BOUND TO THE RUTHLESS CEO

004

CHAPTER 4

Job offer.

Morning came. Sunlight spilled through the curtains, cutting across Ana’s face and forcing her eyes open. She opened her eyes slowly and was lost to where she was, the night replayed in, the flashing lights, the loud music, the explosion of sparks, Ivy’s argument with the bouncers and most of all,

The CEO’s wife.

There was something about her presence that refused to leave Ana’s mind. It wasn’t just her elegance or power, it was the way she had looked at her. Ana turned on the bed, pulling the thin blanket closer to her chest. “What does she want with me?” she whispered into the quiet room.

From the next room, Ivy’s soft snore broke the silence.

Ana sighed, maybe she was overthinking, maybe it must really be a job.

“You’re awake?” Ivy’s voice came from the doorway, sleepy but amused.

Ana sat up. “I didn’t really sleep.”

“I can tell,” Ivy said, walking in and dropping on the bed. “You look like you’ve been fighting ghosts.”

Ana hesitated. “Do you think… She was serious?”

Ivy raised an eyebrow. “About the job?”

Ana nodded. Ivy smirked slightly. “That woman doesn’t say things she doesn’t mean.”

Ana swallowed. “So… this is real?”

“Oh, it’s very real,” Ivy said. “And if she called you, Ana, then trust me, you’re already lucky.”

Ana looked down at her hands, lucky.

She hoped so. By noon, Ana was dressed and ready. She had chosen one of the less flashy dresses Ivy bought, something modest and simple, something that still felt like her.

“You look perfect,” Ivy said, leaning against the doorframe.

Ana adjusted the hem nervously. “Do you think it’s too simple?”

“No,” Ivy replied. “It’s exactly what you should wear.”

Ana took a deep breath. “I’m nervous.”

“You should be,” Ivy said casually. “But don’t let it show too much.”

Ana gave a small, unsure smile. The drive to the mansion felt longer than it should have. Ana sat quietly in the car, her fingers tightly clasped together in her lap as she stared out the window. The city slowly began to change. Busy streets faded into quiet roads. Tall buildings gave way to gated estates. Everything became controlled.

Then the gates appeared. It was massive, black and imposing.

Ana’s breath caught. “This is it?” she asked softly.

Ivy nodded. “Welcome to where power lives.”

The gates opened slowly, Ana felt it again, that strange feeling, like she was stepping into something bigger than herself. The mansion stood tall and silent. Even more intimidating in daylight.

Ana stepped out of the car slowly, her eyes scanning everything,the trimmed hedges, the clean stone pathways, the sheer size of the place. “This is… unreal,” she whispered.

Ivy nudged her lightly. “Try not to stare too much.”

“I can’t help it…”

Before they could reach the door, it opened. A woman in a neat uniform stepped out, she looked professional and composed.

“Yes?” she asked.

Ivy spoke first. “We’re here to see Mrs Sinclair.”

The woman’s eyes moved to Ana briefly. “Name?”

“Ana.”

There was a slight pause on the other end as if she looked back and said, “She’s expecting you.”

Ana’s heart skipped.

Inside, everything felt colder than the night before. The house smelled of luxury . Every part of the house was made of gold, the floor made of glass. One can clearly see their figure boldly on the floor. Their footsteps echoed. Ana suddenly became very aware of herself, her breathing, her posture, every small movement.

“Relax,” Ivy whispered.

“I am trying.”

They were led to a large sitting room.

“Wait here,” the maid said before leaving.

Ana sat carefully, her back straight, her hands resting on her lap. The silence stretched.

“Ivy…” she whispered.

“Yes?”

“What kind of job do you think this is?”

Ivy shrugged. “Could be anything. Personal assistant, secretary, something better than what you had before.”

Ana nodded slowly.

“Yes… anything is better.”

Then she entered the room, Bianca Sinclair, just like the night before, elegant, composed, effortlessly charming, walking majestically to where they were seated.

But this time…

“Good day,” she said softly and sat on one of the sofas, ordering the maid for drinks with just a click of her hands.

Ana stood up immediately. “Good day, ma.” Ivy followed.

Bianca's gaze settled on Ana. “You came,” she said.

“Yes, ma. Thank you for the opportunity.”

A faint smile touched her lips. “You’re polite.”

Ana lowered her gaze slightly. “I try to be.”

“Sit,” she said.

They obeyed, the drinks came in immediately and she ordered the maid to serve them. She stood up immediately observing them. Then she walked closer. “Ana,” she began, her tone remaining calm, “you said you are looking for a job.”

“Yes, ma.”

“What kind of job?”

Ana hesitated. “Anything good, ma. I’m willing to work hard.”

Bianca nodded slowly. “I believe you.”

A brief silence followed. “I need someone,” she said.

Ana’s heart lifted instantly. “Yes, ma?”

“Someone I can trust.”

Ana leaned forward slightly. “I understand.”

Then Bianca's eyes softened slightly. “This job is not easy,” she continued. “It requires patience, care and loyalty.”

Ana nodded quickly. “I have those, ma.”

“I know.”

Ivy smiled faintly, glancing at Ana like see? I told you.

“I need a nanny.”

Ana blinked. “A… nanny?”

“Yes.”

The word echoed in her mind, Nanny. She hadn’t expected that.

“I…” she hesitated. “I’ve never—”

“You don’t need experience,” Bianca interrupted gently. “ It's the work from your heart”

Ana fell silent.

~~××~~

Ivy was talking excitedly beside her. “This is huge, Ana. Do you even realize how big this is, working in the house of the richest CEO in this City .”

But Ana wasn’t listening, her mind went back to all that Mrs Sinclair had said she can't work as a nanny and talk more of staying at that mansion.

“I can't accept this” Ana stopped walking immediately, as she turned to Ivy, “her calmness scares me, her husband is dangerous, I can't live there.”

“It's okay Ana, everything will be fine, let's go home” Ivy said as she held Ana close to herself.