Chapter 3: Playing with Fire

Three weeks later. she heard that news he has fired four PAs after her. Then an email came. An offer. Return as his personal assistant. With a salary increase. And an apology that sounded like it was written by someone who hated admitting they were wrong. She stared at it for a long time. Then smiled.

So she mattered after all. Sha was going back. Not to obey him. Not to survive him. But to bend or break him. And if neither worked… Then she would become the one thing he couldn’t ignore. His obsession.

She started showing up late. Sometimes  blamed sickness. Some she didn’t bother explaining at all. She  ignored his calls deliberately. 

Aiden kept telling her same things over and over… ‎“I can replace you anytime.”                            ‎“You’re getting too full of yourself.”.            “You’ll be fired if you don’t stop this madness.” 

‎They had a meeting with a client. That meant she was to ride with him. He drove with his face all scrunched up like he couldn’t stand the air. ‎ Moments later Lucy sighed loudly and covered my nose. Aiden glanced at her sharply. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

She sniffed again dramatically. “I don’t know… something smells awful in here.” His grip tightened on the steering wheel.

She leaned slightly closer to him. “Oh my God,” she gagged lightly. “What did you spray?” She knew his perfume was expensive. Very expensive. That’s what made it better. His expression was priceless.

Then suddenly— He pulled over. “Get to the back. Now.”

“Okay,” She said instantly. Before he could react, she climbed over him instead of using the door. her elbow, knees to brush his shoulder. 

Aiden was irritated. "Couldn't you use the back door?" She had definitely made him mad.

The moment she slid into the back seat, she bit down on her lips, struggling not to laugh.“Sorry,” she muttered, though the amusement in her eyes betrayed her completely.

Aiden suddenly stepped out of the car and yanked the door open so hard it startled her.

“Get down,” he ordered coldly.

Lucy blinked.

“If I get there before you do,” he continued sharply, “you’ll lose your job.”

She quickly tried to explain herself, but he had already slammed the door and walked off. The second he disappeared from sight, excitement bubbled inside her.

“Oh my God,” she whispered to herself, nearly laughing. She jumped slightly in excitement before quickly flagging down a cab.

A few kilometers down the road, the cab slowed slightly. Lucy glanced outside casually— Then froze.

Someone stood stranded by the roadside, looking completely frustrated.

Her boss.

Aiden.

Their eyes locked instantly. For a second, neither of them spoke. Aiden looked absolutely horrified. Like he couldn’t believe Lucy was seeing him like this.

Lucy, on the other hand, leaned back comfortably against the seat. And smiled the entire ride.

Lucy stepped out of the taxi and adjusted the hem of her dress with deliberate care. She walked into the upscale venue like she owned it, her posture straight and her expression calm. Moments later, Aiden arrived—slightly disheveled, his jaw tight with irritation. When their eyes met across the lobby, her lips curved into a small, knowing smile.

“Oh,” she said lightly, smoothing an invisible wrinkle on her dress. “You made it.”

Aiden’s gaze locked onto hers instantly. “You think this is funny?” he asked, his voice low and controlled.

“Should I not?” The air between them thickened, charged with tension.

“You’re impossible,” he muttered.

“And you’re late,” she shot back without hesitation

For a second, he simply stared at her, as if weighing his next move. “Keep pushing me, Lucy,” he warned, his voice dropping even lower, “and you won’t like what happens.”

They had barely settled into their seats when their client, Mr. Lucas, arrived. Aiden greeted him smoothly, the perfect professional. But when Mr. Lucas turned to Lucy and held her hand a second too long, something shifted in the room. his expression hardened instantly.

“Can we get back to business?” Aiden cut in, clearing his throat.

The meeting continued, but the atmosphere had changed. Mr. Lucas’s attention kept drifting to Lucy. Each lingering glance made Aiden’s patience thinner. He repeatedly pulled the conversation back on track, his voice growing sharper.

By the end of the meeting, Mr. Lucas turned to Lucy directly. “I would love to have a private meeting with you this evening,” he said calmly. “If you don’t mind.”

Aiden started to intervene. “She won’t—”

“Yes, I don’t mind,” Lucy cut in smoothly, offering a polite smile.

Later that evening, the office lights were dimmed. Lucy was heading toward the door when Aiden's voice stopped her cold.

“Were you seriously going to see him… Mr. Lucas?”

She paused, then turned slowly. A small smile played on her lips. “Is there anything wrong with that, sir?”

“He’s our client.”

Lucy shrugged. “And I’m not meeting him in this building, am I?”

Aiden’s expression darkened. “Are you this cheap?” he fired. “To throw yourself at some random man?”

Lucy blinked, then laughed softly. “Do you care?” She stepped closer. “Since when? Or are you… jealous, boss?”

For a split second, his control slipped. “Hell no. Never,” he snapped. But the denial came too quickly. “I just don’t want you scaring off our clients with your… whatever this is.”

“Relax, boss,” Lucy replied sweetly. “I’ll make sure to give him a customer experience he’ll never forget.”

‎