3. Is he something else?

Lisa's POV 

I gathered whatever courage was left in me and turned around.

As expected, the monster was already looking down at me.

Our eyes collided and for a second, it felt like my entire body was swallowed by flames. That look in his eyes, it was something else. I swear I felt it rather than just saw it. The way he stared, it reminded me of a wolf who likes to toy with its prey before he devours it. Or worse like a drug addict who has finally tasted his drug after waiting too long.

Something flickered in those eyes, raw and unfiltered, before he buried it behind that usual stone mask.

But what was that spark? Anger? Amusement? Hunger?

I didn’t know and I hated that I wanted to.

I took a step back, putting a respectable distance between us.

“Next. You have five minutes to come to the parking,” 

He ordered, voice low, deep, and edged with command.

Fuck. He heard me earlier.

Of course he did. I talk like an idiot and he always listens quietly, probably just to mock me in his head. Why does he hear everything I wish he wouldn’t?

He walked past me and the air felt heavier. His towering height, his sharp scent, the storm he carried around him, everything crossed me in one intimidating sweep. I stared at his retreating back longer than I should have before my brain kicked in. My time was ticking.

I grabbed my things and rushed behind him.

Employees scattered on the floor looked at me with pity.

I hate those looks.

But yeah, I’m used to them now.

I still wonder sometimes what he must have done to the secretaries before me. The pity in people’s eyes started right from my first week, so the answer can’t be pretty.

I reached the parking lot exactly in five minutes, and for once, I felt like God was willing to show me some mercy.

I slipped inside the car and his chauffeur started the engine without being told.

Silence spread thick and loud.

Minutes passed.

My pulse refused to calm.

Finally I forced my voice out. 

“Where are we going? We don’t have anything scheduled.”

As far as I remembered, he was supposed to be in his office for the next two hours and then head straight to a meeting with foreign clients. But here he was, taking me somewhere in the middle of the day.

“This meeting doesn’t need a secretary to take care of. It’s none of your business.”

He didn’t even look up as his fingers flew across his screen, typing furiously.

I let out a breath, tired but not ready to back down.

“I didn’t get the time to give you the updates. Should I?”

My voice didn’t shake or hesitate, maybe that’s the real reason he hates me. I don’t stutter around him. I don’t act scared. I don’t look at him like he’s God. Unlike everyone else in the company, I refuse to tremble before him.

Maybe that scratches his ego.

Maybe that’s the root of this silent war between us.

I can only assume.

“That’s because you were ten minutes late,” 

He snapped. 

“Go on.”

What a wolf. If there’s a chance to put me down, he will take it.

“Well,” 

I began, keeping my voice steady. 

“Flights are cancelled for next week, so we’ll have to reschedule the meeting.”

He shifted suddenly, turning to look directly at me and I almost lost my voice.

There was something merciless in the way he stared. It wasn’t normal attention. He watched me as if scanning, analyzing, stripping me down to my bones without touching me.

“But,” 

I continued, forcing myself to stay professional.

“we can also ask them to come here instead.”

I waited for his decision. I licked my lips unconsciously, nervously and his eyes followed the motion with a sharpness that made my blood burn.

“Ask them to come here,” 

He said, eyes still fixed on my lips.

“And—”

I forced myself to continue with the rest of the updates, taking his instructions while pretending not to notice the way his eyes were still on me. Not on my mouth anymore, thank God, but still on me. Like I was a puzzle he had never seen before and didn’t know whether he wanted to break or solve.

My face felt too hot. Like his gaze could ignite it.

I reached up and touched my ear, it was tingling. Probably because my hair was tied up in a tight bun, leaving my skin exposed.

But it also felt like invisible butterflies were dancing there.

Why does it feel like he registers every tiny movement I make?

Even the ones I don’t intend?

Why would he notice?

Am I imagining this entire thing?

“So we have three meetings today.” 

I concluded.

He finally pulled his gaze away and air rushed into my lungs like I had been underwater. His attention is suffocating in the most terrifying and addictive way.

The car came to a stop and I climbed out after him.

My heart paused. This wasn’t an office. This was his house or mansion, to be exact.

Tall iron gates, fountains, a garden too perfect to be real, guards everywhere.

Beautiful but in a way that felt dark. Like secrets lived here.

A man came to escort Louis, raven-black suit, long beard, hair pulled into a tight bun, heavy boots and his eyes landed on me. A faint frown formed instantly. He leaned toward Louis and whispered something while still staring at me.

Louis turned to look at me.

“Stay in the car until I come back.”

Then he walked away with the man. I stood there dumbfounded. If he didn’t want me to enter, then why did he bring me here?

I leaned against the car. The weather was surprisingly nice, a small mercy I’d gladly take. I scrolled through my phone aimlessly, trying not to overthink.

Another car arrived behind us and two more men got out.

I recognized them instantly, they often visited Louis at the office. They were always dressed the same like uniforms, black suits, sharp eyes, movements too smooth, too alert.

Both of them glanced at me and recognition flashed.

“You shouldn’t be out of the car, Ms. Secretary. This place isn’t safe,” 

One of them said with a mocking chuckle before heading inside.

Normally, I would ignore comments that sound like intimidation.

But right now, my instincts whispered something different. Something dark.

I got back in the car and closed the door.

What the hell is happening?

These men didn’t look normal.

And Louis, sometimes he feels like more than what he pretends to be. There’s something under the polished suits and billionaire look. Something cold. Something dangerous.

People say these rich businessmen often have dark secrets.

So what’s his?

Maybe I’m thinking too much.

Maybe this is some family emergency that needed him immediately.

I kept waiting, staring through the tinted window, when his name flashed on my screen.

“Yes, sir,” 

I answered quickly.

“Ask the driver to drop you at the office and come back. Cancel all my meetings today.”

His tone was short, sharp, and final. He disconnected without another word.

I stared ahead, trying not to show disappointment or fear or curiosity.

Maybe I’m not wrong. Maybe he does have something going on outside that perfectly controlled business image.

But what?

What kind of man hides an entire life behind a checkered suit and a calm face?

And why do I feel like I’ve just seen a door, one that I’m not supposed to enter but one I’m going to walk through anyway… whether I want to or not?