"Don't give it more weight than it deserves; I didn't come here to take over the company."
Mr. Rafael said calmly, looking directly at Erika. Though his words were meant to ease the tension, his eyes silently urged her to stay composed. He cleared his throat and raised his voice slightly.
"By the way, I hold a significant percentage of the shares. You should be grateful I'm letting you play around with this company."
He added, then turned his gaze to Mr. Grand with a chilling look. Mr. Grand clenched his jaw, barely holding back his anger.
"This arrogant fool has no idea how dangerous I really am. He'll regret ever crossing me,"
Mr. Grand muttered under his breath, hatred simmering in his chest. Every businessman in the city had a grudge against Rafael—he always got what he wanted, by any means necessary.
"I came here to claim what's mine."
Rafael said, giving Redima a warm, lingering look that made Erika's stomach churn with jealousy. She coughed, trying to mask her discomfort.
"Excuse me, gentlemen,"
She said politely, bowing slightly. Mr. Grand's eyes shamelessly lingered on Erika's legs while Redima looked close to tears.
The meeting ended in a strange and uncomfortable silence. Only Erika and Rafael remained in the room. Neither spoke, but their eyes told stories—of regret, longing, and everything left unsaid during their time apart.
Erika straightened her back and walked toward him with quiet confidence. She stood on her toes to reach his height, grabbing the lapel of his suit. He instinctively pulled her closer to his chest. Her eyes flicked to his hand, which slid to her waist and crept downward.
"Mr. Rafael, I…"
She started, struggling for words. Her anger began to dissolve in his presence. He leaned in, resting his forehead gently against hers.
"I miss you. Did you ever even know?"
He whispered. Her heart skipped a beat. The lingering ghost of Rafael and Redima's rumored relationship clouded her thoughts and turned her dreams to ash.
"We only miss the things we can't have, Mr. Rafael."
Erika replied.
"I already gained your heart, what I need is an excess to your soul,"
He bit the upper part of her ear loop. He let go of her and sat down, turning his attention to the papers on the table.
"This company doesn't suit you, my iron lady. You don't need to work. You have me."
He said, opening his arms as if inviting her in.
'As much as I hate to admit he's handsome,'
She scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"You are my problem, Mr. Rafael. Keep your nose out of my business."
Her tone sharpened. He remained quiet, simply watching her from head to toe then up again.
"Working as a secretary? That's beneath you, Erika. With your intelligence and beauty, you should be with someone who truly values your talent, someone like me, Erika I care for you, "
Rafael said as he walked toward her. She stepped back until her back hit the wall. His presence, once thrilling, now felt suffocating.
"Give me one month, and I'll take this company to the top."
She whispered fiercely in his ear.
He smirked—the kind of smirk that belonged to someone who knew the ending before the story even began.
"And if you fail, you'll obey me—without question."
He murmured, reaching for her neck. She pushed him away, her voice filled with fire.
"Touch me again, and I'll kill you."
He stopped. Then, as he turned to leave, he tossed one final blow over his shoulder.
"You're my wife, Erika. Don't forget that. And it would be better for both of us if you started acting like one."
The door clicked shut behind him. Erika dropped to her knees, overwhelmed by heat and emotion. Pretending to be strong in front of him was exhausting. If he hadn't ruined her life, she might've willingly fallen into his arms and been his devoted wife.
"If he keeps talking like that, I swear—"
She mumbled, only to be interrupted by an employee telling her Harry was calling.
She headed toward the exit, where a swarm of journalists gathered around Mr. Rafael. Mr. Grand stood nearby, unwilling to speak to the press.
But Erika didn't focus on the noise. Her eyes locked on Rafael. He looked effortlessly handsome—like he belonged on a magazine cover, not a boardroom.
Redima was nowhere to be found. Erika searched the crowd, her mind spinning with suspicion and jealousy.
Security eventually cleared a path for Rafael. Just his presence made the chaos seem like a stage performance. He moved through it with elegance.
Erika couldn't believe the day was finally over. She dragged herself back to her apartment, only to find her father waiting at the door.
"Looks like trouble never comes alone,"
She thought bitterly, forcing a fake smile as she let him in.
"We need to talk,"
Mr. John said with a seriousness she hadn't seen in years. She gestured for him to sit, then poured him some tea.
"Let's get straight to it,"
He said.
"I've started getting threats—calls, messages, everything."
Erika chuckled dryly.
"That's not new, is it?"
She replied. He didn't respond. He simply looked at her with a tense, suspicious gaze.
"It's not death threats—it's worse."
He said, handing her a folder. Inside were old photos of him and her mother in compromising situations.
"They're threatening to expose my past. They know you're my illegitimate daughter."
Erika smiled darkly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"This isn't my problem, Mr. John Milne. I was never a part of your precious empire. So why should I care about your reputation—especially now?"
Her voice grew sharp.
"You're off your mind Erika, better know who you are,"
Mr. John Milne uttered raising an eye brow.
"Heh! who am I? damn it, I begged you to accept us. You refused. You even sold me to that bastard, Rafael."
She said, her anger finally spilling over.
'I hate the thought that you're my father, I can't imagine you're doing this to me,'
She thought folding her fists.