Chapter Three

ONE MONTH LATER

Richard

I’d re-watched the footage so many times that I knew every detail, yet in the silence of my office I clicked the mouse once more.

The hotel footage from a month ago replayed itself. In the dim lighting of the hallway, a dark grainy figure stumbled and swayed while still rushing in what looked like panic as she used the wall to balance herself. Then after a short pause she found the door that led to my hotel room.

I paused right at the moment before she stumbled inside, into what was my hotel room. My gaze traced her figure, immortalized in that single frame.

A mix of frustration and longing ignited within me.

It's been a month since that night, and yet, no matter how much I analyzed the footage, I couldn’t look away.

This wasn’t how I expected things to happen. I was very detailed about my life, careful with every move I made.

And yet, in just a single night, everything had spiraled out of control because someone had dared to drug me.

And then there was her.

All I had were bits and pieces of memories of hazy pleasure, warm skin and soft moans.

It wasn't until the next morning that it crashed down on me and I saw her. Her hazel eyes filled with confusion, her voice laced with defiance when she snapped at me the next morning, and the way she stormed out of my hotel room without a shred of hesitation.

I told myself at first that it was that which drove me to replay the video, that it was my need for answers that kept me attached to this moment, but I knew better.

It was her.

After she left that morning, I was angry. The pounding headache, the unfamiliar warmth in my body, and the hazy memories were bad enough. Waking up next to a complete stranger only helped my rage.

My first thought had been that she set me up. That she had somehow orchestrated the entire thing to trap me, to find a way to blackmail me, or worse. It wasn’t just me being paranoid, it was survival.

In my position, you couldn't afford to take risks, and you didn’t confide in anyone.

I’d nearly sent my security after her that morning, intent on making sure she paid for whatever scheme she had pulled.

But then I watched the footage.

The moment I saw her on the video unsteady, disoriented, and clearly under the influence, I realized I’d been wrong.

She hadn’t planned any of it.

It was obvious in the way she behaved, and the confusion etched across her face as she wandered the hallways. I’d replayed the video multiple times to see the truth and I couldn't deny it.

She had been drugged too.

I didn't know if it was the same culprit or some sick coincidence. All I had was this as the sole proof I had and the culprit, whoever it was, remained free.

That should’ve been the end of it.

I should have closed the file, moved on, and focused on finding the person responsible for drugging me. But instead, I found myself replaying it. Again and again.

It wasn’t just the mystery of who had drugged us that kept me coming back. It was her.  

I’d been careful not to investigate her by telling myself that it didn’t matter who and where she was. And despite everything in me willing me to even right at this moment I hadn't.

But the sole interaction I had with her was enough to fuel my thoughts. It was clear in the way she spoke to me then and how irritated she had looked.

She wasn’t like the women I'd met in the past. She most definitely didn't move in my circles and she most definitely wasn’t trying to impress me.

She was fierce and spunky, calling me out in a way no one else ever dared.

And I couldn’t get her out of my mind.

I told myself it was just curiosity. That I wanted to understand who she was because she was tied to that night. But the truth was much simpler.

I was obsessed.

The way she had looked at me that morning with equal parts confusion and defiance played in my mind. Her presence had left a mark on me.

I tried to distract myself with work, burying myself in meetings and reports, but it was no use. Every moment, my mind wandered back to her.

The footage played again, and my eyes lingered on her swaying frame.

I didn’t know what had happened to her after she left the hotel. I didn’t know if she was struggling or if she was as haunted by that night as I was.

I knew one thing however; I wanted her.

KNOCK KNOCK

I clicked the video closed, forcing down my irritation before straightening.

“Come in,” I said in a hard voice.

As soon as my order was heard the door opened, revealing my assistant.

"Good morning, sir," Colin said, bowing a little.

“What is it?” I snapped ready to get it over with.

“I have the current financial reports along with the investors.”

Closing my eyes. I let him continue.

This was what I had to deal with as the President and CEO of Kane Groups.

“Is there anything else?” I asked, tapping impatiently once he was done. He hesitated for a moment before he spoke.

“Well…sir, there is a freelancer who has been making waves. She’s gained quite the reputation. I think she would be a good fit for the ‘Secret’ position.” he offered a file to me as he spoke.

“I am not interested in hiring new ‘talent’ here Colin.” I said harshly.

“But sir, please take a look at it.”

I fought the urge to sneer as I accepted the file from him pulling it out. I wasn't interested in…

My thoughts froze along with the rest of me.

“Sir?” I faintly heard him call out, but I couldn’t think as I saw her picture.

It was her. The mystery woman I couldn't get my mind off.

Her face stared back at me from the profile photo, her hazel eyes filled with determination and defiance even now.

Then I saw her name.

“Emilia Carter,” I murmured, savouring it in my tongue.

“Yes, she has been a storm for about a month now,” Colin said, “Only about a month ago she has been getting more and more job offers. Many other companies are scouting her.”

I listened half heartedly while looking through everything.

She matched her reputation, graduating at the top of her class with honors and held many offers from multiple firms shortly after but she had rejected all of them and worked as a simple freelancer until recently. Now in just a month she had gained an impressive portfolio.

She was perfect in more ways than I'd expected.

Flipping the file I stiffened, a wave of something bitter swelling in me as I saw her relationship status.

Because up until a month ago, she had been engaged.

“Who is Jayden Hemsway?” I asked, trying and failing to not let anger seep into my voice.

“From what I remember he's one of the general managers working in the marketing department, sir,” he replied.

Of course. That was why his name sounded so familiar.

The last I saw of him was in the company Gala. From what I'd heard he was Katherine, the daughter of one of the low-level shareholders of the company and just like many others, he was greedily vying for the same secret position I had prepared for the second in command in the company.

I relaxed instantly, all the bitter envy slipping out of me. In that case it meant she was no longer engaged.

“Interesting,” I murmured, a new light rushing inside me.

“Should I make arrangements to reach out to her?”

“No,” I said firmly. My lips curled into a smile as I traced her features for a final time.

“I’ll handle this personally.” I said, standing up.

“S-sir, now?” Colon sputtered behind me, baffled, but I couldn't care less.

Fate had brought us together again and I was eager to see her. No matter how it went I knew one thing only.

I didn't plan on letting her go.