Anya's eyes snapped open, her head throbbing from the remnants of last night's alcohol and chaos. Suddenly, her mother, Lu Feng, burst into the room, her voice laced with panic. "Anya! Get up, now! You're already late. Your new boss won't let you live if you're tardy on day one!"
Anya clutched her head, trying to piece together the blurred fragments of the previous night. The only thing she could vividly recall was a 'Handsome Driver' and his incredibly expensive car.
Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of the house, Uncle Lu Kang was trembling. He surreptitiously typed a message on his phone, the Dragon tattoo on his wrist gleaming ominously in the dim light. He sent the message to the 'Dragon King'—his former master.
The message read: "Zain Yan has seen Anya. The hunter has found his path. We are in grave danger."
Lu Kang knew all too well that if Zain ever discovered their true identity, he would dismantle the entire family without a second thought.
Scene 2: Office Blushes and Smooth Floors
As Anya stepped into the opulent corridors of 'ZY Empire,' Huan Jing charged toward her like a whirlwind and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Anya! Where did you vanish to? You crazy girl, I looked everywhere for you last night! You stepped out of the taxi and then just... disappeared!" Jing asked, shaking her, her eyes wide with concern.
Anya adjusted her glasses and offered a faint smile. "Calm down... I made it home. A very 'handsome driver' gave me a lift." She still hadn't connected the dots that the 'driver' was actually her formidable boss, Zain.
As they walked toward their department, Qian turned the corner sharply, clutching a stack of files. Jing collided with him head-on.
A Sweet Moment:
Jing lost her balance and was about to hit the floor when Qian reached out with lightning reflexes, wrapping an arm around her waist to steady her. Their eyes locked. Qian, who was always a cold shadow behind Zain, softened for a fleeting moment.
A silent, electric spark passed between them. Qian slowly set her upright and adjusted his files, a ghost of a smile touching his lips. "Miss Jing, you should watch your step. The floors here are quite slippery."
Jing's face turned a brilliant shade of crimson. She lowered her gaze, blushing furiously. "S-Sorry, sir..." she stammered.
Qian gave a polite nod and walked away, but there was a newfound grace in his stride.
Anya's Teasing:
The second Qian was out of sight, Anya nudged Jing in the ribs, winking playfully. "Oho! Miss Jing... is the floor slippery, or has your heart just slipped? It seems our resident spy has fallen for the Boss's right-hand man!"
"Shut up, Anya! It's nothing like that," Jing cried, shielding her burning cheeks with her hands, though her smile betrayed her.
Scene 3: The Cold Command
The moment Anya sat at her new desk, she ran her fingers over the polished surface. When she received her official ID card with 'HR Department' printed under her photo, her eyes sparkled with pride.
"I can't believe it, Jing! My dream is finally coming true," Anya whispered, kissing the card.
Huan Jing took her hand, her voice thick with emotion. "Look at us, Anya. From school mischief to college assignments, and now... working together at the biggest company in the city. Our journey is beautiful, isn't it?"
Anya nodded, feeling as though her life was finally on track. No terrifying bosses, no haunting memories—just work and her best friend.
The Storm Before the Quiet:
Suddenly, the intercom on her desk buzzed loudly, cutting through the office chatter like a blade. Anya's hand shook as she picked up the receiver.
The voice on the other end was cold, heavy, and authoritative—the kind of voice that sent a chill straight down her spine.
"Miss Lu... to my office. Immediately."
The line went dead. Anya's face drained of color. Jing held her breath. "Anya... that was the Boss. Why is he calling you alone? You haven't even started your work yet!"
Anya stood up, her heart drumming against her ribs. She straightened her glasses and smoothed the creases in her shirt, walking slowly toward the corridor that led to Zain Yan's dark empire.
Scene 4: The Debt of a "Driver"
Entering the cabin, Anya saw Zain standing with his back to her, silhouetted against a massive glass window. The room felt like a walk-in freezer.
"You called, sir?" Anya asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Zain turned slowly. He was twirling her Jungkook keychain around his fingers, a predatory glint in his eyes.
"Have a seat, Miss Lu," Zain said, gesturing toward the chair. "We need to discuss last night's 'fare' and that '5-star rating' of yours."
Anya's world tilted. The blurred memories of the night before struck her like a lightning bolt—the luxury car, the cold fragrance, her own reckless chatter.
A slip of the tongue escaped her: "Driver...?"
Zain leaned back in his chair, his icy gaze fixed on her. "Not a driver... your Boss, Miss Lu. It seems you haven't quite sobered up yet."
Flushed with shame, Anya looked down, clutching her bag tightly. Before she could apologize, Zain cut her off.
"The fare for last night's ride is still pending. For now, go and get me a black coffee. No sugar... just like my temperament," Zain commanded.
Anya scrambled out of the cabin with a frantic 'Yes, sir,' her heart still racing.
Scene 5: The Crimson Mistake
In the kitchen area, Anya's mind was a whirlwind. "Black coffee... no sugar... bitter... just like him!" she muttered, struggling with the machine. She was hitting the wrong buttons, her hands shaking as Zain's handsome, terrifying face haunted her thoughts.
Suddenly, a soft, melodic voice spoke from behind her.
"Miss, may I help you? You look a bit overwhelmed."
Anya turned to see a stunning woman in a stylish corporate dress, her hair perfectly coiffed. She radiated the confidence of a senior executive.
"Oh! Yes... please! I need to make black coffee for the Boss, and I can't figure this machine out," Anya said helplessly.
The beautiful woman smiled, taking the cup. "Don't worry, making Zain's coffee is a delicate task. He demands perfection. I'm Liya, by the way. Are you new?"
"Yes, I'm Anya. It's my first day," Anya replied, sighing with relief.
Liya prepared the mug and handed it back, whispering, "A tip? When you go back in, don't look him in the eye. He likes people who work in silence. All the best, Anya!"
Anya thanked her and headed back to the 'Cabin of Death.' Little did she know if Liya's help was a mere coincidence or if this woman close to Zain had her own agenda.
As she entered the cabin, Zain was on the phone, roaring at someone. "If this mistake happens again, you're finished!"
Anya froze. As Zain swung his chair around abruptly, she tripped over the edge of the rug.
"Ah!"
The mug flew. The bitter black coffee splashed directly onto Zain's pristine white branded shirt and the multi-million dollar 'Import-Export' documents spread across his desk.
A deathly silence filled the room. Zain's eyes turned a dangerous shade of red as he stood up, coffee dripping from his shirt.
"S-Sorry, sir! I'll clean it!" Anya panicked, instinctively reaching out with her bare hands to wipe the coffee from his chest.
The moment her hand touched him, Zain seized her wrist and pulled her flush against him. "Miss Lu... do you have any idea what you've just done?" His voice was a whisper, low and lethal.
Anya's eyes filled with tears. "I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to."
Zain unbuttoned his soaked shirt with one hand and threw it onto the table. Anya looked away, her heart hammering as she caught sight of his powerful, sculpted physique.
"Go. Get me another shirt," Zain commanded coldly.
"But sir... where? I'm new here," she stammered.
Zain pointed to a hidden door that led to his private dressing room. "Inside. You'll find my shirts there. And remember—I only wear white."
Inside the dressing room, Anya was stunned. It looked like a high-end boutique. As she reached for a white shirt, she turned to find Zain standing in the doorway, his dark, intense gaze following her every move.