Lila returned to her apartment, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Finally, after all the chaos, she could breathe freely again. She settled into her couch, enjoying the peace, but it was short-lived as the doorbell rang.
Standing in the doorway was a man she barely recognized—the landlord. Or the housekeeper. She didn't know which. All she knew was that he was here to deliver more bad news.
"I'm sorry, Miss Kensington," he said, his voice detached. "You'll need to move out. The owner's decided to sell this property. We'll give you some time, but... I suggest you start looking for a new place."The words hit Lila like a slap to the face. She stared at him, unable to speak at first. Another change, another disruption.
"Just like that?" she managed to whisper. "I have nowhere to go."
"I'm sorry. That's just the way it is," he replied, his expression sympathetic but firm. "I wish you luck."
And with that, he was gone.
Lila closed the door behind him with a force that surprised even her. Her head spun as she slumped against the wall. This wasn't real. It couldn't be real.
Her heart sank, but there was nothing she could do. It was another blow, but she knew she had to keep moving forward.
The next day was no better. She got fired from that job. The missed appointment yesterday—because of Astor—had been the final straw. She had tried to explain to her boss, but he'd cut her off with a terse dismissal. "Lila, this is a serious matter. We don't have time for personal problems here."
Her hands trembled as she packed up her things, staring at the empty desk. This is my life now. Unstable. Out of control. She couldn't help but feel bitter about it. About him. About everything.
With no job and a need for income, she started job hunting. After a few days, she got an interview at a prestigious company. She was ready. Her hair was perfectly styled, her outfit was professional but with a hint of allure. As she entered the building, all eyes were on her. It was clear—she was stunning.
She waited in the lobby, her nerves flaring up. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She had to wait for the boss to finish with another meeting, so she sat in silence, mentally preparing herself for the interview.
When the door finally opened, her heart dropped—standing in the doorway was none other than Astor.
Her jaw nearly hit the floor. They were alone in the interview room. He smiled at her, and she immediately felt a rush of heat to her cheeks.
"Well, well, Lila," he said, his voice smooth, "Looks like fate has a funny way of working things out."
She forced a smile, trying to mask her discomfort. "What are you doing here, Astor?"
He chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. "Just a simple interview, Lila. I promise I won't bite."
But she knew better. The way he looked at her, that smoldering gaze, sent shivers down her spine.
As he asked her questions, he couldn't help but let his gaze linger a little too long, and his comments were filled with flirtation. Lila fidgeted nervously, trying to keep her composure.
After a few minutes of conversation, Astor leaned back in his chair, his smile never faltering. "You're very... attractive, Miss Kensington. I can see why they hired you."
Just as things were starting to feel more intense, there was a knock on the door. Astor straightened up, the tension easing just a bit, but not enough for her to feel fully comfortable.
After the interview ended, Lila couldn't help but wonder why fate kept throwing him in her path. She muttered to herself as she walked home, frustrated with the situation.
Later that night, her phone buzzed. It was an email from the company.
She opened it, her breath catching in her throat. She had gotten the job.
But a part of her was torn. The idea of seeing Astor every day sent a chill down her spine. Still, she would start the next day, and there was no turning back now.
Her first day at work felt like a whirlwind. She was introduced to a few colleagues, including Maya Sinclair and John Green. Maya, being her best friend, was quick to pull her aside.
"Hey, girl," Maya said, grinning. "So, what's the deal with your boss? Roman Astor, right? He's got this whole mysterious, 'I-own-the-world' vibe going on. But you seem to be the only one who isn't falling for it."
Lila rolled her eyes. "Don't get me started. He's—" she stopped herself, but Maya wasn't going to let it go.
"Come on, you can't tell me you're not intrigued. He's got that magnetism, you know? All the girls are in love with him. What's your take on it?"
"I don't know," Lila muttered, her face flushing slightly. "I'm not interested in his charm. I just want to do my job and not deal with his... games."
John, who had been overhearing, chimed in, "It's impossible not to notice him, Lila. He's literally watching everyone. But hey, you're not falling for it, so you've got some serious willpower."
Throughout the day, Lila felt his gaze on her constantly. Whether she was in the break room or at her desk, Astor seemed to be watching her. Sometimes, he'd call her for no reason, just to check in or ask if she needed anything.
It made her uneasy. At lunch, he even had food ordered for her, sending a small delivery of her favorite dish. She had no idea how he knew what she liked.
It wasn't just the small things either. He seemed to know when she needed a break and when she was stressed. His presence, though unsettling at times, was always there.
Then, one day, he invited the whole office to dinner at a restaurant. Lila initially refused, not wanting to be around him, but her colleagues insisted, and she ended up going along.
That night, she drank more than she intended to, her inhibitions slipping away. As she left the restaurant, the alcohol hitting her hard, she was approached by a group of men. They began to tease her, getting too close for comfort.
In an instant, Astor had them on the ground. His fist connected with one's jaw, and he didn't stop until they all scattered, bloodied and terrified. He grabbed her by the arm, pulling her along.
"You've had enough," he muttered, his tone more protective than she expected. But she didn't want his protection. She didn't want him.
Lila was in no condition to argue. She fell asleep almost immediately, only to wake up to find herself in a hotel room, with Astor sitting at the edge of the bed.
She was furious, her mind clouded with the events of the night before. "What happened last night?" she demanded, her voice sharp.
Astor, with his usual calm demeanor, smirked. "Nothing happened, Lila. I promised you I wouldn't let anything happen to you. You were just too drunk to go home on your own."
Lila sighed, her anger still bubbling but slowly fading. "I... I don't know what to think anymore."
He leaned forward, his voice low and soothing. "It's okay. I won't force anything. But you don't have to push me away. I'll always be here for you."
Later, back at work, she tried to focus on the tasks at hand, but her thoughts kept drifting to him.
Then, that evening, an email came from her mother, Helena Kensington. The subject read: "Lila, we need to talk." Her heart skipped a beat.