The dimly lit office was bathed in a golden hue as the sun began its descent, casting long shadows over the polished marble floor. Adrian sat at his desk, his fingers loosely wrapped around a crystal glass of whiskey. The broken glass from earlier had been cleared, but the cut on his palm still bled faintly, a crimson reminder of his escalating fury.
His cold, calculating eyes were locked onto the report in his hand—the one that traced the security breach to Liana's system. The rage building in his chest was like a slowly boiling storm, threatening to consume everything in its path.
He leaned back in his chair, swirling the glass slowly. Her betrayal stung more than it should. It infuriated him. She had clawed her way into his thoughts, made him crave her in ways he hadn't craved anyone before. And now, she had the audacity to play him?
"Clever little liar…" he muttered, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips.
But if she thought she could outsmart him, she was gravely mistaken.
---
Meanwhile – Liana's Apartment
Liana sat on the floor of her apartment, knees pulled to her chest, trembling slightly. The anonymous call from earlier still echoed in her ears. Her hands were ice-cold, her knuckles white from gripping the edge of her shirt.
Her phone buzzed again, and she flinched. But this time, it wasn't the unknown number—it was from Chloe.
"Hey… you okay?" Chloe's voice was soft, but she could sense the worry behind it.
"Yeah," Liana lied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Liana… you're scaring me. You sound off. Did something happen?"
Liana closed her eyes, the weight of everything crushing her chest. She wanted to tell Chloe the truth—that she was being followed, watched, and manipulated by Adrian Kingston. That she was drowning in a dangerous game she never intended to play.
But she didn't.
Instead, she forced a smile into her voice. "I'm just tired. Long day at work."
Chloe didn't sound convinced, but she didn't push. "Alright… but call me if you need anything, okay?"
"Okay."
Liana hung up, feeling hollow. She ran a shaky hand through her hair, her heart still racing.
Suddenly, her doorbell rang, making her jump. Her head snapped toward the door, and her breath hitched. She wasn't expecting anyone.
Her hands trembled slightly as she approached the door, her fingers hovering over the lock.
"Calm down, Liana. It's probably just the neighbor."
But when she peered through the peephole, her blood ran cold.
Adrian.
He stood there, tall and menacing, dressed in a sleek black suit. His expression was unreadable, his eyes dark and impassive.
Her fingers curled against the door frame. She considered pretending she wasn't home. But she knew better. He wouldn't leave.
Summoning her courage, she unlocked the door and slowly pulled it open.
"Mr. Kingston…?" she said softly, masking the tremor in her voice.
He didn't say a word. He just stared at her, his eyes hooded with something darker than usual. Without waiting for an invitation, he stepped inside, forcing her back.
The door clicked shut behind him.
---
The Apartment – Tension Escalates
Liana backed away slowly, her heart hammering against her ribs. The apartment suddenly felt smaller, suffocating.
She swallowed hard, her voice barely steady.
"You shouldn't be here…" she whispered.
Adrian's eyes glimmered with dangerous amusement.
"Shouldn't I?" His voice was low, dark, and mocking.
He stalked toward her, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator circling its prey.
Her breath caught in her throat as her back hit the wall. She tried to slip away, but his hand slammed against the wall, caging her in.
Their bodies were inches apart. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin, making her knees weak.
"Adrian…" she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.
His eyes roamed over her face—her parted lips, the slight quiver of her chin. Slowly, he leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear.
"You lied to me, Liana."
Her stomach tightened. She shook her head quickly, her eyes wide.
"I-I didn't—"
But he didn't let her finish. His hand suddenly gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him. His touch was firm, almost punishing, but not cruel.
"Don't insult me with your lies," he hissed, his voice low and lethal. "The security breach… traced back to you. Tell me, Liana…" he leaned closer, his lips barely grazing hers. "How much did they pay you?"
Her eyes widened in shock.
"W-What?!" she gasped. "You think I—"
But before she could explain, his lips crashed against hers. It wasn't a kiss of passion—it was raw, punishing, and claiming.
Liana tried to push him away, her hands pressed against his chest, but he didn't budge. His fingers curled into her hair, tilting her head back, deepening the kiss.
She whimpered against his lips, but his grip only tightened. He wasn't gentle—he was possessive, merciless, as if trying to brand her with his touch.
When he finally pulled back, her lips were swollen, and her eyes were wide with shock and confusion.
Her voice trembled.
"You… you're hurting me…"
His jaw clenched, and he instantly released her. His hands curled into fists at his sides, fighting to rein in the darkness clawing inside him.
She pressed her back against the wall, her breathing ragged, tears stinging her eyes.
For a fleeting moment, guilt flickered in his eyes, but he quickly masked it.
"Don't test me, Liana," he warned coldly, his voice dangerously low.
"Because the next time… I won't be so gentle."
Without another word, he turned and walked out, leaving her trembling against the wall.
---
Later That Night – Adrian's Penthouse
Adrian sat on the edge of his bed, his shirt unbuttoned, the cut on his palm bandaged. His head throbbed with conflicting emotions.
She had lied. Betrayed him. Or so he believed.
But the taste of her still lingered on his lips. The softness of her skin still burned his hands.
He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, his jaw clenching tightly.
"What the hell are you doing to me, Liana…" he muttered under his breath.
Somewhere deep down, he knew she wasn't the traitor. But he needed someone to blame.
And she was the perfect target.
---
See you in next chapter..