Chapter 7: The Game Begins
611 Words
Oliver Hyden was not used to being ignored.
He had spent his life taking what he wanted—power, success, women—with effortless charm and cold precision. But Kris Peterson was proving to be a rare exception.
And he hated exceptions.
The entire day had passed without a single interaction between them. Kris had been at work, attending meetings, sipping coffee, and typing away at her desk, but she hadn’t so much as looked in his direction.
Oliver wasn’t sure whether to be intrigued or infuriated.
Seated in his office, he tapped his fingers against the sleek mahogany desk, watching through the glass walls as she laughed at something another coworker said.
The sound was light, casual—completely unaffected by his presence.
She’s doing this on purpose.
Oliver smirked to himself. Alright, sweetheart. Let’s play.
An Invitation She Can’t Refuse
By the time lunch rolled around, Oliver had made up his mind.
He pushed away from his desk, adjusted his cufflinks, and strode out of his office with the kind of confidence that made the entire floor go silent.
Kris was still at her desk, pretending to be busy, but he caught the flicker of awareness in her eyes when she finally looked up.
“Miss Peterson,” he said smoothly.
Kris set her pen down and leaned back in her chair, amusement dancing in her gaze. “Mr. Hyden.”
“Lunch. With me. Now.”
She let out a soft laugh. “That’s more of a command than an invitation.”
“It wasn’t an invitation.”
She tilted her head, pretending to consider it. “I have a lot of work to do.”
Oliver simply smirked. “Your manager won’t mind.”
She arched a brow. “And you know this because…?”
“Because I am your manager.”
Kris exhaled through her nose, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re stalling,” he countered, stepping closer. “I don’t get rejected, Kris. And I don’t chase. Yet, here I am, inviting you to lunch—for the second time.”
Something flickered in her gaze. For a moment, he thought she would refuse just to prove a point. But then, with a smirk of her own, she grabbed her coat.
“Fine,” she said, standing. “But if the food’s terrible, I’m leaving.”
Oliver chuckled. She thinks she’s in control.
How cute.
A Meal Full of Tension
The restaurant was one of the finest in the city—exclusive, quiet, the kind of place that required a six-month reservation.
But for Oliver Hyden? A phone call was all it took.
The hostess practically tripped over herself seating them at the best table, the city skyline stretching out behind them in glittering brilliance.
Kris barely reacted, simply picking up the menu as if this was normal for her.
Interesting.
“What are you thinking?” Oliver asked, watching her.
Kris hummed, tapping a manicured nail against the menu. “I’m thinking you don’t actually take women to lunch.”
Oliver smirked. “You’d be right.”
“So what makes me special?”
The question was teasing, but her eyes held a challenge.
Oliver leaned forward slightly. “I intend to find out.”
Kris met his gaze, unflinching. “And what if I’m not interested in being figured out?”
His smirk deepened. “Then I guess we’ll both just have to see who gives in first.”
Their drinks arrived, and for the first time since he met her, Oliver wondered if he was the one being hunted.
And damn, did he love the thrill of it.
- Writer
