RAQUEL’S POV

My body freezes in place as the word slips from his lips, sharp and deliberate.

“You’re fired.”

The air in the office shifts instantly. My heart stutters, then hammers wildly against my ribs. His piercing blue eyes lock into mine, as if he’s daring me to argue.

My mouth goes dry. “What do you mean?”

His tone is colder than the marble floor beneath my feet. “Your services are no longer needed in this company, Mrs. Rodriguez.”

God. The way he says it—Mrs. Rodriguez. I hate that my body betrays me, reacting to the formality in his voice, to the way it rolls out with authority. It shouldn’t sound this… dangerous. This intoxicating.

I straighten, crossing my arms tightly across my chest, willing myself to keep a wall up. My chin tips up, meeting his icy gaze with mine. “You seem to be forgetting something, Mr. Rodriguez. I just resumed today. You, of all people, should remember that—you hired me.”

Something flickers in his expression. His eyes darken as they drag down from mine, linger briefly on my lips, and then snap back to my gaze. He leans back into his leather chair, the pen twirling between his long fingers like a weapon.

“Yes. I remember. Which, unfortunately, has turned out to be a reckless mistake. Considering your allergy to punctuality.”

His voice thunders across the room, firm and absolute.

Wait, why does it feel like he’s not just talking about work? Why does it feel like he’s digging into more than me being late? Maybe… maybe even about the wedding?

My throat tightens, but I hold my ground. “I don’t get what you mean, but you can’t just fire me because I arrived late.”

His jaw ticks. “You arrived late on your very first day, Buzzbee. First impressions matter. Tell me, how exactly do you wish to defend that?” His brow arches, sharp and mocking.

Heat burns under my skin. I bite my lower lip, trying to mask the blush that threatens to crawl up my cheeks.

This man infuriates me. And yet…

I hate myself for what I blurt next. “What about Leo? He was late too.”

My conscience twists immediately,why did I drag Leo into this?

Something flickers in his eyes again, brief but noticeable, just like earlier in the conference room. But he recovers quickly.

“You mean your new friend? Don’t waste your breath. I bet he’s already riding down the elevator on his way home.” He shrugs like it’s nothing.

Anger flares in my chest, hot and sharp. My voice rises. “You can’t just fire people because you can. That’s not leadership—it’s bullying.”

His lips curve into a cruel smirk, the kind that makes my skin prickle. “Well, Buzzbee, this is my company. My company. My rules. My principles.”

I exhale slowly, forcing calm into my voice. “So there’s really nothing I can do, nothing I can say, that would make you change your mind, is there?”

A long silence stretches between us, thick and tense. Then he says, almost lazily, “There might be something. But only if you’re up for it.”

I narrow my eyes. “What’s that?”

He pushes to his feet. The movement is unhurried, deliberate. His hand drags lightly across the desk as he circles toward me. His tall frame looms, hands slipping into his pockets, every inch exuding that hot, arrogant CEO vibe.

“Just a little assignment, Buzzbee,” he says, voice low and dangerous. “Work under someone. Watch them. Report their every suspicious move directly to me.”

He’s circling me like a predator—patient, calculating, manipulative.

My brows knit. “You want me to be your… spy?”

“If that’s what you want to call it.” Another careless shrug, like it’s no big deal.

I glare at him, every ounce of my earlier attraction dissolving into disgust.

Fuck my stupid fantasies about him. This man is exactly what the media says he is—a cold, cruel, heartless jackass.

“Thank you,” I snap, “but I’ll pass on your little offer.”

I spin around and storm out of his office, my pulse still racing with fury.

*****

Ana smacks my arm so hard I yelp.

“Ouch! Ana!”

She glares like I just kicked her puppy. “Who the hell shows up late on their first day of work? Seriously, Bunny? That was your dream job!”

I bury my face in my hands, groaning. “I know, I know, okay? I feel bad enough already.” My head shoots up in panic. “What do I do now? Should I go back and beg him?” I shake my head furiously. “No. No way. I can’t. But what about Leo? I swear Kai fired him because of me. C’mon, Ana, say something!”

Ana just watches me with maddening calm, chewing her burger like it’s the most important thing in the world. She swallows slowly, takes a long inhale, and finally says, “You should take the offer.”

My eyes widen. “What?! Why would....”

She lifts a finger, silencing me. “Let me finish. Bunny, as long as I’ve known you, you’ve dreamed about one place—Kairos Automotive. And now you finally got your chance, and you’re letting it slip away because… why?”

“Because he fired me, Ana. That’s why.”

She levels me with that piercing detective stare of hers. “Maybe if you had actually considered being on time, you wouldn’t have given him that option. And he’s giving you a chance to earn it back.” Her hand slides over mine on the table, her voice softening. “This isn’t just about your job, Bunny. This is about earning your husband’s trust. Isn’t that what you want?”

Her words hit me in the chest. I think about it, really think. Gaining Kai’s trust… that would be huge. Not just for my job, but for… us. Whatever we are.

I nod slowly.

“Good girl.” She squeezes my hand before letting go, a pretty smile tugging at her lips. “Just treat this mission like a project. Strictly professional. Nothing personal.”

For a fleeting second, I wish Ana was my twin instead of Rachel. But no—that would ruin Ana. She’s too good to be tainted by my family’s poison.

She leans back, smirking. “Oh, and one more thing—stay away from Leo if he gets his job back. If I were Kai, I wouldn’t like the idea of my gorgeous wife hanging around other men. Just saying.”

Her words snag in my chest. My mind reels.

Did Kai really fire Leo because of me?

Why would he care? He doesn’t even want me. So why would it matter if someone else did?

I shake my head. No. That’s nonsense. Ana is just being Ana.

She suddenly gasp loudly, like she realized something "Hey Bunny"

I glance up, meeting her eyes twinkling with mischief. I arch a questioning brow.

She scramble through her bag and brought out two tickets I recognized immediately, and push one over to me. A wide grin plastering on her face.

A small smile crawl into my lips"Where and how did you get this?"

"Doesn't matter. It's this friday, and I've sorted everything out except for one thing."

" A race car?"

She nods.

I smirk widely. A crazy idea finding it's way into my head.

" Don't worry about that. Friday, at our usual meet"

She smile, taking another bite from her burger.

I sip my coffee, my thoughts spinning wildly.

She eyes me like I’ve grown a second head. “Who the hell drinks coffee for lunch?”

A grin spreads across my face as I flutter my lashes at her. “Moment of honesty? You love me for my weirdness.”

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah. Too bad.”

*****

“Welcome back, Raquel,” Danio greets as soon as I step inside.

I pause, startled. Does this man ever take a break?

“Thanks, Dan.”

My nose twitches suddenly—pancakes. Fresh ones. My stomach growls like it has a mind of its own. I drift toward the kitchen before I even realize it.

Sure enough, a neat stack waits on the counter, still warm. Lady Fedora must’ve dropped by.

I grab one and take a huge bite, moaning softly. Sweet, fluffy heaven. Honestly, the best consolation prize after losing your job.

I sneak one more before heading upstairs.

In my room, I lock the door out of habit. I strip, step into the shower, and let the hot water pour down.

My gaze catches in the mirror across the bathroom. My reflection stares back, water streaming down bare curves. My fingers trail slowly down my body, a habit I grew since I was sixteen. Eliana says it’s self-admiration. I call it coping.

But my imagination betrays me.

Kai’s face flashes behind me. His lips press against my wet shoulder. His hands slide against my skin, one cupping, one caressing lower, down my pussy. Heat coils in my stomach as a soft moan escapes before I snap back to reality.

Alone. Pathetic. Wanting a man who doesn’t want me.

I curse under my breath, finish quickly, and pull on a loose shirt and bum-short. I remember Kai’s lectures about “dressing decent,” but tonight, I couldn’t care less.

I grab my phone, heading down the hall toward his study. My stomach growls again, and I detour to snatch another pancake. I’ll eat a proper meal later.

I knock softly, chewing as his deep voice rumbles from inside. “Come in.”

I push the door open, stepping into his space.

The room is pure power—towering bookshelves, walls of monitors playing clips, a cold fireplace. My eyes finally land on him. He’s traded his suit for a black long-sleeve shirt, his blue eyes fixed on me with unreadable intensity. Then it flickers between the pancake in my hand and my outfit.

He eyes darken, slowly.

My palms sweat. My pulse quickens.

I take a breath, steady.

“I’ll take the offer.”