08
I never thought of myself as a man who fixated on anything outside of business. My world had always been simple: identify what I wanted, claim it, and control every aspect of it.
But Lenora Williams was different.
It started with small things—her soft voice when she spoke, the way her mismatched eyes flickered with uncertainty when I asked her a question.
I couldn't stop watching her, noticing the little details: the way she smoothed her skirt when she sat at her desk, the nervous nibble at her bottom lip when she concentrated, or the way her cheeks flushed when she caught me looking at her.
Oh how wonderful would she look flushing like that under me as claim her.
I wasn't just intrigued. I was consumed.
I told myself it was harmless. A passing distraction.
But even as I sat in my office, reviewing contracts worth billions of dollars, my mind wandered to her.
I imagined her walking into my office, her head slightly bowed, her voice trembling as she answered my questions.
I liked her obedience, the way she seemed so eager to please.
So fucking submissive.
I liked the way she looked at me—with fear, but also with a quiet sort of reverence, as if I were something to be admired and feared in equal measure.
It made me feel... powerful.
But power, I knew, was a double-edged sword.
This obsession was dangerous. She was dangerous.
I kept my distance, watching her from behind the safety of my office walls. She had no idea how much space she occupied in my mind, and I intended to keep it that way. I was a master of control, and I wouldn't let one innocent little, wide-eyed assistant unravel me.
At least, that's what I told myself.
Until I saw him.
I was reviewing the day's reports when I glanced up and noticed Lenora standing near the break room, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. She was talking to one of the junior executives—a man whose name I didn't care to remember.
The way he leaned toward her, his posture casual and far too familiar, but it was obvious that he was captivated by the little beauty, this made my stomach twist. He was smiling, saying something I couldn't hear, and she...
She was smiling back.
It wasn't the smile she gave me—shy and hesitant. This one was warm, genuine, and entirely too inviting.
My grip on the pen in my hand tightened as I watched him laugh, leaning closer as if he had any right to invade her space. My eyes narrowed, and I felt a surge of something I hadn't experienced in years.
Jealousy.
Lenora was my employee. She was free to speak to anyone she pleased. But the sight of her smiling at another man—letting someone else into her world, even for a moment—was like a spark to dry kindling.
I stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. The sound startled me, breaking through the haze of my anger.
What the hell was wrong with me?
I wasn't the jealous type. I didn't care about people enough to be jealous.
But Lenora wasn't like anyone else.
Before I could stop myself, I left my office and strode toward the break room, my footsteps firm and deliberate. I didn't care if I looked out of place—I rarely left my office during the day, preferring to keep my distance from the rest of the staff.
When I reached the doorway, they noticed me instantly. The junior executive's smile faltered, good— and Lenora turned towards me, her mismatched eyes widening in surprise.
"Miss Williams," I said, my voice calm but with authority. "A word in my office. Now."
She blinked, her hands fidgeting nervously. "Of course, sir."
I didn't spare the man another glance as I turned and walked back toward my office, knowing she would follow. The click of her heels on the polished floor was the only sound in the otherwise silent corridor.
When we reached my office, I closed the door behind her, the soft click reverberating in the air between us. She stood near the desk, her posture stiff and uncertain, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.
"Sit," I said, gesturing to the chair across from me.
She obeyed immediately, her eyes fixed on the desk as she sat. Why can't she just look at me I thought irritated.
"Tell me," I began, leaning forward slightly, "how are you finding your first week here?"
Her head jerked up, clearly surprised by the question. "I... It's been good, sir. A little overwhelming, but I'm learning a lot."
"Good," I said, though my voice lacked warmth. I studied her, noting the faint blush on her cheeks and the way her lashes fluttered when she glanced away.
"Do you find the environment here... comfortable?" I asked, my tone casual.
She hesitated, her hands tightening in her lap. "Yes, sir. Everyone has been very welcoming."
The memory of her smiling at that man flashed in my mind, and I felt my jaw clench. "Welcoming," I repeated. "Including Mr. Daniels?"
Her eyes darted to mine, panic flickering in their depths. "Oh, um, y..yes, I s..suppose so. He was just asking about my role here."
"Was he?" I asked, my voice dropping low.
She nodded quickly, her face flushing deeper. "Yes, sir. It was nothing inappropriate, I assure you."
Her attempt to reassure me only stoked the fire inside. I didn't like the way she felt the need to defend him, as if she owed him something.
Did she happened to like him?
That only made me more irritated.
"You're here to work, Miss Williams," I said, my tone sharper than I intended. "Not to socialize."
Her shoulders tensed, and I felt an immediate pang of guilt.
"I'm sorry, sir," she said softly, her head bowing down as she nibbled on her lower lip. Her face having no trace of the happy woman I witnessed earlier.
You had to always fuck it Luca.
The sight of her like that—submissive, almost fragile—sent a rush of conflicting emotions through me. I hated making her feel small, but at the same time, I couldn't deny the way it made me feel... in control.
"It won't happen again," she added, her voice barely above a whisper.
I leaned back in my chair, forcing myself to calm down. "See that it doesn't," I said, though the words felt hollow.
She nodded, still avoiding my gaze, and I knew I'd gone too far.
"Lenora," I said, trying to keep my voice softer this time.
Her head lifted slightly, her eyes meeting mine.
"You're doing well," I said, surprising even myself. "Keep it up."
The faintest smile crossed her lips, and I felt a strange sense of satisfaction at having brought it back, and this time I was the reason for it.
"Thank you, sir," she said quietly.
I dismissed her with a nod, watching as she left the office.
When the door closed behind her, I leaned back in my chair and exhaled slowly.
This wasn't just a distraction anymore. It was something darker, something I couldn't control.
And I wasn't sure I wanted to.
It was an obsession.