The next morning, Eve sat in her expansive corner office at Rosewild Ventures, her sleek glass desk cluttered with untouched paperwork. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline, but she couldn't appreciate it. Her mind was clouded with thoughts of the infuriating encounter from the previous night.
Eve drummed her manicured nails on the desk, her frustration boiling over as her assistant and confidant, Igor, walked in. Igor was a man of formidable stature, his sharp eyes and military-like demeanor masking his loyalty to Eve. More than an assistant, he was her bodyguard, her trusted informant, and, when necessary, her shadow in the dark corners of corporate espionage.
"I need everything there is to know about Arsh Winewood," Eve snapped, her tone sharp as a blade. "Every detail, every skeleton in his closet. He may think he's untouchable, but I want to know what makes him tick."
Igor nodded without question, his expression unreadable. "I'll handle it."
Eve waved him off, her fingers gripping the edge of her desk. "And Igor," she added as he turned to leave, "be discreet. I don't want anyone sniffing around and tipping him off."
"Yes, ma'am," Igor replied, his deep voice calm and professional before exiting the room.
By lunchtime, Eve's mood hadn't improved. She sat in her private dining room adjacent to her office, poking at a plate of salmon and greens while her thoughts continued to churn.
The door creaked open, and Igor stepped in, carrying a sleek black folder. "I've got the information you requested," he said, setting the folder down on the table in front of her.
Eve straightened, her focus immediately shifting. She opened the folder and began scanning the pages. The documents outlined Arsh's impressive empire, Winewood Enterprises, a conglomerate specializing in luxury real estate and international investments. Their companies shared a symbiotic relationship, Rosewild Ventures relied on Winewood's premium properties for their expansion into international markets, while Winewood needed Rosewild's innovative technology to modernize its operations.
"He's got an untouchable façade," Eve muttered, flipping through the pages. "Charming, ruthless, and annoyingly successful."
Igor stood silently for a moment before clearing his throat. "There's more," he said cautiously, his tone dropping.
Eve glanced up, narrowing her eyes. "What do you mean, more?"
Igor hesitated, then leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "Off the record, ma'am… Arsh Winewood isn't as clean as he looks. His empire isn't built solely on legitimate business deals. There are whispers about him, connections to the underworld, dealings that no amount of money could scrub clean. He's dangerous."
Eve's jaw tightened as she absorbed the revelation. "Dangerous?" she repeated, her voice laced with disbelief and intrigue.
Igor nodded. "He's smart, and he knows how to cover his tracks. But there are patterns if you know where to look. Rumors about competitors disappearing, sudden changes in ownership of lucrative assets, and a certain… loyalty from people you wouldn't expect."
Eve leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. The image of Arsh's wicked grin from last night flashed in her mind, and she felt a chill creep down her spine. "So, he's not just a businessman," she murmured, almost to herself.
"No, ma'am," Igor confirmed, his tone grave. "He's a predator in a suit."
Eve tapped her fingers on the table, her lips curling into a determined smirk. "Good. Then he'll understand exactly who he's dealing with when I turn the tables on him."
Igor arched a brow. "Are you sure that's wise? A man like him—"
"—is exactly the kind of challenge I live for," Eve interrupted, her voice sharp. "Let him play his games. I've built this empire by being two steps ahead of everyone else, and Arsh Winewood will be no exception."
But as she closed the folder and pushed her plate aside, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered a warning.
This isn't just business anymore.
~~~
As the city's evening lights painted the glass façade of Rosewild Ventures, Eve walked out of the grand building, Igor close behind her. The sleek black car waiting at the curb promised a swift, uneventful journey home, exactly what she needed after the long day filled with plotting and revelations about Arsh Winewood.
But as she stepped onto the pavement, Eve froze. Leaning casually against a silver sports car parked directly in front of her building was none other than Arsh himself. Dressed in a charcoal suit, his devil-may-care smirk only added to the aura of dominance that clung to him like a second skin.
"Good evening, Eve," he drawled, straightening from his car as his sharp eyes locked onto hers.
Eve stiffened. "What the hell are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice sharper than she intended.
Arsh didn't answer immediately. Instead, he strolled toward her with slow, deliberate steps, his grin widening into something far more sinister. "Surprised to see me?" he teased, his tone rich with mockery. "Don't be. When I set my sights on something, I always make sure I know where to find it."
Eve's mind raced. How had he found her office? She hadn't revealed anything about her work, yet here he was, standing confidently on her turf.
Before she could take a step back, Arsh closed the distance and reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "You look even more stunning in the moonlight," he murmured, his voice low and teasing.
Igor, ever the sentinel, stepped forward instantly, his large hand clamping around Arsh's wrist to stop him.
Arsh didn't flinch. Instead, he glanced at Igor, his smirk unyielding. "Impressive," he mused, his gaze flicking between Igor and Eve. "A loyal bodyguard who's ready to jump to your defense. I must say, Eve, you really know how to surround yourself with people who'll fight your battles."
Eve's lips twitched into a smirk, finding satisfaction in Arsh's words. "What can I say? I'm resourceful. Unlike some people, I don't need to show up uninvited to make a point."
Arsh chuckled, his amusement seemingly genuine. "Touché," he said, pulling his hand free from Igor's grip without resistance. "But don't think you've won this round, Eve."
Eve crossed her arms, tilting her head in mock curiosity. "Then enlighten me, Mr. Winewood. What brings you to my doorstep?"
Arsh's smile turned sly as he took a step closer, ignoring Igor's looming presence. "Dinner," he said simply.
"Dinner?" Eve echoed, incredulous.
"Yes," Arsh confirmed, his tone unbothered. "You. Me. A table for two. Tonight."
Eve raised a brow, a mix of irritation and suspicion flashing across her face. "And why would I agree to that?"
Arsh leaned slightly closer, his eyes glinting with challenge. "Because, Eve," he said softly, "you're as curious about me as I am about you. And let's face it. No one else is brave enough to handle the two of us in the same room, let alone at the same table."
Eve narrowed her eyes, but she couldn't deny the thrill that ran through her at his audacity. This man was relentless, and while every instinct told her to walk away, she found herself lingering.
Igor shifted slightly, clearing his throat. "Ma'am, do you want me to escort him off the premises?"
Arsh chuckled again, this time with a hint of menace. "Calm down, Igor. I'm not here to cause trouble. Just dinner. No strings attached. Unless, of course, you want there to be."
Eve let out a dry laugh. "Keep dreaming, Arsh." She glanced at Igor, then back at Arsh. "Fine. Dinner. But don't think for a second that I'm doing this because of curiosity. I'm just making sure you don't try anything stupid."
Arsh's grin widened as if he had already won. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, sweetheart," he said smoothly.
As Arsh stepped back toward his car, he didn't climb into the driver's seat as Eve expected. Instead, he opened the passenger door and turned to her, his smirk more daring than ever.
"Well?" he said, gesturing to the open door. "Are you coming, or do I have to carry you?"
Eve's jaw clenched, her sharp glare meeting his unflinching gaze. "Excuse me?"
"You agreed to dinner," Arsh reminded her smoothly. "And I'm nothing if not a man of action. Let's go, Eve. I've already made the reservations."
"I didn't agree to go with you in your car," she shot back, crossing her arms. "I can drive myself."
Arsh leaned against the door, his posture casual but his expression filled with challenge. "Then you'd miss out on the... experience. Trust me, Eve, you don't want that. Besides, I'd hate for you to get lost trying to find the place."
Eve scoffed, but she could see he wasn't going to back down. She turned to Igor, who was already bristling at Arsh's audacity. "I'll be fine," she said firmly, signaling for him to stand down.
Igor's eyes narrowed. "Ma'am, I don't think—"
"I said I'll be fine," Eve repeated, cutting him off.
With a reluctant nod, Igor stepped back, but his eyes never left Arsh.
Eve turned back to Arsh, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement as she strode toward him. "Let's get this over with," she said, brushing past him and slipping into the passenger seat.
Arsh's smirk widened as he shut the door behind her, circling to the driver's side. Sliding into the seat, he turned to Eve and said, "See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"
"Just drive," she snapped, glaring out the window.
"As you wish, darling," he teased, his voice dripping with amusement.