Chapter 2 The unraveling thread

The sharp, metallic hum of the elevator doors opening echoed through the empty lobby, and Alexis Bennett stepped inside, her heels clicking against the polished floor. The moment she was alone, she allowed herself a quiet breath. The encounter with Dominic Colson had rattled her more than she cared to admit. His cold words and that unrelenting gaze-he had undermined everything she stood for in that single meeting. But she couldn't afford to let it affect her.

The goal was clear. Her mother's charity project-something that could change lives-was the one thing Alexis could never walk away from. She had to win over Colson, even if it meant playing the game by his rules.

As the elevator descended, Alexis's thoughts became tangled. Was he right about her? Did she truly have what it took to make him believe in something bigger than power and wealth? Or was this a losing battle from the start?

The soft chime of the ground floor echoed in her mind like a reminder. She had no time for doubts.

But as the doors opened to reveal the bustling lobby, Alexis froze. A figure stood just inside, leaning casually against the wall. She hadn't noticed him before, but now, she was certain he had been watching her for a while.

The same icy blue eyes she had tried to shake off earlier were now staring at her with a familiar intensity. It was Dominic Colson. And he wasn't alone.

"Miss Bennett," he greeted her with that same cold tone, but this time, there was something different in his voice. Something darker. "I thought we should continue our conversation. I'm not one to leave things unfinished."

Alexis's breath caught in her throat. How had he gotten down here so quickly? She could still feel the pulse of their last exchange vibrating between them, that lingering tension. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could speak, another figure stepped out from behind Dominic.

A tall, impeccably dressed man with dark hair and a confident smile. He looked like he belonged in a magazine ad for luxury watches.

"Allow me to introduce you to my associate, Mr. Hauser," Dominic said, gesturing to the man beside him. "He's someone you'll want to know if you're serious about your charity's future."

Mr. Hauser gave her a brief nod, his eyes scanning her as though sizing her up, much like Colson had. The air grew thick with the sudden change in dynamics.

"I trust you two will have a pleasant conversation." Dominic's voice was soft, but there was an underlying command to it. "I'll leave you to it."

Before Alexis could process what was happening, Dominic had already turned and walked toward the exit. The door opened, and he vanished into the street beyond, leaving Alexis with this new, unsettling puzzle to figure out.

She turned to Mr. Hauser, who was still watching her with a mixture of amusement and scrutiny. His smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Mr. Colson seems to think you're worth the trouble," Hauser said, his voice smooth, as though he were testing her every word. "But he's a man of action, not words. If you want to prove yourself, you'll need more than a convincing speech. You'll need to show him that you're capable of doing whatever it takes."

Alexis straightened her posture, her nerves settling. The unexpectedness of the moment was beginning to feel like another test-one that she wasn't about to fail. "I'll do whatever it takes."

Hauser's eyes glinted with interest, his lips curling upward slightly. "Good. But let me warn you, Miss Bennett, there are ways to 'prove' your worth to Mr. Colson that you may not be comfortable with."

Alexis's pulse quickened. "What do you mean?"

He took a step closer, his voice lowering. "In Colson Enterprises, loyalty and results are everything. If you're not willing to bend the rules to achieve success, then you'll never make it."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Was this the kind of game she was expected to play? Was Dominic testing her in ways she couldn't even imagine? And what about Hauser-was he another pawn, or a player in his own right?

Before she could ask any more questions, Hauser stepped back and gave a small nod, signaling the end of their conversation. "You'll hear from us soon. Make sure you're ready."

And with that, he turned, disappearing through the doors.

Alexis stood frozen for a long moment. The entire encounter had left her spinning. She hadn't expected this. No, she hadn't expected any of it. But something about Hauser's words lingered. Loyalty. Results. What lengths would she have to go to?

The quiet hum of the lobby seemed louder now, and as she walked toward the exit, she felt the weight of Colson's challenge pressing down on her. She had one week. One week to prove that her charity wasn't a pipe dream. But what was she willing to do to make him believe? And what price would she have to pay?

Twist:

As Alexis stepped outside into the bustling streets of the city, her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number.

"You don't know who you're dealing with. You think you can play by the rules, but that's not how it works here. Watch your back. Someone's been watching you."

She glanced around, her heart skipping a beat. Who was this? What did they know? And why did it feel like everything she was doing had already been mapped out for her?