Chapter 6 A Tense Night

The night had swallowed the city in an eerie silence. Behind a desk buried under stacks of files and the glow of her laptop, Lena sat hunched over. Her eyes scanned rows of numbers in the audit report-fatigue etched clearly on her face, yet determination kept her going.

She glanced at the wall clock. 10:47 p.m.

Almost eleven, but not a single call from the manager who usually summoned her to entertain their notoriously arrogant regular guest.

Tonight, her phone remained silent. No notifications. No messages. Nothing.

Lena bit her lower lip, then reached for the landline.

"Reception?" Her voice was soft, polite.

"Yes, Miss?"

"Did Mr. Neil come in tonight? With his assistant?" she asked, walking toward the large window, staring out at the pitch-dark city.

"Yes, ma'am. He booked the VIP room around nine-thirty, as usual."

"Oh... thank you for the information."

She hung up and drew in a deep breath. Strange. Usually, he would call her in without fail. Why not tonight?

Was he with someone else-other than his assistant?

The thought crept in uninvited, stabbing her mind like shards of glass. Lena quickly shook her head. Forcing herself back into her chair, she pushed the distraction aside and focused on finishing her work.

12:03 a.m.

The files were neatly stacked, her laptop tucked into her bag. She headed down to the basement to fetch her car. Tonight, she was driving herself-Suzy had chosen to stay behind, saying she wanted "a quiet night, away from everyone."

The silver sedan rolled slowly through the empty city streets. Streetlights glowed faintly, the sky above black and starless. Halfway through, the engine suddenly sputtered, coughed-and died completely.

"Oh, come on... not now," Lena muttered in frustration. She twisted the key again and again, to no avail.

Stepping out, she lifted the hood and stared blankly inside-though she barely understood what she was looking at. A mess of wires, a puff of steam, the stench of oil. She frowned.

"Seriously... why tonight of all nights?" she whispered at the aging car her parents had left her.

Around her, there was nothing but trees and a deserted road. No passing cars. No voices. Only the rustle of wind through the leaves and a distant howl of dogs.

A shiver ran down her spine-not from the cold, but from unease creeping in.

Then-a beam of light appeared in the distance. Headlights. A car approached, cutting through the darkness, its beams locking onto Lena and her stranded vehicle. Instinctively, she stepped into the road, raising her hands.

The car slowed and stopped right in front of her. Its black body gleamed under the moonlight. A BMW. Lena recognized it instantly.

The driver's door opened, revealing a tall figure in a black suit. His gaze was sharp, carrying a flicker of surprise.

Lena's eyes widened.

"Neil?" she breathed, stunned.

The night air slid cold against her body, seeping beneath the long bodycon dress hugging her curves. She stood frozen near her broken-down car as Niel, tall and composed as ever, faced her with piercing eyes.

For a moment, the only sound was the whisper of leaves and the wind between them.

Neil's gaze shifted to her car. The hood still gaped open, faint steam curling out.

"My car broke down," Lena said finally, forcing her voice to sound calm though her body trembled.

Without a word, Neil strode over to the engine, hands moving swiftly as he checked wires, pressed here and there, then exhaled heavily.

"It needs a workshop," he said flatly.

Lena stepped closer. "But... it's midnight. No workshop is open now."

Neil shut the hood with a quiet thud and turned his gaze on her.

"Then... I can take you home."

Her brows lifted, relief flickering. "Really? Then... thank you."

Neil said nothing. He simply walked back to his BMW. Lena followed and slipped into the passenger seat. The interior was warm, comforting, filled with the faint scent of cinnamon. Yet tonight, the air felt heavier-charged with something unspoken.

Neil gripped the steering wheel, but didn't start the engine. Lena glanced sideways.

"Are we... waiting for something?" she asked, half joking, half nervous.

Neil's lips curled into a faint smile-thin, sly, unreadable. "I'm afraid, Miss Selena," he murmured. "This isn't free."

Her brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"You'll have to pay me," he said, eyes cutting through her like blades. "But in a way that satisfies me."

Lena's heart pounded. She straightened, trying to decipher the tone behind his words. "Mr. Neil... what are you talking abou-"

Before she could finish, Neil moved. His hand gripped the back of her neck, yanking her close-his lips crashed onto hers.

The kiss wasn't a greeting. Not affection. It was a claim. Demanding. Forceful.

Lena froze, body stiff for a few seconds, before her palms shoved hard against his chest.

"Neil!" she gasped. "What the hell are you doing?!"

Neil stared back-sharp, calm, unflinching. "Making you understand."

Her body trembled. "Do you think I'm the kind of woman you can just treat like that-"

"You're not just any woman," Neil cut in, his voice like a blade. "That's exactly what makes you dangerous. And I'm curious to taste it."

Smack!