Chapter 05: A Dirty Game.

Elara stood trembling in the grand living room of Orella’s mansion, the weight of the evening pressing down on her like a heavy stone.

Her cheeks still burned from the slap she had given Alpha Kael, and her mind replayed the dangerous tension between them.

She couldn’t shake the fear that she had just ruined everything. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to speak.

“Ma’am… I’m truly sorry about what happened with the client,” Elara said, her voice soft but filled with genuine remorse. “The situation escalated, and I lost control for a moment. I take full responsibility, I will fix this and I’ll personally apologize, follow up with better designs, and make sure he remains completely satisfied with our services. Please, just give me a chance to make it right.”

Orella stood by the bar, swirling the deep red wine in her glass with elegant, practiced fingers.

She took a slow, deliberate sip, her glowing skin and perfectly styled hair making her look every bit the untouchable fashion icon even at this hour.

For several long seconds, she said nothing, letting the silence stretch uncomfortably.

Finally, Orella set the glass down and turned to face her.

A small, knowing smile played on her lips. “You don’t need to fix anything, Elara. In fact, it’s a very good thing that the client has eyes for you.”

Elara’s heart skipped a beat, she stared at her boss in confusion. “What… what do you mean by that, ma’am?”

Orella walked toward her slowly, her heels echoing sharply on the marble floor.

She stopped right in front of Elara and reached out, tugging a strand of her hair with firm but controlled pressure, forcing Elara to meet her gaze.

“Listen to me, El,” Orella said, her voice low, smooth, and filled with commanding authority. “In this industry, we all make mistakes, but sometimes those mistakes turn into opportunities, they turn into styles. It’s clear this powerful man is attracted to you....And you, my dear, are going to take full advantage of that attraction. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Elara’s eyes widened in horror. Shock and fear flooded her system as the true meaning behind Orella’s words sank in.

Her stomach twisted painfully as she searched her boss’s face desperately, hoping she had misunderstood.

“Ma’am… you can’t possibly mean…” Elara’s voice cracked. “Are you asking me to… to go intimate with him?”

Orella released her hair and stepped back slightly, picking up her wine glass again.

She took another sip, her expression calm and composed, as if they were discussing fabric samples rather than something so degrading.

“Why not?” Orella asked, raising a perfectly arched eyebrow. “He is incredibly handsome, wealthier than most men in this city, and he drives cars that cost more than most people’s homes. Tell me, Elara...isn’t that exactly what women of your generation dream about? A man who can change your life in one night?”

Elara felt bile rise in her throat, her hands clenched into fists at her sides as she fought to stay respectful.

“Ma’am, with all due respect,” she said, her voice trembling but firm, “I don’t want to do anything intimate with our client, that crosses every professional boundary. I’m a stylist, not...not that... Yes, I value my dignity as well as I value my work, and I can keep him happy through excellent designs and service without going against my personal rules.”

Orella’s eyes narrowed. “Dignity?” she repeated with a cold laugh. “You want to talk about dignity while struggling to pay your bills and keep this job? I didn’t hire you as my personal assistant for fun, Elara. I saw something in you, but our rivals at Khello Cuts are circling like vultures. They would kill to steal a client like Mr. Kael from us. Are you willing to lose everything because of some silly sense of morality?”

Elara’s eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them back. “I have a boyfriend, ma’am. We’re engaged. We’re getting married at the end of this month, I can’t do this.”

Orella stared at her for a long, heavy moment, her expression shifting from amusement to disbelief.

“Engaged?” she echoed, her tone sharp and authoritative. “To whom? And why am I only hearing about this now? You’ve been working closely with me for years and never mentioned a fiancé?”

Elara lowered her head in shame, her shoulders slumping. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I wanted to keep everything low-key and simple until the white wedding, and the fiance is Jordan.”

“Jordan?” Orella let out a short, mocking laugh that cut like a knife. “That same useless Jordan who has treated you like a used pad for years? The one who disappears when you need him and only shows up when he wants something? That Jordan?”

Elara bent her head lower, tears now slipping down her cheeks.

The shame burned deep. “It’s in the past now, ma’am. He’s changed and he’s been making efforts to fix things. We’re better now.”

Orella rolled her eyes dramatically and sighed, speaking with cold authority. “I didn’t invest my time and resources in you so you could throw it all away on some mediocre man. If you want to keep this position, you will do what is necessary. Clients like Kael don’t come every day! Use what you have, Elara. Your body is an asset in this industry, learn to use it.”

The words hit Elara like a slap. She shook her head slowly, disappointment and heartbreak written all over her face.

“This is crazy, ma’am,” she whispered, her voice breaking completely. "Totally crazy....I can’t believe you’re asking this of me, I respect you… I’ve always respected you, but I won’t do this. I won’t sell myself for this job.”

Elara turned away, tears flowing freely now. “I need to leave.”

“Elara!” Orella called sharply, her voice filled with rage, but Elara didn’t stop.

She ran out of the mansion, slamming the door behind her.

The moment she stepped outside, heavy rain poured down on her.

Cold water soaked through her clothes instantly, chilling her to the bone. She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering violently, wondering when and how it started raining so heavily as she walked down the long driveway.

The rain mixed with her tears, and the cold seemed to seep straight into her broken heart.

'How could she say those things? After everything I’ve done' Elara thought.

Her body shook with sobs as she pulled out her phone with trembling fingers. She dialed Jordan’s number.

It rang twice and went to voicemail, she tried again, whispering desperately, “Please… please pick up.”

The line finally connected.

“Hey babe,” Elara said, her voice weak and emotional. “I’m so sorry we couldn’t have our date tonight, but can you come pick me up? I’ll send you the address right now. I really need you.”

There was a long pause on the other end.

Then a voice replied coldly, “What date? Pick you up? Who is this?”

Elara froze in the pouring rain, her entire world stopping in that moment.

Shock gripped her chest like a vice as the phone nearly slipped from her wet, trembling hand.

The rain continued to fall mercilessly around her, but she felt nothing except the growing dread and confusion swallowing her whole.