The Ruthless CEO
1079 Words
The office felt like a coffin. Lena could barely breathe. Her heart was beating so loud, she wondered if everyone else could hear it.
Damian Knight.
She was face-to-face with the country's most feared billionaireher new boss.
"Mr. Knight," the HR manager announced, either clueless or just ignoring the tension in the room. "Lena’s at the top of her class. She’ll be helping you manage schedules and confidential files."
Damian didn’t look away from Lena. He just stared at her, his icy gray eyes taking in everything her cheap blouse, the way her hands shook, the panic on her face. That cruel, mocking smirk grew even wider.
"Leave us," he ordered, deep voice vibrating through everything.
The HR manager practically tripped out of there, shutting those huge double doors behind her. Lena flinched at the click of the lock. It sounded final.
Nobody moved. Damian stood, impossibly tall broad-shouldered, every inch of expensive suit fitting perfectly. He came around the desk slow and steady, like a predator closing in, and stopped right in front of her.
She tried to back away but ran right into the door. Now she was trapped.
"So," Damian said, voice low, leaning in. He smelled like cedar, scotch, and danger. "The little thief from the club actually wriggled her way into my office."
"I'm not a thief," Lena whispered. Her voice barely worked. For a second, she squeezed her eyes shut, flashes of that wild night running through her mind, skin prickling at the memory of his touch.
"Really? Then what do you call it?" He took her chin in his hand and forced her to look at him. His grip burned against her cold skin. "You sneak into my lounge, climb into my bed, and disappear before sunrise. What was your plan, Lena? Hope I’d forget my wallet? Think a night with me would punch your ticket for life?"
"No." Tears stung her eyes. She yanked her face out of his hold. "It wasn’t like that! I didn’t even know who you were!"
"Liar," he hissed, eyes glinting like steel. "Everyone knows my name. You’re just another desperate girl on the make. So let me be clear You’re an intern. You’re nobody here. If you so much as blink wrong, I’ll destroy you. Do you get that?"
Lena swallowed. She wanted to scream. She wanted to slap him, stomp out, call him every name she knew. But she saw her mother’s hospital bills in her mind. She needed this job.
"I understand, Mr. Knight," she managed, staring at the floor. "I’ll do my job."
"Good. Get to work. My coffee is late.” He turned away, like she wasn’t even there.
Those next four hours were hell.
Damian made her redo her reports over tiny errors. He sent her running for tea during a downpour, just to leave it untouched until it went cold.
By four o’clock, Lena’s stomach twisted in pain. She hadn’t eaten all day, nerves had left her sick.
The baby. Her hand curled over her belly. I can’t forget the baby.
She couldn’t hide this forever. Damian was the father if only he’d believe her. He deserved to know. Besides, she was drowning on her own. She needed help. A real chance for herself, her mom, and the life growing inside her.
Summoning what little courage was left, Lena marched back into Damian’s office, skipping the polite knock.
Damian didn’t bother to hide his annoyance. "I don’t recall summoning you, Miss Vance."
"We need to talk," Lena said. Her voice finally sounded calm, even to her own ears. She shut the door behind her and walked up to his desk.
He leaned back, arms crossed, cold amusement playing on his lips. "There’s nothing to say, unless you’re here to quit."
"No. It’s about that night at the club " she started, heartbeat drumming hard.
His face darkened instantly. "I said that night was a mistake. Don’t mention it again."
"It’s not a mistake you can just wish away!" Lena burst out. Her hands went to her stomach. "Damian—I’m pregnant."
The silence pressed in.
Damian didn’t blink. Didn’t move. For a second, he seemed carved out of ice. Then he stood, slow and menacing. Rage twisted his features.
"What did you just say?" he demanded, voice low and lethal.
"I’m pregnant," Lena said, tears welling up. "It’s yours. I haven’t been with anyone else. I just found out."
Damian let out a bitter laugh. He circled the desk, grabbing Lena’s arm in a bruising grip.
"You think I’m an i***t?" he spat, inches from her face. "Trying to trap me with your bastard? One day here and you’re already blackmailing me?"
"It’s the truth!" Lena cried, struggling to break free. "It’s yours Damian, please "
"Shut up!" he snapped, shaking her hard. "You lying gold-digger. I don’t care who the father is, but it’s not me. You try to scam the Knight fortune I’ll bury you. My lawyers will shred you until you’ve got nothing left. Get. Out."
He shoved her away. Lena stumbled, holding herself together by a thread. She could barely breathe.
Before she could even respond, the office door opened.
In walked a woman straight out of a magazine Chanel suit, diamonds, that perfect, icy smile. She linked arms with Damian, ignoring Lena completely.
"Damian, darling," she cooed. "We need to pick the champagne for the gala, remember?"
Lena stopped breathing.
Wedding?
Damian switched gears instantly softened his voice, slid an arm around the woman’s waist all while still shooting Lena that heartless glare.
"Of course, Victoria," he said quietly. Then, crueler than ever, aimed his words at Lena. "Miss Vance was just leaving. She wanted to remind me how easily things can be replaced."
Victoria eyed Lena like she was dirt. "Who is she, darling? A new maid?"
"Nobody," Damian said, flat as a knife. "Just a temp who doesn’t know her place."
That was it. Something shattered inside Lena. She bolted, tears running hot as she ran for the elevators.
He was engaged. He hated her. And now she was truly alone.
Standing there, sobbing, Lena’s phone buzzed. Unknown number.
She pulled it out, hands shaking, and read the message.
I know what you did with Damian Knight, Lena. And I know your little secret. Enjoy your life while it lasts, because your father’s sins are finally coming back to haunt you. You and that baby are dead.
Her blood turned to ice.
- Writer
