Prologue: When control turns into desire, even the strongest minds begin to lose their grip.
The very next day, everyone arrived at the office, the air already thick with anticipation. The investors from the previous meeting had returned to Yaren Company for their final decision.
Lara was late again.
The meeting had already begun when she knocked softly and stepped inside. Without meeting anyone's eyes—especially not his—she walked in and quietly took the seat beside Zaden. She didn't look at him even once, instead opening her file and pretending to be completely absorbed in his schedule.
But Zaden noticed.
His sharp gaze stayed on her, studying every small movement as if trying to read what she refused to show.
One of the investors cleared his throat.
"We've reviewed your proposal from yesterday, Miss Lara. We were quite impressed. In fact, we've decided to move forward with your approach and would like to apply your ideas to our new production project."
Lara froze.
"N-no, sir… it was just an opinion," "I don't really know anything beyond that."
All eyes shifted to Zaden.
He didn't look away from her.
Lara hesitated before finally meeting his gaze.
"Don't you agree, sir?" one of the investors asked.
Zaden leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable.
"Of course I do," he said calmly. "Her suggestions were brilliant."
Lara blinked in shock.
"I think you should explore it further," he continued, his eyes still locked on hers. "Give us proper strategies and ideas for this new project."
"I… I—" Lara stammered, caught off guard.
"You were confident yesterday," Zaden interrupted smoothly. "What happened now?"
Her fingers tightened around the file.
"I need some time… to think of better strategies."
The shareholders nodded among themselves, clearly satisfied.
Zaden's lips curved faintly.
"If everyone's fine with that, then so am I. Take your time, Lara… but I want something impressive by this weekend."
The meeting ended shortly after.
Lara returned to her cabin and immediately buried herself in work.
Zaden, however, sat in his office watching her through the CCTV monitor. He had expected at least a glance, maybe even an apology.
But she gave him nothing.
She worked as if nothing had happened.
As if he didn't exist.
And strangely… that only made her more intriguing.
A while later, Lara received a report from the finance department detailing the budget planning for the new project. Without wasting a moment, she picked it up and headed toward Zaden's cabin.
Before she could even knock—
"Come in."
She paused, slightly surprised, then pushed the door open.
She handed him the file silently and turned to leave.
"Lara."
She stopped at the door and looked back.
"Do you not have anything to say?" he asked, his tone calm but laced with something deeper.
She frowned slightly. "About what?"
He let out a quiet, sarcastic laugh. "Nothing. Forget it."
Her patience thinned. "What is it?"
"Yesterday," he said, his eyes darkening. "You left in a bus. Showed me quite an attitude. Remember?"
She folded her arms.
"Oh, I remember. You were acting like a child."
Something shifted in the room.
"Zaden," she continued, her voice steady, "I'm not here to handle a child. I'm here to work—to help you grow this company."
He went completely still.
She had called him by his name.
"A child?" he repeated, his voice dangerously low. "You think I'm immature?"
She didn't hesitate.
"Yes. I'm sorry, but… yes."
That was enough.
He stepped closer.
She instinctively stepped back.
He kept moving until her back hit the door. Before she could react, his hand came up, pressing against the door beside her, trapping her between him and the door.
Her breath hitched instantly. Her heart began to race uncontrollably.
He leaned closer, his presence overwhelming, suffocating, intoxicating.
"Still…" he murmured near her ear, his voice a dangerous whisper, "do you think I act like a child?"
She couldn't speak.
Slowly, his hand lifted.
The back of his fingers brushed against her neck—soft, deliberate, sending a shiver down her spine.
Her breath turned uneven.
"What… what are you doing…?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
His lips curved slightly, "No… what are you doing to me?"
His fingers traced her skin before his hand shifted, gripping her neck—not harshly, but firmly enough to make her freeze under his touch.
Her heartbeat pounded wildly in her chest.
With his hold, he tilted her head slightly to the side.
Then he leaned in closer.
His nose brushed against her neck.
His breath was warm against her skin.
She shivered, her fingers curling slightly as her body reacted before her mind could.
For a moment, it felt like he would lose control—like he wanted to sink his teeth into her, claim her right there.
His grip tightened just slightly.
Her breathing became heavier, faster, uneven.
But he stopped.
Barely.
Holding himself back at the very edge.
Footsteps.
Both of them froze.
Reality snapped back.
Footsteps approached!
Lara pushed him away abruptly, losing her balance and slipping to the floor.
Knock.
The door opened.
Jeylin stood there.
Her eyes instantly took in the scene—Lara on the floor, breathless… Zaden standing too close, his posture still tense.
Silence filled the room.
Something dark flickered in Jeylin's eyes.
Lara quickly stood up, avoiding both of them, and walked out without a word.
Zaden's gaze followed her until she disappeared.
Then he turned to Jeylin, irritation flashing across his face.
"What are you doing here?"
Jeylin let out a shaky breath.
"What am I doing here?" she repeated softly. "I think I should be asking you that."
Zaden's expression hardened instantly. He slammed his hand against the table.
"This is my office," he snapped. "You don't come here without informing me."
She flinched.
"I came to see you… you looked upset yesterday, so I—"
"Did I ask you to care?" he cut her off.
she stepped forward and hugged him.
"Zaden…"
He stiffened and pushed her away.
But she clung to him again, desperate.
"I don't like how you've been treating me…" she whispered.
His patience snapped.
He forcefully pulled her away.
"I don't like how you behave with me," he said coldly.
She stood there, hurt and confused.
"Why…?" her voice broke. "Why are you like this with me?"
"You're my cousin, Jeylin," why are you behaving like this?
Her eyes widened.
"We're going to get married," she said, almost defensively. "Everyone knows that."
"That's what they decided," he replied. "Not me."
Silence fell like a weight.
"Don't you like me…?" she asked,
"I do," but
"That's not enough. I don't believe in marriage… and I don't love you."
Her world shattered.
Tears filled her eyes as she turned and ran out of the cabin.
Outside, Lara saw her.
Jeylin rushed past her, crying uncontrollably.
Lara stood frozen, her chest tightening for reasons she didn't understand.
Her gaze slowly shifted toward Zaden's cabin.
A few minutes later, Zaden walked out, slipping on his blazer as if nothing had happened.
His eyes flickered toward Lara.
Just for a moment.
Then he left.
At home, the entire family had gathered.
Jeylin sat there, crying, her shoulders shaking.
Zaden walked in, his expression cold and firm.
"Who decided that we're getting married?" he asked bluntly.
His mother looked startled.
"We all did, son. Why?"
He stared at them.
"Did I ever say yes?"
No one answered.
His father sighed.
"You've never shown interest in anyone. She's important to you… the only girl you talk to, the only one you care about. We thought—"
"You thought wrong dad".
"I'm not marrying her."
Silence.
"She's like a sister to me. Or a friend. Nothing more."
Jeylin broke down completely, her sobs echoing through the room.
"And stop coming to my office unannounced," he added coldly.
Then he turned and walked away.
The room remained frozen in shock.
Jeylin's cries filled the silence—raw, painful, and impossible to ignore.