You're an Enigma

Mr Calloway, is there something you want to ask me?” 

“‘Why do you think so?” he replied carefully observing her expression. 

‘I’m sure my job doesn't involve reporting directly to you. You could’ve had anyone take this position,” she said carefully. “Why me?”

Ethan studied her for a long moment. “Because you intrigue me.”

She arched an eyebrow. “But it may not be what you are thinking, Mr. Calloway.”

His smirk deepened. “You know what I think?.”

“Are you afraid of me?” he added 

Elena leaned forward slightly, meeting his gaze. “I’m not afraid of you, Mr Calloway.”

His gaze darkened, something unreadable flickering in his expression. “Good. Because working for me means stepping into the fire. And once you’re in, there’s no turning back.”

The warning sent a shiver down her spine, but she didn’t back down.

“Then let’s see if it is what you think it is.”

She said, hoping he got her message. 

Ethan’s smirk faded, replaced by something more serious. “We’ll see.”

A knock on the door interrupted them. One of Ethan’s assistants peeked in. “Mr. Calloway, your next meeting is ready.”

Ethan nodded, then turned back to Elena. “I’ll have your contract drawn up. You start tomorrow.”

Elena stood, smoothing down her skirt. “Sure Sir, looking forward to it.”

As she walked out of his office, she felt his gaze on her back.

She had just stepped into a world where the stakes were higher than ever. She had never signed up for any of this to happen. Now she had no choice but to play to win.

Her phone buzzed.

Dad: Come home. Now.

Her stomach clenched. She exhaled slowly, keeping her expression composed even as unease curled in her gut.

*******

Elena sat in the sleek black town car, her fingers tapping an idle rhythm against the leather seat. The ride back from Calloway Corporation had been quiet, but the tension in the air was unmistakable.

She had the job.

But she wasn’t naive enough to think Ethan Calloway had hired her purely on merit. He was testing her. Watching her. And she had to play this game perfectly.

Her phone buzzed.

Vincent: Come home. Now.

Her stomach clenched. She exhaled slowly, keeping her expression composed even as unease curled in her gut.

The gates of the estate loomed ahead thick steel, towering, impenetrable. Beyond them, the mansion sprawled in all its intimidating glory. It wasn’t just a home; it was a kingdom. 

Stone walls, grand pillars, and a long driveway lined with perfectly trimmed hedges. This was the place she had once called home. The place she grew up

Now, it felt like a cage.

As soon as the car stopped in front of the entrance, two guards stepped forward. One opened the door for her, but neither greeted her. She wasn’t a guest here. She was an asset, one her father wasn’t willing to lose.

Inside, the scent of old leather and expensive cigars clung to the air. Marble floors gleamed under the grand chandelier, and large oil paintings of long-dead ancestors lined the walls. 

Elena had walked these halls as a child, seeking warmth in a place that offered none.

Vincent was waiting in his study, behind a massive oak desk, his fingers steepled together. 

He was a man who commanded fear without raising his voice. Dark-haired, broad-shouldered, with eyes so sharp they could cut through steel. Time had barely touched him.

“Elena,” he said, his voice smooth but laced with something heavier.

“Dad.”

Vincent gestured to the chair across from him. “Sit.”

She obeyed, keeping her spine straight, refusing to let him see even an ounce of uncertainty.

“You didn’t tell me you were applying for a job at Calloway Corporation,” he said smoothly, swirling the amber liquid in his glass.

Elena met his gaze, keeping her posture relaxed. “I didn’t know I needed permission.”

Vincent smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Since when do you care about business?”

She shrugged. “Maybe I got tired of being nothing more than the Blake princess.”

His grip tightened around the glass. “Or maybe you’re playing a dangerous game.”

Elena tilted her head. “And what game would that be?”

Vincent leaned forward, setting the whiskey down with a quiet clink. “You tell me.”

She refused to look away,

 “Dad, it's not any of those things you are thinking about.  I just want control of my own life. That’s all.”

“And you have to go to the Calloway?” he asked 

Dad, what is it between you and Ethan? Whatever it is, I don't want to get caught in it” 

“You’ve been busy to know what your father is up to.” He leaned back, watching her.

“And since You’ve been watching all of my movements,  I think it's time to stop whatever game you are playing with Ethan that might harm me. I'm planning on building my career at the Calloway Corporation  and I don't want anything to ruin it.”

Vincent smirked a flicker of amusement in his gaze. 

“Calloway Corporation?” He let the words settle between them. “That’s an interesting career choice for a girl who swore she wanted nothing to do with the business world.”

“I want a life of my own, Dad, don't you get it.”

“A life,” Vincent repeated, rolling the word over his tongue like he was testing its weight. “And you think Ethan Calloway is going to give that to you?”

Elena didn’t blink. “I think I’m capable of building it myself if you stop whatever game you are playing with him.”

Vincent leaned forward. “No one walks away from this family, Elena, especially you my daughter.”

There it was. The warning. The reminder.

But she wouldn’t back down.

“I’m not walking away,” she said evenly. “I’m just choosing something different.”

Vincent studied her, searching for weakness. But she held his gaze, unwavering.

Finally, he exhaled. 

“You think Calloway is your escape? but men like Ethan don’t give without expecting something in return.”

Elena crossed her arms. “And what about you? You’ve never given me a choice in anything. Ethan is giving me a chance even when he knows I'm your daughter.”

A flicker of something passed through Vincent’s expression, something dangerous.

“You’re my daughter,” he said, voice softer now, but no less firm. “And that means something, whether you like it or not.”

Elena stood. “Then maybe it’s time it meant something different.”

For the first time, Vincent’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening.

“You don’t want to make an enemy out of me, Elena.”

The words sent a chill through her, but she refused to let it show.

“I don’t want to make an enemy out of anyone either” 

She turned and walked out, her heart pounding, knowing that she had just drawn a line in the sand.

And Vincent Blake never let lines go uncrossed.

******

Ethan poured himself a drink, the ice clinking against the glass, his thoughts spiraling as he studied Elena.

She stood in front of his desk, arms crossed, head high, every inch the woman who refused to bend. But, knowing who she really was, Ethan wasn’t sure whether to admire her or be wary.

Elena Blake.

Daughter of Vincent Blake.

A woman born into power, raised in a world of ruthless men who controlled everything around them. 

Yet here she was, standing in his office, playing the role of an ambitious employee.

Either she was exactly what she claimed to be, someone trying to carve her own path, or she was playing a game far more dangerous than she let on.

She arched her brow. “Are you okay sir?”

Ethan chuckled, but it was low, unreadable. “Maybe not. You tell me”

Elena’s lips twitched, but she didn’t break eye contact. 

“You wanted me to report directly to you. So here I am. What’s the issue?” she replied, avoiding his question. 

Ethan walked toward her, closing the space between them. She didn’t move, didn’t even blink.

“Tell me, Elena,” he murmured, tilting his head. “Why Calloway Corporation ?”

She exhaled sharply. “Because I want something different.”

“You had everything handed to you.” His tone was measured, not accusing, just probing. “Why leave a life of guaranteed wealth and power for this?”

“Is that what you have been wondering? You think I'm working for my father? Is that why you are making things difficult for me?” she blurted out in one breath.

“What?” Ethan exclaimed, confused at her outburst. 

“Aren't you afraid of me being my father’s daughter? An enemy’s daughter came into your lair. But I don't care about whatever has happened or is happening between you two since none of you want to tell me” 

Ethan stood speechless, watching her fighting back her tears. Not knowing if to believe her or not. 

Elena let out a soft laugh, but there was no humor in it.

 “You think growing up in my father’s world was easy?” Her eyes darkened. 

“Nothing is ever free with men like him. And here I am, trying to build a name for myself aside from the Mafia princess and you are also waiting to throw me in a cage for nothing I know about”

Ethan leaned against the edge of his desk, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “You could have worked anywhere, but you chose here. Why?.”

Elena stiffened. “Are you still accusing me of something?”

“I’m wondering if I should.”

A slow, unreadable smile crossed her lips. “If I were my father’s pawn, do you really think I’d be standing in front of you right now? A day is just enough for me to get whatever information he wants me to get from you. But look, it has been two weeks of working for you and nothing has happened”

Ethan studied her, searching for cracks. He didn’t find any.

But that didn’t mean they weren’t there.

“Maybe not,” he admitted. “Or maybe you’re just good at playing the game.”

Elena took a step closer. “You tell me, Ethan. Do I look like someone who could do that?”

Ethan’s lips curved in amusement, at the way she had called his first name, he liked it but something inside him tightened.

She was right.

Everything about Elena screamed defiance. She wasn’t the type to be controlled. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t dangerous.

“You’re an enigma.” He drained his drink and set the glass down. “And enigmas tend to be unpredictable.”

Elena smirked. “Good if you won't believe me, please, don't make things hard for me.”

Ethan watched as she turned and walked toward the door.

Just before she stepped out, he called out, “Watch your back, Elena.”

She paused, glancing over her shoulder. “You too, Ethan.”

Then she was gone, leaving behind the scent of something he couldn’t quite place, something intoxicating.

Ethan exhaled, rubbing a hand over his jaw. Should he believe her? 

Liam’s voice echoed in his head.

“She’s his daughter.”

Damn it.

This wasn’t just business anymore.

And if he wasn’t careful, it was going to cost him.

****

Ethan barely had a moment to process his conversation with Elena before Liam Hayes walked into his office, the tension rolling off him in waves.

Liam had been Ethan’s best friend since college and his most trusted legal advisor. 

Unlike Ethan, who was doing well in the world of high-stakes deals and calculated risks, Liam played things safe. He was sharp, practical, and always two steps ahead of trouble.

Tonight, trouble had a name.

Elena Blake.

Liam closed the door behind him and folded his arms. 

“Tell me you’re not actually considering keeping her around.”