His Dangerous Claim

4

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing a corridor that gleamed with opulence. Valentina stepped out, heels clicking against the polished marble floor, echoing through the silent hallway. The scent of fresh lilies mingled with the subtle aroma of expensive cologne, creating an atmosphere that was both inviting and intimidating.

She adjusted the strap of her handbag, her fingers trembling slightly. Today marked the beginning of her journey at MoLux International—a name that resonated with luxury and power. The company's reputation preceded it, and now, she was a part of it.

Valentina’s pov

I was supposed to reach to Willams the very moment I get to know anything about the Morreti family or their companies. As well as report anything I could find out about Alessandro or his deals

But Williams didn’t tell me and I had no idea on what to do, how on earth I’m I supposed to get close enough to get any information about him or the Morreti companies if I was just a waitress?

But I stepped into MorLux— it was a really beautiful cage

MoLux International didn’t scream wealth—it whispered it. The kind of whisper that made you want to stand a little straighter and question whether your shoes were polished enough. The moment I stepped into the lobby, I felt like I’d walked into another world—one I definitely didn’t belong in.

Sunlight poured through towering glass walls, catching on the marble floors and throwing soft reflections that shimmered like water. The tiles beneath my feet were smooth and cold, veined with silver and arranged in an intricate swirl I was too scared to step on. Everything felt curated—intentional—like even the shadows had been designed to fall perfectly.

I had to walk half a mile and take a bus to get here, and I already felt out of place. A slight sheen of sweat trailed down by forehead from the summer, i felt like just the tiles in here was worth more than my life it self

I barely moved, afraid to breathe too hard. The air smelled like jasmine and leather, warm and expensive. Velvet benches in soft cream lined the walls, paired with golden lamps that gave off the kind of glow that made everyone’s skin look flawless. Even the front desk looked less like a reception and more like something out of a fashion exhibit—sleek, black, and impossibly perfect.

I tugged at the hem of my blouse, suddenly too aware of how out of place I felt. My thrifted flats squeaked against the floor, and the soft click of heels behind me made me flinch. Everyone around me looked like they belonged here—like MoLux was made for them.

And yet… here I was th…

“Miss Cruz?”

The voice pulled me out of my thoughts like a snap. I turned, startled, to find a woman standing just a few feet away—tall, elegant, and dressed in a navy silk blouse tucked into high-waisted tailored pants. Her dark hair was pinned in a sleek bun, not a strand out of place, and everything about her screamed precision and quiet power.

“That’s me,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

She gave a polite smile and gestured for me to follow. “This way, please. I’ll show you to your apartment.”

Apartment? I blinked. I hadn’t really processed that part of the contract until now. My apartment was inside MoLux?

We stepped into a private elevator, her ID card granting us access to the top floor without a single word. As the doors slid shut, I caught my reflection in the mirrored walls—shoulders slightly hunched, eyes wide, lips parted like I was still trying to catch up.

The ride was silent except for the soft hum of the lift and the low instrumental music playing overhead. Then the doors opened with a soft chime… and I swear my heart paused.

That was the only word that came to mind. The hallway alone was more luxurious than any hotel I’d ever stepped foot in. Cream-colored carpet muffled our steps, and sleek black doors with gold handles lined the corridor like something out of a movie.

She stopped in front of the last door and tapped a code into the panel. The lock blinked green.

“This will be your space during your contract,” she said, opening the door.

My jaw nearly hit the floor.

It wasn’t just any apartment but a penthouse……

Tall windows stretched across the far wall, bathing the entire space in soft light. Everything was pristine—modern furniture in cool tones, polished floors, a marble kitchen island, and glass shelving filled with curated decor that looked like it belonged in a catalog.

And this was mine?

“Please, take some time to settle in,” the woman said, her voice smooth and clipped, like she’d said the same words a hundred times before. She glanced down at a sleek tablet in her hand before adding, “Once you’re done, come back down to the admin level. I’ll be waiting with your schedule.”

“Please let me know if you need anything else,” the woman said. I barely registered her words as I stepped inside.

I was in MoLux now. Fully in. And somehow, that terrified me more than it thrilled me.

“Okay… thank you,” I said, still half-dazed.

She gave a nod, then turned and disappeared down the hall with the same quiet elegance she’d arrived with.

I stood there, alone, in the center of the most luxurious space I’d ever set foot in—mine, at least for now. But the weight of it all pressed down on me. The penthouse, the schedule, the contract, the lies I’d told my mom. And above it all, the unsettling knowledge that I wasn’t here by coincidence.

I was here for him.

And the contract I’d signed bound me to him more than I dared admit.