"She was his greatest rival. His first obsession. And the only one who ever got away."
They were never meant to get along. She was the golden girl, the one who always challenged him-his biggest competition on the field and the only person who saw th...
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AUTHOR'S POV
The sound of clicking heels echoed through the hallway as Arin walked toward the cabin she'd been summoned to. Her heart pounded against her ribs, equal parts nervous and confused. It had been three days since she started this internship, and while she had been adapting to the new environment, the unanswered question of how she was selected still lingered in her mind. She hadn't even been interviewed, yet here she was.
She reached the door, the brass nameplate gleaming in the light. It read: Arzen Shah- CEO.
The name felt strangely familiar, tugging at the edges of her memory. But she brushed the thought aside, attributing it to the endless emails and documents she had scanned over the past few days. With a steadying breath, she knocked on the door.
"Come in," a deep, commanding voice called from inside.
Arin opened the door and stepped into the luxurious office. Her eyes quickly took in the space-dark wood furniture, shelves lined with books, and a large window overlooking the city skyline. The man seated at the desk had his back to her, speaking on the phone.
Her footsteps faltered as he turned around, his piercing gaze locking onto hers.
It was him.
The air left her lungs as recognition hit her like a tidal wave. Arzen. The man she thought she'd left behind. The man who had broken her trust.
He leaned back in his chair, a devilish smirk spreading across his face as if he had been waiting for this exact moment. "Welcome Tesoro," he said smoothly, his voice dripping with familiarity. "I see you've made yourself comfortable in my company."
Her hands clenched at her sides, her composure hanging by a thread. "You? You're the director?"
Arzen's smirk deepened. "Surprised? You shouldn't be."
Arin felt the room spinning. Her mind raced back to the contract she had signed, her confusion over being hired without an interview, and the sense that something had been deliberately hidden from her. Now, it all made sense.
"You... you're the reason I got this job," she accused, her voice trembling with anger.
He didn't deny it. Instead, he stood, his presence as imposing as ever. "Let's just say I like having what belongs to me close, tesoro."
Arin took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. "I don't belong to you, Arzen."
He tilted his head, his expression a mix of amusement and something darker. "That's where you're wrong. I ensured you'd be here, and I ensured you'd stay. Have you read the fine print of your contract?"
Her breath hitched as his words registered. "What are you talking about?"
Arzen walked over to his desk and picked up a folder. Flipping it open, he held out a page for her to see. "This clause right here. If you terminate the internship prematurely, you owe the company a rather substantial penalty."
Arin's eyes scanned the document in disbelief. She hadn't noticed it before-how could she have missed this? Her stomach twisted in knots as realization dawned.
"You manipulated this," she said, her voice shaking. "You manipulated me."
He stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "I gave you an opportunity, tesoro. Whether you see it as manipulation or not is entirely up to you. But one thing is certain-you're not going anywhere."
Arin's hands trembled as she slammed the folder shut and threw it onto his desk. "You can't control me, Arzen. I won't let you."
His smirk faded, replaced by a flicker of something unreadable. "It's not about control, Arin. It's about keeping you where you belong."
Without another word, Arin turned on her heel and stormed out of the office, her mind racing with anger and confusion. She didn't know why Arzen was doing this, but one thing was clear-this wasn't just about her job.
As she walked down the hallway, she could feel his gaze burning into her back. This was far from over.
Arzen watched her storm out of his office, the sound of her retreating footsteps echoing in the silence. He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled under his chin, a small, satisfied smile tugging at the corners of his lips. She was angry-furious, even-but at least she was here. That was enough for now.
He knew he couldn't undo the past with a single conversation or gesture. The pain he had caused her was a wound that would take time to heal. But he wasn't a man who gave up easily.
"It'll take time, tesoro," he murmured to himself, his voice soft yet determined. "But I will make it up to you. One way or another."
For the first time in years, Arzen felt a glimmer of hope. She was within reach again, and this time, he wouldn't let her slip away. He would rebuild the trust he had shattered-slowly, steadily, and completely.
Arzen leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the live CCTV feed displayed on his computer screen. He watched Arin as she settled into her new desk, her focus sharp as she flipped through documents and typed away at her computer. A soft smile played on his lips as he took in the sight of her-she had always carried herself with quiet determination, a trait he admired more than she realized.
His gaze flickered to the small microphone discreetly installed near her desk. It wasn't for anything invasive; it was just so he could ensure she was comfortable and had what she needed. His intentions were pure-he wanted to protect her, even if she didn't know it yet.
When Arin muttered something about needing coffee, Arzen immediately dialed his secretary. "Make sure there's fresh coffee delivered to Miss Arin's desk," he instructed. "And add a little chocolate croissant. She loves those."
Moments later, he saw her surprise as the tray was delivered, her lips curving into the faintest smile. That smile sent warmth coursing through him. She didn't know he was behind the gesture, but that didn't matter.
"She'll never admit it, but she works too hard," Arzen murmured to himself, shaking his head. His eyes softened as he continued to watch her. He wasn't just repairing what he had broken-he was proving to himself that he could love her the way she deserved.
For Arzen, this wasn't control; it was care. And though he couldn't be by her side just yet, he vowed to support her in every way he could, no matter how small the gesture.
