Chapter 2 The Chain And The Call

The Chain and the Call

The city lights sparkled beneath a darkening sky as Emma Blake stepped out of the Sterling building, her pulse still racing from the unexpected message. The evening air was warm, but her skin prickled with cold. Mr. Cross knew her name. He knew her number. And he was watching her.

She crossed the street in a daze, barely hearing the sound of car horns, the rustling leaves, or the chatter of people around her. Everything faded into a muted blur. Her fingers trembled as she unlocked her phone again, rereading the message.

> "You should wear flats tomorrow. You walk like the heels are punishing you."

She stared at the name: Unknown. But it wasn't unknown anymore.

It was him.

Aiden Cross.

The same man who caught her in the elevator, whose eyes stripped her soul bare with a glance. The same man whose presence felt like a drug both intoxicating and dangerous.

She wanted to feel angry. Violated, even. But instead, a deep flutter stirred in her chest.

> Snap out of it, Emma. You have a boyfriend.

Yes. Ryan. Sweet, warm hearted Ryan who waited for her every night with dinner and soft hands. She opened her messages.

> Ryan: "You want sushi or ramen tonight? Thought we could eat in bed and watch that drama you like."

Tears welled in her eyes. Not because she was sad. But because Ryan was perfect, and somehow, she was beginning to feel something else. Something... wrong.

She didn't reply immediately. She stuffed the phone in her bag, hailed a bus, and sat by the window in silence all the way home.

---

Back at the Apartment

Her father had fallen asleep in front of the television, an empty tea mug dangling from his hand. The coffee machine was still broken. She tiptoed past him and went to the bathroom.

She stared at herself in the mirror. Her hair was messy. Her white blouse slightly wrinkled. But the strangest part?

She didn't look like the same Emma Blake from yesterday.

There was a light in her eyes. A spark she couldn't explain.

She washed her face, changed into a hoodie, and crawled into bed. Her phone buzzed again.

> Unknown Number: "Sleep well, Ms. Blake. Tomorrow will be...interesting."

Her breath hitched.

> Emma: "How did you get my number?"

A minute passed.

Then two.

> Unknown: "I have ways."

She didn't reply.

She just lay there, one arm under her pillow, staring at the ceiling wondering why her heart was racing over a man she had exchanged barely five sentences with.

---

The Next Morning

Emma wore flats.

Not because of the message.

At least, that's what she told herself.

She pulled her hair into a neat bun, wore a navy-blue pencil skirt and a soft pink blouse. Lana FaceTimed her while she was packing lunch.

"GIRL. You didn't tell me how hot the CEO is!"

Emma rolled her eyes. "I didn't even know it was him until after."

"He caught you? Like, in the elevator?"

"Sort of. I tripped. He...held me."

Lana screamed. "You're living my wattpad dream! I swear, if you don't marry that man, I'll riot."

Emma laughed despite herself. "He's way out of my league, Lana. And I have Ryan."

Lana's smile faded. "Right. Ryan."

"What's that tone?"

"Nothing. Just... be careful. These men? They play hard. And you have a soft heart."

Emma nodded. "I know."

---

At Sterling

As she stepped into the building, a strange tension filled the air. Whispers chased her down the hallway. People stared. Some smiled politely. Others avoided her gaze.

Ashley, the assistant, ran up to her desk.

"Girl. You've been summoned."

Emma blinked. "What?"

"To the 30th floor. That's"

"The CEO's office?"

Ashley nodded, eyes wide. "He never calls people up there unless it's serious. Or unless he's firing them."

Emma's stomach sank.

"But you just started," Ashley added quickly. "Maybe he wants to...welcome you."

Or maybe he found out she texted back.

Emma straightened her blouse, fixed her collar, and walked to the elevator.

---

The 30th Floor

It was silent.

Too silent.

The walls were glass and chrome. Modern art lined the halls. A single white orchid sat on a silver pedestal. Everything screamed luxury and control.

The receptionist on the 30th floor barely looked up.

"Go right in, Ms. Blake. He's expecting you."

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

She pushed open the heavy door.

And there he was.

Aiden Cross.

Behind a sleek black desk, backlit by floor-to-ceiling windows that revealed the Seoul skyline. He wore a navy-blue suit today, hair slicked back, lips pressed in that unreadable expression.

"Ms. Blake," he said without looking up. "Sit."

She obeyed.

He finally raised his eyes.

The same electric-blue gaze that haunted her dreams. "You replied to my message."

She blinked. "You messaged me first."

He smiled. Just barely. "True. But I expected you to ignore it."

"Why?" she asked, trying to sound bold.

"Because most people are afraid of me."

She hesitated. "Maybe I should be."

His eyes darkened, as if he liked that answer.

Then he leaned forward, fingers steepled. "Why did you really take this job?"

Her throat tightened. "I needed it. I need the money. My father is sick. We're behind on rent. I applied everywhere. Sterling called. I said yes."

There was silence.

Then, softly: "Honest. Good."

She blinked.

He stood. Walked around the desk. Came closer.

Too close.

"You remind me of someone," he said.

"Who?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he reached into his pocket and handed her a folder.

"Your department is shifting. You'll report directly to me starting tomorrow."

Her jaw dropped. "What? Why?"

"I make the rules, Ms. Blake. Not the questions."

"But I don't"

"You're smart. Focused. Observant. And... I need someone with a clear conscience. This company is not what it appears to be on the surface."

She narrowed her eyes. "Are you offering me a job or dragging me into something illegal?"

That smile again. Like smoke. Dangerous. Charming.

"You'll find out."

She stood. "If this is some kind of game"

"It's not."

Their eyes locked.

He was taller than she remembered. More intense. The way he looked at her made her knees feel weak.

Then he stepped back. "You can go."

---

Back at Her Desk

Ashley screamed.

"You WHAT?"

Emma sipped her coffee. "I'm working under the CEO starting tomorrow."

"That's insane. Do you know how many girls would kill for that spot?"

"I didn't ask for it."

Ashley wiggled her eyebrows. "But he asked for you."

Emma groaned.

She spent the rest of the day in meetings, typing reports, and dodging stares.

Ryan called during lunch.

> "Hey babe. I was thinking... what if we went out this weekend? Just the two of us. I miss your face."

> "Sounds great," she replied, guilt pooling in her gut.

But even as she typed, Aiden's voice echoed in her head.

---

That Evening

At home, the apartment smelled of old garlic bread and lavender spray. Her father was in bed. Ryan was waiting outside with bubble tea.

"You look tired," he said, kissing her cheek.

"Long day."

They sat on the couch, sipping in silence. Ryan wrapped his arm around her.

"You okay?"

She wanted to tell him. About Aiden. About the new position. About the message.

But the words stuck.

"Yeah," she lied.

He smiled and pulled her closer. "I love you, Emmy."

"I love you too."

But in her chest, something twisted.

---

Midnight

Her phone buzzed.

> Unknown: "You lied."

Emma sat up in bed, heart pounding.

> Emma: "What are you talking about?"

> Unknown: "You said you were okay. You're not. I saw it in your eyes."

She stared at the screen in disbelief.

> Emma: "Are you watching me?"

No reply.

Just silence.

Then

> Unknown: "Sleep. You have a long journey ahead."

She didn't sleep that night.

Not really.

---

The Next Day

Emma was assigned a private desk outside Aiden's office. It had a touchscreen monitor, designer chair, and fresh lilies in a vase.

David from IT looked confused. "You got moved already?"

"Apparently," Emma muttered.

Inside Aiden's office, he paced slowly, giving her detailed tasks-contracts, emails, internal memos.

But something was wrong.

Every now and then, he would stop mid-sentence and just... look at her.

Like he was memorizing her face.

At noon, he handed her a file. "Take this to Mr. Jin in finance."

She nodded.

As she turned to leave, he spoke.

"Blake."

She turned.

His eyes held something unreadable.

"Wear your hair down tomorrow."

She blinked. "Excuse me?"

He turned back to his computer. "Dismissed."

---

Later That Evening

She met Ryan at a ramen shop. He laughed and held her hand. They talked about photography, old movies, and places they wanted to travel.

But every time Ryan leaned in, Emma saw blue eyes.

Every time he smiled, she remembered Aiden's smirk.

She was falling.

Not in love.

Into something more dangerous.

And she didn't know how to stop.

---

The Phone Call

That night, as she washed her face and prepared for bed, her phone rang.

Private number.

She picked up.

"Emma?"

She froze.

The voice was older. Shaky.

It wasn't Aiden.

"...Mom?"

Twelve years. No contact.

"Don't hang up. Please."

Emma's knees gave way. She slid to the floor.

"I'm sorry," the voice whispered. "I was sick. I was scared. But I'm back. And I want to see you."

Emma couldn't breathe.

"You left. You left us."

"I know. But I've been clean for four years. I live in Busan now. Can I come see you?"

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"I don't know," she whispered.

"I'll wait. I just... needed to hear your voice."

The line went dead.

And Emma sat there, in the dark, with her heart torn in two.

---

Meanwhile...

In a private room on the 30th floor, Aiden Cross stood in front of a large monitor, watching surveillance footage.

Emma. Sitting on her floor. Crying.

He clenched his fists.

Behind him, a man in a grey suit stepped forward.

"She's reacting exactly as predicted, sir."

Aiden didn't turn.

"I don't care about predictions. Just protect her."

"Yes, sir."

"And increase her father's medical coverage. Quietly."

"Yes, sir."

Aiden stared at the screen a moment longer.

Then whispered to himself:

"Don't fall, Blake. Not yet."

---

End of Chapter Two.