The clinking of silverware against fine china filled the high-end café where Serena sat, her mind racing despite the serene surroundings. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee swirled around her, but it did little to calm her nerves. She had barely slept since the encounter with Alexander, her thoughts consumed by the tension that had crackled between them.
How was she supposed to keep her distance from him when every time they crossed paths, her heart betrayed her resolve?
The door to the café swung open, and Serena's gaze immediately snapped to the entrance. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw Alexander walk in, his tall frame cutting through the space with an effortless confidence that made heads turn. He was dressed in a sleek charcoal suit, his dark hair tousled slightly as though he'd just run his hands through it. His sharp, intense eyes scanned the room briefly before landing on her.
There it was again. That jolt. That electric pull that made her pulse race.
Serena straightened in her seat, determined to remain calm. She couldn't let him see how much he affected her, not when she was still trying to figure out her next move. But the closer he got, the more difficult it became to ignore the pounding in her chest.
He approached her table, his expression unreadable but his gaze piercing. "Serena," he greeted, his voice deep, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Alexander," she replied, trying to sound composed.
Without waiting for an invitation, he sat across from her, his presence immediately filling the space between them. He leaned back in his chair, studying her with an intensity that made her feel both exposed and intrigued. There was something about the way he looked at her, as though he could see beyond the surface—into the tangled mess of emotions she was struggling to hide.
"I'm glad you agreed to meet me," he said, his voice soft yet firm.
Serena forced herself to hold his gaze. "You were persistent," she replied, trying to keep her tone light. "I figured I'd better see what was so important."
Alexander's lips twitched into a half-smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "It's not just important. It's about your future."
His words sent a ripple of unease through her. "My future?" she echoed, her brows furrowing. "What do you mean?"
For a moment, Alexander was silent, his eyes flickering with something she couldn't quite read. Then, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a sleek, black envelope, sliding it across the table toward her.
"Open it," he instructed, his tone neutral but his gaze unwavering.
Serena hesitated, eyeing the envelope suspiciously before picking it up and carefully tearing it open. Inside was a formal document—her name written in bold letters at the top. Her heart skipped a beat as she scanned the paper, her eyes widening as she realized what it was.
A job offer.
"You want me to work for you?" Serena asked, incredulous, her eyes snapping up to meet his.
Alexander nodded, his expression serious. "I want you to join my company. You're talented, Serena. And I could use someone like you on my team."
Serena's mind raced as she tried to process what he was saying. This was... unexpected. She had expected many things from him—perhaps another cryptic warning about Damian, or even a confession about why he had been at the estate. But this? Offering her a job?
She glanced down at the offer again, her thoughts swirling. The terms were generous, far more than she could have anticipated. A high salary, excellent benefits, and an immediate start. On paper, it was the perfect opportunity.
But working with Alexander... Could she really do that?
Her heart pounded in her chest as she thought back to their encounter in the garden, to the undeniable chemistry between them. Could she truly be around him every day without letting her feelings get in the way? Without succumbing to the pull she felt every time he was near?
And then, there was the danger. Damian. If he found out she was working with Alexander, it would stir up trouble—serious trouble. She had no doubt that Damian's jealousy would flare up, and he would stop at nothing to make her life a living hell.
"This is... a lot to take in," Serena admitted, her voice wavering slightly as she set the document down.
Alexander leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table, his gaze intense. "I know it's unexpected, but I wouldn't have offered if I didn't believe you were perfect for the role. I've seen your work, Serena. You have a sharp mind and a talent for strategy. You'd be an asset to the company."
Serena looked at him, her heart aching with the weight of the decision before her. The offer was tempting—more than tempting. But it wasn't just about the job. It was about Alexander, about the tangled web of emotions that had been brewing between them since the moment they first met.
Could she really risk getting closer to him?
"I don't know if I'm ready for this," she said softly, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the envelope.
Alexander's expression softened, and for the first time since he had sat down, she saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes.
"Serena," he said quietly, his voice almost pleading, "I know you've been through hell. And I'm not asking you to make any decisions right now. But I want you to know that this offer—it's not just about business. It's about giving you a chance to rebuild. To start over. On your own terms."
His words hit her like a punch to the gut, and for a moment, Serena couldn't breathe. He understood. He understood what she was going through, the weight of the past she was trying so hard to leave behind.
But did he understand the risks? The dangers that came with being close to her?
"Damian won't like this," she blurted out before she could stop herself, the fear bubbling up inside her.
Alexander's expression darkened at the mention of his brother's name. "Damian doesn't get to control you anymore," he said firmly, his voice laced with anger. "He lost that right the moment he betrayed you."
Serena swallowed hard, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "But he's still dangerous, Alexander. You don't know what he's capable of. If he finds out about this—about us—he'll come after me. After you."
For a moment, Alexander was silent, his jaw clenched tightly. Then, he reached across the table, his hand covering hers in a gesture of solidarity.
"Let him try," he said, his voice low and fierce. "I won't let him hurt you, Serena. Not again."
Serena's heart thundered in her chest at the warmth of his touch, the strength in his words. Could she really believe him? Could she trust him to protect her from the man who had once destroyed her life?
The answer hovered on the tip of her tongue, but before she could speak, Alexander's phone buzzed on the table, breaking the moment.
He glanced at the screen, his expression hardening. "I have to take this," he muttered, standing up and moving a few steps away to answer the call.
Serena sat there, her mind spinning, her emotions a whirlwind of confusion and longing. Could she really accept his offer? Could she really work with him, knowing the risks—knowing the danger that loomed over them both?
She picked up the job offer again, her eyes scanning the terms. It was everything she could ever want—financial independence, a chance to prove herself. But the stakes were higher than ever. She wasn't just signing up for a job. She was signing up for a future that was inextricably tied to Alexander Vale.
Her gaze flickered to Alexander, who was still on the phone, his expression serious as he spoke. The weight of her decision pressed down on her, and for a brief moment, doubt gnawed at her resolve.
Then she heard his voice again—his promise, echoing in her mind.
"I won't let him hurt you, Serena."
Serena's heart tightened. Maybe—just maybe—it was time to take a leap of faith.
When Alexander returned to the table, his gaze searching hers, Serena set the offer down and met his eyes with a newfound resolve.
"I'll take the job," she said firmly, her voice steady.
Alexander's eyes widened in surprise, but there was a glimmer of something else there too—relief? Satisfaction?
"Good," he said softly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You won't regret it."
But as Serena sat there, feeling the weight of the decision settle in, she couldn't help but wonder:
Would she?
As Alexander left the café, leaving her with the contract and the echoes of his promise, Serena couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
And in the depths of her heart, she knew: the real battle was yet to come.