CHAPTER TWO – DOMINIC
I arrived at the office with my silver Tesla x. One more meeting before I shut the world out — Anastasia Hughes.
My dad never said much about Hughes, but the first time he mentioned him, his eyes glowed with a passion and desire I'd never seen before. I knew then that their friendship wasn't shallow.
That's the reason I'll grant her a second chance.
She was supposed to meet with me two hours ago and she stood me up.
I put a call through to Ethan. He had sent an email that she requested a second chance.
"See me in my office," I said.
"Alright, boss," he responded.
I raised my head to acknowledge him when he walked in.
He took a seat without waiting for an invitation, casually crossing one leg over the other. He thinks we're friends. Maybe we are.
"We got the anonymous letter again. This time they threatened to reveal the darkest secret of the CEO that will bring BGC down."
I tried to convince myself it was a bluff. We've had a lot of threats like this. But this one felt different. It didn't feel ordinary. It felt personal.
"The IT team still can't track who it is?" I asked.
"Nope," Ethan answered with fake indifference, like he didn't care—but I knew he had a dozen questions he wanted to ask. I was glad he understood boundaries. I couldn't tell him.
I ran a hand through my hair. My pulse pumping.
"You look… shaken by this news," Ethan said with a smirk. I gave him a cold stare, and he raised his hands in surrender.
"Our IT department is the best in the country. If they can't find this person, it means one thing."
"It means a high-profile hacker is involved. Do you have any rival recently that could afford such?" Ethan asked thoughtfully.
I had someone in mind who could pull such a stunt. What I wasn't sure about was what he knew about me.
Jackson Clarke. He has been a nuisance.
"I'll have to handle this." I guess I've gotten a second reason to meet with her.
"If you need me to do anything, holla at me," he said with a fake bow.
"How is my appointment going?"
"She had an emergency. Insider information. She was given thirty days by the shareholders. Just thought to let you know—if she gives you any trouble. She's on her way, though." He winked and left.
Annoying as he is, Ethan is helpful.
The drive to Sylvania was 'quiet' "…as long as my racing thoughts and rapid breathing don't count."
I interrupted the silence with Adele's "Hello" playing in the background.
I arrived at the hotel and two of my bodyguards followed behind. As I walked in, I felt disgusted by the ogling of the ladies in the reception. They never stop.
"Take her to my lounge when she arrives"
"Yes sir."
Shortly after I got to the lounge she arrived. She walked with her head high with confident strides.
I could see the light on her eyes when I said I'll save her company.
I was glad because it meant the meeting won't take long.
There was no way she won't accept my offer was what I thought until she asked. "What do you mean, 'marry you'?" her voice sharp with surprise.
That fake look of confusion she wore. Please. Any woman would kill to be in her position.
"Don't flatter yourself. You're not my type," I added, my tone flat. "This arrangement would only last until my father passes."
Talking about my father brought a stinging pain to my chest that vanished as quickly as it came.
His illness had appeared like déjà vu in a terrible nightmare.
It was sudden.
An intruder we were forced to adapt to.
"I'm… sorry about your father. But I can't marry you," her voice was unsteady.
Her hands were clasped so tightly I wondered if she even had circulation left in her fingers.
Huh. So marriage was her weakness. Interesting.
"Touchy subject?" I said, watching her carefully. "Don't worry—it's just a contract."
She didn't respond.
I considered probing further into whatever mess she was carrying just to torture her—but decided against it. It could all still be an act.
I leaned in slightly, keeping my voice low and deliberate.
"I'll give you a villa, an estate, a billion dollars, a car of your choice, and an acre of land if you stay for one month. I'll double it for every extra month you stay."
I met her emerald eyes, watching closely— looking for a break. The flicker. Anything real.
Either she was hiding it well—or there was nothing there.
And somehow, I was betting on the former.
"Don't you think this is a bit rushed?" she finally said, her voice still unsteady. "I mean… the whole marriage thing. It feels like a lot." She kept her gaze fixed anywhere but on me.
A slow smile tugged at my lips. I was right—marriage rattled her.
"Like I said, it's a contract. Take it as business, nothing more." I took a sip of my wine, leaned back on the couch, and crossed my legs. "And honestly, you don't have much of a choice. You're on the verge of losing your father's company."
I watched closely to see her reaction. She swallowed and kept rubbing her palms together. Her breathing quickened.
"This marriage—my offer—will save you." I made sure each word hit exactly where I intended.
Her eyes flickered. She tried to hold her expression firm, but I saw it—hesitation, fear, calculation. This wasn't some performance.
Then her voice cut through the silence. "I'd like to think about it. I'll get back to you."
I gave a slight nod. "You have until the end of today to decide."
"You'll hear from me by then." She rose to leave.
"One more thing," I added.
She stopped mid-step.
"If you walk away from the marriage on your own… you walk away with nothing."
She turned slowly, locked eyes with me, then gave a small nod.
I watched her retreating frame as she walked to the door. She was small—maybe 5'4" or 5'5"—a sharp contrast to me.
There was something about her I couldn't quite pin down. I'd seen her before—at conferences, parties—but never paid much attention. I'd made it a point to avoid any awkward father's-friend's-daughter situations.
Ironically, I'm now planning to marry her.
So much for dodging clichés.
Get a grip, Dominic.
You just handed her two hours of your time and a glimpse of the man under the suit.
For nothing.
I glanced through the glass at the lobby below — women already angling for a smile, a glance, anything.
Every single one of them would have said yes before I finished the sentence.
Anastasia hadn't even blinked at me like I was a man.
That was the problem. It explained why I'd acted out of character.
It felt strange to sit with a woman for two hours and have her remain professional the entire time.
No one had ever done that—
not even Leah.
Maybe this marriage will be business after all.
Anastasia will accept this proposal. I'm sure of it. With everything happening around her, she won't reject it unless… she's not smart.
That's a huge possibility, though.
If she doesn't give a positive response today, I'll have to go the hard way.
After hours had passed I received a call.
"Hello," Anna's voice echoed from the other end. Calm. Uncertain.
What will her reply be?