CH.1

A heavy sense of unease surrounded a sleek black car, followed closely by two similar vehicles until they stopped in front of the grand gates of a tall skyscraper.

Big men in sharp black suits got out of the other cars and lined up behind the lead vehicle like soldiers.

The driver rushed to open the back door for the man inside.

First, a pair of long legs stepped out, wearing shoes so shiny they reflected the city around them. Then, a tall man emerged, dressed in a suit that looked like it was made from gold threads

His hair was jet black and perfectly styled, though a few rebellious strands fell across his forehead.

His eyes were a steely gray, sharp and intense, with brows that arched dramatically against his skin.

He smoothed out his suit as he walked towards the building entrance.

A slight smirk appeared on his lips—hardly noticeable but definitely there.

"Good morning, sir!" His employees greeted him in unison, bowing their heads respectfully.

Some of them were barely able to stand straight without trembling like a leaf as he passed, followed by a group of men who seemed to shadow him.

No one dared to break the tension that suddenly blanketed the entire space.

He moved with confidence and strength, every step radiating a masculinity that made women’s hearts race, even though his aura was extremely cold.

The private elevator doors opened with a soft ding, signaling his arrival on his private floor. 

"Good morning, sir," his secretary, Joey, greeted lowering her head to show respect.

He walked by without acknowledging her or even looking her way.

Joey was used to his indifference, so she straightened up and adjusted her outfit.

She undid the top two buttons of her blouse, revealing a hint of her creamy skin.

Then she hiked up her skirt just enough to showcase her toned legs and retouched her makeup.

Her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders as she sauntered towards his office door with newfound confidence.

She knocked gently on the polished wood before entering with a seductive sway of her hips. "Sir, I have brought the paperwork you requested," Joey announced, placing the files before him and bending over slightly to accentuate her feminine allure.

Yet, the man before her didn't spare her a glance.

"Perhaps you've forgotten, but I have no interest in cheap thrills," he stated icily without raising his gaze from the documents spread before him.

Joey felt a flush of embarrassment creep up her neck at his blunt dismissal.

She bowed her head in shame and quickly made to retreat from the room.

The realization that she had overstepped the boundaries of propriety hit her like a winter chill, but the depth of her love for him was such that she was ready to gamble away her decorum for just one night in his arms.

"Hold it!" His deep and resonant voice suddenly sliced through the tension-filled air, causing her to halt abruptly in her tracks.

"Are you a virgin?" His question hung heavily in the room.

"Yes Mr. Creighton, I am a virgin," Joey responded swiftly, her voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded slowly, his gaze steady on hers.

The room once again fell into a weighted silence that seemed to stretch out endlessly. 

"Be at my place when the clock strikes twelve! You know the drill. Now get out!" He finally spoke flatly. 

Joey could feel her heart hammering against her ribcage like a wild bird desperate to escape its cage.

She knew precisely what he meant by 'you know the drill.' It was an unspoken directive for her to arrive clad in a provocative red dress that left little to the imagination.

A wave of exhilaration washed over her entire being at his words. "Yes sir, I will be punctual," she murmured softly before turning on her heel to exit his office.

Her legs wobbled slightly under the weight of anticipation as she kept picturing herself spending an intimate night with him.

'I have finally managed to capture his attention.' Joey screamed internally. This was a feat that felt akin to scaling Mount Everest.

—-

As Joey completed the last bit of paperwork for the day, an involuntary smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

A ball of nerves all day long, she had been counting down the hours until dusk so she could surrender herself fully on his plush bed.

A glance at her wristwatch showed 6:15 p.m., prompting Joey to rise from behind the desk and make her way toward the CEO's office.

Her nerves were stretched taut as a violin string from the adrenaline rush.

Her hand trembled slightly as she reached out to knock gently on the imposing glass door before pulling it open and stepping inside.

She treaded softly until she was just a few paces behind him.

He stood tall by the expansive glass window, his silhouette framed against the cityscape below.

His hands were nonchalantly tucked into his pockets while he stared at the bustling metropolis beneath him.

His eyes held a distant, icy quality that hinted at a mind teeming with thoughts - thoughts that usually occupied him whenever he found himself alone.

"Sir," Joey began with flirtation that was as much a part of her as the curls cascading down her back. "I've completed my tasks for today, and if it's not too much trouble, I'd like to leave a bit earlier so I can prepare myself for our rendezvous tonight."

He didn't even swivel around to acknowledge her request. Instead, he nonchalantly raised his wrist, the glinting diamond watch catching the afternoon sunlight streaming through the blinds.

Then a low hum of agreement rumbled deep in his chest.

A triumphant grin bloomed across Joey's face, lighting up her eyes. "Thank you ever so much, sir," she replied gracefully. "I'll be ready at the stroke of midnight," she promised before spinning on her heel and exiting the room with an air of satisfaction.

The shrill ring of his phone shattered the silence left in Joey's wake.

His jaw tightened instinctively, thinking it was an unwelcome interruption from someone whose life he wouldn't think twice about ending. However, as he pulled out his phone and saw the caller ID, his stern expression melted into one of soft affection.

"Hey babe," he greeted warmly.

A soft chuckle echoed from the other end of the line. "How was your day, my darling Dane? Why haven't you come home yet? When you're away for so long, love, you should know it has me fretting."

"There's no need to worry yourself over me, mama," Dane reassured her gently.

His voice was laced with exhaustion but also a hint of fondness. "I'm just buried under work right now." He paused before adding softly, "Get some rest, Mom; I'll be coming home late, so don't stay awake waiting."

Mrs Creighton sighed heavily on the other end, her heart heavy with worry and resignation. She was no stranger to his nocturnal activities, but it didn't make it any easier to accept.

"Alright, son. Just...be careful," she implored, her voice trembling slightly.

"Sleep well, mom."

With that final sentiment, Dane ended the call.