My Dilemma

Riley POV

I couldn’t sit still. My leg bounced under the desk as I continuously tapped away at my keyboard, but my mind was far from focused on work. 

The events of last night replayed in my head.

Running into Jaxon—my boss—at that fancy restaurant, the horrifying realization that we’d been chatting on that app for weeks… And the things I’d said.

I cringed just thinking about it.

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I wanted to bury myself under the office floor just remembering those humiliating conversations.

But what was worse than the shame? The fear that Jaxon would fire me. 

The way I’d stormed out of that restaurant, insulting him in the process… who was I kidding?

This was Jaxon we were talking about—he didn’t take well to being disrespected.

And now, I was sure I’d be out of a job before lunchtime. 

My heart raced at the thought.

I needed this job. Rent wasn’t going to pay itself, and I had bills stacking up as high as the skyscrapers surrounding our office.

Every time the elevator opened, I flinched, expecting to see Jaxon step off, barking orders, or worse—calling me to his office to officially terminate me.

"Relax, Riley," Chloe said, shooting me a concerned look from across the desk. "You’ve been jittery all morning. Everything okay?"

I forced a smile. 

"Yeah, just... tired."

She raised an eyebrow but didn’t push.

Thank God for that. If only she knew the real reason for my nerves. 

Just as I exhaled, trying to calm myself, the sound I had been dreading all morning rang out—the elevator doors sliding open.

The office seemed to freeze for a second as Jaxon strolled in, his presence dominating the room without even trying. 

Everyone straightened up immediately, greeting him with the usual chorus of "Good morning, Mr. Steele."

He nodded curtly, his eyes scanning the room like a predator surveying his territory. And then, his gaze locked onto me.

I held my breath. A smug grin spread across his face, and to my utter horror, Jaxon winked at me.

I felt my stomach twist. What the hell?

Before I could even process what just happened, he raised his hand and motioned for me to follow him to his office.

"Shit," I whispered under my breath.

"Good luck," Chloe muttered sympathetically, sensing the dread written all over my face. 

I barely heard her as I stood up, my legs like jelly, and made my way to Jaxon’s office.

Each step felt heavier than the last.

When I finally reached the door, I knocked lightly, but he was already inside, sitting in his chair like a king on a throne.

"Come in, Riley," he called, his voice smooth and unnerving. 

I stepped inside, closing the door behind me.

He leaned back in his chair, those piercing blue eyes fixed on me like a hawk ready to strike.

"I know what you’re going to say," I began quickly, my voice trembling. "But before you make any decisions, I just want to apologize for last night. I was out of line, and I—I didn’t mean to disrespect you. I really, really need this job, Mr. Steele, so please—don’t fire me."

I could hear the desperation in my voice, and I hated it. But I was too terrified to care. 

Jaxon didn’t say anything for a moment, just stared at me, that infuriating smirk still on his lips. And then he laughed. A low, mocking sound that made my skin crawl.

"You think I’m going to fire you, Riley?" he asked, standing up from his chair and slowly walking around his desk, closing the distance between us. "You really think that’s all this is about?"

I blinked, confused. What did he mean? He wasn’t going to fire me?

Relief started to wash over me, but it was quickly replaced by something darker as Jaxon stopped right in front of me, towering over me with that same predatory look in his eyes.

"No," he said softly, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. "I’m not going to fire you. That would be too easy. Besides," he added with a smirk, "you’ve been entertaining me these past few weeks."

My stomach dropped. Entertaining him? Was this all some twisted game to him?

"But," Jaxon continued, leaning in close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off his body, "if you want to keep your job, you’ll have to prove yourself."

I swallowed hard. 

"W-What do you mean?"

Jaxon’s smirk widened, and he stepped even closer, his lips practically brushing my ear as he spoke. 

"You’re going to become my pet, Riley."

I froze. My heart pounded in my chest. Pet? I took a step back, but Jaxon didn’t let me get far.

He grabbed my arm, holding me in place, his grip firm but not painful. Just a reminder that he was in control.

"You’ll do whatever I say, whenever I say it," he whispered, his voice dripping with sinister amusement. "And if you don’t..." He let go of my arm and stepped back, crossing his arms over his chest as he fixed me with a cold, calculating stare. "Then I’ll fire you. And I’ll make sure no one else in this city will hire you. You’ll be out on the streets. Your life will be over."

My head was spinning. This couldn’t be happening.

Jaxon wanted me to be his… pet? What the hell did that even mean?

My mind raced with questions, but none of them mattered in the face of the ultimatum he’d just given me.

I needed this job. I couldn’t afford to lose it. But becoming his pet?

The very thought made me sick to my stomach. 

But what choice did I have?

Jaxon’s gaze was unwavering, his expression dark and expectant.

He wasn’t giving me time to think.

"You have five seconds to decide," he said coolly. "Five…"

I froze, my mind blank.

"Four…"

My hands were shaking. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real.

"Three…"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

"Two…"

My heart was hammering in my chest, my pulse roaring in my ears. What do I do?

"One…

And then, in the final second, I made a choice.