Possessive
Lucian's office door swung open, and in walked a tall, sharply dressed man with a smirk already tugging at his lips. His gaze immediately landed on Selene, who sat on the couch with a bottle of water in her hand. He arched a brow, clearly intrigued.
The man, Lucian's personal assistant and best friend, had known Lucian for years. He had witnessed Lucian's revolving door of one-night stands, all of which ended with the women leaving before sunrise. Never-not once-had he seen a woman sitting so comfortably in Lucian's office, let alone looking as if she belonged there.
A chuckle escaped his lips as he crossed his arms. "Well, well, well... what do we have here?"
Selene glanced up, slightly startled by his sudden entrance, but quickly composed herself. She offered a polite smile and greeted him.
Lucian, who had just stepped out of his private bathroom, towel-drying his damp black hair, shot his assistant a deadly glare. "Xavier." His voice was low, threatening.
Xavier smirked wider. "Possessive. I see."
Lucian rolled his eyes and walked toward Selene, sitting beside her before pulling her into his lap possessively. She gasped softly at the sudden motion but didn't resist.
"So," Xavier continued, "this is the reason why you called me at midnight yesterday, demanding I fill an entire closet with women's clothes? I should've known."
Selene's face burned with embarrassment. She had suspected Lucian had prepared her wardrobe, but hearing that he'd done it in the middle of the night made it feel much more intimate.
"Shut up, Xavier," Lucian growled.
Xavier chuckled but didn't push further. "Relax, I'm not going to steal her from you."
Lucian's grip on Selene tightened ever so slightly.
Selene, feeling the tension between them, decided to change the subject. "Lucian... I'm hungry."
Lucian's expression softened instantly. "What do you want to eat?"
Selene hesitated. "I can go to the cafeteria and get something. Do you want anything?"
Lucian handed her a sleek black card. "Order whatever you want. Get me a steak with truffle butter and a glass of red wine."
Selene took the card, thanked him, and made her way out of the office. As soon as she left, Xavier whistled lowly.
"You're gone, my friend," he teased.
Lucian scowled. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Xavier leaned against the desk. "You've never treated a woman like this before. You're whipped."
Lucian's jaw clenched, but he didn't deny it.
Meanwhile, Selene made her way down to the cafeteria. She wasn't familiar with the layout of the building yet, so she asked a few employees for directions. Along the way, she noticed how people were whispering about her. Some looked curious, others envious. She tried to ignore it.
When she reached the cafeteria, she stood in line, waiting patiently. The second she paid for her meal, she turned to leave-only to feel something warm splash onto her chest.
A gasp left her lips.
Hot coffee dripped down her front, soaking the expensive dress she wore. The fabric clung to her skin uncomfortably.
"Oh my! I'm so sorry," a sickeningly sweet voice said.
Selene looked up to see a woman standing in front of her, a smug smirk hidden behind faux concern. She had long, perfectly styled waves of chestnut brown hair, piercing hazel eyes, and an unmistakable aura of arrogance.
Camilla Foster.
Selene recognized her instantly from magazine covers and business news. She was the heiress of the Foster family and, more importantly, Lucian's former fiancée.
"Oh, you're drenched," Camilla continued, her voice dripping with fake pity. "How clumsy of me."
Selene didn't respond. She refused to give this woman the satisfaction of seeing her flustered. Instead, she took a deep breath and turned to walk away.
But Camilla wasn't finished.
Just as Selene took a step forward, Camilla grabbed the collar of her dress and yanked it. Hard.
A loud rip echoed through the cafeteria.
Selene stumbled forward, losing her balance and falling to the ground. Gasps filled the room as all eyes turned to them.
Selene's lip quivered, but she bit down hard to stop herself from making a sound. She wouldn't cry-not here, not in front of these people.
Camilla smirked down at her. "Oops. Looks like you're not cut out for this place."
Before she could say another word, a voice cut through the tension.
"What the actual fuck do you think you're doing?"
The cafeteria fell silent.
A woman strode forward, heels clicking against the tile floor with purpose. She had a curvy, hourglass figure, platinum blonde hair cascading down her back, and an expression that screamed, 'I don't take shit from anyone.'
Camilla's smirk faltered. "This isn't your business, Evelyn."
Evelyn scoffed. "Oh, but it is. Because I can't stand watching a jealous little brat throw a tantrum in public."
Camilla's face twisted in rage. "Excuse me?"
Evelyn folded her arms. "Oh, did I stutter? You're pathetic, Camilla. You think being rich makes you special? Honey, newsflash-money can't buy you class."
A few employees stifled laughter.
Camilla's cheeks burned with humiliation. "You-"
"You what?" Evelyn interrupted. "You're going to throw coffee at me next? Go ahead. I dare you."
Camilla clenched her fists but said nothing.
Evelyn turned to Selene and offered her a hand. "Come on. Let's get you out of here."
Selene hesitated, then placed her hand in Evelyn's, allowing her to help her stand.
As they walked toward the elevator, Evelyn muttered, "God, I hate bitches like her. Think they can walk all over everyone just because they were born with a silver spoon in their mouth."
Selene finally spoke. "Why did you help me?"
Evelyn shrugged. "Because I know what it's like to deal with people like her. And because I think we should be friends."
Selene blinked in surprise.
Evelyn grinned. "I have a feeling we'll be best friends. What do you say?"
Selene found herself smiling genuinely for the first time in a long while.
"Okay," she said softly. "I accept."
Evelyn winked. "Good. Now, let's go get you cleaned up before your possessive husband burns this building down."
Selene laughed lightly as they reached Lucian's office. She took a deep breath before knocking on the door.
Little did she know, the moment Lucian saw her disheveled appearance, all hell would break loose.