Chapter Five: Meeting Him Again

Ruby’s POV

The next day, I started my first official day at work. I woke up earlier than usual, my stomach tight with a mix of excitement and nerves. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I had something to look forward to. I got dressed carefully, checked myself in the mirror more times than necessary, and left the house with a small smile on my face.

When I arrived at Blackwood Holdings, I made sure I was on time. Honestly, no one in that building could have been more excited than I was. This job was my fresh start. After everything.

I was shown to my desk by one of the staff members. It was neat, simple, and positioned near a large window that overlooked part of the city. My first task was straightforward: make copies of some documents for the CEO. Apparently, he had been busy the day before, which was why his assistant had handled my interview instead.

I didn’t really understand why the CEO couldn’t just ask his assistant to do the copying, but who was I to complain? I was the new girl. The last thing I wanted was to start asking unnecessary questions on my first day. I kept my head down and got to work.

The copy machine hummed quietly as I fed the papers through it. I was so focused that I didn’t notice someone approaching until a soft voice spoke beside me.

“You’re the new girl?”

I turned and saw a pretty young woman standing there with a bright, friendly smile. She looked to be around my age, maybe a little older, with a warm expression that immediately made me feel less nervous.

“Yes, I am,” I replied, smiling back.

“Wow, you’re really pretty.”

I felt my cheeks warm slightly. “Thank you. You’re the prettiest one here, though.”

She giggled, clearly pleased. “Anyway, I’m Sarah. Welcome to Blackwood Holdings — the place where you’ll work your ass off and still get paid very well.”

I let out a small laugh. “No pain, no gain, right? I’m Ruby.”

Sarah leaned in a little, lowering her voice as if she was sharing a secret. “I heard your first task is making copies for the CEO.”

“Yeah,” I said, glancing at the papers in my hands.

“Our boss can be… strict,” she continued. “This might be your first little test. Please don’t mess it up. I’d hate to lose such a pretty new coworker already.” She gave me a playful puppy-dog look and squeezed my hands dramatically.

I almost laughed at how over-the-top she was being. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this,” I assured her.

I meant it. I wasn’t about to lose this opportunity. Not after everything I had been through.

“Let’s exchange numbers,” Sarah said. “Some of the team is throwing a small welcome party for you later, so be ready.”

“Noted, boss,” I joked.

She burst out laughing, and for a moment, the tightness in my chest eased. We quickly added each other on the company chat before she went back to her desk, still smiling.

I finished making the copies, stacked them neatly, and took a deep breath. This was it. My first real task. I smoothed down my clothes, picked up the files, and headed toward the CEO’s office.

The hallway felt longer than it should have. When I reached the tall wooden door, I hesitated for only a second before knocking once.

“Come in.”

The voice from inside was deep and calm. I opened the door and stepped in, already speaking as I walked toward the large desk.

“Sir, these are the copies of—”

The words died in my throat.

I froze.

The man sitting behind the desk was the same man from that night.

The “male model” I had drunkenly approached at the bar… the man who had taken me to his mansion… the man who had taken my virginity and fucked me until I blacked out… was the billionaire CEO of Blackwood Holdings.

My heart slammed against my ribs so hard I was sure he could hear it.

I was completely screwed.

For a few terrifying seconds, I couldn’t move. Memories of that night rushed back without mercy — his hands on my body, the way he had pinned me down, the sound of my own voice moaning his name, the way he had filled me until I couldn’t think straight.

I forced myself to stay calm. Even if we had slept together, there was no guarantee he would remember me. Men like him probably had one-night stands all the time. I was probably just another blurry memory to him.

I cleared my throat and tried to sound professional, even though my hands were slightly trembling around the files.

“I mean… these are the copies you requested, sir.”

He didn’t answer right away. He just sat there, staring at me with an unreadable expression. His blue eyes moved over my face slowly, like he was studying something he found interesting. The silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating.

I kept my gaze as steady as I could, even though every part of me wanted to turn around and run out of the office.

Finally, he spoke.

“Is this all of them?” he asked, glancing down at the files in my hands.

Relief washed over me so strongly that my knees almost weakened. He didn’t recognize me. Thank God.

“Yes, sir,” I replied quickly. “Exactly what you asked for.”

I stepped forward and carefully placed the documents on his desk, ready to leave as fast as possible.

“Ruby.”

The sound of my name in his deep voice made my legs feel weak. My breath caught in my throat. That voice… I had heard it against my ear, rough and low, while he was buried inside me.

“Yes, sir?” I answered, trying not to show how much it affected me.

He leaned back slightly in his chair, his eyes locked on mine. There was something dark and knowing in his expression now. Something that made my stomach twist.

A slow, almost lazy smirk pulled at the corner of his lips.

“That’s not how you sounded when I was fucking you.”