The room was spacious, bathed in natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Behind a large, sleek desk sat Zion Petrakis himself, exuding an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. His gaze met hers, his piercing eyes seeming to dissect her every move.
The interview began, with Zion asking probing questions and scrutinizing her every response. Amy answered with confidence, determined to prove herself despite the weight of his scrutiny. But as the minutes turned into an hour, she couldn't help but notice the flicker of skepticism in his eyes, the hint of a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
"You come from the Diamond Groups, don't you?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of challenge.
Amy nodded, her voice steady. "Yes, that's correct. But I'm here to prove that I have what it takes to succeed on my own merits."
Zion leaned back in his chair, studying her intently. "Your family's reputation precedes you, Amy Armstrong. The Diamond Groups and the Zion Groups have been rivals for years. What makes you think you can thrive in an environment that goes against everything you've known?"
Amy straightened her posture, her voice filled with conviction. "I've grown up witnessing the successes and challenges of my family's business. I understand the intricacies of competition, and I'm not afraid to embrace new perspectives. Working for the Zion Groups would allow me to expand my horizons, to bring a fresh perspective to your company."
Zion's expression remained inscrutable, his eyes locked onto hers. After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke. "Your confidence is commendable, Amy Armstrong. But I have my doubts about whether you truly understand the cutthroat nature of our industry."
Amy felt a pang of disappointment, but she refused to let it deter her. "I may be young, but I'm determined and eager to learn. I believe in my abilities, and I'm willing to work hard to prove myself."
A flicker of something akin to respect passed through Zion's eyes, and his lips curved into a small smile. "Very well, Amy. I'm willing to give you a chance. Consider this an opportunity to prove both yourself and your family wrong. I'll offer you a position in my company, and we'll see if you're capable of living up to the challenges that lie ahead."
A surge of both surprise and triumph washed over Amy. She had expected rejection or perhaps a dismissive wave of the hand, but instead, Zion saw potential in her. His offer was not only an acknowledgment of her capabilities but also a direct challenge to her father's empire.
With a newfound sense of determination, Amy accepted his offer, her heart filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation. She had entered the Zion Groups seeking validation, but she had ended up with an unexpected opportunity to prove herself on her own terms.
As she left Zion's office, a renewed fire burned within her. She was ready to embark on a journey that would test her limits, challenge her perceptions, and perhaps even unveil the true extent of her capabilities. Little did she know that her unexpected recruitment by Zion Petrakis would be the beginning of a remarkable chapter in her life, one filled with unexpected twists and turns, and a glimpse into the depths of her own strength and resilience.
The room was quiet except for the rhythmic ticking of the clock and the occasional gust of wind brushing against the windowpane. The night was dimly lit by the soft golden glow of the bedside lamp, casting delicate shadows across the room. The sheets were soft beneath them, a delicate contrast to the storm of emotions pulsing in the air. Zion lay beside her, his fingers brushing gently over her arm, tracing invisible lines up to her shoulder. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss just below her ear—light, almost reverent. Amy’s breath hitched, her body tensing slightly at the contact before melting into it. "You’re trembling," he whispered against her skin, his voice hoarse with restraint. "Is it me... or the anticipation?" Amy didn’t answer. She didn’t have to. Her eyes said enough—half-lidded, glassy, unsure whether to hold back or fall completely. Zion continued slowly, deliberately. He placed feather-light kisses along the curve of her neck, pausing at the base of her throat. His
The tension between them was undeniable, lingering even after the presentation ended and the conference hall began to empty. Zion didn’t say a word during the ride back to the office, but Amy could feel it building. His silence wasn’t peace—it was pressure, and it was mounting.By the time they got into their shared office, Zion closed the door behind them with a soft click and leaned against it. Amy moved toward her desk like she hadn’t noticed, pretending to check her emails, but her fingers hovered above the keyboard.He finally spoke.“Have you met Lucio before?” His voice was calm, too calm, but his eyes didn’t match it. They were sharp—searching.Amy froze for a moment, then sighed. “Yes,” she said simply, not turning around. She didn’t want this dragged out. She didn’t want to look him in the eye.But that wasn’t enough for Zion.He pushed off the door, walked toward her, firm and deliberate.“Amy,” he said again, this time more firmly. “I want to hear all of it.”She started to
Zion was halfway through his cup of coffee when he heard it—the confident click-clack of stilettos echoing down the hallway. He lifted his eyes, and there she was.Amy.Wearing a sleek, curve-hugging corporate gown in charcoal grey, her hair pinned up in a way that exposed her long neck and delicate earrings. Zion blinked. Once. Twice.She looked like a boss, a queen, a walking distraction.The mug paused midair. His grip loosened for a fraction of a second. That’s all it took.SPLASH.A splash of hot coffee spilled straight down the front of his white shirt.“Sir! You just…” one of the maids exclaimed, rushing toward him with a napkin, gesturing at the growing stain.Zion groaned under his breath. “Damn it.”He dabbed at his chest with the napkin, clearly not amused.Amy walked in fully now, like she was gliding, her grin way too self-satisfied. She pulled out a chair beside him, placed her bag carefully on the floor, and crossed her legs with a casual confidence.“Someone got distrac
Amy lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her fingers absentmindedly clutching the edge of the blanket. The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of the bedside lamp, but no amount of warmth from the covers could lull her to sleep.She had been tossing and turning for what felt like hours, trying to convince herself that she could sleep without his presence beside her. It had become an unspoken reality—one she hated to admit.She sighed quietly, gazing at the empty space beside her. The bed suddenly felt too big, too cold, too unfamiliar.Then, the door creaks open.Amy held her breath, pretending to be asleep as she listened to the soft sounds of footsteps. The faint scent of expensive cologne mixed with something uniquely Zion’s filled the room as he approached the bed.Without a word, Zion peeled back the covers and slid in beside her, the bed dipping under his weight. He let out a long exhale, exhaustion laced in every breath as he shifted closer to her.Amy was still, frozen in place,
For the next two weeks, Zion stayed home, turning his usually packed schedule into one that revolved around Amy. Though she repeatedly insisted she didn’t need a “babysitter,” Zion brushed off her protests with the same calm determination that made him so infuriatingly Zion.“This is unnecessary,” Amy grumbled one morning as she sat on the couch, her leg propped up on a cushion while Zion adjusted the ice pack on her ankle. “I can take care of myself, you know.”“I’m sure you can,” Zion replied without looking at her, his tone infuriatingly even. “But humor me, will you?”Amy folded her arms and huffed, glaring at the ceiling. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate the help—her swollen ankle was proof enough she needed it—but having Zion hovering over her, day in and day out, was another matter entirely.Despite her complaints, Zion was relentless in his care. He
Zion had just finished his coffee and was about to head out when a sharp scream pierced through the quiet of the house.“Amy!” he called, his heart racing as he dashed up the stairs two steps at a time.He burst into the room to find her on the floor of the walk-in closet, her face twisted in pain. One of the shelves, once bolted firmly to the wall, now leaned awkwardly, its contents scattered across the floor. A heavy wooden panel had collapsed on her leg.“What the hell happened?” Zion demanded, dropping to his knees beside her.Amy gritted her teeth, trying to pull her leg free. “I don’t know… I just reached for a hanger, and it gave way.”“Don’t move,” Zion ordered, his voice low but firm. He leaned over, gripping the edge of the fallen shelf and lifting it with surprising ease. “Can you get your leg out now?”Amy nodded, wincing as she pulled her leg free. Zion pushed the shelf aside and immediately crouched down to examine her leg.“It doesn’t look broken, but it’s already swell