04. Strictly professional

The billionaire's apartment wasn't just chic; it had an air of authority and grandeur that reflected its owner. Dressing more casually, but still exuding charm, Masato led me into the living room.

I was wearing a translucent blue dress that was more restrained than the rest of the clothes the businessman had forced me to wear. Feeling nervous, I sat down at the beautiful glass table. Masato poured us both two glasses of white wine and then sat down too.

"You were fabulous. I expected nothing less from you."

I felt my cheeks heat up.

"Thank you."

"You're doing very well. Keep playing your part and he'll fall right into your trap."

"Your trap, you mean."

"No," disagreed Masato, taking a sip of his wine. "You are the one who will seduce him and make a fool of him in front of everyone."

"But I'm doing it because I'm following your plan."

Masato laughed softly, the laughter echoing through the elegant room. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and watching me with intense eyes.

"Yes, Bianca, you're following my plan. But you're the one on the battlefield, the one dealing directly with Thomas. And you're doing it brilliantly."

I looked away, trying to ignore the mixture of emotions his words provoked in me.

"I hope all this effort is worth it, Masato. I still have my doubts about all this."

Masato leaned even closer, almost touching my hand.

"Trust me, Lady of the Night. In the end, you'll see that it's worth every second. Thomas Braxton deserves to pay for what he's done, and you are the key to that."

"Don't call me that. I've already said that—"

"That you and she are two different personas? Yes, you've already told me. But do you really expect me to believe that?"

Uncomfortable, I took a long sip of the wine, letting the warm liquid run down my throat and give me the dose of courage I needed.

Masato watched my every move, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made me shiver inside. He placed his glass of wine on the table and stood up slowly, walking around the table until he was behind me. I sensed his presence before I even saw him.

"The perfume you're wearing is delicious," he murmured.

I turned my head slightly, feeling Masato's warm breath on my skin. The subtle touch of his fingers gliding across my shoulder sent shivers down my spine. I knew I should stay focused on the mission, but his proximity made my mind waver.

"Masato, what are you doing?" I asked, my voice coming out shakier than I would have liked.

He laughed softly, his laughter vibrating through my body.

"You always liked it when I did that to you, remember?"

Without waiting for an answer, Masato slid his hands up my neck, slowly down my arms until he was holding my hands. He pulled me up, making me stand up and face him. His dark eyes met mine, and for a moment, the world around us seemed to disappear.

Without giving me time to react, Masato pulled me into an intense, urgent kiss.

I interrupted him, however, breathless and confused.

"Wait. Why are you doing this?"

"Do I need a reason?"

"I'm working for you. That's—"

"And what's wrong with me enjoying a bit of your company? After all, aren't I heavily invested in your success?"

The warmth spreading through me cooled instantly.

"Investing? Am I an investment?"

"Naturally. But I know it will be worth every penny I'm spending."

Shocked, I couldn't say anything, just stared at him.

Masato noticed my expression and attitude, so he took a step back and put his hands in his pockets.

"Don't tell me you thought that—"

"I didn't say anything; I don't think anything, either."

"Then why all this coldness?"

"Me? Am I being cold?"

I felt anger bubbling up inside me. The way Masato was acting, as if I were just a pawn in his game, was annoying and disrespectful. I stood up abruptly, pushing my chair back hard.

"You know what, Masato? I don't have to put up with this," I snapped, my voice laden with frustration.

Masato raised his eyebrows, surprised by my reaction.

"Bianca, wait, that's not what I meant..."

"I don't want to hear your excuses!" I interrupted, my tone harsh and determined. "I'm perfectly aware of who I am and what I'm doing, but that doesn't give you the right to treat me like a sex toy."

Masato seemed stunned by the intensity of my reaction, trying to find the right words to respond.

"Bianca, please understand. I'm just trying to protect you. Thomas is dangerous, and I don't want you to get hurt."

"Protect me? Stop it!" I retorted, my eyes sparking with indignation. "You're just using this as an excuse to keep me under control."

"But—"

"That's enough. I'm going home."

With that, I turned around and marched towards the door, determined to get out of Masato's apartment and go my own way. I could barely contain the storm of emotions inside me as I walked down the corridor, anger bubbling up with every step.

When I finally reached the elevator, I pressed the button hard, my hands shaking with frustration. The doors opened slowly, and I stepped inside, closing my eyes for a moment to calm down.

However, when the doors opened again on the first floor, I bumped into someone I hadn't expected to see there: Thomas Braxton. He was standing in the lobby, looking at me with a surprised expression.

"Bianca? What are you doing here?”