đź’ĄBound to the Ruthless Billionaiređź’Ą
1264 Words
Episode 12 – The Storm Beneath the Surface
By Rhemita Stories
Morning light filtered through the mansion’s floor-to-ceiling windows, warm and golden — but inside Adrian Knight’s world, nothing felt calm.
He stood by his office window, shirt sleeves rolled up, jaw tight. The faint sounds of traffic outside did little to silence the noise in his mind — Elena’s words from the night before still echoed, relentless.
Maybe I want to understand your world.
Damn it. No one had ever said that to him before, not even the women who tried to love him for his money or name. But she had — Elena, with her quiet defiance and innocent eyes that saw through his armor.
He hated that it mattered.
The phone buzzed on his desk, dragging him out of his thoughts. Roan’s voice came through the speaker.
“Sir, the marketing division is waiting for your approval on the merger terms.”
“Send them to my email,” Adrian said curtly.
Roan hesitated. “Also, Mrs. Knight called your driver. She said she’s going out.”
Adrian froze. “Out? Where?”
“She didn’t say. Just told the driver to wait by the gate.”
His tone dropped to ice. “Cancel it.”
Roan sighed. “I thought you might say that.”
Adrian hung up, irritation burning behind his calm exterior. She thought she could just leave without telling him?
Minutes later, he was striding through the hallways, the weight of authority following him. He found her by the main door — coat on, purse in hand, determination in her eyes.
“Elena.”
She stiffened at the sound of his voice but didn’t turn. “I’m late, Adrian.”
“Late for what?” he demanded, stepping closer.
She faced him now, chin raised. “A job interview.”
His jaw clenched. “I told you already — you don’t need to work.”
“I don’t want your money,” she snapped. “You can buy the world, but not my self-respect.”
The fire in her voice hit him like a punch. For a moment, he said nothing — then his expression darkened. “You think getting a job makes you free? You’re my wife, Elena. That comes with rules.”
“Rules?” She laughed bitterly. “You mean prison.”
He took another step, close enough that she could feel his breath. “You knew what you signed, Elena. The contract was clear — no public work without my approval.”
Her eyes glistened. “That contract is a chain. You don’t even see me as a person.”
His voice softened just slightly. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t care where you go.”
That silenced her. For a moment, their gazes locked — fierce, wounded, magnetic. Then she pulled back, blinking away the tears.
“You don’t care, Adrian. You just don’t like losing control.”
And she walked away.
He didn’t stop her this time — but his hand curled into a fist as she stepped out the door.
---
Elena sat silently in the car, the driver avoiding her gaze. Her chest felt heavy, her throat tight.
She wanted freedom — but why did it hurt every time she fought him?
Maya’s call broke the silence.
“Elena! You sound like someone who just argued with a hurricane.”
A laugh escaped her despite herself. “Close. Adrian Knight.”
“Ouch. Still breathing?” Maya teased. “So where are you going?”
“Interview. A small interior design firm.”
“Oooh, look at Mrs. Knight trying to work. I like it.”
“Maya…” she whispered. “What if he’s right? What if I’m just trying to escape?”
Her friend sighed. “Babe, wanting your own life isn’t escape — it’s survival. Just don’t let that man make you forget who you are.”
Elena smiled faintly. “Thanks, Maya.”
“Anytime. And hey— don’t look now, but someone’s watching you.”
Elena frowned and glanced through the window. A sleek black car was parked two lanes behind them.
Her pulse quickened. “No… it can’t be—”
“Oh, it is,” Maya laughed. “The big bad wolf himself.”
Adrian.
He was tailing her.
---
By the time she reached the office, she pretended not to notice his car still idling outside.
The interview went smoothly. The manager was kind, the job modest — designing layouts for local businesses. It felt normal, refreshing… human.
But when she stepped out, Adrian was waiting beside his car, arms crossed, sunglasses hiding his fury.
“Did you enjoy your little adventure?”
Her stomach dropped. “You followed me?”
“Call it concern,” he said flatly.
“Call it control,” she snapped back.
He opened the door for her. “Get in.”
“No.”
“Elena.” His voice was a warning.
She met his gaze, trembling with anger. “You don’t own me.”
The air between them sizzled — fury, frustration, desire, all twisted together.
Then, before she could react, he closed the distance between them, his hand gripping her wrist — not painfully, but with the kind of authority that sent her heart racing.
“You drive me insane,” he murmured, voice low. “Every word, every look — you challenge me like no one ever has.”
She swallowed hard, her defiance faltering. “Then let me go.”
“I can’t,” he breathed. “Not when every part of me wants to hate you and can’t.”
For a second, she thought he would kiss her — but he didn’t. Instead, he released her hand, eyes burning. “Get in the car, Elena.”
She did. Not because he ordered it — but because her knees felt too weak to fight.
---
That night, silence ruled the mansion again.
Elena sat on the balcony, hugging her knees, watching the stars. She didn’t hear Adrian approach until his voice broke the quiet.
“I didn’t mean to follow you.”
She didn’t turn. “Yes, you did.”
He exhaled slowly. “You make me lose control.”
“That’s not my problem, Adrian.”
“I know.” He paused, his tone softer than she’d ever heard. “But I don’t know how to fix it.”
She finally looked at him. His eyes, usually sharp and unreadable, were softer now — almost human.
“Maybe you start by treating me like your wife,” she said quietly, “not a deal.”
For the first time, he didn’t argue. He just nodded once and turned to leave — but stopped at the doorway.
“By the way,” he said, almost grudgingly, “you got the job.”
Her head snapped up. “You— what?”
“I called them. Told them to hire you.”
She stared at him, speechless. “You had no right—”
“I had every right,” he interrupted. “But I also told them you can work remotely. From here. Under my protection.”
It wasn’t what she wanted. It wasn’t freedom. But beneath the arrogance, she saw something new — care.
“Why, Adrian?” she whispered.
He didn’t turn around. “Because if you’re going to fight me, I’d rather keep you close.”
And with that, he walked away — leaving her heart pounding, her anger melting into confusion once again.
---
To be continued…
- Writer
