Elena POV

“ Elena” Alex called

“ I'll get ready for the dinner party shortly.” I wiggled my hands in his grip but the more I struggled, the more they became tighter.

“ Elena,” he called again, his voice low.

This time I turned but didn't look at him. I didn't want him to see my eyes swollen and filled with tears.

I didn't want him to know I was crying earlier. That might make him feel more mighty and self-important.

“ Look at me” he said, raising my face to look at him, but I averted my eyes the other way. I didn't want to see him or talk to him.

One other rule that I had forgotten in the contract was not to get too close, or else I'd get burnt. But I did get close and now I'm burnt.

“ Please,” and I did. His eyes were beautiful as ever holding a hint of calmness and vulnerability. It was different from the last time he consoled me. More earnest, almost charming.

I stayed locked on them for a while before looking away again. “ Mr Donovan,” I locked eyes with him once again, trying not to make my gaze quiver “ you aren't allowed to be this close to me, as suggested by the contract”

He scoffed, smiling a little. But within seconds, those smiles dropped dead cold as his hands dropped from my face, and he took a step back, pocketing them. “Fine, you can start as my secretary on Monday,” he said, taking a seat on the sofa that I intended to sleep on.

I folded my arms, staring down at him. “ Why? Why do you want me as your secretary?” I asked, “You could pick any other person, so what changed.”

“ Yeah, I know, but Nick put in good words for you, so you should be grateful”, he said.

Nick? “So it's all about pity after all”

“ You said you wanted a job and I gave you one. I'm not pitying you, Elena.”

I looked at him, studying him for a while. As much as I needed this job, I couldn't help but be weary of him. Back at his study, he wasn't supportive, and now he wants to give me a job. Absolutely not.

But I knew I had no choice. If I want to survive the next month, I'd better accept this offer, even though I know working under him won't be easy.

“ How much?” I asked

“ I'll give you 1 million at first, but as time goes on, it will increase depending on how much effort you put in. Is that okay?”

Okay? It's more than okay for me. I hesitated, pretending to think it over, even though my heart was already screaming at me to take the deal.

One million was far more than I expected for any job, let alone one where I'd be working so close to him.

But that was the problem, being so close to him. Alex came with risk, a risk I wasn't sure I was ready to take.

Still, I nodded reluctantly. “Fine.”

A small smirk played on his lips. “Good, then it settled.” I narrowed my eyes. “Don't think for a second that this means I trust you, or that I have forgotten how you've treated me.”

Alex leaned back on the sofa, completely unfazed. “I wouldn't expect you to, just do your job, Elena, and you won't have to worry about me.”

The audacity of him to act so casually. I was the one who needed to be treated carefully. “Fine,” I said, crossing my arms. “But don’t manage me. I don't need you hovering over my shoulder.”

He nodded just smoothly before standing up and walking towards me. “ One rule” he stared at me with those charming eyes already holding a hint of something dark and cold. “ Don't be late, I hate tardiness”

His last word sounded a bit like a warning that sent shivers down my spine. “ Be at the office by 9 am sharp.”

“I'll be there," I replied curtly, my voice firm even as I tried to swallow the uncertainty in my chest.

He paused by the door, his hand resting on the handle. He glanced back at me shortly, as if deliberating on something. " No need to get prepared for the dinner party any more." And just like that, the door closed behind him, leaving me standing there in silence.

I sighed, sinking into the sofa and rubbing my temples. Why had I agreed to this again? I knew better than to get entangled with him, but desperation was a cruel motivator.

Pete had made me this vulnerable that even my pride had taken a back seat to survival. One million to start... that would solve so many problems. But at what cost?

And with the money I’d be getting from him after all this is over would be enough to file a case against Pete.

Should I really be thinking about that? Yes, of course, he was the reason I ended up in this situation in the first place. I will never forget the betrayal and the pain he cost me.

I leaned back, my head hitting the cushion as frustration bubbled inside me.

Monday would come soon enough, and I would be stepping into his world, his territory. The thought sent a shiver down my spine. I needed to be ready—ready to face whatever he had planned.

But deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this job wasn’t just about work. Alex Donovan didn’t do anything without a reason, and I couldn’t help but wonder what he wanted from me.

I glanced at the clock. The night stretched on, long and restless. My gaze shifted to the empty space he'd left behind. His presence lingered, commanding and suffocating. I hated how he always seemed to have the upper hand.

But there was nothing I could do. I brought myself into this, all because of my revenge plan on Pete. I was so blinded that I didn't see the pros and cons.

I closed my eyes exhaling loudly. Alex Donovan, could I ever love a man like you? Before drifting into sleep. Guess I didn't fail after all.