Chapter 3

Isabella's POV

I got the job.

I was the assistant to the CEO of Ciel's Enterprise. At first, I was glad because it meant that I won't have to be thrown out of my apartment into the streets of New York but I was already skeptical and nervous just having to work for this man that made my nerves jump.

I finished responding to emails for the day when the phone rang. I eyed the ringing phone for a second before rushing to answer it. Prior to what I thought about my boss when I first saw him, he was one of the most difficult people to please. And he was cold too, maybe even grumpy. Keeping me on my toes at all times.

“Get to my office, now!” He ordered and ended the call before I could respond. 

Pushing my chair to the back, I rose from my seat and quickly buttoned up the unbuttoned part of my shirt. When I was sure that I looked okay to appear before my boss, I left my office and went to his.

I had lied to my boss.

Somehow, he knew who my father was and I just knew from the tone in which he asked that he didn't like my father. If he was to know that I am Marco Don's daughter then I would lose my job.

And I couldn't have that happening.

Oh god!

What if he has found out that I lied to him? 

I was going to lose my job. 

Heart racing in my chest with my fingers shaking, I knocked twice on the door. His gruff voice asked me to come in and I pulled the door open and walked in. My boss was older than I was. Not as old as my father or the man my father had wanted me to marry but he was older.

Certainly more than ten years older, I could tell. 

“Sir,” I called nervously, keeping my voice low.

I couldn't lose my job.

For a few seconds, my boss didn't look at me as he continued to type on his laptop. The way he regularly disregarded me or acted like I wasn't there ever since I started working for him had been making me more nervous and annoyed.

I didn't understand what I had done to deserve the treatment especially when he didn't extend such reservations to other employees.

“Sir,” I cleared my throat and attempted to get his attention again.

“We are going to Vegas tomorrow morning. Pack your things and get ready.” He told me.

I stared at him blankly for a few seconds before his words registered in my head. Fuck, no. No. I couldn't go to Vegas. My father had people in Vegas. Not only that, the man my father wanted me to marry traded in Vegas. I couldn't go to Vegas.

“W-with you?” I stuttered, sounding foolish.

He stared at me with slight annoyance and irritation like I was dirt under his shoes, his brows pinching together as he glared. Even though he was looking at me like that, he was still the most sexiest man I had ever seen. Ladies would melt from that look in his eyes. And when he spoke, I imagined they would get on their knees and succumbed to his wishes.

“Where else would you be? Didn't you read the job description?” He belted out harshly and a shiver ran down my spine.

“Y-of course, sir. I did. I'm sorry.” I apologized, bowing my head a little.

His gaze dropped for a few seconds and when he looked up, I watched as his eyes gently raked over my frame. Right from my hair which I had wrapped into a professional bun to the skirt I had on which stopped just above my knees.

He didn't stop there. His eyes roamed my body for a few seconds more, heating every area he stared at while my body pulsed with need. I imagined that he would ask me to take off my shirt and I would have no choice but to do just that but instead, he asked, 

“Is there a reason why you are still standing there?” 

My brain scrambled for a response till I found one. “How long would we be gone for sir?” I asked.

“Three days,” he grunted as he looked away from me. 

I nodded and without waiting for him to dismiss me properly, I rushed out of the office before I got on my knees and begged him not to allow me to go to Vegas but I knew that wouldn't be possible.

And fuck, why was my body responding that way when he stared at me. He felt like he was eye-fucking me and I didn't like that at all. But he wouldn't do that, would he? He didn't even like me.

All through the rest of the day, all I kept thinking about was how doomsday was coming. My father was going to learn that I had arrived in Vegas and he was going to abduct me and I would never get to breath fresh air again. 

I better enjoy my freedom while it lasted.

*****

“Your father is actively searching for you, Al. And when he finds you, he is going to make your life so miserable. Your fiancee is also very furious.” 

I stared at the text I had received from my informant who was keeping me informed of the happenings at home. I knew my father wouldn't give up until he found me and it only made me nervous and scared. I hadn't slept a wink in the night.

“Are you okay?” My boss asked we boarded his private jet which was a relief. 

If he had decided to take the public plane, saying my name would be all I needed to do to get caught. I nodded quickly in response to my boss as I got comfortable in my seat. 

I came up with a solution last night when I couldn't sleep. And I contacted one of my lawyer friend to draft me a contract. I didn't know what I was doing. Hell, I couldn't think of anything but I knew that I had to try. 

I had to try to save myself anyway I could.

All through the plane ride, I kept glancing at my boss who didn't look my way for once. He was a powerful man from what I had seen and he didn't like my father. I could get him to get married to me and help me fight my father but then I would have to disclose to him that I am Marco Don's daughter.

What if my plan didn't work out? He was going to fire me and I would be left with no money and job. I would be done.

We arrived in Vegas hours later and an SUV came to pick us up. While I got comfortable riding with my boss in the back seat, I kept thinking of what I wanted him to do for me. 

I knew he needed to get married. I overheard someone talking to him on the day of my interview about getting married. But would that be enough to get him to marry me. What if I seduced him? 

I wondered if I could do that.

When we arrived at the hotel and checked into our rooms which were different, I was still very nervous. But scared as I was, I was afraid of dying.

So, I changed out of my work outfits into one of the skimpiest dress I owned with heels. I let my hair down, wore some makeup and grabbed the contract I had asked my lawyer friend to draft for me. I needed a powerful man on my side and I would get it even if the person was my boss.

Two guards stood outside the door to Mr. Ciel's room but I looked one of them in the eyes and stood my ground.

“I want to see my boss,” I told the one named Tristan.

“You are supposed to be resting, miss. The boss—”

“It's urgent,” I pleaded.

Tristan gave me a once over like he couldn't believe me, scoffing to my face. If he wasn't impressed by what I was wearing, would my boss then be interested? 

“Please, I need to see him now.” I begged.

He stared at me for a few seconds more before unlocking the door for me to go in. Mr. Sebastian Ciel's suite was a lot different from mine, standard. And while I fed my eyes with the beautiful space, I didn't notice or hear my boss come in till be cleared his throat.

I flinched before I managed to calm down immediately, telling myself to remain calm. I had a feeling that if he saw how scared I was, he would dismiss me.

“And why are you dressed like a hooker?” He asked even though his eyes had strayed to my cleavage which were exposed in the dress I was wearing.

“I wanted to talk to you, sir.” I mumbled. 

He took a sip of his drink, watching me with interest. “Oh, really?” 

“Yes,” my voice came out firm this time.

He pointed to the couch opposite him and I took my seat, crossing my legs slowly. I watched as he eyed my long legs which were also exposed due to the short dress I was wearing. 

“What do you want, Ms. Don?” He asked smoothly as he took another sip of his drink, his eyes pinned to my face as though he was trying to remind himself that my face was up there. This man intimidated me but I wasn't here to show fear.

“A proposition,” I mumbled as I passed him the contract.

“A what now?” He asked as he put his glass of alcohol away to tear the file open. His eyes skimmed over it while I held my breath, scared. 

And then he looked at me, surprised. 

“Are you drunk, Ms. Don? Are you sure you know what is stated here? Or are you simply horny?” He asked, voice an octave lower while he flickered his gaze from my face to my cleavage. 

He liked what he was seeing, I could tell. And with my newfound confidence, I sat with my back straight and my chin tall. 

“Marry me, Mr. Ciel.”