The ring on his finger didn’t stop me

Chapter 4 : after hours

The entire 40th floor was empty.

Tonia’s heels clicked against the marble as she made her way to Daniel’s office. 9:03pm. She should’ve been home 3 hours ago.

But home means bills. And bills mean eviction.

She stopped in front of the double mahogany doors. Light spilled from the crack underneath.

Knock. Knock.

“Come in.”

His voice was low. Tired. And it did something to her stomach.

Daniel wasn’t behind his desk. He was by the window, a crystal tumbler in his hand. City lights from Port Harcourt glittered behind him like he owned them. Which he probably did.

His jacket was gone. Sleeves rolled up. The top two buttons of his shirt undone.

He didn’t look at her.

“You wanted to see me, sir?” Tonia kept her voice professional. Detached.

Now he turned. Dark eyes swept over her, from her worn office heels to the folder clutched to her chest.

“I wanted to see you,” he echoed. “Because my wife saw the CCTV footage.”

The folder almost slipped from Tonia’s hands.

“What?”

“Last night. 11:47pm. You. In my office. Alone.” He took a slow sip of whiskey. “She asked who the new girl was. The one who thinks she can sneak around after hours.”

Tonia’s mouth went dry. The cleaner. It had to be the cleaner.

“I was finishing the Henderson contract,” she said quickly. “You said it was urgent for the board meeting.”

Daniel set his glass down. The sound was too loud in the quiet room.

“Don’t lie to me, Tonia.”

Her name. The way he said it. Like he’d been practicing it.

He walked to his desk and picked up a manila folder. Tossed it at her feet. Photos slid out.

Her. Walking out of his office last night. Hair messy. Eyes wide. Looking over her shoulder like she’d been caught.

“My wife has copies too,” Daniel said softly. “So now we have a problem.”

Tonia bent to pick them up, hands shaking. “I can explain—”

“I’m sure you can.” He cut her off. Moved closer. “Which is why I gave you two options.”

He reached past her shoulder. Click.

The door locked.

Tonia jumped. “What are you doing?”

“Option one,” he said, ignoring her. “You resign tomorrow. No notice. No recommendation. You walk away.”

His scent hit her. Cedar and whiskey and power.

“Option two,” he whispered, now inches from her face. “You tell me the truth. Why were you really here at midnight? And why did you look terrified when I walked in?”

Tonia lifted her chin. Her heart was hammering so hard she was sure he could hear it.

“I don’t owe you anything, Mr. Daniel.”

His mouth twitched. Almost a smile.

“Not yet.” He stepped back, putting distance between them again. “But you will.”

He gestured to the chair in front of his desk.

“Sit.”

“I’d rather stand.”

“Sit, Tonia.”

Something in his tone made her obey. The leather was cold under her.

Daniel leaned against his desk, arms crossed.

“Let me make this simple. I don’t care about the contract. I care about why a woman with 2 months of unpaid rent is working overtime for free.”

Tonia froze. “How did you—”

“I own the building, Tonia. I know everything that happens in it.”

He crouched down in front of her chair. Now they were eye level.

“So talk. Or pack your things. Your choice.”

Outside, thunder rumbled. The lights flickered.

And Tonia realized she was completely alone. With the most dangerous man in the company. After hours.

To be continued...