CHAPTER THREE: A DANGEROUS INTEREST
777 Words
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Ava quickly learned one thing about working for Dmitri Volkov
Nothing in his world was simple.
Not the work.
Not the people.
And definitely not him.
…………
“Miss Laurent, Mr. Volkov is asking for you.”
Ava looked up from the documents in her hand as Elena stood at the doorway.
Of course he is.
It had barely been an hour since she stepped into the office that morning… and he had already called for her twice.
Control.
That was his thing.
“Tell him I’m coming,” Ava replied calmly, standing up.
Elena gave her a look,half curious, half impressed……before walking away.
Ava took a breath.
Then walked toward his office.
She didn’t knock.
She simply walked in.
Dmitri was seated behind his desk, flipping through a file.
But the moment she entered
He stopped.
Slowly closing it.
Like he had been expecting her.
“You’re getting comfortable,” he said.
Ava crossed her arms slightly. “You said I work for you now.”
“I did.”
“Then I don’t need permission to do my job.”
A pause.
Then
That smirk again.
“You’re bold.”
“And you’re observant.”
Dmitri leaned back in his chair, studying her.
Not just looking.
Studying.
Like she was something he hadn’t figured out yet.
And he didn’t like not knowing.
“Sit,” he said.
Ava didn’t move.
“I prefer standing.”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“That wasn’t a suggestion.”
Ava held his gaze for a second longer
Then sat.
Not because she was scared.
But because she chose to.
And somehow…
That made it worse.
Dmitri slid a document across the desk.
“Read.”
Ava picked it up, scanning quickly.
A contract.
Business deal.
Large numbers.
Serious stakes.
“You want my opinion?” she asked.
“I want to see if you can think,” he replied.
Ava ignored the tone.
Classic him.
After a moment, she placed the document down.
“The deal is clean,” she said. “Too clean.”
Dmitri’s fingers paused slightly on the desk.
“Explain.”
“There’s no risk factor listed,” she continued. “No hidden clauses, no pressure terms… nothing.”
She looked up at him.
“That’s not normal at your level.”
Silence.
Dmitri stared at her.
Then
Slowly
He smiled.
“Interesting.”
Ava raised a brow. “I’m right, aren’t I?”
Instead of answering, Dmitri stood up and walked around the desk.
Slow.
Controlled.
Stopping right beside her.
“You notice things quickly,” he said.
Ava didn’t look up immediately.
“I pay attention.”
“Good,” he murmured.
Too close again.
Always too close.
Ava finally stood, turning to face him.
“If that’s all, I have work to do.”
She made to walk past him
But his voice stopped her.
“Why do you challenge me?”
Ava paused.
Then turned slightly.
“Why do you expect everyone to obey you?”
A beat.
Neither of them spoke.
……
Dmitri stepped closer.
“You think you’re different?”
“I know I am.”
Dangerous answer.
Very dangerous.
…………
His eyes darkened slightly.
“You won’t last long with that attitude.”
Ava tilted her head.
“Then why did you hire me?”
Silence.
That question…
He didn’t answer.
Not immediately.
……
Instead, Dmitri walked back to his desk, picking up the same file again.
“You’re dismissed,” he said.
Cold.
Controlled.
Like the conversation never happened.
………
Ava watched him for a moment.
Then,
She turned and walked out.
But something felt off.
Very off.
………
Because for the first time
Dmitri Volkov had no answer.
Inside the office
Dmitri remained still.
The file in his hand untouched.
His mind wasn’t on the deal anymore.
It was on her.
“She’s different…”
The words came out quietly.
Almost like a realization.
And Dmitri didn’t like surprises.
He didn’t like unpredictability.
And Ava Laurent…
Was both.
Later that afternoon
Ava was organizing documents when she felt it again.
That feeling.
Like she was being watched.
She looked up
And there he was.
Standing by the glass wall of his office.
Watching her.
Not hiding it.
Not even pretending.
Their eyes met.
And neither of them looked away.
…………
A slow smirk formed on Dmitri’s lips.
Not playful.
Not soft.
Dangerous.
………
Ava didn’t react.
Didn’t look away.
Didn’t flinch.
But inside
Something shifted.
Because this wasn’t just a job anymore.
And it definitely wasn’t just tension.
This was something else.
Something neither of them had control over.
And that made it
Dangerous.
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- Writer
