Ailin sat at her desk, focused on a sketch, when Manager Guo's deep voice broke through the hum of conversation.
"Ailin" he called, his tone unusually serious. "Come to my office for a moment."
She blinked, puzzled, but quickly set her pencil down and followed him.
Inside, Manager Guo sat behind his desk, his expression unreadable. "The president wants to see you," he said slowly, studying her face. "Do you… know him personally?"
Ailin froze. "The president?" she repeated, startled. "No, sir. I don't know him."
He held her gaze for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. You can go. Don't keep him waiting."
Her pulse quickened as she stepped into the elevator. Why does the president want to see me? Did I do something wrong?
When the elevator chimed, the doors opened to reveal the top floor—sleek, silent, and intimidating. Even the air felt colder up here.
Ailin approached the secretary's desk, trying to steady her voice. "Good morning. I'm Ailin from the Design Department. The president asked to see me."
The secretary gave her a brief look, made a quick call, then nodded. "You may go in."
Ailin swallowed hard and pushed open the heavy glass door.
Inside, Yize stood beside Yichen's desk, holding a file. He turned when she entered and gave a polite nod before excusing himself. "I'll take my leave now"
The door closed behind him with a quiet click, leaving only the sound of Ailin's heartbeat.
She stood frozen in front of the massive desk, her eyes fixed on the floor.
Then Yichen's low, deep voice broke it. "Are you done admiring the floor?"
Ailin's head snapped up. "Huh?"
And then she saw him.
The sharp jawline. The piercing grey eyes.
Her breath hitched. No… it can't be him.
Yichen's lips curved into a faint smile. "I don't mind kissing you again," he said lazily, "if that's what it takes to make you look up."
Ailin's stomach dropped. Her pulse roared in her ears as the truth slammed into her.
He's the man from that night… The man I—
Her knees almost gave way. This wasn't just anyone. This was Yichen, the president of Huaxing Corporation the most powerful man in Country J. Her boss.
"P-President Yichen…" she stammered, voice trembling. "I—I was drunk that night. I didn't know what I was doing. Please… don't fire me. I'll resign quietly if you want. Just… please don't make a scene."
Yichen tilted his head slightly, his gaze cold but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes.
"So" he murmured "you do remember that night."
Ailin's heart stopped. She bit her lip, her mind spinning.
Yichen, he simply watched her, a slow, dangerous smile curving his lips.
Yichen rose slowly from his chair, his tall figure casting a long shadow across the office floor.
Ailin's pulse quickened as he began walking toward her , she moved back until her back hit the cold wall behind her. Her breath hitched when she realized there was nowhere left to go.
Yichen stopped just inches away. His scent clean and faintly musky surrounded her, making her nerves spike. He leaned down, his voice low and deep.
"Who said anything about firing you?" he murmured near her ear.
Ailin's body trembled. His tone wasn't loud, but the closeness and weight in his voice made her heart race uncontrollably.
Yichen straightened and stepped away, his expression returning to its usual coldness. He walked to the sofa and gestured calmly. "Sit."
Ailin hesitated for a moment before obeying, clutching her hands together to stop them from shaking. Yichen handed her a sleek black folder.
She opened it carefully, her brows furrowing. "A… contract?" she asked.
Yichen leaned back against the desk, watching her every movement. "Yes. Read it."
Her eyes scanned the papers quickly. "But… why am I getting a contract?" she asked, still not daring to meet his eyes.
A faint smile tugged at his lips, not gentle, but sharp. "For taking advantage of me that night," he said casually.
Ailin froze, her fingers tightening on the edge of the paper. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she bit her lower lip.
"That wasn't" She stopped herself, realizing there was no point in explaining.
She sighed softly and continued reading.
"The terms," Yichen said, his tone turning clipped, "are simple. Party B must always meet the requirements of Party A. You will appear whenever I need you. My personal affairs are none of your concern. And…" he paused slightly, his gaze sharp as a blade "if you fail to meet my expectations, this contract and your job will end immediately."
Ailin's eyes widened at the last line. She looked up at him, startled. "You're serious?"
He smiled again, a faint glint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "This is your punishment, darling, for taking advantage of me."
Her lips parted, but no words came out. She didn't know whether to be angry or afraid.
"Give me your phone" he said suddenly.
She blinked. "My… phone?"
Still confused, Ailin handed it over. Yichen quickly typed in his number, then handed it back. "That's my private line. Call me only when it's important."
Her gaze dropped to the screen, her heartbeat still beating fast. "O-okay…"
Yichen said nothing more. He simply turned away, the conversation clearly over.
~~~
Ailin walked out of Yichen's office like a ghost, her steps unsteady, her mind spinning.
How… how could this happen?
The man from that night, the stranger she thought she'd never see again turned out to be her boss. The President of Huaxing Corporation.
"This can't be real" she whispered, "How can it be him?"
"Ahhh!" she suddenly screamed, startling the quiet hallway.
Heads turned. A few employees exchanged glances, some giggling behind their hands. Ailin bowed her head, cheeks flaming, and hurried to her office as if nothing had happened.
From his glass office, Manager Guo raised a brow, watching her retreat. "Did something happen with the president?" he muttered under his breath.
At her desk, Ninglan looked up as Ailin sank into her chair, pale and dazed. "You okay? You look like you just saw a ghost."
Ailin forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine. Just tired."
Ninglan wasn't convinced, but she let it go. "Alright. Let's head home together after work, yeah?"
"Yeah" Ailin murmured. "Thanks."
When the day finally ended, they packed up and stepped outside. The evening air felt thick, pressing down on her like a weight.
During the drive, Ninglan hummed softly to the radio, glancing at Ailin now and then. "You sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine," Ailin said again, staring out the window. "Just… a lot on my mind."
"Mm." Ninglan pulled over at her favorite restaurant. "Stay here. I'll grab us something."
A few minutes later, she came back with two takeout bags. The warm scent of chicken stew filled the car. "Here. You need to eat. It helps, trust me."
Ailin managed a small smile. "Thanks, Ninglan."
"Anytime." Ninglan smiled back.
When they reached Ailin's apartment, she waved goodbye and watched the car disappear down the street.
The moment she shut the door behind her, she sank to the floor, clutching her head.
"What have I done…" she whispered. "What have I gotten myself into?"
She lay there for a long moment, staring at the ceiling, then sat up abruptly, frustration bubbling in her chest.
After a few deep breaths, she opened the takeout bag and forced herself to eat a spoonful but the food was tasteless.
She grabbed her phone, typing quickly: President of Huaxing Corporation.
Nothing. No photo, no biography, not even a trace of his public appearance.
"Nothing?" she muttered. "How can the richest man in Country J be this hidden?"
Her gaze dropped to her contact list.
There it was Yichen.
Her chest tightened. The urge to throw her phone across the room pulsed through her. "If I were smart, I'd smash this phone and leave Country J tonight," she said bitterly.
But she didn't move. She just sat there, staring at his name glowing on the screen caught between fear and something she couldn't name.