Craving my sister’s fiancé

Chapter 15

Daphne’s POV

I glanced down at my phone one last time, rereading the address, then lifted my eyes to the building in front of me. Same place. Exactly where Adrian had asked me to come.

I let out a slow breath and slipped my phone into my small purse—just big enough to hold it—before stepping inside.

I barely made it past the door before security blocked my path.

“Who are you, and why are you here?” the huge man demanded.

I forced a polite smile. “Adrian called for me.”

Before he could respond, a woman’s voice cut in.

“Daphne.”

I turned toward her. “You are Daphne, right?” she asked. I nodded.

“She’s with me,” she told the security guard. He nodded and stepped aside.

“Follow me,” she said, already walking away. I hurried after her.

“You must be Adrian’s assistant, right?” I asked. It was the only explanation that made sense—why she knew my name, why she was expecting me.

She stopped suddenly, and so did I. A smile spread across her face, revealing three noticeably large front teeth.

“I’m his assistant. Chloe,” she said, then continued walking as if nothing had happened.

The room we entered was a studio. Lights, cameras, people everywhere. My gaze drifted around until it landed on Adrian.

Shirtless.

Right in the middle of a photoshoot.

He stood under the bright lights, muscles tense, completely focused, like the rest of the world didn’t exist.

“Wait here,” Chloe said before disappearing into the crowd.

I stayed where I was. Voices floated around me, followed by excited giggles. I turned just in time to see the makeup artist snapping pictures of Adrian with her phone.

“He looks so good,” they said at the same time.

I pressed my lips together. Honestly, I didn’t see what the fuss was about. If they were talking about Stefan, sure. But Adrian? Please.

“What are you thinking about?”

His voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I flinched. When did he get here? He had been shooting seconds ago.

“What?” he said, lips curling into a smug smile. “Mesmerized by my body?”

I frowned. “Get off your high horse.”

He laughed, the sound annoyingly pleased with itself. Chloe returned then, handing him a bottle of water.

“You really don’t need to continue,” he said, eyes flicking toward me. “She’s here now.”

“Not yet,” Chloe replied. “I still need to tell her your full schedule and how she’ll have to make everything work.”

My confusion deepened.

“What is happening?” I finally asked.

“You’re my new assistant,” Adrian said casually.

My eyes widened. “What the hell?” I snapped. “I never signed up for this.”

“You do want to get out of your house, right?” he asked.

I frowned, my confusion sharpening. How did he know that?

“Wait—how do you know I’m grounded?” I asked.

“Bianca told me,” he replied easily.

My jaw tightened. Why would she tell him that?

“She also said the only way you’re allowed out for a while is if your mom thinks you have a part-time job,” he continued. “And honestly, what other job would you want apart from working for me?”

The confidence in his voice made my stomach twist.

“I’m not agreeing to any of this,” I said flatly.

“It’s already done.” Chloe smiled. “I’ve sent everything you need to do to your phone.”

Almost immediately, my phone beeped in my purse. I didn’t bother checking it.

“Bye, guys,” she added cheerfully before walking away.

I turned back to Adrian, irritation bubbling over. “I am not going to be your assistant.”

“You should’ve said that sooner,” he said, pouting his lips. “Now I don’t even have an assistant.”

I crossed my arms. I wasn’t falling for it.

“You know what? f**k you. I hate that I even came here.” I spun around and started toward the exit.

“You get paid a thousand dollars a day.”

I stopped.

My body froze before my brain could catch up. Slowly, I turned back to him.

“Think about it,” he said calmly. “A thousand dollars every day… to work with me.”

My heart thudded against my ribs. This had to be some kind of trap.

“Are you—”

“It’s not a joke,” he cut in. “Just think about it.”

I bit my lip. Hard. A thousand dollars a day meant freedom. It meant saving money. It meant getting the hell out of my house.

“Fine,” I said finally. “I’ll be your assistant. But I swear, if you don’t pay me, I will ruin that pretty face of yours.”

He smirked. “So you do admit my face is pretty.”

Before I could respond, he winked and walked away.

I exhaled slowly. Maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as I thought.

I finished everything Chloe had assigned before the shoot ended. By the time I stepped outside, the sky had opened up, rain pouring down relentlessly.

No umbrella. No cab in sight.

I hugged my arms around myself and started walking anyway.

A car pulled up beside me. The window slid down.

“Get in,” Adrian said.

“No thanks,” I replied without stopping. “I’ll get home on my own.”

“You’ll get sick,” he said, his tone softer than before. “And then I won’t have an assistant anymore. So please, get in.”

I hesitated, rain soaking through my clothes, but he was right. Being stubborn wouldn’t help—and whether I liked it or not, he was my boss now.

I stepped out of the rain and slid into the back seat.

“Come sit in the front,” he added, glancing at me through the mirror. “I’m not your driver.”

I rolled my eyes but moved to the passenger seat.

The drive was quiet. The rain drummed loudly against the car roof, growing heavier by the second. The road blurred under the downpour until a road warden signaled us to stop.

“You can’t go any further,” the man said. “The road ahead is bad.”

My chest tightened. If we couldn’t pass, how was I supposed to get home?

“You’ll come to my place until the rain stops,” Adrian said.

I didn’t like the idea. Not at all. But with no other option, I nodded.

When we arrived at his apartment, I glanced around, surprised—and not in a good way. Large framed photos of him covered the walls. Different poses. Different outfits. Same smug face.

So self-absorbed.

“Come with me,” he said.

I followed him down the hallway, only to realize we’d stopped in front of his bedroom door. My eyes widened, my heart skipping nervously. Why his room? Why did I even follow him in?

“Here.” He tossed me a large shirt and a pair of shorts. “Take off your wet clothes and put these on before you catch a cold.”

Before I could respond, he turned and left, closing the door behind him.

I stared at the clothes in my hands, then let out a small, confused smile.

After changing, I stepped out just as a knock sounded.

“Come in,” I said.

He entered, a slow smirk playing on his lips.

“It looks really good on you,” he said.

I rolled my eyes, heat creeping up my neck.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

“No,” I replied—just as my stomach betrayed me with a loud growl.

He laughed, not even trying to hide it.

“Come on,” he said. “I’ll make you ramyeon. I know you like it when it rains.”

I froze.

How the hell did he know that?

Before I could question him, he grabbed my wrist and tugged me along. He released me once we reached the kitchen.

“Do you want this one,” he asked, holding up a packet, “or this?”

“Whatever you choose,” I said.

He smiled, genuine this time.

“Sit and wait,” he said. “I’m about to make you the best noodles you’ve ever had.”

I watched him move around the kitchen, completely at ease.

What was happening?

And why was he suddenly being… nice?