The conference room of Voss Empire carried a different kind of silence that morning, one that was not empty but filled with expectation, pressure, and the quiet weight of something important about to unfold, as employees sat in their designated places with files open in front of them, laptops ready, every detail prepared to perfection because when Adrian Voss called for a meeting like this—mistakes were not tolerated.
Nyra sat on his left.
Still.
Composed.
But not calm.
Her fingers rested lightly against the table, though the slight tension in them betrayed what she refused to show, her mind still carrying the echo of yesterday, the warmth of his grip, the way her body had reacted in a way she could not explain.
On Adrian’s right sat Clara, perfectly poised, already reviewing the documents one last time.
Adrian himself sat at the head of the table, his posture straight, his presence dominating the entire room without effort, his sharp gaze moving from one employee to another, making sure everything was exactly how it should be.
—
“The investor will be here in a few minutes,” Adrian said, his voice calm yet firm, carrying authority that left no space for carelessness. “I expect precision, clarity, and discipline. No unnecessary interruptions, no confusion, and absolutely no mistakes.”
—
The room fell into complete silence.
—
“This deal,” he continued, his tone lowering slightly, “involves expansion into a multi-sector acquisition structure, including logistics, infrastructure, and foreign capital integration. If this goes through, Voss Empire will not just grow—it will dominate.”
—
Nyra listened carefully, her focus shifting fully to the discussion, pushing everything else aside.
—
“Clara,” Adrian said without looking at her, “you’ll handle the legal briefing.”
—
“Yes, sir.”
—
“Nyra,” his voice shifted slightly, more direct, “you will present the financial restructuring model and projected returns.”
—
Nyra nodded.
“I’m ready.”
—
A brief pause.
—
Adrian’s gaze lingered on her for just a fraction longer than necessary.
“Make sure you are.”
—
Before she could respond—
The door opened.
—
And everything changed.
—
The man walked in with a confident stride, dressed sharply, his presence carrying a certain arrogance that entered the room before he even spoke.
—
Nyra’s breath stopped.
—
Her fingers tightened instantly against the table.
—
No.
—
It couldn’t be.
—
But it was.
—
Him.
—
The same man.
The one who had looked at her during that interview weeks ago with that same disgusting smirk, the same man who had casually suggested that her “selection” could be easier if she agreed to something far worse than professionalism.
—
Her chest tightened.
—
And now—
He was here.
—
“Mr. Louis ,” Adrian said, standing up, extending his hand with controlled professionalism. “Welcome to Voss Empire.
Louis smiled.
A cruel one.
—
“Mr. Voss,” he replied, shaking his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
—
His gaze shifted.
—
And landed on Nyra.
—
Slowly.
Intentionally.
—
That same smirk returned.
—
Nyra felt it immediately—the discomfort, the tension rising in her chest, her body stiffening despite her effort to remain composed.
—
Louis took his seat.
Right beside her.
—
Too close.
—
His shoulder brushed against hers as he sat down, not accidental, not subtle, but deliberate enough that she felt it.
—
Nyra’s breath became shallow.
—
The meeting began.
—
Clara started with the legal framework, explaining the partnership clauses, cross-border compliance structures, and risk mitigation strategies with perfect clarity, her voice steady, professional.
—
Nyra tried to focus.
She really did.
—
But then—
She felt it.
—
A hand.
—
Under the table.
—
Light at first.
Then—
Moving.
—
Her fingers froze.
—
Her heartbeat spiked.
—
She didn’t look down.
Didn’t react outwardly.
—
But inside—
Everything started collapsing.
—
Louis 's fingers brushed against her thigh.
Slow.
Disgusting.
Intentional.
—
Nyra clenched her hands tightly, forcing herself to stay still, to stay composed, because this was a meeting, because Adrian was right there, because she couldn’t create a scene.
—
But it didn’t stop.
—
His hand shifted again.
—
This time touching her wrist.
Trailing up slowly.
—
Nyra’s breathing became uneven.
Her chest tightening.
Her vision slightly blurring.
—
She tried to pull away subtly.
—
He moved closer.
—
Adrian was speaking.
Explaining the investment structure.
Discussing projected ROI, capital allocation, risk margins.
—
But Nyra couldn’t hear him anymore.
—
Her mind was somewhere else.
—
Back there.
That room.
That moment.
—
“Nyra.”
—
Her name.
—
She blinked.
—
Adrian was looking at her.
—
“Your presentation,” he said.
—
Nyra stood up.
—
Her legs felt weak.
But she forced herself.
—
She started speaking.
Explaining the model.
Breaking down numbers.
—
But her voice—
Wasn’t steady.
—
Her breathing—
Was wrong.
—
Her hands—
Slightly shaking.
—
Adrian noticed.
—
And so did louis..
—
That smirk widened.
—
The meeting ended.
—
The deal was still in discussion.
—
But Nyra didn’t wait.
—
The moment it ended—
She walked out.
Fast.
—
Too fast.
—
She reached her desk.
—
Her hands moved quickly, opening drawers, searching—
—
“Where is it… where is it…” she whispered under her breath, panic rising rapidly, her breathing becoming erratic.
—
Her pills.
—
She couldn’t find them.
—
Her chest tightened painfully.
—
Her vision blurred.
—
“No… no… not now…” she whispered, her voice breaking.
—
She stood up.
—
Walked.
—
Fast.
—
She didn’t know where.
—
Just away.
—
Away from everything.
—
—
Adrian noticed immediately.
—
The way she left.
The way her breathing changed.
The way something was wrong.
—
A sharp unease settled in his chest.
—
“Clara,” he said coldly, “continue the discussion.”
—
Without waiting—
He left.
—
He searched.
—
Every corridor.
Every section.
—
“She came this way?”
—
No answer.
—
He checked her desk.
Empty.
—
His jaw tightened.
—
Then—
His office.
—
He pulled up the security system.
Fast.
Precise.
—
Scrolling through footage.
—
And then—
He saw her.
—
Washroom corridor.
—
Entering.
—
Minutes passed.
—
She didn’t come out.
—
Adrian stood up instantly.
—
Walked fast.
Then faster.
—
He reached the door.
—
Locked.
—
“Nyra.”
—
No response.
—
“Nyra, open the door.”
—
Nothing.
—
Inside—
She was breaking.
—
Her breathing uneven.
Her body shaking.
Her mind collapsing under memories she couldn’t escape.
—
“Don’t touch me…” she whispered to no one, her voice trembling as she sat on the floor, her hands gripping her arms tightly.
—
Outside—
Adrian’s expression darkened.
—
“Nyra,” his voice turned sharper, “open the door.”
—
Silence.
—
That was enough.
—
He stepped back.
—
And kicked the door open.
—
The sound echoed.
—
Inside—
She flinched.
—
Her eyes widened in panic.
—
“Don’t—!” she cried, backing away, her voice breaking. “Don’t touch me… please… just don’t—”
—
Adrian stopped.
—
For a second.
—
Then moved forward.
—
“Nyra, look at me,” he said, his voice firm, controlled.
—
She shook her head.
“No… no… please…”
—
He grabbed her shoulders.
—
Not gentle.
Not soft.
—
Firm.
Grounding.
—
“Nyra!” he said sharply. “Look at me.”
—
She froze.
—
Her eyes slowly lifted.
—
Confused.
Shaking.
—
“It’s me,” he said, his voice lower now, steadier. “It’s Adrian.”
—
A pause.
—
Recognition hit.
—
And just like that—
She broke.
—
Tears fell instantly as she collapsed forward, her body giving up the fight, and before she could stop herself, she held onto him, her fingers gripping his shirt tightly as if it was the only thing keeping her grounded.
—
Adrian didn’t hesitate.
—
His arms wrapped around her immediately, pulling her closer, holding her firmly, protectively, as if shielding her from something invisible but very real.
—
“It’s okay,” he said quietly, his hand pressing against the back of her head, holding her steady. “You’re fine.”
—
She shook her head against him.
“I— I can’t— I—”
—
“Breathe,” he said, his voice calmer now, slower. “Just breathe.”
—
Slowly.
Gradually.
—
Her breathing eased.
—
Her grip loosened.
—
Time passed.
—
And eventually—
She pulled back.
—
Her eyes red.
Her face pale.
—
“I’m fine,” she said softly, avoiding his gaze.
—
Adrian’s expression hardened slightly.
“You’re not.”
—
“I am,” she insisted quietly. “Thank you… but I’m okay now.”
—
A pause.
—
She stood up.
—
Tried to leave.
—
“Stop.”
—
She froze.
—
Adrian stepped closer.
—
“You’re going home,” he said.
—
Nyra shook her head slightly.
“I can work—”
—
“No,” his voice turned firm. “You’re not staying.”
—
A silence followed.
—
Nyra didn’t argue this time.
—
She just nodded.
—
And walked away.
—
Leaving Adrian standing there—
—
With something dangerous rising inside him.
—
Because now—
He knew.
—
And whoever touched her—
—
Had made a mistake.
_
" TO BE CONTINUED "
____________________________________________________________
Author's note..
Hey everyone 🙂 🙂
How did you feel during the meeting scene?
And when Nyra started breaking… did it hurt a little?
Also… Adrian.
What did you think about the way he handled everything?
Was it just control… or something more?
Tell me your thoughts 💌
Your feedback really means a lot to me.
See you in the next chapter 🖤
Bye bye 👋 👋 👋
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