✧ 01 ✧
✧ 01 ✧
Elena’s POV
The conference room felt like a trap, cold air blasting from the vents, but it did nothing to cool the heat simmering under my skin. My grip tightened around the edge of my file, fingers twitching, but I kept my face calm. A ticking time bomb, that’s what I was. But I couldn’t afford to go off. Not when my paycheck was on the line.
Randy Storme leaned back in his chair, smug as ever, before flicking my file across the table. The pages fanned out, some sliding onto the floor like trash.
“Come up with better ideas, Elena. Don’t submit any other proposals until you decide to be innovative.”
His voice was sharp, cutting through the silence, making the rejection feel even louder. Every other VP had their proposal neatly stacked in front of them, approved without a second thought. Mine? Tossed aside. Again.
I swallowed the burn in my throat and bent to scoop up my papers, ignoring the weight of everyone’s stares. I went back to my seat. Some of them pitied me. Some were just glad it wasn’t their turn under Randy’s boot. My jaw tightened. I hated him. Hated how he made this already cold room feel suffocating.
I just needed to get home. Vent to the one person who actually gave a damn.
“Elena.”
I looked up, my face blank for half a second before I slid on a slow, sweet smile.
“Yes, sir.”
Sweet. Sharp. Just enough to let him know I wasn’t going anywhere.
“Submit your proposal before 11 a.m. today. In my office.” His voice was smooth, commanding, as if he expected nothing less than complete obedience. Then he stood, slipped his hands into his pockets, and strolled out like he owned the worl ,because in his mind, he did. He left his minions behind, exchanging smug looks, feeding off his energy.
“Psycho,” I muttered under my breath, pushing back my chair. I straightened my skirt, gathered my things, and walked out, keeping my head high.
“Hi, Elena.”
I turned to see Gerald stepping into the elevator beside me.
“Hi.” I gave a small smile.
“Randy’s being a b***h to you, huh?” he whispered, his lips twitching in amusement.
I grinned. “Rejecting my proposal the first and second time is one thing, but the third and fourth?”
“He probably has a huge crush on you. That’s just his way of showing it.”
I scoffed. Randy Storme didn’t play games. If he wanted something or someone, he’d take it. No need for mind tricks. And let’s be honest, he didn’t have to try. The man was unfairly attractive, tall, broad-shouldered, with the kind of presence that sucked the air out of a room. Dark brown hair, always perfectly in place. Sharp cheekbones, a jawline that looked like it could cut glass. Everything about him screamed power, from the way he moved to the way people scrambled to please him.
“Definitely not,” I said, shaking my head. “And even if he did, I wouldn’t be interested. That man is worse than the devil himself.”
Gerald laughed. “You say that now.”
We stepped off the elevator, parting ways. I checked my watch, 10:20 a.m. With a sigh, I grabbed my revised file and made my way back to the elevator. The ride up to Randy’s office felt longer than usual.
The air in his department was colder, the lighting sharper. His secretary, a woman with a perpetually bored expression and a jaw that never stopped chewing gum, barely spared me a glance.
“I’m looking for Mr. Storme,” I said.
She popped her gum and finally looked at me.
“Do you have an appointment?”
I clenched my jaw.
“Of course. He asked me to be here before 11.”
With exaggerated sluggishness, she got up, disappeared into his office, and returned seconds later.
“You can go in.”
I adjusted my blouse, squared my shoulders, and knocked twice before stepping inside.
Randy sat behind his massive glass desk, back straight, fingers steepled. The office was pure power; dark wood, sleek leather, and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the city skyline. Not a single item out of place.
Just like him.
His eyes lifted, locking onto me. Dark, unreadable. Assessing.
I walked forward and placed my file on his desk.
“Take that trash off my desk.”
My hands stilled. Trash?
I snatched the file back, my fingers gripping the edges.
“Did I ask you to drop it yet?”
I swallowed, forcing my expression to remain neutral. “I’m sorry.”
“Hand it over.”
I did. He took it without looking, then flicked his fingers.
“Leave.”
I turned on my heel, biting back an eye roll until I was safely outside.
Asshole.
❀❀❀
Getting home, I couldn't wait to talk to Mr. Stranger. I met him on an anonymous website while scrolling through the internet one night, and somehow, we just clicked. He became my escape, the one I turned to when work drained the life out of me. We spent nights talking about my stress, and he always knew exactly how to help me relieve it. He had told me his name was Noirsilk but I prefered calling him ‘Mr. Stranger’.
We met every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and I lived for those days. The things he did to my body? Unspeakable. The kind of pleasure that left me breathless, aching, and thinking about him for days. Unlike with Randy, where everything felt forced, Mr. Stranger knew how to take control, and I loved surrendering to him. And it was exactly how I wanted it.
The moment I stepped into my apartment, I exhaled, sinking into the comfort that only home could bring. The space was warm, modern, and exactly how I liked it,soft beige walls, dimmable recessed lighting, and sleek furniture that blended style with comfort. The scent of vanilla and sandalwood lingered in the air from the candle I had burned that morning, mixing with the faint aroma of fresh linen.
I dropped my bag on the black marble kitchen island, its polished surface cool beneath my fingertips. A glass of wine sat untouched from the night before, and my plush sectional in the living room called my name, its deep gray cushions practically begging me to sink into them. But I didn’t. Not yet.
Instead, I walked to my bedroom, my favorite part of the apartment. The space was a reflection of me,elegant but not fussy. A king-sized bed with a soft white duvet dominated the room, flanked by sleek nightstands with golden accents. A floor-length mirror leaned against the wall beside the closet, its reflection catching the strands of fairy lights draped along the headboard. The curtains, a deep shade of navy, were drawn halfway, letting in just enough city light to cast a faint glow across the room.
After a moment of just standing there, absorbing the stillness, I made my way to the bathroom.
It was a sanctuary in its own right,spacious, with black and white marble tiling and a rainfall showerhead that made every rinse feel indulgent. A large freestanding tub sat beneath a frosted window, a few scented candles arranged on its edge. Gold fixtures glinted under the soft lighting, and fluffy towels, neatly folded, sat on a wooden rack by the sink.
I peeled off my clothes and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water loosen the tension in my muscles. Steam curled around me, and for a moment, I just stood there, eyes closed, enjoying the warmth. The scent of lavender from my body wash filled the space, soothing in a way I hadn’t realized I needed.
By the time I stepped out and wrapped myself in a thick towel, I felt lighter, but that changed the moment I checked my phone.
NoirSilk: Don'’t keep me waiting.
Just five words, but they sent a shiver down my spine. I could already feel the heat curling in my stomach, but I wouldn’t act on it,not yet. He owned every reaction I had. Every shudder, every whimper. My body belonged to him the moment I stepped into that club.
I slipped into something sexy, something I knew he’d like,and headed out.
The club was everything you wouldn’t find advertised on social media. Hidden, discreet, and only accessible to those who belonged. The moment I walked in, the air changed. It was darker here, more intimate, with low golden lights casting long shadows. The music wasn’t too loud, but the bass was deep, thrumming through the floor like a pulse. A mix of whiskey, expensive cologne, and something raw and electric filled my lungs.
Past the main floor, where strangers whispered over drinks and couples disappeared into private booths, was where I belonged. A security guard at the back entrance barely glanced at me before letting me through, recognizing me immediately.
Down the hall, away from the curious eyes of the crowd, was the private area,his domain. The lighting was softer here, the air thick with something unspoken. Every step I took made my heart pound harder.
As I stepped into the room, the dim lighting and pulsating beats enveloped me, a stark contrast to the cold night air outside. The scent of lust and desire hung heavy, mingling with the faint aroma of expensive liquor and sweat. My heart quickened as I scanned the room, my eyes adjusting to the shadows. I knew he was already watching me. I could feel his gaze, intense and hungry, like a predator stalking its prey. And then I saw him, seated, his presence commanding yet unobtrusive. His face was hidden behind a sleek, black mask, its contours accentuating the sharp angles of his jaw. But his eyes,those piercing, dark eyes,were unmistakable. They held a promise of something raw, something primal.
The moment our eyes met, my breath hitched. My body knew before my mind did. I didn’t just want him, I needed him.
