My eyes felt glued shut, as if some invisible adhesive was forcing them closed.
"Ughhh…" I groaned, my skull pounding like it was about to split open. Every muscle throbbed with dull ache. I tried to move my arm, but it felt heavy stone-like, useless.
When I finally managed to tilt my head, my breath caught.
Leonardo Rhys was sprawled across my arm. Completely naked.
My stomach dropped. "What the hell?!" I jerked back in panic. The sudden movement startled him awake. He shot up, hair tousled, eyes bleary.
"What the fuck? What's going on?" he snapped, scanning the bed.
My heart was hammered. I pulled my arm free and scrambled to the edge, biting my lip hard enough to taste iron.
~~~~~
"Oh, so you're Leo's new secretary. Prettier than the last one, no wonder he hired you on the spot."
Jonathan Rhys leaned in, his face far too close, breath brushing against my skin.
It was suffocating.
I forced a polite smile. "Is there something you need, Mr. Jonathan? I can assist you while you wait for Mr. Leonardo."
His lips curled. "Nope. Just wondering if you can handle being near my brother. He's got… a temper."
Only when he finally stepped back did I dare exhale.
Jonathan's eyes glinted with mock curiosity. "Ah, right. Are you going to the OneWay Foundation's fundraiser? Did Leo mention it?"
"Yes, sir. Mr. Leo already informed me. The event starts at seven. I'll be there."
He nodded, then strolled into Leo's office without knocking.
Jonathan was Leo's older brother, yet only the CTO of Rhys Tech. Shouldn't the eldest be CEO? Was Leo's ego so massive he had to eclipse his own blood?
Not long after, sharp footsteps cut through the corridor. Leonardo appeared, hair messy, shirt half-buttoned, sleeves rolled.
Why does he always look like he just rolled out of bed?
"Good morning, Mr. Leo. Mr. Jonathan is waiting inside." I stood quickly as he passed.
Leo paused. "Okay. Thanks." Then entered without another word.
I sat back down, though faint fragments of their argument leaked through the door.
"You're insane! On what grounds are you suddenly investigating the Orion-78 case?!" Jonathan's voice thundered.
"Because it reeks of something bigger, and if we don't look into it—"
*CRASH!*
I jumped to my feet, heartbeat racing.
Do I… go in?
The door burst open before I could decide. Jonathan stormed out, face dark with rage. Inside, Leo's nameplate lay shattered on the floor.
"Sir, I'll call maintenance right away," I said quickly, ushering Jonathan aside before fetching staff.
When I returned, Leo sat rigid and pale, staring into nothing.
"Should I contact procurement to order a replacement?" I offered carefully.
He pointed wordlessly at a drawer. "There. Just take one."
I opened it and froze. Dozens of identical glass nameplates stacked neatly inside.
My brows are knitted. Was this normal… or did things get broken this often?
I set a new one on his desk. The cleaners left quietly. Leo still hadn't moved.
"…Then I'll return to the front desk, sir." I excused myself, eager to escape the heavy silence.
~~~~~
5 Hours Later.
"You need to learn and get to know the important people at this event," Leo muttered. I simply nodded.
Like I care about these rich parasites.
"Leo!" Jonathan's voice boomed across the hall.
Wait, weren't they at each other's throats this morning?
He approached with a champagne glass in hand, grinning. "Brother!" His arm slung around Leo's shoulder before flicking his gaze at me. "And hello, pretty." He tipped my chin with two fingers.
I clenched my teeth. He reeked of alcohol.
"Come on, let's party after this. I'll bring some entertainment if you catch my drift." He tousled Leo's hair.
"Shut up. I don't need your pathetic parties." Leo shoved him away.
We left Jonathan sulking as a server guided us to a VIP table already stacked with wine and desserts.
"Hello, Mr. Leonardo. These have all been prepaid by Mr. Jonathan. Please enjoy."
I ignored the drinks. Someone had to stay sober to drive him home anyway. Still, I stole a cookie.
"I'm not drinking this. I'll step outside. Stay here." Leo's tone brooked no argument.
I nodded and watched him leave.
The atmosphere felt wrong. This wasn't a fundraiser it was a masquerade for lust and indulgence. Women clung to wealthy men like vines sucking them dry.
"Emily, isn't it?"
I stiffened. That voice.
"Yes, Mr. Jonathan. Do you need something?"
"Of course. I'd like you to—"
"You have your own secretary to help you, sir. Shall I call her for you?" I cut him off coldly.
He paused, then smirked. A predator circling prey.
Jonathan raised his hand. Moments later, Rose Whalen approached, head lowered, eyes avoiding his face.
"What is it, sir?" she murmured.
"Bring Miss Hart my special drink. I want to welcome her properly to Rhys Tech."
Rose faltered but nodded.
"And one for my dear brother!" Jonathan added with a laugh.
A knot coiled in my gut. I forced a smile. "That's not really necessary, Mr. Jonathan."
"Oh, but I insist." His grin stretched wider.
Soon, Rose returned with two shimmering glasses.
"Here, Miss Hart. Mr. Jonathan's signature mix."
I eyed it warily. Jonathan twirled his champagne, whispering something into Rose's ear before she left again with the second glass.
"Relax. Leo's gone awhile, so I told her to deliver his drink early. Now, cheers!"
I lifted the glass, hesitating. The liquid tasted sweet. Too sweet. No hint of alcohol.
"What's in this? It's… good." I took another sip.
"Well, this and that. Can't tell you or you'll steal my recipe." He chuckled. I gave a small laugh back.
Non-alcoholic. Safe. Probably.
~~~~~
"Mr. Leonardo," Rose's soft voice carried in the garden. "Miss Hart asked me to deliver this drink to you. She said she had to step out but ordered it for you already."
"Emily… ordered this?" A faint smile tugged at Leo's lips as he studied the ocean-blue liquid.
"Y-yes, sir." Rose bowed and slipped away.
"Heh… Is this because I turned down Jonathan's wine? So she got me something else instead?" He shook his head, amused. "Cute."
He downed the glass in one gulp.
But almost instantly, his chest seized. His pulse spiked, breath growing shallow. The world tilted.
"The hell… what's happening… Emily…" His voice broke into a slur.
He staggered, collapsed against the stone wall, vision fading into black.