Tyler's POVStupid night Excruciating, soul-draining night.I haven't slept a wink. Not a nap, not a doze—not even a blink that lasted more than four seconds. My body? It feels like it was used as a human punching bag by a group of MMA-trained gorillas. Every muscle in me is throbbing like it's trying to beat its own drum solo.And yeah, sure, part of the reason I can't sleep is because every time I shift even an inch, my body screams like I'm being stabbed. But the real reason?This place is hell.Capital H. Capital E. Capital double L.A mansion? Nah, this is a luxury torture chamber disguised as a palace. Big rooms, high walls, eerie silence, and that ever-lingering feeling like someone's watching you. Not to mention her. Azazel. The Devil in a black tank top. She's got hands of steel, nerves of ice, and a temper that'd make volcanoes sweat.I'm convinced she doesn't sleep. Just powers down like a military-grade robot waiting to ruin my life the next day.And to think—this was su
Tyler's POVThe training room smelled like sweat, ego, and regret. I should've taken that as a sign to run.Instead, I stood there in boxing gloves two sizes too big, surrounded by gym equipment I had no idea how to use, staring into the eyes of a woman who looked like she could fold me like a beach chair without breaking a sweat.Azazel.She stood across from me in the ring, her arms crossed, expression blank with just the tiniest hint of a smirk. Behind her, two men were still going at each other like they had lifelong grudges to settle. And they looked good doing it—like warriors. Me? I was just praying I didn't throw up."Alright, let's test out your boxing skills," she said, cracking her neck like a damn Marvel villain.I laughed nervously. "Boxing? Yeah, sure, totally. I've watched, like, two Rocky movies."She didn't even blink. Instead, she tossed a pair of gloves at my face. I caught them with all the grace of a dying seal.As I tried to awkwardly shove my hands in, I piped u
Han's POVThe first thing I heard this morning was a ping from my assistant:"Tyler's arrived. Training begins today."I tilted back in my office chair, watching the files on my desk flutter as the AC hissed through the room. Rejected offers. One after another. Each paper a polite middle finger to my vision. Each name a mask for cowardice or something worse—sabotage.I clenched my jaw and, without a word, swept them off my desk with a sharp flick of my arm. Papers scattered across the floor like fallen soldiers. My knuckles whitened as I reached for the steaming mug of coffee beside me. Took a sip. It was bitter. Almost as bitter as I felt.Why?Why are they all rejecting me?The blueprint for my next innovation—the one that could change everything—had been presented to them on a silver platter. Clean data. A flawless proposal. Years of my life in a folder, and they had the audacity to say no.But I knew better.This wasn't about the innovation.This was personal.Someone was blocking
Tyler's POVI'm not gonna lie…This? This is the life.The moment I walked into this ridiculously expensive mansion, it felt like I'd stumbled into a music video or one of those fantasy-rich-dude TikToks. The air literally smells like money and lavender essential oils. And the floor? So shiny I keep flinching because I think I'm gonna slip and break something—and God forbid I damage any of this polished royalty.Azazel didn't even give me time to unpack my trauma. She just said, "You'll be staying in the east wing," and snapped her fingers. Literally snapped. And then this man six-foot-something, dressed in a black suit that's probably tailored in Milan—walked up to me and bowed like I was some kind of prince."I'm Collins, your personal butler, sir."I had to blink three times before I answered. "Oh. Okay. That's… cool."But what he really meant was: I'm about to pamper you within an inch of your life.And pamper me, he did.First thing he did? Gave me a grand tour. Not just the room
Author POVTyler zoomed off in the car like he had a mission from God. Left me standing there, staring at Anne and Eric… wrapped in an awkward embrace.Eric was gently patting her back as she cried against him, but then—like something clicked—Anne suddenly pulled back. She looked up at him. He looked down at her. And then they both snapped apart like they'd been electrocuted by the awkward fairy herself."…Don't tell me we just—" Anne started."I hate to break it to you," Eric cut in, "but I don't think we did.""What were we even thinking?""Oh my God, I need a shower. Right now," Anne muttered, eyes wide with mild horror."Yeah. Yeah, me too," Eric said, already backing away like the air was radioactive. "I don't support this. Not one bit.""Goddamn it."They both said it at the same time, way too enthusiastically. And then they hopped into Eric's car and zoomed off.---Later That NightWhen they got home, it was silence. Tension so thick, you could stab it with a fork.Eric went s
I started in the expensive limo that came to pick me up. The car looked insanely luxurious, and the driver? He was dressed like he was about to chauffeur royalty—wearing a flawless tuxedo that screamed class. It was a long, sleek black limo, the kind that made even me pause mid-cry to stare in awe.I glanced over at her—yeah, she noticed too. I could see the mix of confusion and a hint of jealousy in her teary eyes before she went right back to crying.Eric turned toward her then, stepped closer, and pulled her gently into his arms. She sobbed against his chest, and he just held her. Yeah… they're gonna be okay. They just need time—and each other.As the car pulled away and we drove off toward the house, I couldn't help but watch them through the tinted window, knowing they'd figure it out.After hours....like literal hours...of driving, I was starting to think we were heading to the ends of the earth. Who the hell is this man? Galactus himself? Dude drove all this way just to pick me