Chapter 2
I went.
What else could I do? Felicity’s offer would cover my sister’s
bills for another two months.
I told myself: he doesn’t know who I am. The lights are off. Just
think of it as work.
But that night, he was out of his mind.
I bit down on the pillow to keep quiet, terrified my voice might
give me away.
By the time it was over, the sun was almost up.
I slipped out while he was asleep, legs so weak I nearly collapsed
in the hallway.
I was late to work.
I dragged myself to my desk with dark circles under my eyes, aching everywhere. A coworker leaned over. “Mira, you okay?
You look awful.”
I was about to brush it off when I caught a dark figure
approaching.
Adrian.
He was wearing a black shirt today, sleeves rolled up, exposing
his forearms-
And a bite mark.
My bite mark.
I snapped my head down, heart pounding so hard I thought it would explode.
He walked past my desk, his footsteps tapping against the floor
like a hammer against my chest.
He didn’t stop.
He kept walking.
I let out a breath and peeked up at his back–just as he turned
around, catching my eyes.
That look. Cold. Heavy.
My scalp prickled.
Did he… figure it out?
No way. I had a full face of makeup last night, hair down. I look
nothing like that right now.
I gave myself a mental pep talk and turned to my computer Work email.
Lisa from admin asked me to send the data report to Mr. Cross
yesterday. I thought I did…
I opened my sent folder.
Then turned to stone.
The attachment on that email wasn’t the spreadsheet.
It was the form Felicity made me fill out.
The test–sleep review.
Stamina rating. Intensity rating. Overall satisfaction…
And my personal notes from when I was slacking off: [Not
gentle!! Too rough!]
The room spun.
No no no no no.
I practically launched myself toward the CEO’s office, one
thought in my head: delete it before he sees it.
I pushed open the door. He was sitting behind his desk. He
looked up at me, one eyebrow raised.
“Mira Calloway?” His eyes flicked to my name tag. “Can I help
you?”
His computer was on.
The email inbox was open.
I felt my heart flatline.
“Mr. Cross, I–I might have accidentally sent you a spam email.
Could you maybe-”
“Email?” He glanced at his screen, voice flat. “I haven’t received
any emails.”
He turned the monitor toward me.
The inbox was empty.
I blinked.
Nothing? Delayed? Filtered out?
Whatever. Just survive this.
I was about to excuse myself when he spoke again. “What’s that on your neck?”
His gaze had dropped to my collarbone.
I looked down–my collar had loosened, exposing a red mark from last night.
I yanked my shirt closed, face on fire. “It’s–my boyfriend-”
“Boyfriend?” He repeated the word, tone unreadable. “Sounds
passionate.”
I couldn’t look at him. I mumbled something and bolted.
Back at my desk, my heart still wouldn’t stop racing.
That look he gave me just now.
It felt like…
A predator sizing up prey.
My phone buzzed. Felicity again.
Mira! My fiancé’s being all romantic now! He asked if I
wanted to move into his villa!]
【Obviously I said no, who knows what he’s up to】
【But he gave me an access card. Said I could come anytime. I
don’t want it—you take it. Use it as storage or whatever~】
I stared at the message, then glanced toward the CEO’s office.
Move into his villa?
Was she insane?
I refused immediately.
But three days later-
“Miss, you need to move out by tomorrow. My relatives are coming.” The landlord’s call shattered my resolve.
I looked at the access card in my hand and fell silent.
He said he rarely stayed there.
Just… just a few days. Until I find a new place.
He won’t find out… right?