- 1 week ago
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00:01I noticed the pattern. Every time I fought with my online boyfriend, the mafia boss made
00:06us work late. So I texted him. Every time we argue, I end up working overtime. Maybe
00:11we should break up. You're kind of bad luck for me. Less than a minute later, disaster
00:15hit. I typed fast. You're seriously a jinx for me. The boss just ordered a pay cut for
00:20the whole team. Let's just delete each other. A moment later, the boss's man stepped out.
00:24He checked every desk carefully. Then he stopped in front of Sienna. Take that pen and come
00:29with me. The pen in her hand was the one I had lent her. A gift from my online boyfriend.
00:34Three minutes earlier, I had just told my online boyfriend it was over. Marco, the boss's
00:39man, came out looking shaken. He ordered everyone to stand and tidy up their desks. He searched
00:43for something. Then he took Sienna and the pen away. We held our breath as Marco led her
00:48off. Only when the door closed did we exhale. Whispers started almost immediately. What did
00:53Sienna do? Probably getting chewed out. Better grab tissues for her. She'll cry
00:57hard. We had every reason to think that. The Russo family ran everything that mattered
01:02in the city. As the heir, Dominic had always been CEO at headquarters. Since our branch isn't
01:07doing well, the Don sent Dominic to take personal charge. Tall, sharp, dangerous. That was the
01:13first impression. Overnight, he became the fantasy of every girl in the building. But on his second
01:17day after taking over, he gave us a harsh wake-up call. No late arrivals. No office relationships.
01:23No phones during work hours. And the killer rule. This year's revenue had to exceed $1 billion.
01:29To put that into perspective, our company had only made $500 million before. He was ruthless.
01:34Results over everything. A machine with no feelings. People walked into his office smiling and left in
01:40tears. Do well and he pushed harder. Fall short and he tore you apart without mercy. He was
01:45the living devil of the floor. Under that pressure, I started talking to a guy online.
01:50It began with a wrong number. My cousin changed his contact. I typed one digit off. The stranger
01:55still accepted. I sent a stream of messages without thinking. All I got back was a... I replied angrily.
02:01What's that supposed to mean? Looking for a fight? Careful or I'll mess you up. I was ready to call
02:07and give my cousin a good scolding. Only to realize the number wasn't his. I was screwed. Sorry,
02:12wrong person. Let me buy you a coffee to make up for it. I sent him $20. He sent back
02:16$20,000.
02:18Interesting. I liked that. After a few days of talking, I knew he was different. A connection
02:22that felt like we had already met in another life. Names or face? No need. Just the match of minds.
02:28We got together naturally. Though we never meet, we both know we're each other's only one. He was good.
02:34Except for the little moods. Like if I take too long to reply or forget to say goodnight.
02:38Sometimes I pushed back and he gets mad. Every time he gets mad. Dominic made the whole floor
02:43work late. Weird as hell. Once or twice I could live with. Every single time? No. So I broke up
02:49with him. And what happened next? I got my salary cut. Seriously, who would stay with him after that?
02:54Something was off. We clearly did not fit. Poor Sienna got dragged into Dominic's office because of the
03:00pen he had given me. My online boyfriend had told me to keep it close while I worked. I lent
03:04it to her
03:05yesterday. Dating him was bad luck for everyone. Sienna came out a little later. No tears. No
03:10anger. Just a small smile. Marco walked behind her. Usually he was pure ice. Same type as Dominic.
03:17Now he looked like a loyal dog following her. No pay cuts. No late work tonight. The boss is buying
03:23dinner for the floor. Sienna is promoted to assistant team leader. Sienna is the boss's woman. The entire
03:29office fell silent in shock. Sienna had only been here six months and already jumped ranks. I had
03:35grinded five years for the same title. But who would dare say anything? Dominic had always been cold
03:41and untouchable. Yet he openly spoiled his girlfriend. If anything, people were more envious
03:46than jealous. Sienna, are you really his girlfriend? You're incredible. You managed to win over even a man
03:53as cold as our boss. Because of you, we survived this and get to have a big dinner. I had
03:57no interest
03:58in joining. I checked my messages. Empty. My online boyfriend didn't try to keep me. We were done for
04:04real. I was about to make a cup of coffee to stay awake. Sienna cut through the crowd and stopped
04:09in
04:09front of me. Area. Something wrong? That pen you lent me. Was it from your boyfriend? Yeah. My online
04:18boyfriend. Do you know what he looks like? How would I know? If I knew, would we even call it
04:22online dating? Did the pen cause you trouble? No. The boss said nothing. It writes really
04:28well. Can I buy it from you? The pen felt good in the hand. I did not care about the
04:32price,
04:33but the quality said it cost real money. Keep it. It's yours. We broke up anyway. Looking
04:38at it just annoyed me. But it was a gift from your boyfriend. I broke up with him. Why? Bad
04:44luck. We don't match. Tell me about him. Then she looked awkward, realizing it was too personal.
04:50Men are all the same. I have not dated much. Dominic is hard to read. A girl who looks like
04:56you, worried about reading a man? I need to get back to work.
05:01Dominic took us to the most expensive place in the city. He wanted everyone to treat his
05:05woman right. Sienna sat next to him, covered in jewelry that caught every light. He watched
05:10her like a man who finally found something worth keeping. Hard to believe the Ice King had
05:14a soft spot. After dinner, the sky opened. Hard rain. People with umbrellas shared and
05:19left in groups. I had forgotten mine. I stood under the entrance, waiting it out. I'll drive
05:23you. I looked up. Marco gave me a soft look and tilted his umbrella toward me. Dominic
05:28and Sienna came together. My car is over there. Thanks. In the car, Marco watched me through
05:33the rear view. How long have you been with the firm, Miss Vale? Five years. Are you seeing
05:39anyone? Just ended it. Marco was never this talkative. Why the sudden interest? Sienna just
05:44got promoted. Help her on the projects. So that was it. I will. She's the boss's woman.
05:49I get it. That's not what I mean. Opposite, actually. Lena is out on leave. The lead spot
05:54is open. I want you in it. What was he hinting? With my record, it should be mine. Okay, I'll
05:59handle it. Sienna and I were both assistant leads. We split the big project 50-50. She took
06:04the front half. I took the back. Once it's completed, it has to be personally reviewed
06:08by Dominic. Sienna volunteered to deliver it. Usually handing anything to Dominic felt like
06:13walking into a firing squad. People passed the job around like a hot potato. Since she
06:17was his woman, I let her take the risk. Even the boss's girl was not safe from his temper?
06:22After the report, Sienna looked terrible. She walked toward me, clearly troubled. A bad feeling
06:27rose in my chest. Sienna, you okay? Aria, I need a favor. Please. What is it? I made a stupid
06:32mistake on the front half of the report. I used last year's numbers. I thought that
06:36was enough. I panicked and told Dominic it was your part. I stared. So? He wants you
06:42in his office. Cover for me. I'll buy you dinner next time. My coworker Lena nudged me hard
06:46and gave me a look. I nodded. No choice. Thank you, Aria. Sienna's face lit up. She spun
06:52and walked off, hair swinging. She's the boss's woman. We can't touch her. Good luck. I braced
06:57myself for the lecture and walked into the devil's office. The gray interior made the entire
07:01room feel suffocating. A deadly aura surrounded Dominic. He did not even look up when I entered.
07:07Took you long enough. You crippled or something? I told myself the insults were for Sienna. Just
07:12for Sienna. How long have you worked here? Five. Five years. Five years and this is the garbage
07:18you turn in? He threw the report at my feet like trash. I picked it up and met his cold
07:23eyes. He looked
07:24ready to cut me open. Five years and you still make mistakes a rookie would not. You think you still
07:29belong here? Yes. I'm an idiot. Marco knocked and walked in with a stack of files. He glanced at
07:34me and frowned. The back half of this report is solid. The front is a mess. If you do not
07:40want the
07:40job, say so. Miss Vale is a senior employee. This does not track. I heard you and Sienna worked on
07:45this together. Mark intentionally stepped in to defend me. Dominic looked at him like he'd seen a
07:49ghost. In that second, I saw the pen on Dominic's desk. It looked exactly like the one I had given
07:55my
07:55online boyfriend. I bought it at a specialty shop. The owner said it was the only one. I asked without
08:00thinking. That pen any good? Mind your business. You work late tonight, finish or do not leave.
08:06Dominic was a man of his word. If I didn't get it done, I definitely wasn't going home. Sienna was
08:11gone all afternoon. No one could be found, so I had to redo her report myself. Pulled data, check sources.
08:17After a whole afternoon of work, my co-workers had all left. I ordered a cup of coffee. I had
08:22neither the
08:23mood nor the time for dinner. In the huge office, I was the only one left with my computer on.
08:28I
08:28rubbed eucalyptus oil on my temples to stay awake. I carried the fixed report to Dominic. He had plenty
08:33of work to deal with as well. He didn't leave his office the entire afternoon. What's that smell on
08:39you? Eucalyptus oil. I'm exhausted. Helps me focus. I do not like it. It has a... A medicine smell. I
08:45suddenly remembered that my online boyfriend had said this to me before. That was why I had an impression
08:50of it. Dominic went still. His eyes locked on me. Who told you that? My... My... Baby, you must be
08:57tired. I bought... Sienna pushed the door open and cut me off. She saw me and froze. Her hands were
09:02full
09:02of shopping bags from the highest-end stores, so that was her afternoon. Aria, you're still here.
09:08Yeah, thanks to you. Dominic flipped through my report like it bored him. Acceptable enough. It's late. Go
09:13home. I turned to leave and heard Sienna ask... What were you two talking about? I did not notice the
09:18calculation in her eyes. Next day at lunch, Lena slid into the seat next to me. Aria, people are
09:24saying you stayed late on purpose last night to make a move on the boss. Who said that? Everyone.
09:30I believe you, though. Only Sienna and I were in the office. Why would she start that? I ignored the
09:35gossip and kept working. That afternoon, I went to hand in the final version and caught the voices
09:40inside Dominic's office. Baby, you heard the rumors. Firing Aria would be protecting her.
09:47She's a long-time employee. It wouldn't be suitable. Baby, her work is average. I did most
09:52of the project we shared. If she leaves, the noise dies with her. I turned around, went to my desk,
09:57and started packing. Right on time, HR sent the termination notice. Aria, finish this file. My
10:03supervisor still did not know I was gone. He handed me papers. I finished my last day of work like
10:08any other,
10:08but being told to leave so suddenly made me realize I was a little reluctant to go. That night,
10:13my team stayed late until 8. After work, I packed up everything and took the subway home. My apartment
10:18was in a remote area. With the road under construction, I had to take a 10-minute detour.
10:23It was a 30-minute walk from the station to my place. Under the dark night sky, I couldn't shake
10:27the feeling that someone was following me. I looked back. A shadow caught my glance and ducked out of
10:32sight. First time something like this had ever happened to me. My legs went weak. I forced my breathing
10:37steady and opened my contacts. The first number was the one my online boyfriend had given me.
10:41He said if I ever ran into real trouble, call and he would be there. I had no other options.
10:46I hit
10:46dial. Even after the breakup, he answered on the first ring. Guilt hit me. Talk. The first time I
10:51heard his voice. Low, heavy, with a thin edge of warmth. Why did it sound so familiar? Someone is
10:58following me. Stay calm. Where are you? His voice was steady under the urgency. On the way home. I'm coming.
11:03He hung up clean. The area was mostly residential with narrow streets. I dropped the burdens. I
11:08dropped from the office and hurried forward. At the next corner, a figure appeared in front of me like
11:12he had stepped out of air. I spun. A hand covered my mouth. Everything went black. When I woke, the
11:18car
11:18roof was dark above me. I was in his vehicle. Cloth in my mouth. Wrists and ankles tied. No movement.
11:24A
11:24hard break. The car stopped. He leaned on the horn, glared at me like murder, and got out. Sirens in
11:29the
11:29distance. The back door opened. I looked at the man who appeared. Marco. My online boyfriend was
11:34Marco. What were the odds? Relief flooded me. He cut the ropes and pulled the cloth free. I threw
11:40my arms around him the second I was out. It was you. Thank you for coming. Marco did not hug
11:45back.
11:45He stood stiff. That voice. Dominic cleared his throat behind us. 6'2 and built like trouble,
11:53just standing still. He looked at me and Marco with a complicated face. Handle it. Watching Mark's
11:57retreating figure. I stood frozen in place. My heart filled with fear. Why was Dominic here?
12:03No. Was my online boyfriend him? You hurt? No, I'm fine. I did not know how to look at him.
12:09Still
12:10in work mode. Still guarded. Dominic stayed with me while I gave my statement at the station. The
12:14men who grabbed me named Sienna as the one who paid them. After the statement, I stood outside feeling
12:19empty. People would do anything to climb. Sad. Pathetic. What's wrong? You in pain? Dominic
12:25reached for my face. I flinched. I'm fine. He stepped in again. You're afraid of me? No. Sorry,
12:31boss. I caused you trouble. The apology only made his face darker. Get in the car. You're staying at
12:37my place tonight. What? No need, boss. My place is close. I- I- He took my wrist without
12:41another word,
12:42pulled me to the passenger door and opened it. No more talk. The car smelled like the same cold cedar
12:48that clung to him. I sat rigid, the question still eating me. Was Dominic really the clingy,
12:53generous, attentive guy from my phone? He was good looking enough. That part helped. He did not get
12:58in right away. He spoke with Marco outside. I watched his back and felt like the whole night
13:02was a dream. Dominic felt the distance from the woman who was supposed to be his. He did not
13:07understand girls. He asked Marco. She acts scared of me. How do I fix that? You ride her hard every
13:12day at work. Of course she's scared. So what do I do? Be softer. Give her things. Girls calm down
13:17when
13:17you treat them right. Dominic said a few more words and came back to the car. The second he sat,
13:21I sat up straight like a school kid when the bell rang. Relax. Nothing like that will happen
13:26again. Was he trying to comfort me? He pulled something from inside his jacket. The pen I gave
13:30you? Do not lend it out again. It was that pen. I did not mean to give it away. I
13:36only lent it. I tried
13:37to explain. The cap has your birthday carved on it. Does it? My eyes are not great. Dominic
13:43exhaled. My fault. Which part? All of it. You still want to work for the company? If not, I can
13:49place
13:50you somewhere easier. You fired me. I'm giving you a raise. I almost laughed. Boss, that is not what
13:55I meant. Stop calling me boss. Then what? Dominic, baby, too much. Okay boss, no, baby? If it feels
14:04wrong, then do not force it. I shut up. Better not push him into firing me twice. He drove me
14:08to a
14:09private estate. The underground garage was packed with cars that cost more than most people saw in
14:14a lifetime. Money hit me like a wave. This was real power. Dominic's arms slid around my waist,
14:20voice softer than I had ever heard from him. Why are you standing there? If you like any of them,
14:24take it. He said it like we were picking groceries. No thanks. I could not afford the insurance. He
14:30guided me to the elevator that went straight to the third floor. I asked quietly. Which room is mine?
14:35This one. I looked around. Not a guest room. It looked like his. I had some pajamas prepared for
14:40you. Go take a shower first. The housekeeper left silk pajamas on the bed, soft pink. Dominic
14:46shrugged out of his jacket. The dark shirt underneath made him look less like a statue.
14:50He yanked the tie loose and opened the top button. His throat moved. Tonight you sleep with me.
14:56I stopped breathing. My brain scrambled for an exit. We broke up. Reason? The one I told you.
15:02Through a screen it had sounded fine. Face to face with Dominic, it sounded insane. I twisted the edge of
15:08my shirt. I did not know it was you. And every time we argued, you made me work late. Your
15:13team
15:13numbers were weak. But it always lined up with... You kept making me angry. When I'm angry, I poured
15:18into work. And the pay cut? I wanted to push you. By then, I was almost sure you were in
15:23the building.
15:23So I had walked myself into the trap. I already said it was over. Dominic's mouth curved. I never
15:28agreed. His voice stayed low. Go shower. I washed until the water ran cold. The pajamas were a little
15:34too soft. A little too revealing. Knowing I would share a bed with Dominic made my heart slam. I
15:39dried my hair and stayed in the bathroom staring at the mirror longer than I needed. I should have
15:43used a sheet mask last night. I pulled the robe tight and walked out. Clippers clicked. Dominic's
15:47eyes followed every step. You look good in that. He did not bother riding the stair. Go shower. I'm
15:51tired. I heard a quiet laugh. Then I buried my face in the pillow and pretended to sleep. Dominic
15:55finished and came out. He saw me still and left the lights off. I stayed frozen, adrenaline burning
16:00off any real sleep. I heard him settle. Felt him tuck the blanket around me carefully.
16:04Then the room went quiet. I let out a breath. The next second, his hand landed on my waist
16:08without warning. I jerked and my eyes flew open. Act over. His breath was warm against
16:12my skin.
16:16I thought you were asleep.
16:18I-
16:21Are you still trying to get used to it? It's okay. This is my fault. I should have realized
16:25it was you sooner. Dominic's sincere apology touched me more than I expected.
16:29I don't blame you. It wasn't your fault. I just hate that you got hurt for it.
16:34I bit my lip and tried to sound steady. I'm okay. Sleep. You both work tomorrow.
16:38Morning light cut across the bed. I had actually slept hard. I stretched. The other side of
16:43the bed was empty.
16:47You're up.
16:47He walked in already dressed. Perfect suit. Watch that cost a fortune. Back to the untouchable
16:51boss.
16:52What are you thinking?
16:53Nothing.
16:54A rack of clothes rolled in. Several people pushing it.
16:57These are all your size. You said you like blue. Most of them are blue.
17:01I stared. Dominic almost smiled.
17:03What?
17:04He ruffled my hair.
17:06Change. Breakfast is downstairs. The housekeeper made scrambled eggs and coffee. Your favorites.
17:10From the moment his identity dropped until now, he finally felt like the man who answered
17:14every message and remembered every small thing. He knew my color. He knew what I liked to eat.
17:18He had always been the same person.
17:19After breakfast, I checked the wall clock. 10? Terrifying for anyone who still had a
17:23job. I finished the last of the coffee and wiped my mouth.
17:27We need to get to the office.
17:28Eat slow. We're not going in today.
17:30What? You're firing me for real?
17:33Wrong. Today I'm taking you shopping. You said work kept you too busy to buy clothes.
17:38He remembered that? I said it last month.
17:40I was just talking.
17:42I did not want to be the girl who skipped work while the numbers were still tight.
17:45Better to earn the extra this month. Dominic's mouth twitched.
17:48I also remember you calling your boss a living devil.
17:52I coughed.
17:53If I had known, I would have shut up.
17:55Fair. At work, I am exactly that.
17:59No. A good-looking devil. When you first showed up, half the girls on the floor wanted you.
18:05Including you?
18:06I liked the version on my phone. Fine. Let's go in. I'm ready to work.
18:11I wanted the promotion. The raise. The house of my own. Dominic gave in.
18:15There is an open lead spot.
18:16My heart jumped, waiting for my name.
18:18I gave it to Lena. You two are close on the floor.
18:20What? Not me?
18:22His phone rang. He stepped away to take it. I sat there, lost. What game was he playing?
18:27I chewed bread hard. So much for dating the boss and getting a free pass.
18:31Without the relationship, my record still should have won it.
18:34Dominic came back, voice softer.
18:36I have something else planned for you.
18:37Long game then. Fine.
18:38I hoped the plan was handing me his own chair. We rode to the office in a car worth more
18:43than most buildings.
18:44Even the traffic looked better. I did not want the whole floor knowing about us yet.
18:47Near the building, I switched back.
18:48Boss, I'll go in first. Wait ten minutes.
18:52Why?
18:52I'm not ready to walk in as your girlfriend yet.
18:55Deal.
18:55I'm getting out. Give me ten.
18:57I left fast and fixed my clothes. One night had changed how the building felt. I sat at my old
19:02desk. Lena lit up.
19:03Aria, you're here. I thought you were gone for good.
19:06So did I.
19:07You here?
19:08Sienna got cut. Dominic handled it himself. She stepped in something big.
19:12Lena was ready to gossip. Any other day, I would have joined. Now I kept my face blank.
19:17Really? What did she do?
19:19No idea. Good ribbons. None of us could stand her. Hate the connected ones. Especially the boss's woman.
19:26I sucked in air and nodded.
19:28You're right. Same here.
19:30Lena glanced at the entrance. Then her whole body tensed.
19:32Boss is here.
19:33I looked up and locked eyes with Dominic across the floor. My heart skipped. I kept typing like nothing had
19:39happened.
19:40Good thing you got in early. If he caught you late, he would have torn you apart.
19:43I nodded like I agreed. Lena getting the promotion was fine.
19:46She and I both came from nowhere. We worked hard just to stay in the city.
19:49I had typed the words when Marco appeared with a message.
19:52Miss Vase, the boss wants you.
19:53Okay. Maybe he noticed you were almost late. I'll be right back.
19:57I had no idea what Dominic was doing. He stood at the window with his hands in his pockets.
20:00Even his back looked expensive. I tilted my head.
20:03Boss, you needed me?
20:04Dominic turned just enough to hide a smile.
20:07Nothing. Missed you.
20:08I stepped beside him.
20:09Missed me? We saw each other an hour ago. If that's all, I should get back to work.
20:13He stopped me.
20:14Is your work that heavy?
20:15Yes.
20:16The promotion still sat under my skin. I did not want it to turn into a real problem between us.
20:20I asked anyway.
20:21Why Lena and not me?
20:22Dominic paused.
20:23Because if you got the title, you would work even harder. We would have less time.
20:26You are such a romantic idiot. I almost laughed.
20:29Do you want the title? If you do, it's yours. Or tell me what you want instead. I'll make it
20:33right.
20:33He said it. I would use it.
20:35Boss, you work too hard. You need rest. Everyone on the floor is running on empty.
20:39So what do you suggest?
20:40I thought for a second and said it plain.
20:42Raise the pay. Simple.
20:44Dominic looked at me and answered without blinking.
20:46Done. 2,000 more for every person.
20:48I stared at him for a second, then smiled.
20:50Just like that, the overtime, the pay cuts, the fear, and the long nights of wondering who he really was
20:55all settled.
20:56Dominic Russo, the man who once made the whole floor tremble, was the same person who had been waiting for
21:00my goodnight messages every evening.
21:02I reached out and took his hand.
21:04This time, I didn't let go.