Chapter 2

ATLAS

I sat in my office at VV Company, the city skyline stretching out behind me. I had just summoned the General Manager the only person in this entire building allowed to see my face. I’m meticulous about my privacy.

I keep my identity hidden from the public for a reason

I have no interest in being prey for the social climbers and gold-diggers who spend their lives trying to trap a billionaire.

That was exactly why I chose to hire a companion a woman bound by a contract, not by pretenses of love.

When I first met Maya, I was struck by her eyes.

They were innocent, almost haunting, and she was undeniably gorgeous.

I knew instantly that she was different from the others.

But despite the pull I felt toward her, I made a conscious choice to treat her like a servant.

I make her feel like a slave, and I don’t regret it for a second.

It’s the only way to ensure she understands the boundaries I’ve set.

If I am cold, she won't get close.

If I am ruthless, she won't mistake this for a fairy tale.

I need her to remember her place, because if she forgets, things will get complicated and I don't do complicated.

For as long as I can remember, I have lived the life of a billionaire.

People whisper about me in the shadows, spreading rumors that I’m involved with the Mafia. Perhaps I was—at least in spirit back when I was bleeding from a wound no one could see.

That was the year Nathalie Smith left me to chase her dreams in Paris.

I didn't stop her, and I certainly didn't chase after her. She didn't deserve that kind of devotion.

Ever since we were children, our parents had shipped us together, pushing us toward a future we hadn't chosen. Eventually, I convinced myself I was in love with her.

In love? I ask myself that now and wonder if it was ever real, or just a case of puppy love that grew too last

But now, I have Maya.

She is the most expensive investment I’ve ever made, and I have no intention of letting her go.

Despite the contract and the cold boundaries I set, she is the only woman who has ever truly taken care of me.

When I’m sick, she’s there, gently wiping my brow with wet towels.

She prepares my breakfast with a care I’ve never known, and she even leaves vases of fresh roses just to brighten my day.

What fascinates me most, however, is her mouth. She is uncontrollably vocal, saying whatever crosses her mind without the filtered fear most people have when they speak to me.

She’s honest, she’s raw, and she’s irritatingly charming.

I tell her she’s a slave, but in reality, I’m the one who’s becoming addicted to her.

I was driving on my car when I typed a message to Maya, “Don't be late tonight, I'll fuck you”. as smile forms in lips.

I waited in Villa until 12AM but she doesn't home yet, I was worried enough, I prepared myself to drove back at VV company when I saw her at gate, her eyes seems so tired, I walked towards her “Why you're late?” asking her, but she only managed to gaze at me then she collapse, luckily I catch her between my arms and carry her towards my room, it took almost half an hour before she came on her senses,

“What happened” I demanded my voice cold and fury, she replied in stammered voice

“I-i-i was promoted….. but then, I work at office overtime, I was left all alone and do all paperworks all by myself that's what I'm tired”. I gently fixed her hair and said

“Did they mistreated you?”. although she did not answer I know already the answer, damnnnn fuck them for mistreating Maya,

“I promise little slave, you won't be able to work overtime” I gently said to her,

“why? do u have a power To to that?” her eyebrow furrowed,

“I own VV company, I am the CEO”. in my surprised I thought Maya would be confused or asks me with questions but instead she laugh hardly

“So you're the, Ugly CEO, A mafia, kulubot ang mukha, ikaw lang pala yun”. she laugh mockingly, my fist curled against my knees when I hear her comments about me

“you damn woman, I'm not ugly”.

she gently touch my face against her hands,

“I know” her voice tame

“But I'm so-so-so-sorry Atlas” she added,

“Sorry for what little slave?”

“I heard girls murmuring that they wanted to marry a CEO then sabi ko sa kanila that the CEO was impotent” she replied, while doing a peace sign

“What? did you just say I'm impotent” I replied, as she countered

“No, no , it's misunderstanding In fact you have a six inches”.

“Now take off my belt!!!!! little slave”with husky voice

“I will show you, my 100percent power in bed” She immediately take off my belt, and it's funny to look at her while her hands shuddered, while doing my orders

“Now, remove your fucking dress, and spread your legs in bed”. Sinubukan niya suwayin ang utos ko

“Atlas what the he.?” before you say that words remember the rules

“When you complain, I will fucking feed you with my Six inches”. agad niyang hinubad ang kanyang dress, at humiga sa kama,

“Good girl, little slave now rub your clit with your fingers”. she hesitant at first, but she still needs to obey my rules

because which is easier to do, rub your clit or eating my six inches both are good but of course,

“This is the punishment for calling me Impotent, the next time you called me that way, I promise little slave you won't be able to walk for seven days when I fuck you.”

Early that morning, I personally prepared breakfast for Maya. Whenever we spent the night together, I always made sure she ate a healthy meal to keep her strength up.

Today, I put together some sandwiches so she would have something to take to work.

"Mr. Atlas? What are you doing, sir?" one of the maids asked, surprised to see me in the kitchen.

"I’ve prepared some food for Maya," I replied.

"When she wakes up, make sure she takes this with her." The maid nodded respectfully, and I left the villa to handle matters at VV Company.

Today was the day I planned to make a public appearance. I needed to put an end to the rumors circulating about me once and for all. As I stepped through the main doors of the company, every head turned.

My assistant stepped forward to introduce me to the staff.

"Good morning, everyone. May I present our CEO, Mr. Atlas Volkov."

I could see the shock registered on the women’s faces. Whispers broke out instantly mostly about how young and handsome I was. I ignored them, keeping my expression cold and professional. The game was just beginning.

I sat in my office, impatiently waiting for Maya to arrive.

I needed to set the boundaries and make things perfectly clear between us. I buzzed my assistant.

"Is Maya here yet?" I demanded.

"Not yet, sir."

"The moment she arrives, send her directly to my office for a business discussion."

Nearly half an hour passed before a sharp knock at the door startled me.

"Mr. Volkov, Miss Maya is here."

"Send her in."

As Maya entered, her head was bowed, her eyes fixed on the floor as if she were burdened by shame.

"Why won't you look at me?" I asked, my voice stern.

"Maya, I called you here to be clear from now on, you are not to work overtime. In this office, we are strangers. At night, however, you are my plaything. I won't have rumors tarnishing my name, especially now that Nathalie is returning. A scandal is the last thing I need."

"Your 'sweetheart' Nathalie is coming home?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"Yes. And how do you know about Nathalie?" I narrowed my eyes at her.

I saw a flash of profound sadness in her eyes, but I pushed the observation aside. Whatever she was feeling, I needed her to get over it.

"I heard the maids talking," she said softly.

"I thought it was just a rumor."

She turned to leave, but paused at the door, her back to me.

"Fine. Strangers by day, and your toy at night."

With that, she walked away. But as the door clicked shut, a sudden, sharp ache blossomed in my chest.

My heart throbbed with a dull, persistent pain for no reason at all.

I should be thrilled—Nathalie was coming home, and her flight from New York was landing tomorrow. This was what I wanted.

So why was my heart telling me I should be with Maya?

No. Absolutely not. I couldn't fall in love with a woman I had paid for.

Later that night, Maya was already waiting in my bed. She was never late; as per our contract, I owned her body every night starting at nine o'clock, and she was expected to wear whatever I chose.

Tonight, however, she lay there completely naked

“I bought you some chocolate ice cream, my little slave,” I said.

She took it and began eating immediately.

I watched her for a moment for someone so small, she certainly had a massive appetite. I headed to the shower to wash away the day before we began.

When I returned, she looked up at me.

“Atlas, try some of this. It’s actually delicious.”

I’ve always hated ice cream, but because she was the one asking, I decided to indulge her.

As I reached for it, a dark, primal urge took hold of me.

“There’s a right way to eat this, woman,” I said, my voice dropping to a predatory growl.

“What way?” she asked, her eyes wide.

I took a dollop of the cold cream, rubbed it against my palm, and smeared it slowly over her boobs

Then, I began to lick it off, the contrast of the freezing ice cream and her warm skin setting my blood on fire.

“That is the right way,” I whispered against her skin.

She stared up at me, breathless, as I continued. Then, she let out a small, shaky laugh.

“This is almost like Fifty Shades.”

I froze, caught off guard. “What?”

Did a woman like her actually watch movies like that? She was only twenty-three, yet she seemed to have a surprising amount of knowledge when it came to the darker side of adulthood.