Fool By My Ruthless Billionaire

The moment I saw him, the air altered. Tall, broad-shouldered Kendrick Blackwell had that unyielding look that always seemed to conceal his actual ideas. Those sharp blue eyes of his fixed on me the instant I walked in. In the years apart, he had not altered much. He still had the same magnetic draw, but now his eyes showed steel. One that made me shiver. I had not anticipated being this disturbed. This exposed. He spoke softly and coldly. Sofia. He said my name as though it were a charge. You are not what I anticipated. My heart raced in my chest and I couldn't help but bite back.

His look was sharp; his quiet was more damning than any words. Years apart's burden seemed like an anchor around my chest. He opened his lips, likely to talk, but I stopped him before he could say one word. Kendrick, get to the point. No games, please. Though it didn't reach his eyes, his lips twisted into a quick smirk. Certainly. I struck a bargain. A deal. I want your assistance, Sofia. Blackwell Enterprises is on the brink; only you can assist me in saving it. Every page felt like a knife to my chest as he pushed the contract over the desk, and my heart fell. I had no faith in him, not at all. The deal, however, was hard to pass up. I held the contract in my palms. The cold, heavy paper seemed like it was burning on my flesh. What is the catch? I said, my voice betraying my doubt. Kendrick's gaze stayed fixed on me as he reclined in his chair. He said, "There's one condition," and I sensed the walls closing in on me. I stood in the midst of his office, the weight of the contract still in my palms. How had we arrived here? Years ago, I believed I had nothing left to show him, yet suddenly here I was, looking down the barrel of a pistol I couldn't reject. Disbelief in my heart, I reread the document. His offer was too fantastic to be real. Riches. Power. Impact. All I could have ever wished for. Still, something seemed off. This was not only corporate. This was Kendrick, always gaming and always moving the pieces. Kendrick, this doesn't seem right. This time, my voice was softer, a thread of uncertainty running through my speech. What do you truly want from me? Kendrick's stare became a little softer, but the chill remained. Resting his elbows on the desk, he leaned forward. Your assistance in saving my empire is what I seek, " he added quietly and convincingly. Sofia, I'm giving you what you have ever desired. Power, riches, your position in this world. I met his eyes, attempting to ignore the heat of his closeness. Kendrick, you don't get to decide my future," I retorted, anger rising. Even as I spoke the words, though, I understood the reality. The offer was too alluring to turn down. Like him, his power and his world were intoxicating. Kendrick said, his voice like a drug, "You'll have to trust me more than you ever have." The fight kept going and my pulse quickened; the tension between us was obvious. Kendrick had always had that influence over me. That capacity to turn my feelings around till I lost knowledge of who I was. The chemistry between us had not faded; it never would; yet I doubted I could live falling into that trap once more. "You made your offer," I responded, my voice more stable than I felt. But why should I believe you now? After all? Kendrick's eyes flared, a quick burst of something raw before his composure snapped back into place. Sofia, you never really trusted me, did you?" he said icily. I assumed you knew me better than that. Struggling to suppress the feelings roiling within me, I tightened my hands at my sides. "You exploited me. You always do. Though they tasted like acid in my tongue, I couldn't stop them. His face fell, the mask of apathy cracking for only a second. You always believed I was using you, didn't you? Perhaps this time I require you more than I have ever said. The words struck me like a slap and I froze. His stare was so strong that it made my heart race, but I would not let him know how much it impacted me. I would not fall for it again. Not this moment. You want me to think that? I said, my voice low and full of scepticism. Kendrick, you have used me. You've always had your way with me. You believe I'll succumb to this once more? For a little period, the past between us hung thick in the air as we just stared at one another. Truthfully, I had no notion whether I could oppose him. Not now, not after all we had experienced. His gaze stayed on me as he got up. You will do what required to live. So shall I. He stopped, the space between us charged with unsaid tension. Sofia, decide. You have more to lose than you believe. There was an electrifying air between us. Though my heart raced, I tried to remain cool and pushed aside the dread that held my chest. Kendrick Blackwell was my past, my future, all knotted together in a chaotic, unresolved tangle. I had not anticipated seeing him again, much less under these conditions. But here we were. "Deal," I murmured, the word dropping from my mouth with more certainty than I felt. I had given in, but my concerns hung like a rain cloud over my head. His gaze was constantly on me, always watching, always figuring. Though I would not shatter it, the stillness between us was oppressive. Questions filled my head. What did really want Kendrick? Was he using me once more? When it came to him, I had discovered the difficult way that nothing came free. He slid the contract over the desk, his fingers grazing mine for only a second. Though I tried to ignore it, the touch jolted my body. I was not here for it. "Just so we're clear," I continued, meeting his eyes with as much defiance as I could conjure, "I'm not doing this for you." He grinned, but it was frigid and hollow. Sofia, that's not how this functions. Whether you acknowledge it or not, you will do it for yourself. I could feel the walls closing in as I signed the document, my signature completing a decision I couldn't erase. It weighed heavily on my shoulders. Rising to depart, I found myself unable to look back. Though his face had not changed, I noticed a gleam in his eyes that I could not really identify. Something suggesting unresolved issues between us. Stepping out of his office, I took a deep breath and attempted to empty my head. Though my heart raced in my chest, I made myself keep walking. An unknown number flashing on the screen, my phone buzzed in my pocket. Though I hesitated, my interest triumphed. I responded. Through the receiver, a low, frantic voice cracked. Avoid Kendrick Blackwell. He's more risky than you believe. My stomach turned. Who was this person? What did they understand? And why were they now alerting me? The following morning, I stood outside Blackwell Enterprises, gazing up at the glass and steel monstrosity. Every inch of this structure brought back memories of the guy I had once loved, once despised, once trusted. Now, it was just a jail, a golden cage I was entering back into, voluntarily, but with a sorrowful heart. I understood my duty. I had to endure this regardless of the expense. Kendrick was not my reason for being here. I was not here for anything save my career, my reputation, my empire. But the nearer I came, the more I understood I had entered hostile land. Inside the structure, everything seemed too similar, too antiseptic, too chilly. Though the horrors of my past followed me like shadows, the gleaming floors reflected my every step. I thought Kendrick would be there when I got to his office; instead, Mason was there. Kendrick's closest buddy, now I see, maybe foe. His lovely grin didn't deceive me. Years of quiet had made me suspicious of anyone linked to Kendrick. Mason welcomed me, "Ms. Carrington," with a grin that fell short of his eyes. Blocking the door with his height, he moved forward. Your arrival has been anticipated. I closed my eyes and tried to hide my unease. Kendrick there? He grinned more broadly and moved even closer, his breath warm on my skin. Though busy, I'm sure we will have lots of time to converse. Working for Kendrick, I fear, will make you regret. His voice became a whisper and his tone grim, nearly menacing. I felt a tightening in my tummy. I had no faith in him. I had no faith in any of them. What for? I said, almost inaudibly. He leaned in just enough for me to experience his words like a shiver against my skin. The man you work for doesn't play fair, so You are playing a risky game. My heart was pounding as I stepped back. Was Mason attempting to alert me? Or was he trying to scare me off? Either way, I wasn't going to let him know how much he disturbed me. "I appreciate the counsel," I murmured, my heart pounding and pushing past him into Kendrick's office, trying to smile.

My pulse quickened as I hurried passed them, attempting to ignore the prick of discomfort crawling up my spine. I didn't fit in here. No more. Not after all that had transpired between Kendrick and I. Carrington, Ms. The voice pierced the tension. Mason was Kendrick's right-hand man. At the corridor's conclusion, his smile taut and eyes sharp, he leaned against the wall. St. Clair, Mr. I pushed the words out, unsure of my ability to utter more. "You seem... different. More shiny. I've read about your ascent in the business sector. Though it was strange, his smile grew. It eluded me somewhat.

I smiled on command. What brings you here, then? His eyes danced behind me and I knew, without even turning around, that Kendrick had come into the building. I could sense him, the magnetic pull still with me after all these years. The air seems to be getting heavier. Mason's smile changed; something sinister lurked under his words. Kendrick's waiting for you; I'm sure you already know that. All I gave him was a little nod. Facing Kendrick's office, the door stood like an insurmountable wall between us. I went for the handle; Mason's words halted me. You have no idea what you are entering. His speech was calm and calculated. Working for Kendrick once more... You will come to rue it. The first few minutes in Kendrick's office seemed to last forever. Though I hadn't seen him in years, everything about him was still burned into my memory. It was as though no time had gone at all the way he leaned back in his chair, hands folded, his gaze fixed on me. You showed up. Though his voice was flat, his ice-cold eyes revealed a hint of something I couldn't quite read. Unwilling to let my feelings show, I swallowed hard. I am around. Let's finish this up. Kendrick's lips formed a little smirk. As always, it's business. Though the atmosphere in the room was unbearable, he pushed the papers over the table. He was drawing me back into his orbit, not only offering me a job. Kendrick, I don't know what you're playing at, so I said it. But you are not tricking me. I know your method of operation. His face remained unchanged. Sofia, I don't care what you believe you know, You are here now, correct? Though my hands were at my sides, I couldn't let go of control not here, not now. The stillness between us persisted. Mason's warning replayed in my head. Was this all part of his strategy? To catch me again? Feeling the office walls press in around me, I narrowed my eyes. This time, what's your strategy? Kendrick did not react right away. Rather, he got up and walked in the direction of the window. Though the skyline of the city lay below us, it was irrelevant. The vista was not my reason for being here. You'll see soon enough, he eventually said. Everything you want is right here. He pointed to the papers. "Right," I said, going over the contract. It was all I required to start over in my profession, so why did it seem as though more was at stake? I wasn't just signing for a position. I was signing away bits of myself. Once more. Time went by. Though my fingers hurt from the never-ending paperwork Kendrick had me sign, I kept pressing forward. I had my own justifications for being here, ones unrelated to him. But as time went on, the nagging sensation in the back of my head became impossible to ignore. Kendrick and I had always been more than corporate partners. We have past, difficult, traumatic past. You always thought I was using you, didn't you? Kendrick's voice pierced my musings. Though his comments hurt, I would not let him know how deeply they touched me. "I still believe it," I replied, my voice more cutting than I meant. His gaze uncomfortably sharp, he tilted his head slightly as if examining me. "Perhaps this time I need you more than I have ever indicated." The words hung between us in the air, loaded with meaning. It was a statement, an unstated reality he had never said before. And for a short while, I questioned whether he was being honest with me. But I soon set the idea aside. Trusting Kendrick Blackwell, once more, was a mistake I had already committed. Rising, I pushed the papers apart. Kendrick, I don't know what game you're playing, but I'm not here to be used as a pawn. His eyes darkened and he leaned forward, his voice falling to a low, menacing whisper. Sofia, I never meant for you to be a pawn. I wanted you to be my counterpart. But you never had enough faith in me to let me inside. The burden of his words penetrating me made me step back. Had I ever really believed in him? And if I hadn't, might I? Could I? "I'm not doing this for you," I responded, my voice strong in spite of the tempest inside me. Kendrick remained silent even though his lips moved as though he were about to say something else. He instead grabbed the papers from the desk and pushed them back towards me. "I believe you will change your mind," he continued, his voice firm. Time will tell. Standing in Kendrick's office, the faint hum of the lights humming in the background, the night air in the city felt thick. Having just completed reviewing the firm records, I could no longer tolerate it. The quiet between us was excruciating. Why won't you let me know what is actually happening? I said, my voice tight with annoyance. I could sense the years of difference between us, yet this was the same Kendrick. Always hiding something, cold and defensive. Not after all he had done, I could not trust him completely. Kendrick's unreadable, icy eyes locked onto me, a glimmer of something under the surface. "It's not your concern," he said, nearly too cool. His eyes locked onto mine, an unvoiced challenge in the air. Trying to control my breathing, I tightened my hands into fists. Kendrick, you aren't even attempting to make this succeed. This collaboration... it's a joke. The words left my lips before I could stop them; the weight of our history lay between us like a stone. He got up from his desk, looming over me. "You have always been fast to judge," he replied, his voice a low snarl. Sofia, you have never given me a shot. Inside me, ancient suffering flared. A possibility? Kendrick, you destroyed me. Now you expect me to simply forget all of this? The words were a smack and the room's tension shattered. He moved closer, jaw set. That wasn't my goal. Did you believe I wanted to injure you? He reached for me; I automatically recoiled. "You've always been good at hiding what you really want," I replied, my voice shaking despite my best efforts. There was still the old spark between us, a risky undertone I couldn't deny. His eyes dark and stormy, he stared at me for a long minute. Sofia, perhaps I wanted you back. Perhaps this time I need you more than you realise. I was unsure of how to react. His words hung in the air, thick and stifling. Though the fight was still on, his confession made things seem more real and more perilous. I stepped back, hoping to distance us some more. Kendrick, I don't believe you, " I murmured, my voice lower. "I cannot do that." There was no sound. Then, just before I left, he spoke again, his voice low as if the words were meant just for me. I should never have let you leave. Later that night, I found myself in the comfort of my flat, but there was no comfort to be had. Like a storm I couldn't run away from, the day had been a whirlwind, confusion, anxiety, and wrath roiling through me. I sat down on the couch, hiding my face in my palms. What was I doing, exactly? What was I truly seeking? I considered Kendrick's arrangement, the contract. I considered the way he had gazed at me, the heaviness of his words hanging in the air long after I had departed his office. Perhaps this was only corporate. Perhaps it wasn't. I was no longer confident. The phone rang, shattering the stillness. A number I didn't know appeared on the screen; I paused before responding to it. Good day? I spoke, my voice tense. Low and frantic, the voice on the other end was unknown. Sofia, avoid Kendrick. He's more risky than you realise. My heart missed a beat. Who is this? I insisted, my voice harsh. "What do you know of him?" The voice answered after a pause, a deep stillness. Mason's more engaged than you realise. Don't rely on him. Kendrick shouldn't be trusted as well. I stood still. Mason Kendrick's closest friend. The guy I had known for years but had never really believed in. The man always one step ahead, always lurking in the shadows. I choked. Could it even be? Was Mason truly engaged in something more sinister than I thought? The queue went dead; I looked at my phone, the weight of the words sinking into my bones. Though I didn't know who this unknown caller was, they had just turned everything topsy-turvy. My thoughts were racing as I got up and walked about the room. What was I meant to do next? How far did this extend?

I'm standing in front of Kendrick's desk, my heart racing and attempting to maintain my cool. Though, my new position seems more like a trap than a chance. Though the ghosts of our past continue to haunt me, I wish to trust in the opportunity I have been given. I look at the staff members surrounding us; every one of them is walking purposefully but lacking the friendliness one would anticipate in a workplace. Like they know things I don't, things I'm not supposed to know, they avoid eye contact and their expressions are frigid and aloof. A voice wakes me from my reverie.

Sofia, we have to discuss. Mason, then. His appearance sharply contrasts the frigid sterility of the workplace. Leaning against the doorframe, he stands in front of me now with a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. Though that's Mason, always the cool, calculated one, his relaxed tone doesn't fit the tension I sense in the air. I step aside and nod. On what? "About Kendrick," he continues, his eyes sparkling with something I can't quite decipher. You believe you are in charge here? Though soft, his words strike like a slap. You are not. Kendrick always gets his way. For a little minute, the room spins and my heart races. What do you mean? He approaches closer; his presence is too much and too overpowering. "You believe this is only business? That you can waltz in here and take control? You will come to regret it, believe me. Though there is a peculiar feeling of warning in his remarks, the venom in them is clear. Trying to understand all he just stated, I step back. Mason, I'm not here to battle anyone. He chuckles quietly, a sound devoid of comedy. "Oh, but you will be." Remember my words. He then turns and departs, more questions left for me than solutions. Back at Kendrick's office the following day, the atmosphere seems more thick than ever. Sitting at his desk with stiff posture, he stares out the window as though avoiding anything possibly peering back at him. The quiet between us presses on me like a tangible force. I take a deep breath and close the door softly behind me. We have to speak. At first, Kendrick does not turn around. He looks deep in concentration until his cold, analytical gaze meets mine. "Regarding what?" His voice is far away and clipped. My heart pounding, I move ahead several steps. This is not only business, right? There is more going on here than you are allowing me to know. His eyes stay fixed; for a little period, it's as though I'm talking to a wall. Finally, he reclines in his chair, arms crossed across his chest. "I thought we agreed," he adds quietly, nearly too calm. "This is purely corporate." "Business, sure," I say, my voice strained. "But it seems like more. You and Mason... What is actually happening here? His face unreadable, he observes me for a long time. Then, his stare sharp, he leans forward and slightly tilts his head. You are not incorrect. Sofia, there has always been more between us. But I am not the one who has to choose how far we go with this. His statements are both a challenge and a confession. His getting up and walking up to my position sends a shiver down me. "Trust was always the most difficult aspect of our relationship for both of us." You, more than anybody else. A familiar pain pulls at my heart. The remarks pierced more than I had anticipated. What now then? Should I simply fall in line and believe you once more? He approaches us more closely. Sofia, no. I anticipate nothing. I just need you to understand that this is greater than either of us. I cannot correct the past, though. My sole concern is the future. Swallowing, I battle the internal turmoil. Though something in me, the same part that has always been pulled to him, fights it, I'm so close to pushing him away. Kendrick, I'm not a pawn in your game. "You never were," he answers gently, nearly whispering. "But I need you in ways you don't yet grasp." Later that night, I find myself in the corner of my flat, gazing over the document Kendrick had given me earlier. It's no longer only about business. I don't know when it ceased to be only that. Running my fingertips across the paper, I can feel the weight of every word, every circumstance. Everything he mentioned seems like a tempting proposition. Still, something feels off. I wince at the phone ringing. Before I even glance at the screen, I know who it is. Kendrick Silent, I respond; the tension between us grows unspoken. "What do you want?" At last, I enquire. His voice is almost regretful and clipped. I just wanted to see. I realise this is a lot, but I need you to see how crucial this is. Sofia, you are not alone in this. I sneer, attempting to conceal the quaver in my voice. I am not alone. Kendrick, I want to believe you but I have doubts. He lets out a sigh. Trust has never been simple for us, has it? For a long time, I remain silent as the gravity of his remarks sinks in. What now then? I softly question, my voice revealing my doubt. He does not respond right away. You will have to believe me more than ever before. Otherwise, all will collapse. The air seems heavy the instant I enter the softly illuminated space. Kendrick, standing near the window, the sun throwing shadows across his face, makes it difficult for me to read him. Mason is already there, arms folded across his chest, face inscrutable. Though my heart is racing, I attempt to calm my breathing. I was unprepared for this meeting, not mentally, not emotionally. Kendrick's mere presence is enough to make me feel tense all over. Mason first glances at me, then at Kendrick, and finally back to me. "We all know why we're here," he continues, his voice calm, as if he has already triumphed. I don't like that tone. It seems... like a warning. I sit down, hoping to gather myself. Let's finish this. My voice does not give away the anxiousness coursing through me. Kendrick spins around, eyes piercing. Though it doesn't show in his gaze, his lips twitch into something near a smirk. "You are here since you possess something I require," he says with commanding tone. You don't believe me, I say, straight to the point. "Why else would I be here?" Mason chuckles softly, the sound almost hiding his hatred. Sofia, trust isn't the problem. You are not here to believe anyone. You are here to follow our instructions. The remarks hurt and make me feel a surge of annoyance. "You believe I'm merely a pawn in your game, right?" Kendrick advances, his eyes black and his voice unexpectedly low. I never claimed that. But what follows will not please you. Once more, his tone's chill and his comfy grip govern. What comes next? I say, knowing already. I can sense the weight of whatever it is ready to come crashing down on me. Kendrick's eyes flash with something, perhaps regret, but it vanishes as fast as it materialised. You can either support me or oppose me. Though his voice is constant, there is a sharpness to it as if he is daring me to question him. Sitting opposite one another in the sterile office, the harsh light from the desk lamp throwing shadows on our faces, the strain between Mason and me is intolerable. I can't help but feel like I'm being used. Mason's eyes are brimming with secrets; I know he's concealing something. A gradual grin pulling at the edges of his mouth, he reclines in his chair. "You're still in the dark, Sofia," he continues, his voice oozing false pity. You might have undervalued Kendrick, I believe. You've always undervalued him, I believe. Willing myself not to react, I tighten my hold on the pen in my hand. What is that meant to imply? Mason's eyes shine with something more sinister. You don't believe he has been exploiting you all along? Naturally, he has. You believe he is doing this for Blackwell Enterprises' benefit? Though I try to remain composed, the uncertainty he is creating in my head is difficult to overlook. You are lying. Slow and careful, he shakes his head as though relishing every syllable. Sooner or later, you will pick up. Believe me, Sofia, you will regret it. Kendrick always like to keep his foes closer. The words struck me like a gut punch. He is correct. Kendrick and I have never been able to escape one another. But is that what it is? A play? The air around me suddenly too thick to breathe, I stand up fast. Mason, I'm not your foe. I am not your foe, Mason. And I won't be anyone's pawn. His grin broadens and, for the first time, I detect a trace of genuine evil in his face. "You don't get it, do you?" he adds, nearly whispering now. Sofia, you're too deep. You have no idea what you're heading into.