CHAPTER 5

Crystal's POV

"And by the way, it's Kieran. No need to be so formal now." He adds with a teasing wink.

I want to die. My face is a ball of flames. I swallow hard, my heart pounding so violently against my ribcage I'm afraid it might burst out.

Am I perhaps ovulating? 

Or why the hell is my body reacting to this man in the strangest possible way?

It's like a wildfire licking through my veins, consuming every rational thought, one I can't control, no matter how hard I try.

But I use every ounce of self-control I have left and push him off.

"This is a work environment," I hiss, my voice shaking with both anger and arousal. 

"We're expected to act professional, not you fawning over me like some horny teenager. I came here for an interview. For that only."

He tilts his head, studying me like I'm a puzzle he can't quite solve. There's curiosity in his eyes now, mixed with suspicion.

"And what about our previous deal?" he asks, his voice slow and his gaze suspicious. "When is it taking effect?"

My brain reels.

Deal? What the hell is he talking about? What deal?

Wait! He must have had a deal with Lyra, but I know nothing about it.

Worse still, it's too late to try to convince him that I'm not Lyra. And even if I succeed in convincing him, how will that help me get this job?

I erase the look of confusion on my face and keep my expression neutral. If what it takes to get this job is to pretend to be Lyra, then I'm down. 

"Well, about the agreement," I start, keeping my voice casual. "I changed my mind." 

Kieran scoffs, the sound dripping with disbelief. "I don't think so. What about your father in the hospital at Dark Hollow Pack? And the surgery bills you have to settle?"

My stomach drops violently. Father? Hospital? Dark Hollow Pack?

What the hell is this Lyra girl into?

"We already had a deal," he continues, his voice hardening. "And you can't back down now. You already got half of the money I promised. Are you sure you want to forfeit the remaining five hundred thousand dollars?"

Five hundred thousand dollars?

My mind spins, struggling to process the astronomical amount. That's exactly the kind of money I need.

Shit! Even more than I need, actually.

I could hire a lawyer to finalize my divorce with Ethan. I could get a place of my own, start my career fully, without depending on anyone.

But what the hell is this deal? What did Lyra agree to? What if I agree only to find out it's something dangerous?

Nah. Things could get messy. Really, really messy.

And seriously, where the hell did this Lyra girl disappear to?

"I'll sort myself out," I tell him, choosing my words carefully. "I no longer need your help."

He looks at me like I've completely lost my mind. Like I just said, that's the most ridiculous thing he's ever heard.

"You're delusional," he says coldly, his expression shifting into something darker and more dangerous. "Isn't it ironic? You don't need my help, yet you came to me for a job."

He shoves his hands into his pockets, striding back to his desk 

"Forget about the job then if you don't want to accept the deal."

My heart sinks to my feet. No! No! No!

"And here's the thing, Lyra," he's speaking again. "You could refuse the deal, but you'll have to pay me back the money I already gave you. Every single cent. And even after that, I'll continue to hunt you down and make your life a living hell."

His tone is calm, almost soothing. But the threat is crystal clear, brooking no arguments.

I can't believe I'm about to get punished for a deal I know nothing about 

I have to act fast. I can't let that happen. I can't afford to make an enemy of someone like him.

Plus, I badly need him to give me this job.

Okay, Crystal. Let's focus on the good side. The deal might not even be that ba,d and five hundred thousand? 

Oh man!

"Wait, what was the deal again?" The words escape my lips before I can stop them.

Kieran's brows knit together, confusion and amusement flickering in his dark eyes. 

"Did you hit your head on the ground? You've been acting all kinds of strange. Who forgets such an important deal?" 

"Just kidding." I force out a laugh, trying to sound natural. 

"Why would I even break our deal? Of course, the deal will take effect whenever you want. Now, can we get this interview done?" 

Kieran studies me skeptically for a moment longer than normal, the heat of his gaze burning my skin. 

"And why would I need to interview my soon-to-be wife before giving her a job?" 

My eyes almost pop out of their sockets, my brain running into a frenzy

"What?" 

He laughs, the low rumble echoing in my chest. 

"You don't need an interview, Lyra. As long as we're getting married, you can take any job position you want in any of my companies."