Zaria had always known how to pretend. Pretend to smile when she wanted to scream. Pretend to obey when all she wanted was to run. Pretend to be invisible when the world felt too heavy.
But the man in front of her now didn't seem like the type to fall for masks.
"Ares Valentino," she whispered under her breath as he turned, cold grey eyes locking with hers. It was like looking into a storm — calm on the surface but capable of destroying everything in its path.
He didn't say anything. Just studied her like he was trying to place her face, or maybe trying to decide whether to kill her or not. Zaria couldn't tell. The air around him was thick — too still, too tense.
He moved slowly, deliberately, each step echoing against the marble floor. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft but deep — the kind of voice that didn't need to shout to be dangerous.
"You're late."
Zaria blinked. "Late?"
"For someone who broke into my warehouse," he said.
Her heart missed a beat. So, he knew. Of course, he knew. She shouldn't have been there last night. She had only followed the man with the scar because she thought he was connected to her father's death.
And then... she saw Ares. The cold man in a silk suit who executed someone with a single nod. She had run. But not fast enough, apparently.
Zaria straightened, hiding her fear behind the cocky tilt of her chin. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You sure?" His lips lifted into something close to a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I never forget a face. Especially not one that looks like trouble."
Zaria forced a shrug. "People say that a lot."
"Smart mouth," he muttered. "You talk too much."
"And you assume too much."
He chuckled, low and dangerous. "I like women who aren't afraid to bite. But be careful, sweetheart. Not everyone plays nice when bitten."
He stepped closer. Zaria could smell his cologne — sharp, expensive, intimidating. Her body tensed, but she didn't move. She couldn't afford to. Showing fear was weakness.
Ares leaned in, eyes roaming over her face. "What's your name?"
She hesitated. Then answered, "What do you need it for"
He repeated it softly, almost tasting it. "Zaria , I guess you aren't scared of me."
She hated how her name sounded on his lips — like a promise and a threat at once. "so you know my name why are you still asking you are so petty"
"I should have you locked up," he said, stepping back. "But I'm feeling generous today."
"Oh, lucky me."
His gaze sharpened. "Don't push it."
Zaria gritted her teeth. Why did she always have to open her mouth? "So, what now? You gonna kill me, or are you just here to scare the hell out of me?"
Ares tilted his head slightly, amused. "Neither. For now."
"For now?"
"You owe me," he said. "You were in the wrong place at the wrong time. And I don't believe in coincidences."
Zaria's stomach twisted. "I didn't see anything."
"You saw enough."
She swallowed. "And what do you want from me, then?"
Ares turned, walking towards the elevator like he'd made his decision. "You'll work for me. Call it... punishment or protection. Your choice."
"I'm not some toy you can order around."
"No," he said, looking back. "But I own this city. And if I wanted, I could make sure you never walk it again."
Zaria's breath caught.
"You're a smart girl, Zaria. Use your brain." He pressed the elevator button and looked at her once more. "Show up tomorrow. Ten a.m. Wear something you don't mind getting dirty."
The doors opened. He stepped in without waiting for her reply.
And just like that, he was gone.
---
Zaria stood frozen, her pulse racing. Was this really happening? Was she now part of the same twisted world that ruined her father?
She didn't even realize her phone was vibrating until the fifth buzz.
Zoe. Her best friend.
She picked up, forcing her voice to sound normal.
"Zaria! Where the hell are you?" Zoe hissed. "I've been calling you all morning!"
"I'm fine," she said.
"That's a lie. What happened? Don't tell me you actually followed that guy last night?"
Silence.
"Zaria—!"
"I saw something I shouldn't have," Zaria whispered, walking out of the building. "And now I think I just signed a deal with the devil."
---
Later that night, Zaria sat alone in her apartment, staring at the scar on her wrist. It was old, healed, but still there — a reminder. One she tried to forget.
But tonight, her past felt closer than ever.
Her father used to say: "Trust no one wearing a suit who smiles too much."
She never understood it until now.
Because Ares Valentino didn't smile often. But when he did, it made her blood run cold.
And yet… there was something about him that didn't quite add up. Something broken behind those steel eyes.
She didn't want to feel curious. Curiosity was dangerous.
But Zaria Blake had never been good at walking away from danger. Especially when it looked like sin wrapped in a thousand-dollar suit.
---
Meanwhile, high above the city, Ares sat in his penthouse, staring at her picture.
"Zaria Blake," he repeated under his breath. "What are you hiding?"
His assistant walked in. "Boss, do you want us to keep watching her?"
Ares didn't look up. "Yes. And tell them to stay out of sight. If she disappears, it'll be because I made her vanish — not anyone else."
He stared at the photo one last time and then slid it into his drawer.
This girl… she was either the biggest mistake of his life or the beginning of something he couldn't control.
Maybe both.