The Billionaire's Secret Obsession

Episode 3

My fingers tightened around my phone.

“Lock your doors very well, sweetheart.”

My chest felt tight as I stared at the screen.

“Iris?”

Val’s voice pulled me out of it. I quickly locked my phone.

“Hmm?”

She was watching me carefully.

“You’ve been quiet since we left the café.”

“I’m just tired,” I said.

Val studied my face for a moment before sighing.

“Okay, let’s go inside.”

I told her to lock the doors very well.

“See?” she said. “Doors locked. All good?”

“Yes” I said with a forced smile.

I could barely sleep. Every little sound made my heart jump. Cars passing outside. Footsteps in the hallway. At some point I went to check the locks twice. But my phone never buzzed again.

No new messages, Nothing.

Despite this, I still felt unease.

Monday morning came too quickly. I barely slept. My alarm rang at 7 AM, waking me up from the sleep I finally managed to get.

For a moment, I just stared at the ceiling. Then last night rushed back. The messages. The pictures. The warning. I swallowed and grabbed my phone from my nightstand. Nothing was there. No new messages. No unknown numbers. I exhaled slowly. Maybe it was just a prank. Maybe I was overthinking.

“Good Morning!” Val’s cheerful voice came from the kitchen.

I walked out tiredly, tying my hair into a loose ponytail. She was already dressed and sipping coffee.

“Wow,” she said dramatically. “Look who decided to join the living!”

“I hate mornings,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“You have work.”

“Unfortunately.”

She grinned. “At least your boss trusts you enough to plan events for Volkov International holdings.”

I nodded. “I still can’t believe Sienna picked me.”

“Well believe and take advantage of it” Val said.

I forced a smile. If only she knew my mind was somewhere else.

After breakfast, I stood in the shower longer than necessary letting the water run hot until the bathroom is filled with steam. Last night felt like it belonged to someone else. But the photo was still on my phone. That was real. That was someone who had been close enough to capture us, close enough to… I turned off the water.

Get a grip, Iris.

By 9:00 AM, I was already in a cab heading to the office. My phone stayed quiet the whole ride. Good. Let it stay that way.

The moment I walked into the office, Sienna’s assistant waved me over.

“Iris, she’s waiting for you.”

“Already? It’s not 10.”

“She said it’s urgent.”

Great.

I knocked lightly.

“Come in.”

Sienna looked up from her desk.

She was already dressed in her usual silky blouse and trousers, looking perfectly put together like always.

“Good morning, Sienna.” I said

“Iris, sit,” she said.

I did quickly.

She slid a folder across the desk. One thing about Sienna; she goes straight to the point. No wasting of time

“This is the Volkov contract.”

I opened it carefully.

My eyes widened.

“This is… huge.”

“Exactly.”

She leaned back in her chaire. “Volkov International Holdings is hosting a series of high profile events for Investors. They requested the best event planner we have.”

I blinked. “And you chose me.”

“You’re organized, calm under pressure and you think fast,” she said simply.

Then she added,

“And because the client specifically asked of you.”

My head snapped up.

“Me?”

“That’s strange,” I murmured

Sienna shrugged.

“Apparently, Mr Volkov looked through our team profiles.”

“Wow… Okay.”

“His assistant called this morning,” she continued. “They want a preliminary meeting today.”

“Today?”

“In 1 hour.”

My heart beat faster

“1 hr??”

“Yes.”

She stood up.

“Relax, Iris. It’s just a meeting.”

Easy for her to say when she’s not doing the talking.

Few minutes later, I stood in the glass lobby of Volkov International Holdings.

The building was massive. Intimidating.

The receptionist gave me a polite smile. I told her what I was here for.

“Mr Volkov has been expecting you.” She said.

Excepting me?? My heart skipped a beat.

I nodded. An assistant led me to the top most floor. Then stopped in front of a big ornate door.

He knocked once.

“Sir, Miss Iris Nash is here.”

A deep voice answered from inside.

“Send her in.” A deep voice answered from inside.

The assistant opened the door.

“Thanks, Ben.” I said.

“You’re welcome Iris.” He replied.

I stepped inside slowly. My black heels clicking on the polished floors as I approached. The office was huge. Floor to ceiling windows overlooking the entire city. And behind the desk sat a man.

Tall, dark hair, sharp jaw, blue eyes. He was already watching me. Not casually. Intensely. Like he had been waiting. Nikolai’s eyes drift from my head to my toes.

He leaned back slightly in his chair. He didn’t stand. He didn’t smile. His gaze moved slowly over my face. Then he spoke. Calm, controlled and deep

“Miss Iris Nash.” My breath caught. How did he say my name like that? It rolled off his tongue perfectly, like he has said it a thousand times before.

“It’s nice to finally meet you. The words were barely audible. Half to himself.

I wasn’t sure I was meant to hear them.