The elevator was too quiet. The moment everyone stepped out, the air felt heavier and thicker, felt like the walls themselves were waiting for something to explode.
Aec stood there, blocking the exit, his gaze fixed on me. His eyes were calm, but the kind of calm that makes your skin crawl. The kind that warns of a storm coming.
He started walking toward me, slow and deliberate, his every step echoing in my chest.
I couldn't move. My back hit the elevator wall, but it was his stare that pinned me there, not the metal.
When he finally reached me, his fingers brushed my lips lightly, almost tenderly, as if trying to claim possession.
"I thought you wanted to be mine," he said, his tone low but edged with anger. "Or was that just another lie to add to the pile?"
I slapped his hand away, heat rushing to my face. "Nothing of such happened," I snapped. "That bastard tried to force himself on me." I could not explain but I didn't want him to misunderstand the situation and believe that video too.
His expression changed for a moment it was calm then slowly it shattered, rage flashing in his eyes.
"Who," he asked, his voice dangerously low, "Who is this bastard?"
The words felt like they were forced from his chest.
I met his stare without flinching. "Why? So you can kill him?" he wasn't joking and I wasn't either... He looked at me coldly and I stared directly back into his eyes not holding back.
The elevator dinged before he could answer. And as if the universe had a twisted sense of humor, it was her....
Diana, of all people.
A small smile tugged at my lips. I wasn't sure if it was nerves or defiance. Maybe both... But I was glad she was there
"Your wife, sire," I said sweetly, pretending to sound guilty, the type of guilt that isn't real.
His gaze didn't leave mine. He didn't even turn toward her. He just said, loud enough for her to hear, "I never told you I had a wife."
The boldness of it made my heart skip, and I hated that it did.
I could feel Diana's glare slicing into me, but I didn't care. I let a slow, poisonous smile spread across my face.
He finally turned, brushed past her, and muttered, "I already told you to stop coming here."
Her face froze and I pitied her.
As the elevator doors began to close, I stuck my hand out and stopped them.
"Oh, my bad," I said, stepping out gracefully. "I almost forgot the CEO and I work on the same floor."
Her eyes burned holes in my back, but I walked away tall.
Aec was in front and from behind I admired his structure, his shoulder wild and firm, his hefty hands with his sleeve rolled up.
When I entered my department, I noticed something strange.
My desk had been moved, isolated from the rest.
David looked up, smirking. "You can enjoy your new spot. We don't want any viruses lagging on us."
My mouth opened, but no words came out. Angel yelled from her seat, "You're welcome," then muttered just loud enough for me to hear, "hoe."
I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced a smile.
Tia mouthed a quiet sorry from her desk and Gabriel avoided my eyes, I knew Gabriel was pissed but he couldn't do anything against David, he was superior.
They didn't give me real tasks that day. Just coffee runs, papers, trash, meaningless errands to keep me busy and humiliated.
By the time I finished carrying files across the building, I was exhausted. My head pounded.
I was walking weakly back to the office when I sight Aec and Diana, standing together in the hallway, arguing quietly but with that sharp tension only couples carry.
I wanted to turn back, but his voice called out. "Sharon."
Damn it.... "You are with your wife boss, focus on her " I sweared under my breathe but at the same time whenever I called Diana his wife it cracked up something funny, deep inside me
I pasted on a smile and walked toward them, my pulse racing...
Diana rolled her eyes. "We are not done talking, Aec," she said, annoyance dripping from her tone.
He didn't even glance her way. His eyes stayed on me. "We were discussing something important earlier," he said to me calmly.
"Then you should attend to your wife first, sire," I said sweetly, leaning on sarcasm.
Diana scoffed. "It's none of your business how he handles conversations."
I know she was still trying to say something but Aec cut in. "Who was it, Sharon?"
My name rolled off his tongue slow
I tilted my head, smiling faintly. "You're so concerned about your employees. That's nice." I paused. "But I think it'd interest you to know I was kidnapped recently."
His jaw tightened. The anger behind his calm was terrifying. I also noticed Diana shifted uncomfortably beside him, her confidence cracking.
"And," I continued, "I think I know who wanted me dead, sire. I have a clue who masterminded it."
I held Diana's eyes when I said it. Her face flickered,even at the tiniest twitch, i caught it.
"His your boss not the police" Diana interrupted
"Enough," he said suddenly, his voice low but heavy. Then he turned to me "To my office. Now."
The way he said it commanding , sent a chill down my spine.
I hated how my body reacted to that tone.
Diana tried to speak. "Aec..."
He raised a finger without looking at her. "Don't."
That single word shut her down completely.
I followed him to his office, heart thundering. The door clicked shut behind me.
He turned slowly, his expression unreadable.
"You enjoy provoking me, don't you?" he said quietly.
I smiled faintly. "Maybe. Someone has to remind you you're human."
He took a step closer. "You think this is a game?"
"It feels like one sometimes," I whispered.
He moved again this time close enough that his scent surrounded me, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him.
His hand lifted, brushing my jaw, then tracing the side of my neck. I shivered despite myself.
"You shouldn't test me," he murmured.
"And you shouldn't confuse control with desire," I shot back.
His fingers stilled. His eyes darkened. For a second, then his hand dropped, and he turned away abruptly, walking to his desk like nothing had happened.
"Now tell me all about it"