Chapter 3

Asia's POV

The elevator ride back up to the penthouse felt ten times longer than the ride down. 

We had just finished dinner with Monroe and Chanel.

“Not bad for the first round. You didn’t freeze up completely.”

I let out a shaky breath and stepped away, putting some distance between us.

 “Monroe didn’t believe it…Not fully,he kept pushing.”I said

 “He’s suspicious because he knows you,”

“Tomorrow night we’re doing this again,harder,but for now…”

He stepped closer, backing me toward the plush sofa. “We need to make sure you can handle being close to me without looking like you want to run.”

My back hit the arm of the sofa.“I can handle it.”

 “Prove it.”In split seconds he cupped my face with one large hand and kissed me again. 

This one wasn’t for show,it was slower, deeper, testing. 

His mouth moved against mine with controlled hunger, tongue brushing my lower lip until I gasped.

My hands came up to his chest, fingers curling into his shirt without thinking. For a moment I held back,then I kissed him back I got lost in the taste of him and the solid heat of his body.

Then his phone buzzed sharply on the nearby table.

Eden pulled back with a low growl, glancing at the screen. 

 “Monroe,”He sighs.”He wants to meet me privately,says it’s urgent.”

I nodded quickly, relieved for the break. “Okay,I’ll wait here.”

“No.” Eden’s voice was firm. 

He straightened his shirt. “You’re coming with me,my Fiancée must always be with me.”

A few minutes later,we were in the dimly lit private lounge off the main bar.

Monroe was already there, alone this time without Chanel.

 He had two glasses of whiskey waiting on the low table.

“Mr Gregory,” Monroe said, standing with that fake smile.“Glad you could make it. And you brought….your fiancée.”

Eden kept his hand on my waist as we sat. I stayed quiet, playing the part, my body tense.The conversation started normal,contracts, energy deals, tech investments,they both went on. 

Eden’s voice stayed calm and commanding, but I could feel the tension in his body beside me. 

Monroe kept glancing at me, his eyes lingering too long on my legs, my chest.After twenty minutes, Eden’s phone rang.

 “I need to take this important call from my team.”He stood, squeezing my shoulder. 

“Don’t move.”Before I could protest, he stepped outside the lounge, leaving me alone with Monroe.

Monroe leaned forward,eyes narrowing.“Cut the bullshit Asia,I know this is fake.”

“You? Engaged to Gregory Eden? Please,you're still the same broke girl I dumped years ago.”

I stood up fast, heart pounding. “You don’t know anything about my life now.”

He stood too, moving quicker than I expected,then he grabbed my wrist, yanking me closer. 

His other hand came up to my waist, gripping hard.

“I know enough,”he hissed

“You’re playing a dangerous game,”

“But maybe I can help you… for old times sake.”

His hand slid lower, squeezing my ass roughly, pulling me against him. 

Panic exploded in my chest,I tried to shove him away, but he was stronger, backing me against the wall.

“Get off me!”I gasped,struggling.

Monroe laughed low and ugly. 

“Come on,Asia drop the act.”

 “We both know you need money,I can make this easy for you,one night with me and I’ll even throw in some cash,”

“Better than whatever fake shit you’re doing with him.”

His hand forced its way under my blouse, rough fingers digging into my skin as he pressed his body against mine, trying to kiss my neck.

Terror and rage mixed inside me. 

I shoved harder, knee aiming up, but he blocked it, laughing again.

Suddenly the lounge door slammed open,Eden stormed.

 One look at Monroe’s hands on me and his face turned murderous, in two strides he was across the room. 

His fist connected with Monroe’s jaw with a sickening crack,Monroe staggered back, releasing me. 

Eden didn’t stop,he grabbed him by the collar and slammed another punch into his gut,then his face again,beating the hell out of him with raw controlled fury.

Monroe crumpled to the floor, blood on his lip, groaning.

Eden stood over him, breathing hard, voice solid.

 “Touch her again and I’ll end you,”

“Stay the fuck away from my fiancée.”he gritted.

He turned to me, eyes still blazing with anger, without a word he grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the lounge, moving fast through the hotel corridors.

We didn’t go back to the penthouse,instead,he led me straight out a side entrance to a waiting black car. We drove in tense silence for twenty minutes until we reached a private marina. A sleek, luxurious yacht waited under the moonlight.

Eden helped me aboard, his grip gentler now but still firm.

The deck was beautiful. 

He took me to a private cabin area with plush seating and a stunning view of the sea.

Only when we were alone on the yacht, the city lights of Paris fading behind us, did he speak.

“You okay?” he asked, voice rough.

I nodded, rubbing my wrist where Monroe had grabbed me,my body won’t stop shaking.

Eden stepped closer, cupping my face with both hands this time. His thumbs brushed my cheeks. 

“He won’t touch you again,I promise.”The anger in his eyes slowly shifted into something hotter. 

He leaned in, lips hovering just above mine.

“Tonight… you’re staying with me on this yacht,no more games for show…just us.”His mouth brushed mine,soft at first, then deepening with raw need. 

Clothes started coming off,his shirt,my blouse. 

His hands explored my body with hungry possessiveness, kissing down my neck, my collarbone.

We moved toward the large bed in the master cabin,Eden lowered me onto it, his body covering mine, lips and hands everywhere. 

He was about to take it further, fingers hooking into my pants, when my phone suddenly rang on the nearby table.

Eden pauses above me, his chest rising and falling against mine, eyes dark with heat.

I reach for the phone, my fingers clumsy, still caught between desire and something I can’t name yet.

Then I see the number.

Unknown.

“I… I need the restroom,” I whisper, already pulling away.

Inside the bathroom, I lock the door with shaking hands.

The phone is still ringing.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

It stops.

Silence.

My heartbeat thunders so loud it fills my ears.

Then,it rings again.

I answered this time.

“Hello?” My voice comes out thin.

For a second, there’s nothing.

Just static.

Then a voice.

Calm.

Too calm in a way that screamed trouble.

“Asia?”

My grip tightens around the phone. “Who is this?”

A soft chuckle.

“You will find out soon,”

“Now, you listen.”His tone was cold.

My throat dries instantly.

“We have your mother.”

The words don’t land at first.

They just… float.

“What?” I laugh, but it sounds wrong. “What do you..”

A sound cuts me off.

Muffled.

Weak

“Asia…”

My blood freezes.

“Mum?” My voice cracks.“Mum?”

I heard a sharp sound of a smack,followed by her scream.

Everything inside me collapses.

“STOP!” I pleaded. “Stop,please,stop.”

“Thirty thousand dollars,” the voice cuts in smoothly. “Since your sister decided to run away, you'd pay her debt.”

My breathing turns erratic.

“Thirty thousand or she dies.”

“No,no please don't,”

The call ended before I could continue.

Silence.

I stare at the phone like it might come back to life.

Like this isn’t real.

Like I didn’t just hear my mother scream.

My knees gave out.

I hit the floor hard, the cold tiles biting into my skin as my breath comes in sharp, broken gasps.

My mind was in chaos.

Thirty thousand dollars

Another sob claws its way up my throat, but I choke it down,pressing my fist against my mouth.

I looked around,I thought of Eden, I can't go back to the room.

I can't bring him into my mess.

I looked up the window.

Small.

Too small.

But I don’t care.

I just move.