Raya sat on her bed, staring at the screen, but her mind was miles away. Everything that had happened in the past few days felt like a twisted dream—a chaotic blend of confusion, fear, and disbelief. The fact that her aunt Maggie and Cassey were being held hostage by no one other than her biological father felt surreal. She let out a small chuckle, the absurdity of it all hitting her like a scene out of a Hollywood thriller. How could her own father, the man she was born toe, be behind this madness?
She sighed deeply, her mind spinning with thoughts of how to save them. Every scenario seemed impossible, every solution out of reach. Her father wasn't just any man—he had power, connections, and resources far beyond anything Raya could comprehend. But she had to try. Her life, and theirs, depended on it.
The job was her only lifeline. She needed it. Desperately. If she failed here, she would lose everything. Sleep finally claimed her, her mind too exhausted to keep up with the whirlwind of thoughts.
The shrill sound of her alarm jolted her awake. Her heart pounded as she blinked into the harsh morning light. She had fallen asleep in her clothes. Scrambling out of bed, she rushed into the bathroom, the cold water shocking her back to full alertness. She had no time to think—just enough to act. Dressing as quickly as possible, she caked her face with makeup, desperately trying to cover the bruises from the chaotic events of the previous days. She didn't need another bad impression today.
There was no time for breakfast, and it wasn't even a priority. Her stomach churned with nerves as she made her way to the company. She practically ran through the lobby, determined to get to the office before Luke Heistens did. She ignored the twinge of pain from her bruises, her body protesting every movement, but she pushed through it.
Arriving at the office, Raya greeted Mrs. Ruby, who gave her a kind smile. "Good morning, dear," the older woman said, her voice warm. "I'm sorry about what happened the other day.""Oh no problem at all I'm the one that should be apologizing I really crossed the line" Raya replied
Raya seized the opportunity to ask the question that had been nagging her all night. "Mrs. Ruby, why was I reinstated? After what I said to Mr. Heistens, I didn't expect to be called back."
Mrs. Ruby opened her mouth to respond, but before she could answer, Luke Heistens stepped into the office, his aura as commanding as ever. His finely tailored suit hung on him with precision, and his stoic, intense gaze gave nothing away. Without acknowledging Raya, he strode into his office like a force of nature, leaving behind an air of intimidation.
"Go ahead," Mrs. Ruby said softly. "He's expecting you."
Raya's hands were clammy as she stood frozen at the closed door after entering Mr Luke's office. Her heart pounded, and she couldn't muster the courage to take the next step. She thought of Cassey, of her aunt, of the danger they were in, and took a deep breath.
"Are you going to stand there forever, or are you too simple-minded to know where you're supposed to be?" Luke's sharp, impatient voice sliced through the air, snapping Raya out of her paralysis. It stung, but she cared too little about the insult to let it bother her.
She stepped forward, walking across the room, her heart still hammering in her chest. As she approached his desk, he muttered, "I thought stars had to fall before you'd actually move." The comment was just loud enough for her to hear, but she kept her expression neutral, not letting the sarcasm throw her off.
Luke glanced up from his tablet, his eyes narrowing slightly as he sized her up. "I'm sure you know my name already, so we can skip the pleasantries. I'm going to lay down the rules, and you'd better pay attention. One mistake, and you're out."
Raya nodded, but Luke's cold gaze bore into her. "Use your words, Miss White. I'd appreciate that."
"Yes, sir," Raya replied, her voice steady despite her nerves.
He continued, laying out his expectations. He described exactly how he liked his coffee, when he expected his juice, and the specific occasions where she'd need to accompany him. "Mrs. Ruby will give you the rest of the details," he said curtly, before pausing. His next words took her completely by surprise.
"I'm sorry about what I said the other day—calling you an incompetent fool. I may have been... a bit harsh. But you'll have to prove me wrong."
The apology, if it could be called that, left Raya speechless. She stood there, dumbstruck, processing his words. It wasn't until Luke's eyes flashed with impatience that she realized he had finished speaking.
"Are you going to stand there, or do you need me to spell it out? You can leave now. I need my space."
Raya quickly scrambled out of the office, still in shock. The entire interaction had left her reeling. An apology from Luke Heistens? It felt like some strange anomaly in the universe. She barely made it back to her desk before collapsing into her chair, her mind spinning.
Mrs. Ruby approached with a folder, detailing Mr. Heistens' schedule, meetings with investors, and upcoming occasions. "It's going to be a hectic time, dear, but I know you'll manage," she said with a reassuring smile.
Raya felt overwhelmed. There was so much to learn, so much to do. The weight of her responsibilities bore down on her like an avalanche, but then, her mind drifted back to the reason she was doing this in the first place.
Her aunt. Cassey.
The thought of them, held hostage, made her stomach turn, but it also sparked a fire inside her. She had no choice but to succeed. Her motivation was no longer just about survival—it was about saving the people she loved.
With a deep breath, Raya squared her shoulders and focused. She would work harder than she ever had in her life, learn faster than anyone expected, and do whatever it took to prove herself. This job wasn't just about keeping a roof over her head anymore.
It was her only shot at rescuing the people who mattered most.
The past few days had been a whirlwind for Raya. Working with Luke Heistens was like being strapped to a runaway truck—he never stopped, never slowed down. He moved through the day as if time were his personal enemy, and Raya could barely keep up. She was exhausted, her body aching with every step, but the guilt of leaving Luke to handle everything alone wouldn't let her rest. Every night, she pushed past her limits, even though Luke himself would always dismiss her at the end of the day.
"You should leave," he would say, barely glancing up from his desk. "Your workday is over."
But how could she? With so much work left to do, and knowing he would stay late, Raya couldn't bring herself to walk out. Plus, her father, Mr. White, never let her forget why she was here in the first place. The heartbreaking pictures he sent her—images of her aunt and Cassey, bruised and tied up—haunted her every moment. The reminder that they were in danger, and it was her responsibility to save them, drove her to stay strong, even when her body was on the verge of collapse.
Friday had arrived, and it was the busiest day of the week. Raya found herself accompanying Luke to lunch with an important investor, Mr. Standring. They were in the middle of securing a major project, and Luke needed everything to be perfect. Despite Luke's initial resistance to her joining, she insisted on coming along, giving him reasons why she needed to be there.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Raya was immediately struck by its opulence. The interior was breathtaking, with every detail so precise it felt like a place reserved for the elite. The waiters were organized and efficient, aided by food bots that glided across the room, delivering plates with finesse. It was clear that only the wealthiest dined here.
The receptionist led them to a VIP section, draped in elegance and class. Raya sat down, rifling through the paperwork they needed for the meeting. Her vision blurred momentarily, and she blinked, trying to stay alert. Luke, who rarely paid attention to her, glanced her way and asked, "Are you okay?"
For a brief moment, she saw what looked like worry on his face, but before she could appreciate it, he quickly added, "Fix your facial expression. Mr. Standring is very sensitive to it, and we can't afford to lose him as an investor."
The coldness of his words snapped her back into reality. She forced a smile. "Yes, sir," she muttered, "Worried my ass "she thought , doing her best to look composed despite feeling anything but tired.
Just then, the door swung open, and Mr. Standring entered. Tall and well-dressed, he carried an air of confidence. Raya and Luke stood to greet him. Mr. Standring shook Luke's hand firmly before turning to Raya. His handshake was too slow, too deliberate, and his eyes lingered on her in a way that made her uncomfortable. She pulled her hand away as quickly as possible, but he gave her a look that sent a shiver down her spine.
As the meeting started, Raya focused on the papers, ensuring everything was in place. But something felt off. Luke, who was usually meticulous, switched seats with her at the last moment, placing her directly in Mr. Standring's line of sight. It was unusual, but she decided not to question it.
The discussion went on, with Luke skillfully steering the conversation. Raya helped with the paperwork, staying as focused as she could. When the food arrived, she stood up to assist, placing the plates carefully in front of each guest. As she moved to set Mr. Standring's plate, she felt his hand graze her arm, lingering far too long. Her skin crawled, and she quickly withdrew, trying to act like it hadn't happened. No wonder Mr Luke didn't want her to join him.
Luke noticed, but didn't say a word. He merely kept Mr. Standring engaged in conversation, though there was an intensity in his eyes that Raya couldn't quite decipher. She tried to eat, but the food tasted like nothing, and her hands were starting to tremble. She felt weak, faint, as if her body was finally beginning to give in after days of relentless stress.
Excusing herself, Raya hurried to the bathroom, her legs shaky beneath her. She washed her hands, hoping the cool water would clear her head, but then she felt a warm trickle. A woman beside her pointed at her face. "Your nose is bleeding," she said, offering Raya a handkerchief.
Raya thanked her and wiped her nose, but before she could ask for the woman's name, she had disappeared. Staring at herself in the mirror, Raya barely recognized her own reflection. Her pale face and the blood on her handkerchief were proof that she was running on empty.
She couldn't afford to be weak, though—not now. Taking a deep breath, she returned to the table, but every step felt heavier than the last. As she approached their table, a wave of dizziness hit her hard. The restaurant blurred around her, and before she could register what was happening, the floor rushed up to meet her.
In the background, she heard the panicked voice of a waiter and the sound of someone calling her name, though it sounded distant. She barely processed the fact that it was Luke calling out to her. He sounded worried—desperately so—but it was too late.
Darkness consumed her, and she slipped into unconsciousness.