Chapter 2 THE ATTRACTION BEGINS

The gleaming glass skyscraper of Greec Enterprises loomed above Jojean Dawson as she clutched her resume folder, gripped the strap of her handbag, her knucher heart hammering inside her chest.

It had been three months since Jason had shattered her heart.

Three months since she had disappeared from his world, determined to never set foot anywhere near him again.

And yet... here she was.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the massive glass doors.

Jojean squared her shoulders.

Jason might have destroyed her, but he wouldn't ruin her career too.

This was just a job.

She would work hard, keep her head down, and stay as far away from him.

This was her fresh start, her chance to finally move on from her past.

What she didn't know was that Jason wasn't the one she had to worry about.

She adjusted her navy-blue blazer, took a deep breath, and stepped inside the building.

The scent of expensive cologne and freshly polished floors filled the air. She had worked so hard to land this position, and nothing was going to ruin it.

The receptionist greeted her with a smile, directing her toward the top floor.

But fate had other plans.

The elevator doors slid open on the top floor, and Jojean walked into the massive executive office, her heels clicking against the marble floor.

A deep voice greeted her. "Miss Dawson."

She froze.

The air shifted, a familiar chill running down her spine. She knew that voice. It sounded so familiar, she knew it too well.

Turning slowly, her breath caught in her throat.

Owen Carter.

Tall, commanding, and impossibly handsome, he leaned against a sleek black desk, his charcoal-gray suit tailored to perfection. His piercing blue eyes locked onto her, filled with something dangerous.

Jojean's stomach dropped.

No. This wasn't happening.

Owen Carter, her ex-boyfriend's best friend.

Jason Wolfe had broken her heart. Owen Carter was about to destroy the rest of her.

She swallowed hard, keeping her voice steady. "I... I thought I was meeting with the HR team."

Owen's lips curved into a smirk. "Oh, you were." He pushed off the desk and walked toward her, his movements smooth, predatory. "But the HR team doesn't make the final hiring decisions. I do."

Jojean clenched her fists at her sides, forcing herself to meet his gaze. She wouldn't let him see her weakness. Not after everything.

"You knew." Her voice was barely a whisper. "You knew I was applying here."

Owen chuckled, low and rich. "Of course, I knew." He tilted his head, studying her. "Did you really think you could walk into my company without me knowing exactly who you were?"

Jojean's pulse pounded. She needed this job. She wasn't going to let him intimidate her.

Squaring her shoulders, she met his gaze. "Then why hire me?"

A pause. His eyes darkened.

"Because I want to see you suffer."

Her breath hitched.

Owen stepped closer-too close. She caught the scent of his cologne, dark and intoxicating, and it made her head swim.

"You hurt my friend, Jo'." His voice was dangerously soft. "And now, it's my turn to return the favor."

Jojean's fingers curled into fists. "I didn't hurt Jason," she snapped.

Owen arched an eyebrow, mocking amusement flashing in his gaze. "Didn't you?"

Her heart twisted.

She tried to explain..

Jason had been the one to betray her. But Owen didn't care about the truth, he had already judged her guilty.

The tension between them was thick, electric.

Owen leaned in just slightly, his voice low. "Here's the deal, Miss Dawson. You can walk out right now, and I'll make sure you never work in this city again. Or... you can stay, work for me, and follow every single order I give you."

Jojean's breath came shallow.

She wanted to storm out. She wanted to tell him to go to hell.

But she couldn't. She needed this job.

Her mother's hospital bills weren't going to pay themselves.

Owen studied her, waiting. Enjoying this.

Finally, Jojean forced out the words that sealed her fate. "I'll stay."

Owen's smirk widened. "Good girl."

Jojean clenched her jaw.

This wasn't over.

Not by a long shot.

She went home that day weak. drowning in her thoughts, thinking if she should relocate, or look for a new job?

'But this man has vowed not to let me go.

I shouldn't have applied to this company in the first place'

Why has life suddenly become unkind to me?

It's been a hell of a ride from Jason to Owen! Na... I must be cursed

She sat down starring in the mirror and laughed at her current state, because it all seems like a joke.

Just when you think it's over, boom!

It's all going to be fine Jo' Dawson

She stood up, went to the kitchen, Took out a bottle of wine and poured for herself into a wine glass, Took out popcorn from the fridge and sailed into her fave pink couch in the living room, while watching her favorite Tv series and Laughing out loud.