Xa'hao's heart pounded against her ribs as she rose, her hand instinctively smoothing the fabric of her skirt. This was it. Aiken Zhao's office was a show of controlled nature , minimalist, imposing, with a view of the sprawling city that he silently dominated. He sat behind his expansive desk, the city lights reflecting in his eyes. The crisp envelope on the polished surface.
"Mr. Zhao, you wanted discuss something with me?"
Aiken's hand, which had been idly turning a piece of obsidian, stilled. His gaze lifted, locking onto hers. No surprise registered in his expression, only that unnerving intensity that always made her senses sharpen.
"Phoenix Ascendant," he stated, his voice a low, resonant rumble that seemed to vibrate through the very floor. It wasn't a question.
"Yes, sir," Xa'hao replied, meeting his gaze despite the tremor in her hands. "They made me a very generous offer." A half-truth, a shield against the reality that she suspected he was a demon king trapped in the human world. A subtle tightening of his jaw was the only outward sign of his displeasure. "Their intentions are transparent. If you wanted more pay you could've asked. But taking a job at Phoenix, is out of the question. No" His gaze intensified, as if trying to peer into her very soul. "Your efficiency, Ms. Li, is invaluable. Rising hawk would be at a distinct disadvantage without your particular skillset." He slips the envelope in the shredder, and stands up, prowling towards her.
"I understand, sir, but my decision is firm." Xa'hao tried to project an air of finality, but the sheer weight of his presence was oppressive.
Aiken strides towards her, a dangerous look in his eyes, his expression unreadable, his power radiating in silent waves. "I will not accept it." The words hung in the air, heavy and absolute.
Xa'hao stared at him, a mixture of disbelief and a chilling premonition washing over her. Her back bumps onto the wall, and she brace a hand on it to not fall. As he caged her to the wall.
"Sir?"
"Your resignation," he repeated, his voice flat, devoid of any inflection. "It is denied." The silence that followed was thick with unspoken tension. Xa'hao felt trapped, not just in the confines of his office, but in a web of secrets and powers far beyond her initial understanding. Aiken Zhao wouldn't let her go. And as she looked into his fathomless eyes, she knew, with a certainty that chilled her to the bone, that her life was about to become far more complicated than balancing spreadsheets and scheduling appointments.
For five years, she had navigated the treacherous waters of the human corporate world, all while keeping a wary eye on her enigmatic boss, Aiken Zhao. He was an enigma, a man who commanded attention without uttering a word. Aiken Zhao. His icy demeanor was legendary, his sharp intellect feared and admired in equal measure. The women in the office whispered about his allure, the way his gaze could make them feel both insignificant and utterly captivated.
He bent his dark head, his nose buried in the crook of her neck. "I need you. You're the only sane thing in this world." His fingers slid into her curly hair that didn't get blow dried or straightened, freeing it from it's bun confines.
"I…"
"Sssh, don't say anything yet." Aiken lays a finger on her lips, stopping her words. And then lowers his lips to hers in an exploratory kiss that takes her breath and mental capacity away.