The exhibition hall stands in the middle of New York's art district, its walls clean and white, as if challenging anyone who enters not to step carelessly. Classical music plays in the background as people view the exhibition of famous works of art.

Ariana Christian—the coldly beautiful woman—sipped her wine slowly, standing alone near the main installation: a human silhouette made of strands of light forming a knot at the chest. Her long black hair, reaching her waist, moved in sync with Ariana's slightly tilted silhouette as she studied the text on the installation.

"Love in the form of a bond," it read on the plaque.

Ariana only snorted lightly. Cliché. The business world had taught her that such love only made one weak. And she had no time for weakness. Not now, not anymore.

"I shouldn't have come to this art installation," she muttered. "It doesn't suit me."

Ariana had only come because she was invited. Amid her busy schedule, she wanted to take a breather and see something different from what was in front of her. However, the art world wasn't very interesting. In fact, she yawned several times because of the air conditioning and classical music in the room.

She regretted coming a little. Sigh!

The heels of her stilettos echoed softly as she walked away from the crowd. Everyone’s eyes naturally followed her wherever Ariana went. Her charm dominated the room—not just beautiful but stunning, her gaze sharp yet adorable, her appearance always shining among the crowd, always drawing attention. But that afternoon, she felt… being watched differently by someone.

From the far end of the room, a man stood motionless, watching her. His gaze was sharp yet gentle. His face... almost unreal, not just handsome but resembling a mannequin. Pale skin like porcelain, slightly parted pink lips, and eyes like a cat playing when it gazes.

His smile appeared slowly. Not rude. Not vulgar either. Just... bold.

He was different from the men Ariana usually met. That sweet face... damn it, why was he so beautiful for a man?

The man smiled as he approached Ariana. Ariana raised her eyebrows, glaring at him sharply to prevent anything unpleasant from happening.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” Ariana asked sharply.

The man shrugged his small shoulders. He looked cute in his large gray hoodie and thin, sweet-looking glasses. Up close, he felt even more unreal, his body smooth and flawless.

“No piece of art has moved me today. But... in front of me now, there’s someone more beautiful than any work of art.” the man said bluntly.

That voice. Soft. Full of tone. Not begging for attention, but still creeping into the ears. Aish, for some reason, Ariana’s stiff heart was immediately touched by just one sentence! It was a compliment, but why was Ariana interested and didn’t just brush it off?

“Who are you?” Ariana asked sharply, not liking being read like an open book.

“Theodore Lee,” he replied, his steps light as he approached. “I’m pursuing photography. But today I’m just an admirer of art. A bit boring, yeah, that’s how it is... but when you came, something far more interesting became clearly visible.”

Ariana snorted. She crossed her arms over her chest, staring at Theodore from head to toe. Ariana’s attitude was tough, but it was all because she was trying to protect herself from predators!

“Do you like admiring random women at exhibitions, Mr. Theodore?” Ariana asked sharply.

Theodore laughed, and unfortunately, it was the sweetest sound Ariana had heard all week. That smile... oh damn, he was so charming.

“Only someone like you. Stiff. Cold. But so beautiful when you’re hating something.”

Theodore said. “I don’t just compliment women... it’s a fact, Miss. I’m not the kind of man you think I am.”

His eyes challenged Ariana like a fox. Truly.

That… was unusual.

And Ariana knew it well: men like this, she usually destroyed in three minutes! But this one? She wasn’t sure she could—because every time she looked at Theodore, she didn’t feel in control. But she also didn’t feel like she was losing control. As if there were a thread woven between them, Ariana didn’t want to push Theodore away.

Theodore was like a tame cat, yet hard to touch. Charming, arousing Ariana’s hidden curiosity. She wanted to touch him and see how a man like that would react when conquered.

“What do you do for a living?” Theodore asked softly, standing beside Ariana as she gazed at a statue. He then took a photo of the artwork in front of them.

“CEO,” Ariana replied, feeling the warm, sensual scent of his cologne touch her nose.

Damn. The scent of his cologne alone was making Ariana lose her mind!

“I know.” Her smile widened. “You do look like someone who makes people tremble in the meeting room. That’s funny.”

“And you... look like someone who pretends to be afraid but actually enjoys it.”

Theodore shrugged, his eyes sparkling. Damn, why was Theodore’s gaze so sharp yet seductive? Ariana wasn’t sure if she could hate this stranger who had suddenly judged her. She couldn’t. This was the first time Ariana had ever been curious about someone.

“Turns out the CEO is good at judging people. How sweet.”

Ariana closed her eyes for a split second. This man... was funny. Too subtle to be called flirtatious. Too sweet to be hated. But his gaze… submissive. And that, for Ariana, was the most alluring thing about him.

His scent, his body language…

This was the first time Ariana had ever been interested in something.

They ended up standing side by side, staring at the artwork titled Control—two glass sculptures, one towering stiffly and the other bending playfully, connected by a rope. Both were bound and couldn’t escape.

“In your opinion,” Theodore said softly, “which is stronger—the one standing… or the one willing to submit?” Theodore asked with a teasing tone.

Ariana didn’t answer immediately. Her eyes remained fixed ahead. Damn… why did his tone sound like he was dragging Ariana into a deep current? Where was this conversation heading?

“Someone who knows when to submit usually... has already won first,” she murmured.

Theodore glanced at her, then leaned in and whispered almost inaudibly,

“So... you’ve lost before, haven’t you?”

Ariana’s smile appeared faintly. Danger. Did that man know that a man like him was attractive to a woman like Ariana?

“Don’t push me too far, Theo,” Ariana said, turning her back on Theodore.

“My name isn’t Theo. Theodore Lee... but I’m willing to be called anything by you,” Theodore whispered with his sweet smile.

Oh no. Don’t smile like that! Ariana couldn’t handle it... not at all.

“You’re not just an ordinary art enthusiast either; I’m not sure who you really are.”

Theodore bowed his head slightly, and amid the whispers of the crowd and the soft music of the exhibition, he said,

“Maybe I’m just a man who wants to be chosen to sit at the feet of a beautiful CEO. To kneel, serve her, understand her, and... be willing to do anything to make that woman happy.”

Ariana took a breath. Her neck grew hot. Damn it.

This man must be destroyed. Or… possessed?

**

As the night grew later, and they stood on the outdoor stairs of the building, the streetlight’s glow cast a golden silhouette on Theodore’s face as he looked up at her. Those eyes weren’t pleading. They were ready to accept orders.

Theodore wasn’t just beautiful and handsome. He was dangerous for a woman like Ariana.

“Tomorrow night,” Ariana said flatly.

Theodore turned his head.

“Tomorrow?”

“We’ll meet again.”

He didn’t answer. He just bowed his head slightly, as if hiding a small smile.

A nod that felt more like surrender.

And Ariana… for the first time in a long while, felt her heart racing not out of fear of losing him. But because she had found something she could conquer… slowly.

“Aaaahh, so sweet, Miss CEO,” Theodore whispered as he approached. “It seems you should save my phone number.”

Ariana hurriedly handed him her phone, and Theodore entered his number. The man smiled, then took out his phone, which was ringing because Ariana had called him.

"Kitty, that's a good name for me. I love cats," Theodore said, bringing his lips close to Ariana's ear. "But by the way, do you know how cats bathe their kittens?"

Ariana's heart was racing. Theodore's breath felt warm on her ear, and his fingers began to gently touch her hand. Ariana swallowed, waiting for what Theodore would say next. Her body suddenly drew closer to Theodore's tall frame, wanting to touch him.

"How?" Ariana turned her head.

Their faces were close enough that their breath felt warm. Theodore looked at Ariana with a deep yet warm gaze. He smiled, his eyes narrowing, revealing his neat row of teeth.

"You decide, Miss. If you were a cat, would you want to be the mother cat or the kitten? I'd be happy to wait for your answer."

Theodore kissed Ariana's hand and then walked away, leaving Ariana behind.

Ariana hurriedly searched for information on her phone and watched how a mother cat bathes her kitten. Ariana's eyes widened. Her entire body went limp at the thought of that scene happening to her.

"Damn it... he's really a jerk..." Ariana whispered softly.