The sound of clicking heels echoed through the marble halls of Titan Corporation's top floor. Sophia Reed clutched a stack of documents to her chest, her heart pounding as she approached the double doors of the CEO's office. Everyone feared Elijah Cain, the ruthless billionaire whose name alone sent shivers down spines. He was cold, calculating, and never entertained nonsense.
Tonight, he was also drunk.
Sophia hesitated before knocking. It was past midnight, and the office was nearly deserted. The last thing she wanted was to deal with her boss in an unpredictable state. But when the executive assistant had called her, practically begging her to drop off the contract revisions, she hadn't been able to refuse.
Taking a deep breath, she knocked twice.
"Come in."
His voice was sharp, but there was a roughness to it that made her pulse quicken. She pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Elijah Cain sat behind his massive desk, his suit jacket draped over the back of his chair. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a hint of his toned chest. A half-empty glass of whiskey rested beside him, the amber liquid catching the city lights filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
His gaze lifted to hers, dark and unreadable. "You're late."
Sophia swallowed, forcing herself to remain professional. "Apologies, Mr.Cain. I brought the revised contracts as you requested." She placed the documents on his desk, careful not to meet his intense stare for too long.
He leaned back in his chair, studying her. "You always do as you're told, don't you?"
She stiffened. "That's my job."
A smirk ghosted across his lips. "And yet, you're the only one in this company who doesn't tremble when I speak."
Sophia had spent three years working under him, enduring his impossible standards, his ruthless decisions, and his rare moments of praise. She knew better than to let his words shake her. "I've learned to manage."
He chuckled, a rare sound that sent an unfamiliar warmth through her.
Then, without warning, he stood and rounded the desk, closing the distance between them. She instinctively stepped back, but he caught her wrist, his touch firm but not forceful.
"You intrigue me, Sophia," he murmured, his voice lower now.
"Always so composed, so untouchable."
Her breath hitched. This wasn't the Elijah Cain she knew-the man who dismissed emotions like they were a waste of time.
The alcohol had stripped away some of his armor, revealing something raw beneath.
She should leave. Walk out before she got too close.
But she didn't.
Instead, she found herself whispering, "You should get some rest, Mr. Cain."
His grip tightened slightly before he released her. "Perhaps I should." His gaze flickered to her lips for the briefest moment before he turned away. "Thank you, Sophia. You're dismissed."
She left the office without another word, her heart racing.
What just happened?
She wasn't sure, but one thing was clear-she may have just caught the attention of the most dangerous man in the city.
And she wasn't sure if that was a good thing.