Chapter 4 04

HAYES ESTATE***

The long dining table stretched like a runway through the middle of the Hayes estate's opulent dining room. Golden light from the chandelier overhead scattered soft glints across polished silverware and expensive wine glasses. A private chef flitted in and out, refilling dishes Killian hadn't touched.

His mother, Charlotte Hayes, sat to his left, adorned in pearls that glistened against her cream-colored silk blouse. She had that practiced poise of a woman who knew her power-refined, gentle in voice, but steel underneath. On his right, his father, Edward Hayes, cut an imposing figure, his salt-and-pepper beard trimmed sharp, eyes trained on Killian like a hawk waiting for a slip.

They were discussing business, of course. Mergers, shares, global expansion. Killian chimed in when needed, his tone precise, his thoughts efficient.

Until Charlotte's words changed the tone entirely.

"And Aurora?" she said delicately, dabbing her lips with a napkin. "When will we be announcing the engagement?"

Killian didn't say anything, but internally, a wall rose.

He leaned back, folding his fingers together on the table. "I'll need more time."

Edward's brow twitched. "More time? You've been seeing her for over a year."

"She's not a contract to be signed, Father. She's a person."

Charlotte offered a calm, but pointed smile. "She's also the daughter of our top investor, and your partner in countless public appearances. Everyone already assumes you're engaged."

"She's not my priority right now." Killian's voice was firm, unbending.

Edward set down his glass of wine with a dull clink. "And what is?"

"The company. Securing the merger with Deveraux Group. Finalizing the Seoul deal. All of which bring more value to the board than an empty ring."

His father narrowed his eyes. "Your cold-heartedness is starting to look less like focus and more like fear of commitment."

Killian didn't respond. He didn't need to. He knew what he wanted-and Aurora wasn't it.

Charlotte reached across the table, brushing a hand over his. "Just... don't take too long. People are watching."

~~~~~

H&K COMPANY**

After dinner, Killian returned to his office-his real sanctuary. Towering windows overlooked the city skyline, glittering like a galaxy at his feet. He loosened his tie, sinking into the leather chair behind his desk.

The silence was comforting.

Until his phone buzzed.

Aurora.

He stared at the screen for a few seconds. Her perfect face smiled back in her contact photo-elegant, poised, plastic.

He declined the call.

~~~~~~

The fluorescent lights hummed overhead as Ayla sat hunched over her desk in the assistant bullpen, buried beneath a small mountain of paperwork. The air was cooler at night, but she barely noticed. Her fingers were sore from typing, and her stomach had been growling since eight.

She glanced at the wall clock. 11:52 PM.

Almost midnight. And she still had three reports left to reformat.

She rubbed her temple, eyes heavy. But she refused to stop. This job, no matter how exhausting, was better than the silence of rejection she'd lived with for so long. Better than that day at Derrick's office, when hope had been shattered by the cruel smirk of a man with too much power.

Even thinking about it made her stomach twist.

Still, she refused to let the bitterness win.

She straightened in her chair and got back to work.

Then suddenly, she heard soft footsteps.

She turned.

Killian Hayes.

His presence was commanding, even in silence. He wore his usual black tailored suit, a few buttons undone now, his tie loosened. His expression was unreadable, like always.

Ayla stood abruptly. "Mr. Hayes."

He gave her a once-over-she looked exhausted, her eyes slightly puffy, but there was no weakness in her posture. Only grit.

"You're still here," he said flatly.

She swallowed and nodded. "I was asked to finish these before tomorrow morning."

Killian glanced at the files. "Who asked you to do all this?"

Ayla hesitated. "One of the senior assistants."

He didn't respond right away. His gaze lingered on her-on the tension in her shoulders, the faint red marks from leaning on her elbows too long.

"You don't have to prove anything to anyone," he said quietly.

She blinked, confused. "Sir?"

Killian walked around her desk slowly, his eyes drifting over the reports. "You're here late. You don't complain. You do more than you're asked. That says more about you than any degree or title."

"I don't mind," Ayla said, trying to sound composed. "I'm just grateful to be here."

He studied her. "Why this job?"

Ayla took a moment. "Because no one else would take me. And this... this was a chance. I wasn't going to waste it."

A silence stretched between them. Something shifted in his expression-something subtle. He didn't smile. But the sharpness in his eyes dulled, just for a second.

Then he turned. "Go home."

"What?"

"You're done for the night. I'll make sure those reports get submitted."

She stared. "But-"

"You've done enough."

It wasn't a suggestion. It was an order-but softer than his usual commands.

Ayla slowly packed her things, unsure of what had just happened. She glanced back at Killian as she left. He was already at her desk, flipping through the files she'd been working on, his brows drawn.

He was helping her?

But why?

She didn't say anything. She just stepped into the elevator, heart pounding.

It was probably nothing. Maybe he was just protecting his company's image. Maybe it was pity.

Or maybe... maybe he saw something in her. Something even she had stopped seeing in herself.

~~~~~~

Back in the office, Killian stared at her half-completed report. He should've been annoyed. Should've fired her like every other assistant before.

But he didn't.

Something about her-her stubborn quietness, her honesty-it reminded him of the version of himself before all the masks and power.

And for the first time in weeks, he didn't feel quite so cold.

To be continued.....