THE CEO'S UGLY SECRET

CHAPTER NINE : DECEPTION

The door to Anna’s office creaked open. She stepped inside slowly, her heels clicking against the tiled floor, echoing the tension lingering in her chest. Everyone else in the department had returned to their routines after the chaos in the conference room, but their eyes, those judgmental, indifferent eyes refused to meet hers.

Nobody asked if she was okay.

Not even a glance of concern. Not even a whisper. Just silence, awkward, isolating silence.

Anna sat at her desk, forcing herself to breathe. Her mind replayed the confrontation again and again, from her team leader's deception to Ryan’s unspoken rage and Zion’s stillness.

Then her phone buzzed, it was Zion he wanted her to meet him at the rooftop.

Confused but curious, she rose, ignored the stares, and headed for the elevator.

The rooftop was quiet when she stepped out. Zion stood near the edge, gazing out over the city.

“Hey,” he said without turning.

“Hey,” she replied softly.

He turned to her, eyes unreadable. “You were at Ryan’s place this weekend.”

Her heart thudded. “What?”

Zion gave her a knowing look. “I saw you when I showed up in the morning.”

Anna swallowed hard.

“I—I didn’t.... I wasn’t even awake.”

His expression didn’t change, but his silence was heavy.

“You're not in trouble, Anna. I just needed to know if you heard what we talked about.”

“I didn’t.” She lied. “I swear.”

He studied her for a bit, then nodded slowly. “Alright.”

....

Back at her office, Anna barely stepped in before the temperature shifted.Director Monroe, stood with clenched fists and a face red with fury. She looked like she was ready to explode.

Anna didn’t say a word instead she picked up her bag and walked out....

---

Eric’s apartment smelled like lavender and sin. Monroe barely knocked before he opened the door, surprise flashing across his face.

He looked... rattled.

“You didn’t say you were coming,” he said.

“I didn’t think I had to,” she snapped, anger in her tone.

He stepped aside, letting her in. His living room was too neat. Like someone had just cleaned up in a hurry.

Director Monroe didn’t ask, not yet. She threw her bag on the couch and turned to him, fire in her eyes.

She didn’t want to talk. She didn’t want comfort. She wanted release.

She grabbed him by the shirt and kissed him, hard, forcing her fury into the kiss. Eric responded instantly, lifting her and slamming her back against the nearest wall. His mouth was hungry, biting and devouring.

They barely made it to the bedroom before she was straddling him, hips grinding, moaning into his neck. Her fingers clawed at his back while her lips dragged across his skin.

“Harder,” she hissed.

He gave it to her, the way she wanted...rough, fast, primal.... She rode him like she needed to hurt him. Or rather herself.

Their bodies collided in chaos, sweat slicked and sheets tangled. Every thrust was vengeance. Every gasp was confession.

Just when Eric’s breath hitched, he was on the edge... but her voice and what she said interrupted ...

“Lets show him hell now.”

Eric’s hands gripped her waist tightly, but his face twisted in fury. He shoved her off...

“What the f**k, Monroe?” he yelled.

She gasped, grabbing a sheet to cover herself. “

Eric didn’t answer. His jaw was tight. “We need her to finish the plan. You know that, why do you want to rush things now”

“She’s getting on my nerves Eric,” She snapped. “She’s slipping, why can't we get them both off the clock already, we already have enough evidence against him.”

“I said, we need her,” Eric barked.

She stared at him, heart racing, a million questions pounding her skull.

“I’m leaving,” she said, he didn't try to stop her either so she gathered her clothes and bolted out .... Almost immediately he heard his door bell...

"I thought she was angry, why is she ringing my door again"....

He walked out of the bedroom to the door but it wasn't Monroe.... it was Anna....

"s**t"

He scrambled to hide the wine glasses, to fluff the pillows, to erase any sign of the other woman.

He hesitated before opening the door, then forced a warm smile. “Hey, baby.”

She stepped in slowly.

“You okay?” She could tell, noticing how uneasy he looked

“Yeah. Yeah, just tired.”

She took a breath. “I wanted to talk.... About something that i overheard.”

His face tightened.

“I was in the office, on friday. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I heard Ryan and Zion talking.”

She already planned not to tell Eric that she overheard the conversation from Ryan's house so he doesn't get the wrong impression...

“What did you hear?”

“They were saying something about watching me. And also something weird about you .”

Eric’s eyes darkened. “Of course they are. I knew it.”

Anna frowned. “You did?”

“They’ve been planning this for a while,” he said. “They think they can control you, maybe spy on me through you.... Zion’s always had a twisted loyalty to Ryan. They’re manipulating everyone.”

Anna hesitated. “What are you talking about Eric am confused.... Do you know Ryan and Zion?”

“Absolutely. You think Ryan cares about anyone? He’s only nice when he wants something. And Zion? He’s just his shadow.”

He stepped closer, taking her hands. “Anna, they’re dangerous. But we can beat them. Together.”

Anna’s mind swirled. It made no sense at all, everything felt rushed... but she wasn't going to take things fast.

Eric kissed her forehead.

“You did the right thing telling me. Don’t worry, baby. I’ll protect you.”

Anna stood up from the couch and stretched slightly, her joints aching with fatigue.

"I’ll just freshen up," she said softly, forcing a smile as she disappeared into the bathroom.

Eric nodded, watching her walk away before turning his gaze to the bag she’d left behind.... He needed her phone, he noticed the constant buzz and now he had access

No one was watching just the hum of the fridge and the muted bathroom tap. Casually, he reached over, pulled the phone from her bag, and flipped it over then he saw a message from an unknown number....

Eric froze. His thumb hovered over the screen... "Anna shouldn't see this, she can't"...

He deleted the text and blocked the number, exhaled slowly and placed the phone back, just as the bathroom door creaked open.

Anna emerged, drying her hands on her jeans.

She caught sight of him holding her phone and raised a brow. “Oh were you checking if someone called?”

Eric looked up, smooth as ever. “Hmm? No, I just needed a quick hotspot to check something.”

He handed it over without hesitation.

Anna accepted it, smiling faintly. “Okay,” she said, unlocking it as she walked past him, not noticing what had been erased.

But in the back of her mind… something didn't feel right.