragged you into,” he said, his tone measured. “Isabella and others in my world—they’re dangerous. You were unlucky to be tangled in this, but I’ll ensure you’re not a casualty.”

His words were meant to reassure me, but they only stirred up more questions. “But… why me?” I asked, hating how vulnerable I sounded.

Lucas stepped closer, his gaze dark and piercing. “Because, Emilia,” he said softly, his voice barely more than a whisper, “You are the only one who can blend into your boss office and get the right statements of account without begin caught.”

The air around us grew heavy, a tension simmering between us that was both thrilling and terrifying. Part of me wanted to push him away, to break free from the spell he seemed to cast over me, but another part—a part I didn’t want to acknowledge—was drawn to him.

Back in my room, I struggled to process everything that had happened. The luxury, the mystery surrounding Lucas, his plans—it was too much to take in.

I sank onto the edge of the massive bed, feeling lost, a stranger in a world that seemed darker and more dangerous than I’d imagined. Yet, beneath the fear, there was something else—a strange pull toward Lucas, as if he held the answers to questions I hadn’t even known to ask.

Lying back, I closed my eyes, exhaustion finally overtaking me. My thoughts spun, but one question lingered above all the others: Who was Lucas, really? And what had I gotten myself into by being in his world?

As sleep claimed me, one thing was certain: whatever happened next, my life would never be the same.

Emilia’s POV

Morning dawned, casting a pale glow across the city skyline as I blinked awake, my mind still swirling with the events of yesterday. The memory of Lucas’s cryptic words, the whispers about Isabella, and the unnerving tension from the night before stayed with me. I felt a strange pull toward Lucas, an almost magnetic force, but that didn’t erase the fear nagging at me.

Jesse arrived soon after with breakfast, her usual polite smile in place. “Mr. Lucas has asked that you join him in the study after breakfast. He said it’s urgent.”

The nerves returned, sharper now. I nodded, barely able to touch my food as I wondered what “urgent” could mean in Lucas’s world.

After gathering my courage, I made my way to the study. The door was slightly ajar, and I could see Lucas sitting at his desk, deep in thought. He looked up as I entered, his expression unreadable.

“Emilia,” he said, gesturing for me to take a seat. “I need you to listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”

His tone made my stomach clench. “Okay…”

“There’s a critical task I need you to handle. This… mess with your boss goes deeper than I initially thought. It’s not just a simple case of embezzlement and money laundering. There are connections—dangerous ones—that he’s been hiding.”

I frowned, confused. “What does this have to do with me?”

He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto mine. “You still have access to his office. If you can retrieve certain documents, financial statements specifically, it would be… advantageous for us. We need proof of his connections to Isabella’s network, something that can incriminate him.”

The air seemed to thicken between us. I barely understood what he was asking, but I felt the weight of it. “Lucas… you’re asking me to steal from my boss?”

“Think of it as justice,” he replied, his gaze unrelenting. “If we don’t expose him, he’ll get away with everything. But more than that, you’ll be in even greater danger. You’re already on Isabella’s radar. If she finds out you know even a fraction of what’s going on…”

He didn’t finish, but I understood his meaning. Still, fear rooted me to the spot. “How am I supposed to pull this off? I don’t even know where he keeps those kinds of files, and if I get caught…”

Lucas reached across the desk, his hand covering mine. “You won’t get caught,” he said, his voice softening for the first time. “I’ll make sure of that.”

The unexpected warmth in his touch surprised me, momentarily dispelling my fears. I nodded, though the doubts lingered. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far more dangerous.

The next evening, I was back in my boss’s office, the familiar, sterile scent filling the air as I carefully made my way to his desk. I’d waited until everyone had left for the night, but my heart still pounded as I searched through the drawers, looking for anything that matched Lucas’s description.

After what felt like an eternity, I found a hidden compartment. Inside were several files, each one meticulously labeled. I flipped through them, my heart racing as I took photos with my phone of the documents Lucas needed. Just as I was about to close the drawer, I heard a faint creak.

“Looking for something?”

I froze. That voice—the cold, calculating tone—could only belong to one person.

Isabella.

Slowly, I turned to see her leaning against the doorway, her arms crossed and a twisted smirk on her lips. The room felt as if it had shrunk, every exit seeming miles away as her dark eyes bored into mine.

“Didn’t Lucas warn you about crossing into territory that doesn’t belong to you?” she purred, taking a step forward. “Or did he forget to mention that little detail?”

My heart raced, and I fought to keep my expression neutral. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She laughed, a sound that sent chills down my spine. “Oh, Emilia, don’t play innocent with me. I know exactly why you’re here. And I have to admit, I didn’t think you’d have the nerve.”

She was close now, her gaze unrelenting. “You’re nothing more than a pawn in Lucas’s game, a disposable piece he’ll throw away once you’ve served your purpose.”

The words stung, but I refused to let her see my fear. “Maybe,” I replied, fighting to keep my voice steady, “but at least I have a purpose.”

Isabella’s smile faltered, just for a second, before the iciness returned. “We’ll see how long that purpose lasts. Trust me, Emilia—Lucas isn’t the knight in shining armor you think he is. He’s far darker, far more ruthless than you could ever imagine.”

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the eerie silence of the office. I waited until I wa

s certain she was gone, then quickly finished taking photos and slipped out, my heart racing as I made my way back to the penthouse.