Mated To The Deranged CEO

Chapter Six

I blinked in disbelief, trying to process his words.

“Interview?” I asked, My voice came out more as a whisper, and I hated how weak it sounded.

Cain smirked, leaning against the edge of his desk as if he hadn't just turned my entire world upside down moments ago.

“Did you think I brought you here only to kiss you, Luna?” he asked, his silver eyes glinting with amusement. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

His words stung, but I refused to show it. Instead, I straightened my posture, masking my emotions behind a cold, neutral expression.

“And what exactly am I being interviewed for?” I shot back, crossing my arms in front of me.

Cain tilted his head slightly, studying me like I was some sort of puzzle he was eager to solve.

“For the position you unknowingly applied for,” he said, his voice low and commanding. “I need someone capable, someone who can keep up with me in every way.”

The way he said every way made my cheeks flush, but I quickly shoved that thought aside. This was ridiculous.

“Let me get this straight,” I began, my tone dripping with sarcasm. “You tracked me down, claimed you can’t let me or my daughter go, kissed me in front of your assistant, and now you’re offering me a job?”

Cain shrugged nonchalantly. “Precisely.”

This man was unbelievable.

“Why me?” I demanded, stepping closer to him despite my better judgment. “There are hundreds of people out there more qualified than I am. So why are you doing this?”

Cain’s smirk faltered, and for a split second, I thought I saw something genuine flash in his eyes. But just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.

“Because I trust you,” he said simply. “And in my line of work, trust is a rare commodity.”

His answer caught me off guard. It wasn’t what I expected, and it threw me off balance.

“Trust?” I repeated, narrowing my eyes at him. “You barely know me.”

Cain leaned forward, his face mere inches from mine once again.

“Don’t I?” he murmured, his voice sending a shiver down my spine.

I opened my mouth to retort, but Evie chose that moment to reappear, her tiny hands clutching a piece of candy she had no doubt stolen from somewhere.

"Mommy!” she called out, her bright smile making my heart ache with love.

I turned to her, grateful for the distraction. “Evie, where did you get that?”

“The man gave it to me,” she said, pointing to the man who had been chasing her earlier. He stood in the doorway now, looking less annoyed and more resigned.

I turned back to her, intending to take back the candy and return it to the man, but instead, she ran to Cain and plopped herself onto his lap.

I froze, completely stunned by her actions. I wanted to scold her, possibly take her home, and never step foot anywhere near him again.

But then, he smiled. He helped her unwrap the candy, bit half of it, and put the other half in her mouth. Then he whispered something in her ear that got her giggling.

“Can I take you out for lunch?” I heard him ask as he placed her on her feet. “I booked reservations for myself and Amanda, but since you’re here…”

“…why not go with her, then?”

I cut him off, my tone suddenly turning cold. I felt somewhat betrayed. He knew he would still be looking for me, yet he wanted to go on a date with his secretary.

I clenched my fists, my jealousy turning to anger. I wanted to hit him so hard, but I restrained myself and heaved a sigh.

“Go for lunch with your lover,” I said, pausing to pick up Evie’s hairband. As I rose to my feet, I put it in my bag and glared at him.

“She should be more important than a mistake,” I spat, resentment dripping from my tone, but I cared less.

It wasn’t like he meant anything to me anyway. Besides, he was the reason I lost everything. It’s only right I stay away, to avoid being dragged into a relationship I’d have to share.

With one last look, I turned around and gave Evie a knowing glance that she understood immediately. But I stopped by the door.

“I’ll come back tomorrow for the interview… sir.”

I blamed myself, too. I let my guard down and let Evie’s father—no, a stranger—touch me.

He was never her father, to begin with. She’s mine and mine alone, and he’s nothing but a part of my past.

Without thinking twice, I left his office, finding my way back to the elevator we had come through.

I could feel Evie’s curious eyes on me, wondering why I had left so suddenly, but she wouldn’t understand.

She couldn’t.

The pain I felt—the betrayal, the mistakes, and how hard it was to forgive myself—it all threatened to swallow me whole.

Cain wasn’t even at fault. It was me, and I vowed not to make that mistake again.

Even if it meant raising Evie as a single mom.

We made our way out of the elevator and through the reception area. I glared hard at Amanda, who had a mischievous smile on her face.

However, as my gaze lingered on her forehead, I watched it darken and her brows furrow when she caught a glimpse of something behind me.

Before I could react, I found myself thrown over someone’s shoulder, my bag taken from me, and Evie giggling.

“What on earth are you doing?”

“Shut up,” he ordered, giving me a light spank that caused a gasp to escape my lips. “You do not walk out on me or leave the office without me. Understood?”

“Put me down this instant!” I yelled, now drawing attention from the other workers. But I noticed Amanda was close to exploding.

And I can’t lie—that was the best thing I’d seen all day.

True, I wasn’t happy with the idea of sharing a man I loved. But if it meant upsetting the woman I’d have to share him with, then I was fine with it.

Though I’d still have to get her out of my way—even if it meant killing her.

“Are you calm now?” Cain asked, his tone gentle as he walked past the doors at the entrance of the building and toward his car. I only scoffed and relaxed.

“You’re really mean and arrogant.”

“Thank you. But you have to trust me, Luna. I don’t want to hurt you like I did last time,” he said, slowly placing me on the ground.

I raised my head to look at him, his silver orbs staring deep into my soul. It was so hard to look away.

I sighed and averted my gaze. “Stay away from Amanda,” I mumbled, my cheeks burning hot the second I realized I had said what I always wanted to.

But I had, and it felt good.

Cain's gaze softened as he studied me, the tension between us momentarily replaced by something unspoken. I crossed my arms defensively, avoiding his intense stare.

"Stay away from Amanda," I repeated, my voice firmer this time, though it trembled slightly. "If you’re serious about... whatever this is, I won’t share you. Not with her. Not with anyone."

A small, amused smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “Jealousy suits you, Luna,” he said softly, his tone almost teasing. “But I told you, Amanda means nothing to me.”

I bit my lip, fighting the wave of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. His words sounded sincere, but trust didn’t come easily anymore—not after everything I’d been through.

“And what about Evie?” I asked, changing the subject abruptly. “Are you going to act like her father now? Show up one day and expect her to call you ‘Dad’?”

Cain’s expression darkened slightly, the teasing smile vanishing. “I won’t force anything on her, or you,” he said, his tone serious. “But I want to be there for both of you, even if you don’t trust me yet.”

“Trust is earned,” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. “And you’re starting from less than nothing, Cain. You don’t get to waltz back into my life like this.”

He nodded slowly, as if accepting my words, though I could see the determination in his eyes. “I’ll earn it,” he said simply. “Whatever it takes.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I tried to steady myself. “You don’t understand, Cain. I’ve lost everything. My family, my name, my home—I gave it all up for Evie. Do you know what that’s like?”

His jaw tightened, and he took a step closer, his silver eyes searching mine. “Tell me,” he urged, his voice low. “Tell me what happened.”

For a moment, I hesitated, the words caught in my throat. But then they spilled out, raw and unfiltered.

“I was disowned.”