Aria arrived at the company super early.
The building was still quiet, almost asleep.
She didn't want trouble today.
Not even the smallest misunderstanding.
She walked straight to her workstation, placed her bag down, and turned on her computer.
Her hands moved quickly as she started working, fully focused.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
She was deep into her work when someone knocked lightly on her desk.
Tap. Tap.
She looked up slowly.
It was him.
The assistant from yesterday.
Her mood suddenly shifted, a wave of vulnerability washing over her, making her feel exposed and uncertain.
"Yes?" she asked, already annoyed
"Can I help you?"
He crossed his arms slightly and looked down at her.
His tone was sharp and dismissive, fueling her frustration and intensifying the conflict.
"About yesterday's incident," he said, referencing the misunderstanding that put her on edge, "you are expected to go and apologise for your foolishness to the CEO."
"You are expected to go and apologise for your foolishness to the CEO."
Aria blinked.
Once.
"What?" she asked softly.
"Right now," he added.
"Before you lose your job."
Her fingers curled slowly under the desk.
For a brief moment, she imagined standing up, her fists clenched, the urge to punch him almost overpowering her sense of restraint.
Imagined punching him.
Hard.
Right in the face.
The thought almost made her smile.
She inhaled deeply instead.
Very deeply.
"Apologise?" she repeated.
"To him?"
"Yes," he replied without hesitation.
"You spoke to him disrespectfully."
Her jaw tightened.
Her heart pounded faster, a mix of anger and fear battling within her, pulling the reader into her emotional turmoil.
"He bumped into me," she said.
"And I didn't know who he was."
"That doesn't matter," the assistant cut in.
"He's the CEO."
Aria leaned back in her chair slowly.
Her mind raced.
Yesterday, she survived being fired.

Today, she was being dragged to apologise.
She looked at him again.
Straight in the eyes.
“And if I don’t?” she asked calmly.
He gave a thin smile.
“Then don’t bother logging in tomorrow.”
He turned and walked away.
Aria stayed seated, staring at her screen.
Her stomach twisted.
She didn’t want problems.
She needed this job.
Slowly, she stood up.
Adjusted her clothes.
“Fine,” she muttered under her breath.
“I’ll go.”
With reluctant steps, she followed the direction he had come from.
She walked down the hallway quietly.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
They reached the elevator.
The doors slid open with a soft sound.
She stepped inside with the assistant.
The ride up felt too long.
Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve.
Her heart wouldn’t slow down.
Ding.
The doors opened.
They were on the top floor.
Everything looked expensive.
Cold.
Powerful.
She followed him toward a large wooden door.
Her stomach twisted.
This was it.
The assistant stopped, knocked once, then opened the door.
He stepped aside and motioned for her to go in.
She hesitated for half a second.
Then walked in.
The door closed behind her.
Click.
She was alone.
Her eyes lifted slowly.
Ryan Carter stood near his desk, reviewing a file.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Perfectly dressed.
He didn’t look at her immediately.
The silence was intimidating.
Loud.
She swallowed hard.
Her palms were slightly sweaty.
He was older than her.
Much older.
He carried authority without even trying.
Just standing there made the room feel smaller.
She shifted her weight nervously.
Her heartbeat echoed in her ears.
Finally, he looked up.
Those eyes.
Cold.
Sharp.
They landed on her like a warning.
She straightened her back instantly.
Her confidence from yesterday was gone.
This wasn’t the hallway.
This wasn’t a mistake.
This was the CEO’s office.
She opened her mouth.
Closed it again.
Her throat felt dry.
“I…” she started softly.
The words refused to come out.
She had never been this nervous in her life.
She smiled.
It was small at first.
Then wider.
Too wide for someone standing in front of the most feared man in the building.
“Hi… boss.”
The word slipped out before she could stop it.
She winced internally but forced herself to keep going.
“I mean—”
She cleared her throat, straightening her back.
“I’ve honestly never seen a boss as calm and… nice as you.”
Ryan didn’t move.
He stood behind his desk, tall and composed, one hand resting lightly on the polished wood.
His suit was perfectly pressed.
Not a wrinkle in sight.
He watched her quietly.
Not impatient.
Not angry.
Just… observant.
Aria mistook his silence for permission.
“You don’t shout at people,” she continued, her hands moving as she spoke.
“You don’t humiliate your employees.”
“And you don’t just fire people on the spot.”
She let out a small, nervous laugh.
“Which is rare.
Very rare.”
Ryan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Not in anger—
In interest.
He had dealt with hundreds of apologies before.
Most came with tears.
Some with fear.
Others with rehearsed speeches.
This one?
She was… rambling.
“I mean, yesterday,” she said quickly, then stopped herself.
She bit her lip.
“You could have fired me.”
“Anyone else would have.”
She shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
“I was loud.”
“Rude.”
“And I didn’t even know who you were.”
Her shoulders dropped.
“But you let it slide.”
Ryan leaned back in his chair slowly.
The movement was controlled.
Deliberate.
He studied her.
The way she fidgeted.
The way her eyes avoided his, then darted back.
The way she tried so hard to stay brave.
Interesting.
She inhaled deeply, as if gathering courage from somewhere deep inside her.

“So um…”
She clasped her hands together.
“I wanted to say thank you.”
He raised an eyebrow slightly.
She noticed.
And panicked.
“Not like— in a weird way!” she blurted out.
“I mean, professionally.”
She laughed again, softer this time.
“And maybe… to lighten your mood.”
Ryan’s lips pressed into a thin line.
Lighten his mood?
That was new.
She rushed on before he could speak.
“I know a place.”
“Not fancy or anything.”
Her eyes lit up despite her fear.
“They sell the best chops.”
“Juicy.”
“Perfectly seasoned.”
She nodded enthusiastically.
“And I thought maybe— just maybe—”
She shrugged helplessly.
“I could invite you.”
“As a thank you.”
The office fell silent.
Ryan stared at her.
Employees had brought him documents.
Reports.
Contracts worth millions.
No one had ever offered him chops.
He stood up slowly.
The chair slid back softly.
Aria’s breath hitched.
He was even taller up close.
More intimidating.
He walked around the desk, stopping a few steps away from her.
She had to tilt her head up to look at him.
Ryan’s voice was calm.
Low.
“You’re apologising… by inviting me out?”
Her eyes widened.
“Yes?” she said, uncertain.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then, unexpectedly—
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
“Aria Flynn,” he said slowly, reading her like a file.
“You’re either very brave…”
He paused.
“Or very foolish.”
Her heart raced.
She swallowed.
“Maybe both?” she whispered.
Ryan turned away, walking back toward his desk.
“Go back to work,” he said coolly.
“We’ll talk about your apology later.”
She blinked.
“That’s… it?”
He looked over his shoulder.
“For now.”
Aria nodded quickly.
“Yes, sir.”
She turned and hurried out, her heart still racing.
Behind her, Ryan stood alone in his office.
Silent.
Thoughtful.
And for the first time in a very long while…
Amused.
Moments later,
she arrived back at her workplace.
Her steps were quick, almost rushed.
Her heart was still beating too fast.
She slid into her chair and let out a slow breath.
Only then did she realise her hands were shaking.
Katy was already staring at her.
“Where did you go, Aria?”
Her voice was low but curious.
Concerned.
Aria blinked at her.
Then blinked again.
She leaned closer and whispered,
“You won’t believe me even if I tell you.”
Katy frowned.
“Try me.”
Aria exhaled slowly.
“I went to the CEO’s office.”
Katy’s eyes widened instantly.
“What?!”
“Shhh!” Aria hissed, glancing around.
Katy covered her mouth.
“You’re alive?” she whispered dramatically.
Aria nodded.
“Barely.”
Katy pulled her chair closer.
“What happened?”
“Did he shout?”
“Did he fire you?”
Aria shook her head.
“No.”
“He just… stared.”
Katy groaned softly.
“That’s worse.”
Aria rested her chin on her palm.
“He’s intimidating.”
“Quiet.”
“And older than I thought.”
Katy sighed.
“You’re lucky, Aria.”
“Anyone else would’ve been fired on the spot.”
Aria glanced at her screen, pretending to work.
Her mind was elsewhere.
She could still feel his eyes on her.
Cold.
Unreadable.
Katy watched her closely.
“And?” she pressed.
Aria paused.
Then smiled faintly.
“I think I just invited the CEO out for chops.”
.
.
Ryan’s office
Ryan sat behind his desk, focused, one hand resting on a stack of neatly arranged files.
The room was quiet, controlled—just the way he liked it.
The door opened.
Justin walked in, documents tucked under his arm, expression relaxed.
He didn’t knock.
He never did.
“Your father sent these,” Justin said, placing the papers on the desk.
“He wants them signed before the board meeting.”
Ryan glanced at the documents, then at Justin.
“Did he send you?” Ryan asked calmly,
“or were you bored?”
Justin chuckled.
“A bit of both.”
Ryan reached for the papers, scanning them quickly.
Justin leaned against the desk, hands in his pockets.
“You know,” he said casually,
“he still talks about you like you’re sixteen.”
Ryan signed the last page and slid the folder back.
“I was born first,” Ryan replied coolly.
“That should count for something.”
Justin smiled, amused.

"And yet," he said,
"you still get orders delivered."
Ryan stood, straightening his jacket.
"At least I get things done."
Justin laughed softly.
"Relax," he said.
"If you keep working like this, you'll forget how to smile."
Ryan met his eyes briefly.
"That's the point."
Justin shook his head, still smiling, and headed for the door.
He turned back toward Ryan, a huge grin plastered on his face.
"Bro… I think I'm in love."
Ryan didn't look up from his papers.
"You're *always* falling in love. What now?"
Justin waved his hand dramatically.
"No, man. This one is different. She's new… stunning… smart… and works here at the company."
Ryan's eyes finally lifted to him, calm but sharp.
Ryan's Reminder about company rules emphasises the importance of boundaries, making the audience feel the weight of moral choices.
Justin laughed, ignoring him.
"Come on, man! She's amazing. Her name is Aria—Aria Flynn. I can't get her out of my head!"
Ryan's expression hardened.
"Aria Flynn," he repeated slowly, voice low and warning.
"You are *not allowed* to date her. Company rules. She's an employee. That's all you need to know."
Justin leaned back, smirking.
"You're such a buzzkill. She's perfect, and I finally found someone I actually care about!"
Ryan's jaw tightened.
"I don't care if she's perfect or if you care. Dating employees is forbidden. End of discussion. Find someone outside the company."
Justin groaned, dramatically throwing his head back.
"Fine, fine… but seriously, man, let me be happy for once!"
Ryan ignored him, picking up a pen and returning to his work.
Justin muttered under his breath, still smiling, shaking his head.

The day stretched on until it was finally time to knock off.
Aria stepped out of the company building, exhausted.
The sky above was dark and heavy, clouds gathering like they were ready to burst.
She quickened her steps.
She had barely gone far when a sleek black car slowed behind her.
The tyres stopped smoothly.
The back window rolled down.
Her heart skipped.
It was him.
Ryan Carter.
He looked at her briefly.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"Get in."
He didn't repeat himself.
He didn't need to.
Aria froze for a second.
Her mind screamed no, but her body hesitated, torn between instinct and fear of offending him again.
She debated it.
Just for a moment.
But offending him again wasn't an option.
She rolled her eyes secretly, then walked to the door and got in.
The car pulled off immediately.
Silence filled the space.
The interior was cold.
Expensive.
Intimidating.
She sat stiffly, hands on her lap.
Her racing heart and tense posture revealed her internal struggles, encouraging the audience to empathise with her fears.
Minutes passed.
Only the sound of the engine and distant thunder.
Then he spoke.
"Your apology is not accepted."
Aria turned to him instantly.
"What?"
"But sir—"
She stopped herself.
Her chest tightened.
"I apologised," she said softly.
"I meant it."
Ryan kept his eyes on the road.
"You talked too much," he said calmly.
"You crossed a line."
She frowned.
"I didn't even know who you were."
"That's not an excuse," he replied coolly.
Rain began to fall.
Soft at first.
Then heavier.
Aria clenched her fingers.
"So why am I here?" she asked quietly.
The car slowed at a red light.
Ryan finally glanced at her.
"You're here," he said evenly,
"because I haven't decided what to do with you yet."
Her heart sank.
The light turned green.
The car moved again.
And Aria realised something unsettling—
Getting into that car
might have been her biggest mistake yet.
After a long moment, he glanced at her again.
The silence had stretched so much that Aria had started counting her breaths.
One.
Two.
Three.
"And that will determine whether you keep your job or not," he said, his calm tone heightening the audience's concern about her vulnerability.
"And that will determine whether you keep your job or not."
Her heart dropped straight to her stomach.
She turned toward him fully now, panic flashing across her face.
Her hands tightened in her lap.
"I'll do anything, sir," she said quickly, the words tumbling out.
"Anything at all. Please… just don't fire me."
The rain hit the windshield harder, the wipers moving steadily.
Ryan slowed down slightly, then finally looked at her.
For the first time since she got into the car, his expression changed.
He smiled.
Not warm.
Not friendly.
Just… almost.
"Good," he said quietly.
Aria swallowed.
"I want you to pretend to be my girlfriend."
Her brain stopped working.
"W-what?" she breathed.
"For three months," he continued, his tone even, like he was discussing a business contract.
"You'll attend events with me. Appear with me in public. Answer calls when necessary."
She stared at him, completely stunned.
"I'll pay you ten times your current salary," he added smoothly.
"Every week."
Her heart started racing again, this time faster.
"Ten times?" she repeated in disbelief.
Ryan nodded slightly.
"Yes."
She shook her head slowly, trying to process everything.
"Sir… this is—"
She stopped, afraid to finish the sentence.
He glanced at her again, his voice lowering just a little.
"You don't have to like it," he said calmly.
"You just have to agree."
The car stopped briefly at a red light.
The rain poured harder outside, blurring the city lights.
Then he turned to her fully.
"Think carefully," he said, voice low. "Saying no means losing your job, no matter what else you feel."
"If you say no, you lose your job."
The light turned green.
The car moved forward again.
Aria sat frozen, heart pounding loudly in her ears.
Three months.
Pretend girlfriend.
Ten times her salary.
And no choice.
She had never felt so trapped…
or so unsure of what she had just stepped into.
Aria fell silent.
Her gaze drifted to the rain-streaked window as her thoughts raced.
She thought about her aunt.
The woman who had raised her like her own child.
The woman who worked herself to the bone just to keep them afloat.
She remembered the tired smiles.
The late nights.
The way her aunt always said, *"We'll manage."*
Ten times her salary could change everything.
Rent.
Food.
Bills.
They wouldn't have to struggle so hard anymore.
Her chest tightened.
But then another thought hit her.
If her aunt found out about this…
She would skin her alive.
She had warned her countless times.
*Stay away from boys.*
*Especially rich men.*
They always came with trouble.
Aria had never even had a boyfriend before.
Not once.
No dates.
No hand-holding.
Nothing.
And now…
Her boss.
A billionaire.
Cold.
Intimidating.
Her heart started pounding again.
She slowly turned back to him.
*Getting involved with her boss?**
She swallowed hard.
She was dead meat.
Aria's house
She pushed the door open and stepped inside quietly.
The house was calm.
Peaceful.
Too peaceful for how loud her thoughts were.
She kicked off her shoes and looked around.
Everything was clean.
Neatly arranged.
Her aunt had been here.
She smiled softly.
The familiar smell of food drifted from the kitchen.
Warm.
Comforting.
She walked in and saw covered plates on the counter.
Her stomach growled.
Beside them was a small folded note.
She picked it up.
*I passed by to clean. Eat well. Don't sleep hungry. I love you.*
Her smile faded slowly.
Ryan Carter's cold voice echoed in her mind.
*Three months.*
*Ten times your salary.*
*Or you're fired.*
She exhaled slowly.
"I told him I'd think about it," she whispered to herself.
"Just until tomorrow."
She ate quietly, sitting at the small table.
Each bite tasted good, but her mind wasn't there.
Her aunt's tired face kept flashing in her thoughts.
The bills.
The struggle.
After eating, she took a long shower.
The warm water relaxed her body but not her mind.
She leaned against the tiles, eyes closed.
*What am I getting myself into?**
Later, dressed in her soft nightwear, she walked into her bedroom.
She turned off the lights and slipped under the covers.
The room was dark.
Silent.
But her thoughts were loud.
Her aunt.
Her job.
Her boss.
She turned from side to side.
Sleep didn't come easily.

And when it finally did…
It was restless.
Tomorrow was coming fast.
Carter Mansion
Ryan stepped into the house, loosening his tie slightly.
The air inside was calm, warm, familiar.
The maids rushed toward him immediately.
One reached for his briefcase.
Another took his coat.
"Thank you," he said shortly, handing it over without stopping.
Before he could take another step, his mother hurried toward him.
Worry and care were evident all over her face, making the audience feel the depth of her concern for Ryan's well-being.
"Baby," she said, holding his arm,
"I almost got worried. You came home late."
Ryan sighed softly, already expecting this.
"Come on, Mother," he said calmly.
"I'm thirty. Not three."
She frowned at him, clearly unimpressed.
"And yet," she replied,
"you still forget to eat and work yourself to exhaustion."
She reached up and straightened his collar.
Like she always did.
Ryan didn't stop her.
"I was busy," he said simply.
"You're always busy," she answered, guiding him toward the sitting room.
"Sit. You need to eat something."
He allowed himself to be led, dropping onto the couch.
The weight of the day finally settled in.
A maid placed a glass of water on the table.
Another brought food.
Ryan leaned back, eyes closing briefly.
His mother watched him quietly.
Concerned.
Protective.
No matter how powerful he became…
To her, he was still her son.
"Eat up, son," his mother said warmly, placing the plate closer to him.
Ryan picked up his fork, took a bite, then set it down without a word.
He didn't like it.
She studied him silently for a moment, then let it go.
"Do you remember Kim?" she asked softly, her eyes searching his face. "Your childhood best friend, the one who always believed in you?" Ryan's expression softened slightly, memories flickering behind his eyes.
"Your childhood best friend?"
Ryan's eyes flicked to her.
"Yes."
She didn't wait for more.
"She's back," she said softly, her voice carrying a quiet excitement that hinted at her importance in their lives.
"Just finished her master's degree. Beauty and brains."
Ryan nodded slightly, expression unreadable.
"I'm hosting a small party for her," she continued.
"She'll be staying with us for a while. You know she's like a daughter to me."
He didn't respond.
He just finished his bite, set the fork down, and leaned back in his chair.
His mother watched him quietly, then smiled softly.
She didn't press.
Ryan's jaw tightened just a fraction.
His gaze returned to the window.
Words weren't necessary.
He knew.
Kim was back.
And nothing else needed to be said.
CARTER GROUP INTERNATIONAL
The next morning
Aria sat at her desk, staring at her screen.
The numbers blurred together.
She couldn't focus.
She couldn't focus, her mind haunted by the night before-the car, the rain, his calm voice echoing in her thoughts. Her stomach clenched as she realised she had to face the truth soon.
The car.
The rain.
His calm voice.
*Three months.*
*Ten times your salary.*
*Or you're fired.*
She sighed softly and rubbed her temples.
She knew she couldn't keep avoiding it.
She needed to give him an answer.
Today.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, but she didn't type a single word.
Instead, she kept glancing at the clock.
Tick.
Tick.
Just then, a shadow fell across her desk.
She looked up.
It was the CEO's secretary.
"Aria Flynn," he said politely but firmly.
"The boss wants to see you. Now."
Her heart skipped.
This was it.
She swallowed hard and slowly stood up, pushing her chair back.
Her legs felt weak.
She nodded.
"Okay," she said quietly.
As she followed him away from her desk, her mind raced.
Whatever she said next
would change everything.