The CEO'S RULEBOOK

Between Command and Desire

Mila’s POV

“Stay away from Armando Rayas…”

Mr. Harris’s words echoed in my mind like a broken record, haunting me as I lay in bed, trying to sleep. But no matter how hard I willed myself to drift off, I couldn’t escape the image of those intense eyes and the ease with which his command left his lips.

Even though I had no clue why he’d said it, the weight of his warning pressed down on me.

“Why the hell does he invade my thoughts so damn much?” I cursed under my breath, tossing and turning, desperate for the peace that only sleep could bring. But sleep wouldn’t come, not with my thoughts racing, questions piling up in my head, unanswered and unresolved.

Why did Mr. Harris tell me to stay away from Armando? Do they know each other?

Even if they did, he had no right to dictate who I spoke to. He was my boss, nothing more.

Nothing more? The voice inside me taunted me, and I knew it was right. I was lying to myself.

“Argh…” I screamed in frustration, trying to shake off the thoughts, but they clung to me like a shadow.

I don’t know when I finally fell asleep, but the shrill ring of my phone pulled me from whatever fragile sleep I’d managed to find.

I groggily opened my eyes to see his name flashing on the screen, Mr. Harris. My stomach dropped, and I scrambled to answer.

“Hello, sir?” My voice was shaky, betraying my exhaustion.

“What the hell, Miss Brown? I’ve been calling you for ages! Why haven’t you picked up?” His voice was sharp, demanding. I froze.

Looking at the screen, I saw he’d called me ten times.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t realise,” I muttered, guilt creeping up my spine.

There was a long, tense breath on the other end before he spoke again, clearly trying to calm himself.

“Fine, Miss Brown. Get ready. You need to be in the lobby in 20 minutes. You have work to do.” He hung up abruptly, leaving me there, dazed.

Screaming in frustration, I rushed into the bathroom for a quick shower. Twenty minutes wasn’t enough time, but I had no choice. I threw on a blue gown, did my makeup quickly, and straightened my hair.

When I was ready, I rushed out, heart pounding, and took the elevator to the lobby. I scanned the area, hoping Mr. Harris hadn’t left without me.

Then I saw him. Dressed in a perfectly tailored navy green suit, black tie, and dark brown shoes that completed the look. His hair was neatly combed to the side, highlighting his sharp features.

I took a deep breath, walking toward him, the events of last night and his words swirling in my mind.

When I reached him, I cleared my throat softly, hoping to catch his attention.

He turned, his gaze locking with mine, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. His eyes… those damn eyes… made my knees weak.

“Mr. Harris…” I whispered, barely recognising my voice as it trembled.

For a long moment, he didn’t speak, his expression unreadable as he stared at me. Then, just as quickly, his face shifted into the familiar mask I hated.

“Miss Brown… do I have to remind you every time that you’re here as my assistant? Do your job, or you’ll lose it,” he said, his words sharp, laced with contempt.

My heart squeezed painfully, and it felt like the air was knocked out of my lungs. I swallowed hard, struggling to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Harris. I’ll do better,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“You’d better,” he snapped.

“I have a series of meetings today. We should get going.” Without waiting for a response, he turned and started walking away.

I trailed behind him, each step feeling heavier than the last, the sting of his words lingering in the air.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Meeting after meeting, with him barking orders and me following them. I prayed to the universe for the day to end, to escape the tension that seemed to follow me everywhere.

“Miss Brown, one last meeting,” Mr. Harris said as we climbed back into the car.

“Okay...” I muttered, exhaustion settling over me.

The car ride ended at a lavish venue. We entered a grand room filled with expensive art and gold chandeliers that screamed opulence.

I was in awe, my eyes roaming over the intricate decor, momentarily lost in the beauty of it all. I smiled to myself, unaware that Mr. Harris had already spoken.

“Miss Brown,” he called, breaking me from my thoughts. I quickly turned to face him.

“I need you to wait at the bar. Don’t leave until I say so. I have investors to greet.” He gave the order, and just like that, he walked off, leaving me standing there.

I sighed, resigning myself to another task, I had no choice but to obey. I made my way to the bar, ordering a drink and some chips, trying to make the best of the situation. If I were going to be stuck here, I might as well do it in style.

I sipped my drink, people-watching, amused by the wealthy crowd around me, all dressed in their finest.

“Rich people…” I muttered, chuckling to myself.

Just then, my phone buzzed with a new text. I glanced at it and saw Maya’s name. A sense of relief washed over me, and a smile tugged at my lips. Laughing at her silly texts, I felt the tension in my chest slowly begin to ease. For the first time all day, I felt a little lighter.

“I wish I could be the one you’re smiling at like that.”

The familiar voice startled me, and I looked up to find Armando standing there, his presence commanding the space around us.

“What… How…?” I stuttered, shocked to see him here.

Armando simply smiled at me, amusement dancing in his eyes. God, I never knew he had such a beautiful smile. I loved how his lips curved at the corners as he grinned.

Fuck… why was I thinking about that? I screamed at myself, trying to shake off the strange thoughts that kept creeping in.

Maybe Armando noticed the anxiety and longing in my eyes because he moved closer, whispering, “My day just got better seeing you here.”

His voice was soft, but it sent shivers down my spine. I swallowed, biting my lip nervously, struggling to keep eye contact with him.

Then, without warning, he snaked his left arm around my waist, pulling me so close that our faces were almost touching. His eyes trailed from my eyes down to my lips, and his breath, hot on my skin, made my knees feel weak.

“You don’t know how much I’ve wanted to see you again, Miss Brown,” he murmured, his lips only inches from mine. I closed my eyes, heart racing, waiting for his next move.

Before I could process it further, I was suddenly yanked back by a strong hand. My eyes flew open, and I found myself staring up at Mr. Harris, his face twisted in fury.

The rage in his eyes was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. His jaw was clenched, fists tight enough to draw blood from his nails. His anger was enough to kill a lion.

“We need to leave now, Mila.” He growled, grabbing my arm.

His use of my first name, instead of the usual “Miss Brown,” caught me off guard. The look in his eyes was so intense that I couldn’t protest. I just nodded, too shocked to speak.

“Angel… I think your assistant here can choose whether to leave or stay for herself,” Armando said smoothly, his voice almost mocking.

Mr. Harris whirled around in a flash, fists raised in anger, ready to strike. But Armando just chuckled softly, unbothered by the threat.

Mr. Harris didn’t waste another second. He grabbed me by the arm and left, practically throwing me into the car, and soon we were on our way back to the hotel.

Confusion swirled within me as I stared out of the window, replaying everything in my head.

I know Mr. Harris told me to stay away from Armando, but I never expected him to react the way he did back there. The rage in his eyes… it was terrifying.

The ride back was silent. Mr. Harris never looked up from his phone, and I noticed him fidgeting absentmindedly with his left hand, something he always did when upset.

When we finally arrived at the hotel, the sun had set. We both walked to the elevator in silence, the tension thick between us.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Why… why that outburst?” I asked softly, glancing at him, immediately regretting the question.

Still, there was no answer. He kept his eyes trained on his phone, and we continued our journey in silence.

Then, without warning, as we entered the elevator, he pulled me back and slammed me against the elevator wall. My breath hitched.

He moved so close that his body nearly pressed into mine. His hands braced on either side, encasing me in a cage of heat and authority. The scent of his cologne, intoxicating and sharp, invaded my senses. My pulse raced, my chest burning, my knees weak.

I forced myself to look up at him. His silver-grey eyes were piercing, electric, and hungry, and in that moment, the world fell away.

“You know, I hate it when you don’t look me in the eyes,” he said, voice low and deliberate.

“I…” My throat caught. Words failed me.

“Look at me!” he commanded. I obeyed, and the electricity sparked through me, leaving me trembling.

His gaze lingered on my lips, and his fingers brushed against my cheek, then over my jaw, soft and yet deliberate. “You disobeyed me, Miss Brown. You know I hate disobedience.”

I swallowed hard, my body a battlefield of fear and want. My hands pressed against my sides, but the shiver running through me was molten fire.

His lips hovered near mine, warm, teasing, and torturous. “Tell me, Miss Brown, what should be your punishment for disobedience?”

I froze, trembling, suspended in the delicious tension between them, every nerve alive with anticipation, desire, and fear, unable to think or move, just waiting for what might come next.