The hum of fluorescent lights filled the air as Valentina sat stiffly at her new desk, staring down at the pristine computer screen that blinked expectantly back at her. Her first morning as Dante Moretti's secretary had been a blur—introductions, paperwork, instructions she barely remembered. But through it all, she could feel him.
His office door loomed just a few feet away, closed now, but she didn't need to see him to know he was there. She felt his presence like heat crawling across her skin, like invisible strings pulling her taut.
She forced herself to focus on the spreadsheet open on her screen. Numbers. Names. Transactions. She typed slowly, carefully, afraid one mistake would cost her this job—and with it, her stability.
"Psst."
Valentina jumped at the whisper. She turned to see a young woman leaning across the divider between their desks. Blond hair pulled into a tight bun, dark eyes sharp with curiosity. She smiled faintly, but there was a shadow in it, as if the smile wasn't meant to comfort.
"You're new," the woman said.
Valentina nodded, managing a small smile. "Yes. Valentina."
"Rosa." The woman extended her hand, and Valentina shook it. Rosa's grip was firm, her gaze lingering as though weighing something. "So… you're his new secretary."
Something about the way she said his made Valentina's stomach twist. "Yes. I suppose so."
Rosa's smile thinned. She lowered her voice, leaning closer. "Then here's my advice: don't draw his attention."
Valentina blinked. "What do you mean?"
Rosa glanced toward the closed office door before continuing. "Mr. Moretti… he isn't like other bosses. If he notices you, really notices you, your life won't be your own anymore."
Valentina frowned, whispering back, "That's a little dramatic, don't you think? He's intimidating, yes, but—"
Rosa shook her head, eyes sharp now. "No. You don't understand. I've been here long enough to see what happens. The women he notices don't last. Some leave without warning. Others…" Her voice faltered. She swallowed. "…others just disappear."
The word hung between them, cold and heavy.
Valentina forced a laugh, though her heart tightened. "Disappear? Surely you don't mean—"
"Don't ask questions you don't want the answer to." Rosa's tone was flat now, serious. "Just keep your head down. Do your job. And pray he doesn't look too closely at you."
Valentina's chest tightened. She wanted to dismiss the warning, chalk it up to office gossip or exaggerated rumors. But deep down, something about Rosa's haunted expression told her it wasn't just idle talk.
Before she could respond, the door to Dante's office opened.
The sound alone froze the room. Conversations halted. The faint clatter of keyboards stopped. Every head turned slightly, cautious but curious.
Dante Moretti stepped into the outer office, his presence swallowing the air whole. His suit was flawless, his tie pinned neatly, his dark eyes scanning the room with quiet authority. No one dared breathe too loudly.
His gaze landed on Valentina.
Her pulse spiked instantly. Heat rushed to her cheeks. She looked down, pretending to shuffle papers, but it was too late. She felt him moving toward her, each step slow and deliberate, like a predator approaching prey.
"Miss Cruz," he said, his voice smooth, carrying just enough edge to silence the room.
She looked up, forcing composure. "Yes, sir?"
"Bring me the quarterly reports. Now."
"Yes, Mr. Moretti." Her fingers scrambled over the files until she found the one labeled Quarterly Reports. She rose quickly, clutching it tightly, and followed him into his office.
The door shut behind her with a heavy thud, sealing her in.
Inside, the air felt different—darker, heavier. Dante crossed to his desk, removing his jacket and draping it over the chair. He gestured for her to place the file down.
Valentina obeyed, carefully setting the folder on the polished mahogany.
For a moment, he didn't speak. He simply watched her, his black eyes trailing over her face, her trembling hands, the rapid rise and fall of her chest. It was unbearable. She shifted under his gaze, wishing desperately for the safety of the outer office.
"You're nervous," he said finally.
Her lips parted. "I—It's my first day, sir."
He chuckled softly, though it wasn't kind. "First day or not, I can already see what kind of woman you are."
Her brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
He stepped closer, his voice lowering. "Innocent. Fragile. Untouched by the world I live in." His eyes flicked over her, dark and consuming. "That makes you dangerous, Valentina."
Her breath caught. Dangerous? She was dangerous?
"I don't understand."
"You don't need to," he said smoothly. "All you need to know is this—once I set my eyes on something, I never let it go."
Her throat dried. She took a small step back, but his hand shot out, fingers brushing her wrist. The contact sent a shiver racing through her, sharp and unwelcome.
He tilted his head, studying her reaction like she was an experiment. "You feel it too," he murmured.
Valentina jerked her hand back, clutching it to her chest. "I'm here to work, Mr. Moretti. Nothing else."
For a long moment, silence stretched between them. Then, slowly, he smiled.
"We'll see."
She turned quickly, retreating toward the door, desperate for air. His gaze burned into her back the entire way, a heavy chain she couldn't escape.
When she slipped back into the outer office, Rosa's eyes were already on her. One look at Valentina's pale face and trembling hands, and Rosa knew.
"He's noticed you," she whispered.
Valentina sank into her chair, heart hammering. She wanted to deny it, to tell herself Rosa was wrong. But deep inside, she knew.
Dante Moretti had set his sights on her.
And there was no going back.
---
Later That Day
By lunchtime, Valentina had barely touched her food. The cafeteria buzzed with chatter, but she sat quietly, stirring her soup while Rosa eyed her with concern.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," Rosa said.
Valentina forced a weak smile. "Maybe I have."
Rosa leaned closer. "Listen to me, Valentina. You can't let him trap you. If he decides he wants you, it's already too late. But maybe—maybe if you keep your distance, you can survive."
Valentina's stomach twisted. "You make it sound like he's… a monster."
Rosa's eyes darkened. "He is."
Valentina wanted to argue, but the memory of his voice whispering once I set my eyes on something, I never let it go silenced her. She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering.
Maybe Rosa was right. Maybe she had walked into something far more dangerous than she could have imagined.
And maybe… there was no way out.
---
That Evening
When five o'clock finally arrived, Valentina hurried to pack her things. Relief flooded her at the thought of escaping the building, even for a night.
But just as she slipped her bag over her shoulder, a deep voice stopped her.
"Miss Cruz."
She froze. Slowly, she turned.
Dante stood in the doorway of his office, watching her with that same unreadable intensity.
"You'll stay late tonight," he said, as though it wasn't a request. "I have… work for you."
Her chest tightened. The warning bells in her head screamed, but she forced her voice steady. "Yes, Mr. Moretti."
He smiled faintly, like a man savoring the inevitable. "Good girl."
And with those two words, Valentina knew Rosa had been right.
She wasn't just an employee.
She was prey.