Vince
As soon as Roberts departed, his smug demeanour lingering in the air like a foul stench, Luca entered my office with his usual knack for timing. His brows furrowed in concern as he scanned my face, sensing immediately that something had gone awry.
"What happened, boss?" Luca's voice was calm, though his eyes betrayed a mixture of curiosity and caution as he closed the door behind him.
" Roberts," I practically spat the name, my fists clenching involuntarily at the memory. "He fucking winked at Sophia."
Luca raised an eyebrow, a silent invitation for me to elaborate further.
"And?" His question was simple, but it stoked the simmering anger within me.
"And?" I repeated incredulously, my voice rising with each word. "You think I'm going to conduct business with someone who disrespects my personal assistant? I saw the way he looked at her. That flirtatious wink and smile—it made my blood run cold."
Luca sighed, his expression shifting to one of reluctant understanding. "Vince, we need this deal. Roberts connections are invaluable."
"I don't care," I snapped, my voice cutting through the air like a knife. "Call him. Tell him the deal is off."
Luca shook his head, a resigned acceptance settling over him as he reached for his phone. "You're making a mistake," he muttered under his breath, fingers hovering over the dial pad.
"Just do it Luca," I growled, turning away to stare out the window. The mere thought of Mr. Roberts eyes on Sophia filled me with a visceral revulsion. The idea of anyone else looking at her in such a manner ignited a protective fury within me that I couldn't suppress.
After what felt like an eternity, Luca finished the call. He turned back to face me, a smug grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. The audacity of his amusement in that moment only served to exacerbate my already frayed nerves.
"What's so amusing?" I demanded, my tone a sharp rebuke.
"Nothing," Luca chuckled, the sound grating against my nerves. "It's just that I've never seen you this worked up over a woman before. It's... entertaining."
"Careful, Luca," I warned, my voice lowering to a dangerous register. "You're treading on thin ice."
He raised his hands in mock surrender, but his eyes gleamed mischievously. "Relax, Vince. I'm just pointing out the obvious. Sophia, huh? You've only known her for like three days Vince. "
Her name alone sparked a surge of possessiveness deep within me. "She's... different," I admitted reluctantly, my voice tinged with a mixture of admiration and frustration.
"Different? Or just another fling?" Luca's taunt hit a nerve, his playful demeanour masking a deeper concern.
I closed the gap between us with swift, purposeful steps, my presence looming over him. "Watch your tongue, Luca," I warned icily. "She's not a 'just another fling' ."
For a fleeting moment, Luca's facade faltered, his expression turning serious. "Just be careful, Vince," he cautioned softly. "Obsession can make you vulnerable. And in our world, vulnerability is dangerous."
I scoffed dismissively, pushing past him as I paced the room. "I don't need a lecture from you," I muttered, more to myself than to Luca. "I know what I'm doing."
He offered no further words of advice as he exited, leaving me alone with my turbulent thoughts. Vulnerable. The mere suggestion that Sophia could render me weak was infuriating, yet the thought of her in the hands of another fuelled a primal rage that simmered just beneath the surface.
The dim lighting of my office did little to quell the dark thoughts swirling in my mind. The large mahogany desk, polished to perfection, sat in the center of the room, a symbol of the power I wield. Outside, the sprawling mansion stood as a testament to my authority.
Yet, my thoughts were consumed by a new obsession – Sophia. She had walked into the interview with an air of quiet confidence, her eyes a striking mix of innocence and determination. From the moment she introduced herself, I knew I had to have her. Not just as my personal assistant, but as something more. Something darker. Her presence ignited a fire in me that I hadn't felt in years, a dangerous mix of desire and possessiveness.
It was because of these new, unsettling emotions that I completely ruined her interview. I was mean, overly strict, and bossy. Every question I asked was laced with a harshness that was more about masking my own confusion and desire than assessing her qualifications. I wanted to push her away, to see if she could withstand the force of my presence.
But she did. She remained composed, answering each question with grace and intelligence, and that only made me want her more. Every interaction with her since has only fuelled this obsession. I find myself thinking about her constantly, imagining scenarios where she submits to my every command, where she becomes mine in every possible way.
It's an unholy craving that I can't seem to control. My morals, twisted as they may be, wage a futile battle against this growing need. I stood by the window, staring out at the meticulously landscaped gardens, but my mind was elsewhere. The image of Sophia haunted me – her soft skin, her hesitant smile, the way she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear when she was nervous. It was maddening.
In a move uncharacteristic of me, I allowed her to bring her pet dog into the mansion. Normally, I wouldn't tolerate pets. They are a distraction, a nuisance. But when she looked at me with those pleading eyes, I found myself agreeing without hesitation. Anything to make her happy, anything to keep her close.
And then there was the matter of her accommodation. I told her that for security reasons, she had to stay in the east wing of the mansion, close to my own quarters. The truth was, there were perfectly safe employee quarters further from the main house. But the thought of her being far away, out of my sight, was unbearable. I needed her near, where I could watch over her, protect her, and control the environment around her. I knew I shouldn't feel this way about an employee, but the lines blurred the moment she stepped into my office.
Scene: The Night Stroll
The night draped the mansion in a profound silence as I sat buried in paperwork, trying in vain to distract myself from thoughts of Sophia. Sleep felt like a distant luxury, the clock ticking well past midnight. Suddenly, a distant bark pierced the quiet. No dogs were allowed in my mansion except Sir Barksalot, Sophia's faithful companion.
Curiosity drew me to the window. What I saw ignited a storm of possessiveness and desire within me. Sophia was outside, bathed in moonlight, taking a leisurely stroll with Sir Barksalot. Her attire struck a perfect balance of comfort and allure—loose trousers swayed around her legs with each step, complemented by a snug crop top that accentuated her perfect nipples and slender form. Moonlight danced on her hair, cascading waves framing her face in a way that softened her usual professional demeanor.
Watching her, my jaw tightened. My security detail patrolled the grounds, their eyes possibly falling upon her in this vulnerable moment. The thought unsettled me deeply; she wasn't theirs to admire. Unfortunately, she wasn't mine either.
In that quiet night, Sophia embodied a contradiction—an employee yet a captivating enigma that stirred feelings I couldn't reconcile. Her presence was more than temptation; it was an irresistible force pulling at the carefully constructed walls around my emotions.
A rush of primal desire surged through my veins, electrifying every nerve as I stood transfixed at the window. I couldn't tear my gaze away from Sophia, walking beneath the moonlit sky with a grace that stirred something wild within me. My heart pounded in my chest, the need for her consuming me with a ferocity I hadn't known before.
I closed the blinds halfway, creating a veil of privacy that still allowed me to watch her, to absorb every delicate movement she made. Leaning against the window frame, I struggled to steady my breathing, each inhalation laden with the scent of night air and the intoxicating presence of her image.
My hand moved instinctively to my belt, fingers trembling with urgency as I undid it, driven by a dark, unrelenting craving that Sophia had ignited deep within me. Guilt and reason whispered warnings, but they were drowned out by the primal hunger that demanded release.
I watched her with hungry eyes, imagining her here with me, succumbing to my touch, yielding to my every command. The thought of claiming her, possessing her in every conceivable way, pushed me perilously close to the edge of control.
As my hand moved faster, guided by an insatiable need, waves of ecstasy crashed over me. I kept my eyes locked on Sophia, the intensity of my obsession only escalating with each passing moment. She had become my fixation, my relentless craving—a consuming addiction that I could no longer deny.
This madness, this unholy longing, bound me to her in ways that defied reason or morality. In that solitary moment, I realized with chilling clarity that Sophia wasn't just an employee or a desire—she was a force that had unravelled the carefully constructed walls around my heart, leaving me exposed and powerless in her wake.
After calming down from my high, doubts began to creep into my mind. Sophia is 25, seven years younger than me. Was this gap too wide? She was at the start of her career, full of youthful vigor and dreams, while I was entrenched in the gritty reality of my business. Could someone like her truly understand the darkness that came with my world?
Would she see me as a mentor, a guide, or simply as a domineering boss? The age difference seemed insignificant when I thought about my feelings, but in moments of clarity, I questioned if it would be a barrier we couldn't cross. Could she ever see beyond the years that separated us and accept the complexities of a man like me?