Chapter 33

The food came in courses. Wine poured. Conversations flowed. At first it was polite. Business friendly. I couldn't help but notice Mr Erik's little gestures— pouring me wine, passing the food to me. It was nice but it made me slightly uncomfortable.

Mr Krauss asked about Dorian's plans, his growth projections, and the structure of his company. Dorian answered smoothly, confidently.

Mr Krauss talked about how he was the first person who invested in Dorian's company. How he was still struggling and how proud he was of him to have accomplished all these himself. I couldn't help but feel proud of him.

“So,” Erik said, leaning closer. “How long have you been working for Mr Wellington?”

“Almost a year now,” I replied politely.

“And you follow him everywhere?”

I met his gaze. “I assist him where necessary.”

Erik smiled. “You speak like a contract.”

I didn't smile. “I speak like an employee.”

He laughed softly.

“I like that. It's rare.”

I reached for my glass calmly, refusing to show discomfort.

Across the table, Dorian's eyes lifted briefly. They landed on Erik. Then on me. Then back to his plates. His jaw tightened. But he was still composed.

Erik continued, undeterred.

“You're too pretty to be this serious,” he said.

I turned to him. “And you're too bold to be this rude.”

Mr Von Krauss laughed loudly. 

“Good! I like her.”

Erik grinned, amused. “I like her too.”

Then he asked casually as if it was nothing–

“So tell me, Amara… is Mr Wellington your boyfriend?”

The question hit the table like a slap. The room went quiet for a second. I didn't look at Dorian, I didn't need to. I could feel his eyes on me. 

I answered calmly. “No, he's my boss.”

Erik leaned back slowly, pleased.

“Even better.”

My stomach turned. Mr Von Krauss shook his head, chuckling. “Erik is trouble.”

Erik lifted his glass. “I'm only honest.”

Then he looked directly at me again. “Since he's just your boss… then you won't mind if I asked you out on a date.”

My fingers tightened around my fork. I forced a polite smile. “I would mind.”

Erik didn't look offended. He looked entertained. “Why?”

I opened my mouth– 

But Dorian spoke before I could.

“She's not interested.”

His voice was calm. But it wasn't soft. It was sharp enough to cut. 

Erik's brow lifted. “You speak for her?”

Dorian didn't respond. They both held each other’s gaze for a while, neither willing to back down.

Mr Krauss cleared his throat, loudly. 

Erik smirked. “Relax, you're just her boss.”

Dinner continued, but the air had changed. It felt like a game. A quiet one and Erik was enjoying it too much.

When dinner ended, we moved into a private sitting room for the actual meeting.

Documents were brought out. Contracts. Figures. Terms.

Dorian spoke like he was in control of the world. He didn't stumble, didn't hesitate. Mr Krauss listened carefully, occasionally nodding. Erik stayed quieter now, but his eyes still drifted to me sometimes.

When Mr Krauss asked questions, I provided the relevant documents. When he needed clarification, I answered cleanly.

The meeting ended after almost an hour. Mr Krauss stood up and shook Dorian's hand.

“This is promising,” he said. “Very promising, I'll have my legal team review the details, but I'm interested.”

Dorian gave a small nod.

“That's all I ask.”

Mr Krauss smiled. Then, as if he couldn't help himself, he turned to me.

“And you,” he said. “You're impressive, smart, well spoken, and put together.”

I gave a polite smile. “Thank you, sir.”

Erik stepped closer. “If you ever get tired of being an assistant,” he said casually. “I can offer you something better.”

I stared at him. Dorian didn't move. But the silence that followed was dangerous. 

I forced a small laugh.

“I'm content where I am.”

Erik smiled like he didn't believe me. “Call me when you change your mind about my date offer.”

Dorian finally spoke.

“We should go.”

We said our goodbyes.

The moment we were inside the car, the door slammed shut. The silence the didn't feel normal anymore. It felt like a storm was gathering.

Dorian sat beside me like he was carved from stone. His gaze was forward, but his energy was tense. His hands were clasped together, resting on his thigh.

I stared out the window, refusing to be the first to break. But then his voice came. Low.

“Did you enjoy that?”

I turned slowly.

“What?”

He looked at me then. His eyes were darker than usual. 

“You heard me.”

I swallowed.

“He was being inappropriate.”

“And you didn't shut it down fast enough.”

My brows lifted. “I was being professional.”

“Professional doesn't require laughing.”

“Excuse me?”

Dorian leaned closer, not touching me, but close enough that his presence wrapped around my body like heat.

“You smiled.”

It wasn't an accusation. It was worse. It was jealousy. It was possession. And it made my pulse spike.

I let out a bitter laugh.

“You're angry because someone looked at me?” I asked. “Then maybe you should hire an ugly person.”

His eyes narrowed. He snaps, his restraint cracks. He grabbed my wrist lightly, pulled me closer. Too close. I could feel his breath on my face.

“Don't play dumb, Amara,” he whispered.

My chest rose and fell.

“You don't get to act like this.”

His jaw clenched. “And why not?”

Because you don't want me. Because you push me away. Because you act like I'm nothing. But I didn't say anything of that. 

Instead I looked him in the eye and said–

“Because you're my boss.”

His gaze dropped to my mouth then back to my eyes. His voice lowered even more. 

“And if I wasn't?”

My breath caught. The air between us tightened. Charged. Heavy.

Like one wrong move would burn everything down.

The car kept moving, but it felt like we were standing still in the middle of something dangerous.

I forced myself to look away first.

Forced myself to remember the rules I had created to survive him. He was silent for the rest of the drive. But the silence wasn't empty.

It was full of things neither of us was brave enough to say.