Chapter2
1472 Words
Boundaries
Carlos stood at the massive front door of the Blanco mansion with his suitcase in hand, his shoes clicking against the marble floor as he stepped inside. The place screamed wealth. Every corner of the house glowed under dimmed golden lights, the scent of expensive cologne and power lingering in the air.
He didn't have to wait long.
Griselda appeared at the top of the staircase, fresh from a swim, water still glistening on her toned body. Her abs were sculpted, her dark swim shorts hanging low on her hips, making no effort to hide the tattoo that wrapped around her side. She looked lethal, like lust and danger molded into one woman. "Welcome to the devil's den," she said, her low and velvety voice echoing.
"I thought this was a job, not an invitation to hell," Carlos replied, folding his arms.
Her lips tugged into a smirk. "Same thing here, baby."
She descended the stairs slowly, each step deliberate, her gaze never leaving him. When she reached him, she didn't offer a handshake. She just picked up his suitcase with ease and started walking.
"Come. I'll show you your room."
As they walked through the mansion's long corridor, she found every excuse to graze his hand. Just enough to send a message, not enough to accuse him.
Carlos's mind boiled with anger. ‘She’s doing this on purpose. Cocky demon.'
"Here," she said, pushing open a sleek white
door. "Your room.
Carlos stepped inside. It was stunning. Soft blue walls, a sunrise mural across one, and a view of the garden through the floor-to-ceiling windows. But then he noticed it, the connecting door on the side wall.
His body tensed. "That door…
"Leads to my room," she said casually, watching his face.
He turned sharply. "You gave me a room that connects to yours?"
"Don't get ideas, sweetheart," she chuckled. "I won't enter without your permission."
His eyes narrowed. "But I'm supposed to enter yours on command?"
She nodded. "Exactly. When I call, you come.
Your job is 24/7. You'll get half a day off once a week. If you perform well, l'll raise your salary.
"What's the salary?
"Thirty thousand dollars monthly. Plus all expenses covered. Stay loyal, work hard... and keep me happy."
His jaw clenched at the last part. "You’re sure this is for a Personal Assistant position?"
Griselda took a step forward, her voice dropping. "Oh, make no mistake. You'll do everything a Personal Assistant does. Plus a few... special tasks.
“He didn't flinch. "Like what? Iron your dresses?"
She let out a low laugh. "Damn. You've got fire. I like that."
He rolled his eyes. "Where's the HR department? I'd like to file a harassment complaint."
She leaned closer, whispering, "You're looking at HR, baby
She was so close now that he could feel her breath on his cheek.
"Come, I'll show you my room," she added.
Against his instincts, he followed.
The moment he stepped in, it hit him. Her room was dark,unmistakably feminine yet commanding. Black walls, silk sheets, whiskey shelves, and the unmistakable scent of arousal in the air.
She walked in like a queen , spreading her arms.
"Welcome to my kingdom."
"You're obsessed with power, aren't you?"
She turned slowly, eyes raking over his body.
"Power is the only language people respect in this world.
He folded his arms, his voice steady. "I respect boundaries."
"And yet here you are. In my bedroom."
He exhaled sharply. "Because you dragged me here for a tour."
"I was being hospitable," she said with a wicked grin. "So here's the schedule. Wake up at seven. Coffee at eight, my clothes laid out, breakfast ready, and you'll eat with me. And then you follow every order I give without question.
"That sounds more like a personal servant ." He scowled at her.
She stepped towards him again, lowering her voice to a husky whisper. "Don't tempt me."
"Tempt you?" he scoffed. "Please. You've probably flirted with every assistant who's ever walked in here."
"Not every one. Just the ones who make my blood boil."
He stiffened as she brushed his cheek with her fingers. "You're irresistible," she murmured.
Her eyes dipped to his lips.
"Thank you," he replied mechanically, shifting back.
"I gave you a compliment. I expect more than a robot response.
He raised an eyebrow. "What do you want? A smooch?"
She smirked. "Wouldn't mind one."
He took a deep breath and stepped away, his voice laced with sarcasm. "You're really not used to hearing 'no' , are you?"
"Rarely do," she admitted.
“That’s about to change,”
She laughed under her breath, and then paused.
"Has anyone ever made you feel this hot before?"
"Yes," he said without hesitation. "My
Girlfriend."
That word slammed into her like a punch. She blinked twice. "Girl...friend?"
"Yes. I have one."
Her smirk dropped. "Are you serious right now?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
She stepped back, clearly thrown off.
"You didn't mention this in your form,” she said, voice low but firm.
"Because it's none of your business." He shot back
"You said you were 'single’under relationship status,.…” she snapped.
"I said I was in a relationship," he corrected.
She stepped back a little, genuinely caught off - guard."You... you have a girlfriend and still
walked into my house?"
His eyes hardened. "What exactly are you implying?"
"I....." She looked frustrated, running a hand through her damp hair. "I don't like being tricked."
"No one tricked you," he said firmly. "I'm here to work, not to entertain your ego."
Her nostrils flared. "So you're taken, and you're still here?"
"If you repeat it a million times, ma’am my answer will still be that I Carlos was here to work.
Not to entertain your fantasies."
She stared at him, genuinely stunned. "You knew I was flirting with you. You didn't stop me."
"I didn't want to lose my job on day one. But I'm stopping it now." Carlos replied firmly.
She scoffed. "You expect me to believe you're in a relationship?"
"Does that threaten your ego?" He asked coldly. "Not everyone sleeps around, Ms. Blanco."
She was silent.
He continued, his voice calm but cutting.
"People like you think love equals s*x. But for us, love is about respect and commitment. We don't rush it. Marriage comes first."
Her throat tightened. He wasn't just defending himself, he was challenging her.
He wasn’t scared. Not even a little.
“I’m impressed," she said after a pause.
"You should be," he replied sharply.
There was a beat of silence.
She walked toward him slowly, now more intrigued than angry. "Tell me something, sweetheart... does your girlfriend know what you look like when you're blushing?"
He looked her dead in the eye. "She did. And she knows what I look like when I punch someone in the face."
Griselda chuckled, "Fine, Fine. You win."
"Damn right I do."
She opened the door. "Let's go. I'll show you the office at the villa."
********
Inside the mansion's office wing, the air changed. It was sleek, professional. But Griselda’s eyes stayed on him more than the files.
Carlos sat at the desk in front of her, flipping through the company reports.
She leaned back, watching his legs under the table."You always dress like that?" She
asked.
"Like what?"
"Like sin."
He didn't even blink. "You always undress men with your eyes?"
"Only the special ones.
He sighed in frustration. "You've got a loose mouth.
She grinned. "That mouth of yours... is dangerous."
He smiled. "So is a stapler. Want to test it?"
She laughed, genuinely entertained.
'God, he’s fiery. 'I could chase this man for years,' she thought- and the thought annoyed her more than it should.
********
Later that night, Carlos stood in his room, breathing deeply. He leaned back against the door, his eyes flicking toward the connecting one. He was exhausted... but his mind was loud.
"What the hell is wrong with her? Who
makes up a rulebook like that? Touching my chest, staring like l'm desert? And then that tantrum over a girlfriend?'
He scoffed and kicked off his shoes, sinking onto the bed. 'She’s dangerous, flirty, possessive, and way too aware of her power.
His phone vibrated. A text from his girlfriend :
"You okay?"
He smiled softly and typed:
"Yeah. Long day. Boss is intense."
"Respectful?" she asked.
His fingers paused over the keyboard.
"Trying to be."
He sighed and tossed the phone aside, walking over to the mirror. He looked at his composed reflection, but his cheeks were still pink from that whispered compliment. 'Get a grip, Carlos. She’s a devil in silk. You're here for your future. Not her games.' Still, a quiet part of him whispered back. 'But why does your heart race every time she steps closer?'
- Writer
