Chapter Three – Cornered by the Past
1037 Words
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Talia adjusted the collar of her blouse for the fifth time, nerves fraying with every step she took through the glass doors of Akiyama International Holdings.
She hadn’t known.
She really hadn’t.
Until she walked into the marble lobby and saw his family’s name glinting in chrome across the lobby wall — Akiyama.
And now, she couldn’t breathe.
The polite assistant had no idea she was walking her straight into a lion’s den as they rode the elevator to the top floor. Talia just kept telling herself to stay calm, to smile, to act like she hadn’t kissed her cold, powerful ex-boyfriend less than 24 hours ago.
But when the elevator doors opened, all calm vanished.
Shin Akiyama was standing in the hallway, tall and lethal in black-on-black. His gaze cut straight through her.
“So,” he said coolly, “you’re the new intern.”
Talia’s throat closed. “I—didn’t know this company was—”
“My floor. My rules,” he said, stepping closer. “You work under me now.”
Her stomach twisted. Not because of fear—but because his presence was intoxicating.
“You can’t be serious,” she said.
“I’m always serious. Especially with you.” He smirked, then turned to the assistant. “Clear my morning. I need time with our newest addition.”
And just like that, he dragged her back into the elevator.
Alone.
He hit the button to stop it mid-floor. The hum of the lift ceased. Silence pressed in.
Talia turned to him, heart pounding. “What are you doing?”
“What I should’ve done the second you showed your face in my city.”
He stepped in, backing her into the wall of the elevator. His hands never touched her, but the heat of him made her feel like she was burning from the inside out.
“Why are you here?” he whispered.
“I didn’t know—”
“Liar.”
She glared at him, breath uneven. “You think I planned this?”
“I think the universe handed me the perfect chance to get answers.”
His eyes dropped to her lips. “And maybe more.”
Before she could speak, the elevator resumed, doors sliding open—interrupting the moment.
But the heat lingered.
—
Hours later, she tried to forget it.
She sat at her new desk, surrounded by professionals who had no idea her ex was their boss. No one saw how her hands shook slightly when she typed. Or how she barely breathed every time Shin walked past her office with that glacial stare.
Until Kaito entered the picture.
Kaito — the flirty, confident marketing exec assigned to show her around. He was charming, tall, and not afraid to lean a little too close.
“So, Talia,” he said, handing her a welcome packet, “lunch break’s soon. I could give you a tour. Or a distraction. Whichever you need more.”
She gave a nervous laugh. “I think I’ll survive with the tour.”
He winked. “Shame. I was hoping to survive with you.”
Her cheeks heated—part embarrassment, part... well, she didn’t know. It had been a long time since anyone flirted with her so openly.
Too bad Shin walked in at that exact moment.
His steps were slow. Deliberate. Like a panther stalking prey.
Kaito didn’t even sense danger—until it was too late.
“Is there a problem here?” Shin asked, voice flat and lethal.
Kaito smiled, oblivious. “No, sir. Just welcoming your new intern. We were about to head to—”
He didn’t finish.
Because Shin’s fist collided with his jaw.
The office froze.
Kaito stumbled back, crashing into a desk, dazed. Gasps filled the room.
Talia’s eyes went wide. “Shin—!”
“Mr. Akiyama!” someone shouted.
Shin didn’t even blink. He stood over Kaito, jaw tight, eyes cold.
“If you touch her again,” he said, “you’ll lose more than your smile.”
He turned on his heel and walked out, leaving stunned silence behind.
Kaito groaned on the floor.
Talia’s heart was racing.
The moment the whispers started, she grabbed her bag and rushed after Shin.
She found him in his glass office, staring out at the city like he hadn’t just decked an employee in broad daylight.
She barged in. “What the hell was that?”
He didn’t look at her. “He was flirting.”
“That’s not a crime!”
His voice was calm. Too calm. “It is when it’s you.”
Her mouth fell open. “You don’t own me, Shin.”
“I did once.” He turned to her. “And you still look at me like you remember.”
“You can’t punch people because they smile at me.”
“I didn’t punch him for smiling,” he said darkly, walking toward her. “I punched him for touching what’s mine.”
Talia stepped back. “I’m not yours.”
Shin closed the space between them, backing her toward the wall once more.
“You came back. You walked into my world again. And you think I’m just going to pretend you’re not still under my skin?”
“I came here to work,” she whispered.
“You came here to drive me mad.” His hand braced the wall beside her. “And it’s working.”
She felt his breath on her cheek. The heat, the tension, the unsaid history—it wrapped around them like a fuse ready to blow.
“I could fire you right now,” he said. “But that would mean letting you go.”
“Then let me go,” she whispered, though her voice shook.
He leaned in, lips grazing her ear.
“No.”
She gasped.
“Because deep down,” he continued, “you don’t want me to.”
Then, just like before, he stepped back.
Left her standing there—breathless, furious, and undeniably shaken.
And for the first time, Talia realized:
This wasn’t a job.
This was war.
And Shin Akiyama was done playing nice.
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- Writer
