Chapter Six : The Training
854 Words
The next morning, Lisa awoke to the sound of her phone buzzing.
She squinted against the early light, fumbling for the device. A single text glowed on her screen:
Be at Bruce Tower by 9 a.m. sharp. Don’t be late. —W.B.
Lisa groaned, tossing the phone onto the pillow beside her. Typical Will Bruce—no good morning, no explanation, just orders wrapped in arrogance. But beneath her annoyance was a flicker of curiosity… and nerves.
What exactly did he mean by training?
⸻
Bruce Tower was an imposing structure of glass and steel, its mirrored surface catching the sun like a blade. Lisa stood at the foot of the skyscraper, staring up at the massive letters carved into the façade. She swallowed hard, clutching her purse as though it could shield her from the weight of the world.
Inside, everything gleamed—polished marble floors, gold accents, sleek modern furniture. The receptionist greeted her with a too-perfect smile. “Mrs. Bruce. Mr. Bruce is expecting you.”
Hearing Mrs. Bruce still made her heart stumble. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to it.
She was led up to the top floor, where the double doors of Will’s office loomed like the gates to another world. She pushed them open, only to find him standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, hands in his pockets, the city skyline stretching endlessly behind him.
He didn’t turn when she entered. “You’re two minutes late.”
Her jaw tightened. “It’s 9:02.”
“Two minutes late,” he repeated, finally facing her with that piercing gaze that seemed to strip her bare.
She rolled her eyes. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Correction,” he said smoothly, moving closer until he towered over her. “I’m your husband. And if you’re going to survive in this world, you’ll learn quickly that every minute counts.”
⸻
The training began with posture.
“Stand straighter,” he ordered, circling her like a predator. “Lift your chin. Shoulders back. Good. Confidence isn’t about who you are, it’s about what they see.”
“I feel like a mannequin,” Lisa muttered.
“You look like one too,” he countered, his tone so dry she couldn’t tell if it was an insult or a compliment.
Next came introductions. He made her shake his hand, again and again, until her grip was firm but not crushing, warm but not desperate.
“Don’t linger,” he instructed, their fingers brushing one last time. “But don’t pull away too fast either. Show them you know your worth.”
Her pulse spiked at the heat of his skin against hers. She yanked her hand back faster than necessary. “I think I’ve got it.”
“Not even close,” he said, his lips curving slightly, as though he enjoyed watching her squirm.
⸻
Hours passed in a blur of lessons. How to smile without seeming fake. How to speak with authority without sounding arrogant. How to walk into a room and own it before saying a single word.
By midday, Lisa was exhausted. She sank into a leather chair, rubbing her temples. “This is insane. You expect me to turn into some polished society queen overnight?”
Will leaned against his desk, arms crossed, watching her with that unreadable expression. “No. I expect you to adapt. Quickly.”
She looked up, frustration bubbling over. “You really think you can control every part of me, don’t you?”
His eyes darkened. “Not control, Lisa. Refine.”
Her heart skipped. The way he said her name—low, deliberate—sent a shiver down her spine. She hated that he had that effect on her. Hated it, and craved it at the same time.
⸻
Later, as she gathered her things to leave, Will stopped her with a hand on her arm. The contact was light but firm, his thumb grazing the inside of her wrist.
“One more lesson,” he murmured.
She froze. “What now?”
He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. “In this world, your eyes will tell people more than your words ever could. So look at me, Lisa.”
She lifted her gaze, reluctantly.
“Don’t look away,” he said. “Hold it.”
Their eyes locked—blue steel against warm hazel—and suddenly the air thickened, charged. Her breath came faster, her pulse thundering in her ears. She should have looked away. She wanted to look away. But she couldn’t.
Will’s jaw tightened, his hand still lingering on her wrist. His voice was softer now, almost dangerous. “That’s it. That’s power. Don’t ever forget you have it.”
Lisa swallowed hard, breaking the connection with a shaky breath. She pulled her hand free, muttering, “Lesson learned.”
But as she walked out of his office, her heart was still racing.
She knew she should be angry. She knew she should resist him.
But deep down, a terrifying truth had taken root.
She wasn’t sure she wanted to.
- Writer
