Victor looked up as Olivia entered, a smug smile spreading across his face. "Ah, Olivia," he said, standing and walking around his desk. "I've been looking forward to working with you."
He circled her like a predator, his eyes raking over her body. Olivia fought the urge to shudder, keeping her expression neutral.
"I'm ready to start whenever you are," she said professionally, ignoring the way her stomach churned at his proximity.
Victor chuckled, stopping in front of her. "Oh, I have no doubt," he murmured. "I think we're going to get along just fine."
He gestured to the chair in front of his desk. "Have a seat. Let's discuss your new role."
As Olivia sat down, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking into a trap...
Over the next few weeks, Olivia threw herself into her new role, determined to prove herself despite the circumstances. She worked tirelessly, often staying late to finish projects and impress Victor with her dedication.
However, his behavior towards her only grew more unsettling. He would find excuses to touch her, brushing against her arm or placing a hand on the small of her back as he guided her through the office. His gaze lingered on her inappropriately, and he made suggestive comments that walked the line between professional and predatory.
One evening, as Olivia was packing up to leave, Victor entered her office without knocking. He closed the door behind him, locking it with a soft click that sent a chill down Olivia's spine.
"Working late again," he remarked, leaning against the door. "You're quite dedicated."
Olivia stood slowly, keeping her desk between them. "I like to make sure everything is perfect," she said evenly.
Victor pushed off the door, stalking towards her with a predatory grace. "Everything except your personal life, it seems," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I've seen the way you look at Ethan... the way he looks at you."
Olivia's heart raced as she realized the precariousness of her situation. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
Victor laughed, a cold and mirthless sound. "Don't play dumb, Olivia. I've known about your little affair for weeks."
He reached out, grabbing her wrist and pulling her around the desk. Olivia stumbled, catching herself on his chest. She could feel the heat of his breath on her face, the hardness of his body pressed against hers.
"You see," he murmured, his lips brushing against her ear. "I have a proposition for you... one that could benefit us both."
Olivia's heart pounded in her chest as Victor's words sank in. She knew she had to play along, at least for now, until she could find a way out of this mess.
"And what proposition is that?" she asked, forcing herself to meet his gaze.
Victor smiled, a slow and sinister curve of his lips. "I want you," he said bluntly. "In exchange for my silence about your affair with Ethan, I want you in my bed."
Olivia felt sick at the thought, but she kept her expression neutral. "And if I refuse?" she asked quietly.
Victor's grip on her wrist tightened painfully. "Then I'll make sure the entire company knows about your little tryst,"
His eyes flashed with a cruel light. "I'll ruin you, Olivia. And Ethan... well, let's just say his reputation won't survive the scandal either."
Olivia swallowed hard, her mind racing. She knew she was trapped, cornered by Victor's threats and manipulations. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she realized the depth of her predicament.
"And if I agree?" she whispered, hating herself for even considering it.
Victor's smile widened, victorious and predatory. "Then we'll keep this little arrangement between us," he said softly. "You'll be mine, in every sense of the word... and Ethan will never know."
Olivia's stomach churned at the thought of betraying Ethan, of giving herself to Victor willingly. But what choice did she have? She couldn't let him ruin Ethan's career, destroy everything they had worked so hard to build.
"I... I'll do it," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But not here. Not in the office."
Victor nodded, releasing her wrist and stepping back. "Meet me at my penthouse tonight," he said, his tone smug and triumphant. "I'll text you the address."
With that, he turned and walked out of the office, leaving Olivia alone with her thoughts and the weight of her impending betrayal.
Olivia stood there for a long moment, her body trembling with a mix of fear, anger, and disgust. She felt like she was trapped in a nightmare, unable to wake up from the horrors unfolding around her.
With shaking hands, she gathered her things and left the office, her mind already racing with thoughts of how she could get out of this mess without hurting Ethan. She knew she had to tell him the truth, but the thought of seeing the hurt and betrayal in his eyes was almost unbearable.
As she drove home, Olivia's phone buzzed with an incoming text. It was Victor, sending her the address to his penthouse along with a simple message: "Tonight. 8 pm. Don't be late."
She stared at the screen, her heart heavy with dread. She knew what she had to do... but God help her, she didn't know if she could go through with it.
The hours ticked by agonizingly slow as Olivia prepared herself for the evening ahead. She showered and dressed meticulously, choosing a simple black dress that clung to her curves without being too revealing. She wanted to look presentable, but not like she was trying too hard.
At 7:30 pm, she sat on her couch, staring at the clock and willing it to move faster. Her stomach churned with nausea, and she felt like she might be sick at any moment.
At precisely 7:55 pm, she stood up on shaky legs and grabbed her purse. With a deep, calming breath, she walked out of her apartment and headed towards Victor's penthouse.
The building was luxurious, with a doorman who greeted her politely as she entered. She rode the elevator in silence, her heart pounding in her chest as it climbed higher and higher.
When the doors opened on the top floor, Olivia stepped out into a hallway with only one door. Victor's penthouse. She walked towards it slowly, each step feeling heavier than the last.