After walking out of his heaven like house, i didn't hear from Aec for two whole days.
Two long, disturbingly quiet days and it felt like luxury.
He didn't call, didn't text, didn't even show up at the office. The man who once walked in like a storm now vanished like the calm after. At first, I told myself I didn't care because why should I? He was my boss, not my diary. But the truth sat heavy in my chest. Something about his silence crawled under my skin.
By the second day, I started noticing things I shouldn't, like how quiet the company felt without his cold footsteps echoing through the hallways, or how the air felt… different. Even the managers seemed unusually polite, like the man's absence was its own kind of tension.
And that so-called "fuckaholic contract"? Not a single word about it.
Maybe it was all just a game to him, another way to pull strings, to test how far I'd bend before I broke.
I didn't tell anyone about it, not even Maxie... The office become extra lonely because Maxie also went on a Biz trip...
"Well, good luck with that, Mr. Silent Boss." I hissed under my breathe
By Friday evening, I was determined to shake off whatever strange hold his absence had on me. I buried myself in work, music, and a few too many cups of coffee. But when Zion called that night with his soft, lazy voice, asking if I'd like to go out for dinner on Saturday, I didn't even think twice.
"Dinner?" I repeated with a teasing smile.
"Not dinner-dinner. Just a friendly date," he said, laughing. "No strings attached. Unless you're planning to tie me up later."
I rolled my eyes but my lips curved. "You wish."
He chuckled, that warm, deep sound that always made me smile even when I didn't want to. "So, seven p.m.? I'll pick you up."
"Sure," I said, pretending it was casual. But something inside me felt lighter already.
---
Saturday came faster than expected. By 6 p.m., I was standing in front of the mirror, half-naked, surrounded by chaos, dresses on the bed, shoes on the floor, perfume bottles everywhere.
Zion said it was a friendly date, but no woman goes on a date, even a friendly one looking like she rolled out of bed. Not when the guy calls her baby in that voice.
I slipped into a black satin dress that hugged every inch of me like sin itself. The neckline dipped low enough to make modesty jealous, and the thigh slit climbed dangerously high, the kind of high that could cause accidents. My hair flowed down in soft waves, my lips painted a tempting red that even I couldn't stop staring at.
"Hmm," I whispered to my reflection, tilting my head. "If I don't break hearts tonight, God owes me a refund."
I sprayed my perfume, the one that always made people turn when I passed. A mix of vanilla, amber, and quiet confidence.
Just as I grabbed my clutch, my phone lit up.
Definitely a text from Zion and I was not wrong
Zion: Outside, baby.
Of course, he was early.
I took one last look at the mirror, smiled at the woman staring back, bold, confident, unapologetically me and stepped out.
---
Zion's car waited outside, sleek and black, engine humming softly like it knew it was expensive. He stepped out the moment he saw me.
And the way his eyes widened? Worth every second of effort.
"Damn," he whispered, running his gaze from my hair down to my heels like he couldn't believe what he was seeing. "You look… wow."
I smiled, slow and teasing. "You clean up pretty good yourself, Mr. Smooth."
He did. His shirt fit him like a second skin, sleeves rolled just enough to show those veins that always seemed to distract me, and his cologne... God, his cologne smelled like a warning and a promise.
He opened the door for me, still staring. "If this was a friendly date, I'm in serious trouble."
"Then behave," I said, sliding in.
He laughed softly. "No promises."
---
The restaurant was breathtaking.
A five-star masterpiece sitting in the heart of the city all glass walls, golden lights, and a chandelier big enough to bankrupt someone. The moment we walked in, a soft classical tune floated through the air, the scent of fresh roses mixing with something expensive I couldn't name.
It wasn't just a restaurant; it was a whole experience.
Elegant couples, waiters who looked like they'd been trained in heaven. A view of the skyline that made the city look like diamonds scattered across the dark.
Zion led me to our table near the window. "I told them to give us the best spot," he said proudly.
I smirked. "You sure you didn't sell your kidney for this?"
"Both kidneys," he replied, grinning.
We ordered wine, laughed, teased each other, and for the first time in days, I forgot about Aec or at least, I tried to.
But halfway through my laughter, I felt someone's gaze on me
Sharp, burning and surprisingly familiar
I tried to ignore it, to focus on Zion's story about some ridiculous client he had, but my neck prickled. Slowly, I turned and there he was.
Aec.
Sitting across the hall, almost directly opposite our table.
His suit was black, crisp, perfect as always. A glass of red wine in hand. But it wasn't the wine or his perfect composure that caught me, it was his eyes.
Those cold, assessing eyes that pinned me like I'd done something unforgivable.
And beside him was Diana.
My boss
Of course...
She was laughing with two older couples elegantly dressed, the kind of people who probably owned the place. Aec sat silent, expression unreadable, except when his gaze flicked back to me like gravity.
I froze for half a second. My heart stuttered, confusion burning in my stomach. What were the odds?
Zion didn't notice at first, still talking, still smiling, until he saw me go quiet. "You okay?"
"Yeah," I lied, forcing a smile. "Just… thought I saw someone."
I turned back to my plate, pretending the food suddenly became fascinating. But my mind was nowhere near the table. I could still feel Aec's stare heavy, unrelenting. Like he was trying to remind me that I didn't belong here.
Fine. Let him stare.... I don't care too
I straightened my shoulders and laughed louder, leaned closer to Zion, just enough for Aec to see.
Petty? Maybe. But satisfying? Absolutely.
Minutes passed. I felt the tension loosen a little, until the glass of wine in my hand reminded me I hadn't visited the restroom yet.
"I'll be right back," I told Zion, standing.
"Don't get lost, gorgeous," he teased.
I smiled faintly and walked off.
---
The restroom was just as beautiful as the restaurant, marble sinks, soft lighting, mirrors that made you look richer than you were. I was washing my hands, humming under my breath, when the door opened behind me.
I didn't look up. "You can wait a sec..."
The words died in my throat.
Aec walked in...
For a second, my brain refused to process it. Then I saw the cleaning in progress sign he'd just placed outside.
What the actual hell...
"This is the women's restroom," I said sharply, turning to face him. "Or did you forget what door you walked through, sir?"
His eyes were darker up close, colder. "Apparently, you don't forget doors. Just limits."
My jaw tightened. "Excuse me?"
He stepped closer, his presence thick enough to swallow the air. "Do you go around making fuck contracts with everyone, Miss Sharon?"
The words hit like a slap.
I froze, my heart kicking hard against my ribs.
For a moment, I wanted to scream at him, demand what the hell he thought he was saying. But instead, I forced a calm smile, one that didn't reach my eyes.
"Thank you, sir," I said smoothly, "but who I deal with or how I deal with them is none of your business."
The sarcasm laced through every syllable, polite enough not to get me fired, sharp enough to cut through his arrogance.
His jaw twitched, a flicker of emotion in his eyes, anger, maybe jealousy, maybe both.
I stepped closer, chin up. "If that's all, I'd like to return to my table before my date thinks I got kidnapped."
I brushed past him or tried to. His hand shot out, catching my wrist for half a second.
That brief contact burned more than it should have.
His voice dropped low, dangerous. "Careful who you provoke, Sharon."
I met his gaze. "Likewise, sir."
Before I could take another step, the door opened and Diana walked in.
Her expression froze when she saw us, me standing there, Aec just inches away, his hand dropping to his side.
For half a heartbeat, no one said a word.
Then I straightened, smiled politely. "Good evening, ma'am."
Her reply was cool, almost bored. "Miss Sharon."
I moved toward the exit, pulse racing, pretending my legs weren't shaking. But just as I stepped outside, their voices followed me.
Diana's voice, low but clear. "Even if this arranged marriage wasn't going to work, Aec, you could at least respect me. You don't have to humiliate me every time we're in public."
Arranged marriage?
I froze near the corner, hidden from view.
She continued, bitterness creeping into her tone. "You think I don't see how you look at her? Like she's some forbidden toy you can't have. I may not be what you want, but I won't be disrespected."
With way the place was quiet I almost thought Aec left but then his voice, flat, emotionless said
"When you're done, take your parents with you. I'm tired."
I hid myself so he doesn't get the wrong impression but I was eavesdropping anyways...
The sound of his footsteps moved away.
I didn't breathe until I was sure he was gone.
Then I exhaled slowly, pressed a hand against the wall to steady myself.
Arranged marriage. Respect me. You think I don't see how you look at her.
My reflection in the mirror across the hall stared back, same red lips, same confident woman but her eyes were different. Confused...
I straightened up, forcing a smirk I didn't feel. "Well, congratulations, Sharon. You're officially in the middle of something you didn't sign up for."
And then, like the queen I refused not to be, I walked out, head high, heart burning, pretending I didn't care when deep down, I absolutely did.