with a subtle hint of citrus, invades the space, disturbing his mind, already tired from hours of concentration. He wasn't wearing his u

red in a sharp voice, leavi

ed up, i

ed, feigning a calm that

a bubble where only his presence seemed to exist. His movements were calculated, al

you to m

n the hushed silence of the office. Alessia stood frozen, unable to determine whether she had heard c

up stammering, her mas

ssing his arms over his chest in a gesture that s

ll, Alessia . A ma

aggeration in his tone. It was a simple statem

lous laugh that echoed through the room li

ing me. You're

'm joking? » he c

s, replaced by a wave of pan

ll would yo

tly. The weight of his gaze was almost unb

ife, and you are th

ny in her voice. "I'm just an employe

lips. "You have no ties, no scandals to your credit, no

more than she wo

asked, crossing her arm

lightly, but his smi

will continue to work for me, and I will look elsewhere. But believe me,

ed by his condescending tone, by his way of tre

d that benefit me? » sh

row, clearly amus

ings you run away from. A past

, but he contin

le can afford. None of your ghosts would dare come near

confusion – everything mixed into an explosive co

simple contract," she whi

. "An arranged marriage, purely strategic. But

a shiver run down her spine, a confu

will not bend to your whims

e distance between them until ther

oice low and haunting. "I'm offering you an opportunity. Take

of his suit with infuriating nonchal

alled to him be

uestioning gli

d, her voice trembl

long time, as if he w

pite your protests, you know as well as I do that you do no

appeared, leaving her alone

he door he had just passed through. Her hands shook

r. But now she found herself facing a choice she had never considered, facing a man who, de

ions. The idea of an arranged marriage to Nathan was absurd, but a small voice, buried deep