A contract with Mr Black

Chapter2

RYAN BLACK

~••~Bethany~••~

A week later.

I stood in front of the towering skyscraper, I took in a deep breath steading my racing pulse. It was finally time for me to take charge over my life and at least start from somewhere. With nowhere else to go and my account being frozen, probably the work of Emily, I had been staying over at Naomi's place since then.

Naomi had helped me apply for a job at R-Tech, something to take my mind off instead of crying and sulking over my losses.

Taking in a final deep breath, I walked into the building, my heels clicking on the concrete floor with the stride I took. I had to get the job and I wasn't going to stop till I did.

“Bethany Hamilton.” I said as soon as I stood in front of the receptionist table. “ I'm here for the interview.”

The receptionist gave me a strained smile before going through her system searching for my registered name. Her gaze grew darker all of a sudden and I saw her hand tighten at the mouse.

After what felt like hours her head left the system before meeting my eyes. “ I'm sorry Miss but there's no Bethany Hamilton registered for today's interview.”

My world crumbled at her words making my eyes grow wide.

“W-what do you mean? “ I could feel my voice shaking. “ There has to be a mistake, please check again.” I begged, my voice starting to get stuck in my throat.

This couldn't be happening. The lady went back to her system searching through again.

“Oh here it is, “ Her voice came in relief, breaking through the tension. “ I'm so sorry for misunderstanding Miss Hamilton. You may go in. On the fourth floor to the right.”

I blinked, stunned for a second. My heart stopped, then began to beat again, this time at a frantic pace. I nodded, my lips parting to give a relieved smile, though it was shaky at best. I didn’t have the luxury of second-guessing now. My heartbeat stopped at her words before returning it back to its normal beat.

I nodded back, returning a smile of relief as I walked towards the elevator door. The door opener in front of me and I swiftly stepped in anticipating what was to come. I'd never met Ryan Black before, he was practically a myth. No one seemed to know much about him, always slipping away without anyone's knowledge, he was rarely seen in public confrontation and only made appearances at super important gatherings and sometimes he didn't still show up. Most people considered him a ghost in the business world.

I swallowed the lump growing in my throat, the entire thought of meeting with this ghost sent cold shivers down my spine. Straightening my posture tugged at the hem of my blouse making sure everything was in place.

My reflection in the elevator’s mirror looked almost foreign to me, tired eyes, strained face, and yet there was something different now. A shift. A sense of determination.

The elevator door dinged open, revealing a figure standing just outside in place. My breath hitched as my eyes trailed upward, meeting a pair of familiar green eyes. The moment they locked onto mine, everything around me seemed to blur together. That same intensity from the night before returned, as if time had folded in on itself and placed me right back in the moment.

It was him.

The man from the club, the same man who had thrown me off balance with his presence and touch. Images of his touches and warmth came rushing back in my mind.

His face was unmistakable, the sharp jawline and the sharp scar that ran down his left eyes. I couldn’t forget that scar, not after the way it had haunted my dreams making me yearn for a replay of that night. I hadn't been able to get him out of my mind ever since then. No matter how hard I tried, his face came, appearing back into my head.

I tried to steady myself but my heart was hammering heavily in my chest and my mind was jumbled in a mess of confusion. How was he here? What was he doing at R-Tech?

He was dressed in a perfectly tailored suit that clung to his broad shoulders and sculpted muscular figure. The fabric stretched tight across his muscles in a way that made it look almost dangerous. The kind of suit that screamed absolute power and confidence.

His posture was casual, but I knew better than to mistake it for anything other than pure confidence. His eyes looked down at my figure trailing from gear down to my toes. His hands rested in his pockets with his stance and posture completely relaxed and face void of emotions as if he was simply just waiting for the elevator to open.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. I couldn't, not even my body dared to move. His eyes stayed on me before narrowing down at my petit frame. The silence stretched on and I could feel the weight of his gaze pressing down on me with full force, making my throat instantly go dry.

I opened my mouth, but the words wouldn’t come out.Finally regaining my composure lowered my gaze from his piercing ones.

“You…” I started, my voice cracking slightly. I swallowed hard, trying to regain some control. “What are you doing here?”

He stood frozen in place for a moment, his lips curling up into a side smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes. The familiar smile on his face reminding me of the night before making her hand trembling

Finally, he spoke, his voice low, smooth, and with an edge that made it impossible to ignore. ”That's no way to talk to your Boss is it now?”

My heart skipped a beat at his words, and the floor beneath me seemed to shift. Boss?

“B-boss?“ My lip quivered as the entire thought of having a night stand with Ryan Black sent a chill running down my spine. “You’re not… Ryan Black, are you?” I managed to ask, my voice wavering just a bit.My mind raced, trying to connect the dots.

I glanced up at him meeting his eyes once again. Trying to decipher his expression.but all I saw was that same inscrutable smirk and his green eyes holding the same sharp glint.

I took a deep breath, my hand tightening on the strap of my purse as I tried to steady my increasing pulse.

“Don't tell me you can't recognize me anymore Bethany?” He said, a playfully, amusing smile tugging at the corner of his lips once more as if enjoying the moment. “I didn't expect to see you so soon.”

In that instant as his words left his lips, it finally dawned on me. My world closing in on me, the cold, husky voice from before, the scar, the smile. I had a one night stand with Tycoon billionaire Ryan Black.