Chapter 2

On my first day, there were no formal procedures no papers to sign, no official orientation. I was simply asked to start working immediately. I was shown to an office located near his, separated only by a door. I was given a brand-new phone, laptop, and iPad, but no clear instructions on what my role or responsibilities are.

The next few days passed in a blur of chaos, commands, and confusion. Kai Ashford didn’t just work he demanded. Everything with him was now, urgent, precise. The kind of man who didn’t repeat himself, didn’t tolerate delays, and most definitely didn’t explain anything twice.

I spent hours organizing files I didn’t even understand, answering emails that weren’t meant for me, and sitting silently in meetings where I felt like a ghost among wolves.

I didn’t know what I was doing most of the time I just went with the flow. He never complained. I followed him everywhere, and whenever I didn’t understand something, I simply left it as it was. Still, he never said a word

But somehow… I was still there. Why? Because my Payment he offered to give me was worth far more than the job itself. I couldn’t leave

I needed this.

I needed to learn how to exist in his perfectly controlled world.

After all, it paid better than both of my previous jobs combined.

Thankfully, I was accommodated in a private room at the hotel a full room, just for me. That was one of my happiest moments. For once, I could sleep on a soft loft bed, under a perfectly working air conditioner.

At least… I was a staff member now.

That first evening I start working, Nancy came by. She brought me ten pairs of new clothes and other essentials I might need. She was his assistant the real one. Always with Kai. She handled things I didn’t even know existed. While I just… tagged along.

She didn’t say much, just delivered what she was sent to bring. No warmth, no conversation. Just duty.

It's Friday.

Just five days as I start working at the Ashford Hotel

LThat’s when everything changed.

We were supposed to leave the office for an exclusive investor’s dinner one of those events where I was meant to be seen, not heard. I had just returned from my lunch break at the hotel restaurant, where I’d had an expensive meal I was slowly getting used to.

Does life really change this suddenly?

Or was this just… luck?

I found a black garment bag draped over my desk.

I stared at it.

Kai walked past, sipping black coffee like a goddamn deity, and murmured without glancing at me, “Wear that tonight. Don’t embarrass me.”

he said.

I opened it slowly inside was a designer dress that probably cost more than my savings . Deep emerald silk, sleeveless, with a slit up the thigh that screamed danger. My heart dropped.

He wanted me to wear this?

“Also Nancy is taking you for a makeover “he added before walking into his office

An hour later she came and take me to the hotel saloon where I got hair treatment,spa, pedicure,manicure and makeup all with her instructions on what should be applied to my body,she don't communicate much most busy with her phone and phone calls

I look dashing at the end of all,even when leaving Kai just glanced at me once before slumbing into the car

At seven,we arrived at the dinner,cameras flashed. Paparazzi shouted. Kai stepped beside me in a sleek black tux, unfazed, and without asking, placed his hand at the small of my back.

Like I was already his.

We walked the carpet like we belonged together.

Inside, the place was all champagne glass whispers and diamond eyes. He leaned in close, lips brushing the shell of my ear.

“Smile, Lena. Tonight, you're mine.”

I tried to speak, but my voice failed. My cheeks burned.

“You said this was an investor’s dinner,” I whispered back.

“It is,” he said, voice dipped in silk and steel. “But I didn’t say what they were investing in.”

He paraded me around, touched the small of my back, whispered inside jokes we didn’t have yet. I played along awkwardly, nervously but I felt it the tension between us, coiled and ready to snap.

A new nice experience for me to be in a class where I never dreamt off in just a span of five days

By midnight, we were back in the car,there was a sudden silence and tension from him. His jaw was tight, his hand tapping against the leather seat.

“I don’t like sharing,” he finally said.

“What?”

I turned to him.

“You smiled too much at Marcus. Don’t do it again.”

Who the hell is even Marcus I ask myself everyone in that's place look the same to me,and I calmly smiled to everyone as he ordered

“You told me to smile,” I snapped

“Not at him.”

I pouted “I was just as a stand in why make a deal out of it “I said in low tone to avoid him from hearing

The silence between us was heavy, charged. I tried to steady my breathing, tried to remind myself this was just a car ride, nothing more.

But Kai’s presence was suffocating . I caught the way his eyes flicked toward me in the rearview mirror, sharp and hungry, like he was reading every thought behind my forced calm.

I glanced out the window, heart fluttering from the night’s energy. But then, something caught my eye the driver turned sharply, steering us away from the hotel way

“Wait,” I said, voice tight. “This isn’t the way back to the hotel.”

Kai turned to me, his eyes dark and unreadable. “No,” he said“You’re not going back to the hotel.”

My heart skipped. “What? I need to…”

“You’ll be staying at the penthouse tonight.”

I blinked at him. “Why?”

“Because I said so.”

His tone was calm, final.

There's no room for discussion.

I looked away, heat crawling up my neck. Every time I thought I understood him, he switched on me.

The car slowed. The driver announced, “We’re here, sir.”

The tall building looming outside gleamed like polished obsidian under the night sky. His penthouse.

I followed him out, heartbeat loud in my ears.

What the hell had I just walked into?

Kai’s hand wrapped around mine firm, warm, completely sure of itself.

He didn’t ask if I wanted to follow.

He just led me.

The elevator doors opened into the penthouse directly.

With a quiet click, he switched on the lights.

My breath caught.

It was... breathtaking.

Glass walls revealed the glittering skyline beyond, city lights flickering like stars had fallen and scattered across the earth. Marble floors stretched beneath our feet, reflecting soft, golden lighting. Art I couldn’t name hung on the walls, each piece more intimidating than the last.

He didn’t say a word, just kept walking still holding my hand as if none of this was impressive. As if this was just his version of Friday Night

He stopped at one of the doors, pushed it open, and gestured me inside.

My jaw nearly hit the floor.

It was a bedroom but not just any bedroom. It looked like a luxury fashion house had exploded in here and arranged itself perfectly.

Clothing racks lined one side gowns, casuals, silks, linens. Shoes of every kind, in boxes, on shelves, in rows.

A vanity glowed softly with professional makeup. Perfumes, accessories, jewelry... all untouched.

All new.

I stood there frozen, still taking it all inthe silk, the gold accents, the vanity glowing softly like it belonged in a movie.

A soft sound behind me.

Before I could turn, I felt it his warmth, his presence. Then his arms, sliding around my waist from behind.

My breath hitched.

He didn’t say a word at first. Just leaned in, his chest pressed to my back, his lips brushing against my ears

“You’ll be spending the weekend with me.”

My heart thudded.

I tried to turn, but his grip tightened not harsh, just… certain. Like letting go wasn’t an option.

“Kai ” I whispered, not sure if it was a protest or a plea.

His hand spread across my stomach, anchoring me to him.

I should’ve stepped away. I didn’t.

“Why?” I managed, barely breathing.

His nose grazed the side of my neck, sending sparks everywhere. “Because I want you here,in my space where I can see you. Touch you. Take care of you.”

Everything in me clenched nerves, heat, fear, something dangerous and needy.

He turned me gently to face him, his eyes searching mine with that same dominant, unreadable focus he always wore in boardrooms but this was different.

This wasn’t business.

His thumb brushed my cheek. “Say okay.”

I swallowed hard, lost somewhere between reason and whatever the hell this was.

“…Okay.”

I couldn’t say anything further.