Bound To The Devil CEO

Eliana Jones believed happiness was found in the smallest moments. Not in expensive cars. Not in designer clothes. Not in crowded rooms filled with people trying to prove they mattered. For Eliana, happiness was a quiet morning, a warm cup of coffee, a good book beside her window, and the sound of someone she loved telling her that everything would be okay. She had never dreamed of living a glamorous life. She only wanted a peaceful one. A life where she could build her career, take care of her family, and grow old beside the person she loved. And for the first time in her life, she believed she had found exactly that. "Are you seriously still working on your project?" Ryder Massimo's voice came from behind her, making Eliana look away from her laptop. She found him standing near the doorway of her apartment, holding two cups of coffee in his hands. A smile immediately appeared on her face. "How long have you been standing there?" Eliana asked. Ryder walked closer and placed one cup beside her. "Long enough to realize that you were so focused you didn't even notice me entering." Eliana looked at him apologetically. "I have a deadline." Ryder shook his head with a small smile. "That is exactly what you said yesterday." "And it was true yesterday." "And today?" Eliana looked at her screen. "It is still true." Ryder laughed. That was one of the things Eliana loved about him. He never made her feel bad for being serious about her future. He admired it. Four years ago, when they first met, she never expected someone like Ryder Massimo to become such an important part of her life. He came from a wealthy family. A family whose name was known by many. But Ryder never behaved like money made him better than anyone else. He treated people with kindness. He listened. He cared. And, most importantly, he saw Eliana for who she truly was. Not just a student. Not just a daughter. Not just someone trying to succeed. He saw her. "You know you don't have to carry the whole world on your shoulders, right?" Ryder sat beside her. Eliana smiled softly. "I know." "But you don't believe it." She looked at him. "You know me too well." Ryder reached for her hand. "That's because I have spent four years trying to understand you." His words made her heart soften. Four years. A part of her still found it unbelievable. Someone like Ryder choosing someone like her. "I still remember when you refused to talk to me because you thought I was disturbing your studying." Ryder smiled at the memory. "You were scary." Eliana looked surprised. "Me?" "Yes." "How?" "You looked at me like I had committed a crime just because I asked you to be my girlfriend." Eliana laughed. "I had to be careful." "And now?" She looked at him. "What?" "Now I am asking you to take a break." Eliana looked around her small apartment. Her books. Her notes. Her unfinished assignments. Then she looked back at Ryder. Maybe he was right. Maybe she needed one night where she did not think about responsibilities. "Fine." Ryder raised an eyebrow. "Fine?" "I will take a break." His smile widened. "But?" Eliana immediately pointed at him. "You know me too well." Ryder laughed. "There is always a 'but.'" "But I am not staying out late." "Okay." "And I am not drinking too much." "Okay." "And Joan is responsible for you, not me." Ryder smiled. "That sounds like a dangerous decision." Eliana laughed. She knew Joan Peters. Her best friend had never heard the word "quiet" and thought every problem could be solved by dragging people outside. That evening, after Ryder left, Eliana stood in front of her mirror, staring at herself. She almost changed her mind. The dress Joan chose for her felt different from what she normally wore. It was elegant. Simple. But still beautiful. Her phone vibrated. She looked down and smiled when she saw Ryder's name. She answered immediately. "Hello." "Ryder Massimo speaking. I have a very important question." Eliana smiled. "What question?" "Are you actually leaving your apartment?" She laughed. "How did you know I was still inside?" "Because I know you." Eliana shook her head. "You are impossible." "No. I am prepared. There is a difference." She smiled. "What is the difference?" "The difference is that I know my girlfriend will find every excuse possible to cancel." Eliana looked away. He was right. Again. "I am going." "Good." There was a small silence. Then Ryder's voice became softer. "Eliana." "Hmm?" "Be careful tonight." She smiled. "I will." "And call me when you get home." "I promise." Ryder paused before speaking again. "One day, I want this to be normal." "What do you mean?" "I mean you are coming home to me. No worrying about distance. No worrying about schedules. Just us." Eliana's expression softened. The future he described sounded beautiful. Simple. Safe. "I want that too." Ryder smiled through the phone. "Then it is a promise." Eliana held onto those words. A promise. She believed in promises. "Finally!" Joan Peters' voice filled the room the moment Eliana opened the door. Eliana laughed. "Hello to you too." Joan looked her up and down. "Look at you." "What?" "You actually look like someone who knows she is beautiful." Eliana rolled her eyes. "Joan." "I am serious." Joan smiled. "You spend so much time taking care of everyone else that sometimes you forget yourself." Eliana smiled slightly. Maybe that was true. "You are only saying that because you forced me to come." "Exactly." Joan grabbed her hand. "Tonight, you are going to have fun." Eliana looked at the car waiting outside. A strange feeling appeared in her chest. She did not know why. Maybe it was just nervousness. Maybe it was because she was stepping outside the routine she had created for herself. She looked back once at her apartment. The place where she felt safe. Then she smiled. One night could not change her life. At least, that was what she believed. The car moved through the city streets as Joan talked excitedly about the party. Eliana listened while looking out the window. The city looked different at night. Brighter. More mysterious. She had no idea that somewhere in the same city, another world existed. A world built on power. Secrets. And danger. A world where names carried weight. A world where one man stood at the center of everything. And soon... Eliana Jones would walk straight into it. The car stopped outside the club. Music echoed from inside. People dressed in expensive clothes walked past them. Joan smiled excitedly. "This is going to be unforgettable." Eliana stepped out of the car. She looked at the entrance. For some reason, a strange feeling passed through her. Like something w as waiting for her. She ignored it. After all, tonight was just a party. She had no idea she was about to enter a world she didn't belong to. A world ruled by a man who would change everything.