Dominic didn't even realize when Kirah left the office. It bothered him more than he cared to admit. He had promised himself he wouldn't let her slip further away—not when she got him feeling like this . Not after what he felt. He wasn't the type of man to chase, to beg, or to explain himself—but Kirah was different. She had managed to make him feel everything he'd spent years avoiding.
And her cold, professional demeanor earlier today? It had stung.
He replayed the moment in her office in his head, again and again, while swirling an untouched glass of bourbon in his penthouse's lounge later that night. The dim lights of the city flickered through his floor-to-ceiling windows, but even the breathtaking skyline couldn't pull his mind away from her.
She had barely looked at him. That icy tone in her voice. That carefully measured indifference.
He clenched his jaw, tossed the drink back, and threw himself onto the couch. He hated the power she had over him. He Hated it.
She was the only woman who hadn't melted under his charm. The only woman who dared to draw a line and stick to it.
And maybe, just maybe, that was why he couldn't stop wanting her.
He grabbed his phone, typed out a message without overthinking:
"I hope your day went well. Hope to see you tomorrow. - Dominic"
He hit send before he could talk himself out of it.
---
Daybreak – Tuesday Morning
Dominic arrived early, unusually early. His staff weren't fully in yet, and the office air was still quiet, untouched by the usual rush of the day.
He stepped into his office, loosened his tie, and took a moment to breathe in the silence. He had a meeting lined up, reports to review—but his mind was only half-present.
He had made up his mind. Kirah would see him. The real him. Not just the billionaire, not just the boss—but the man who hadn't stopped thinking about her.
He was adjusting his cufflinks when his office door opened without a knock.
"Dominic."
The voice froze him.
His mother.
"What the hell?" he muttered under his breath as he turned toward her, his composure already beginning to unravel.
Dressed in an immaculate beige dress suit and holding her phone like a weapon, she walked in with the kind of authority that dared anyone to question her.
"Mom," he greeted stiffly. "What are you doing here this early?"
"You think you can avoid my calls? I had to come here if I wanted to see you face to face. We need to talk."
He already knew where this was going. It had been coming up more and more lately.
Marriage. Settling down. "giving her grandchildren."
"Not this again," he said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We've talked about this."
"Clearly not enough, because nothing's changed." She sat down like she owned the place. "You're not getting younger. The board is watching. Our partners are watching. Do you think this empire will sustain itself if you keep living like a playboy?"
Dominic said nothing.
"And let me guess," she continued, lifting a brow, "there's someone?"
His mind flashed to Kirah. How her back had straightened every time she saw him. The fire in her eyes. The way she'd completely dismissed him yesterday without batting a lash. No, this wasn't just someone new.
And his silence was enough for his mother to catch on.
"There is someone," she said slowly. "Who is she?"
"No one you need to worry about," Dominic replied coolly, straightening up.
His mother smiled a little too knowingly. "So it's serious."
Dominic didn't respond. He just turned his back and stared out the glass wall of his office.
---
Meanwhile – Kirah's Arrival
Kirah walked into Vierra Holdings with her usual confidence, but internally, she was on edge. She had promised herself today would be trouble-free. Head down. Work hard. Stay away from him.act like she didn't saw the text. He did same after fucking her in the party...
She barely glanced in the direction of Dominic's office. Her heels clicked against the polished floors as she made her way to her wing, arms full of reports and security analytics.
It was only 8:15 a.m., but the building was already bustling with early risers. Whispers floated around—people murmuring about the CEO mother making an appearance again.
Kirah didn't let it faze her. At least, not on the outside.
Inside, though, her gut twisted.
Dominic's mother had looked at her once the last time they crossed paths,Kirah had felt the weight of her presence. That woman carried power, authority, and pressure. Kirah could imagine how she would feel about someone like her—young, ambitious, not born into wealth—being anywhere near her son.
"Not that I'm near him anymore, Kirah reminded herself sternly. I'm just his employee. That's it".
She entered her office, shut the door, and inhaled deeply. It was going to be a long day.