His Dangerous Desire

Kate Milmar slapped the man. It sounded across the VIP Lounge like a gunshot.

"Don't confuse access with ownership," she said calmly, taking her hair back like nothing had happened.

The man laughed nervously and adjusted his suit. "You enjoy this game too much".

She stepped closer, her perfume was subtle but dangerously expensive.

"It's not a game, it's negotiation", she whispered.

Across the lounge, in the darkest corner where the lights are so dim that you can hardly see whether a person is there, Chris Cena watched everything but didn't bulge.

The private lounge belonged to the Cena Empire. Twenty private rooms built with glass, marble and power.

Chris ruled it with discipline that bordered around obsession.

Every executive and board member feared his quiet demeanor.

He was young . Too young, some said to carry the empire his father built.

But no one dared to say it out loud.

Chris adjusted his watch and looked at the woman again.

Kate Milmar was a professional flirt , a strategic companion to high-value men .

She only attended exclusive events where she charms investors and softens negotiations that bring contracts but never sold her body. And she was very very good at it.

The man she has just slapped, Liam Edgewood, was a foreign investor Chris had been studying for months. Liam has a weakness but he was very wealthy. And Kate has just tested him.

Chris stood up and walked towards her, calm and precise. Liam Edgewood swallowed something down his throat when he saw Chris approaching.

"Mr Edgewood", Chris said calmly. " I believe you are enjoying our hospitality".

He forced a smile . "Your uh... associate is very spirited".

"She's not my associate", Chris replied without looking at Kate.

Liam Edgewood laughed awkwardly. "Hmmmn, I appreciate strong personalities".

Chris leaned closer, voice low but controlled.

"Appreciation and disrespect are different things, I think you should try to understand the difference".

Silence engulfed the space.

Liam Edgewood nodded quickly and excused himself.

Chris finally looked at Kate.

"You hit him", Chris said.

"He grabbed my wrist", she replied sharply.

"You could have stepped away".

Kate tilted her head . "Would you have preferred I smiled as well?".

She looked at him carefully. "You don't like that I work with other men".

"I don't care who you work with", he said calmly.

"You actually care". She said with a smile.

"I really don't".

She stepped closer to him. "You've been watching me for thirty minutes".

His eyes darkened.

"Observation is not interesting", he said.

"Then stop observing", she replied abruptly.

The tension between them became electric.

Kate smiled slowly. "Why did you really leave where you were seated and come over, Mr Cena?".

"To remind you where you are", he replied.

"And where is that?".

"My building, of course".

She leaned closer, "Buildings don't scare me", she said softly.

"I don't scare you?"

Her breath brushed his jaw . "Well, not yet".

For the first time that evening, Chris felt his desire shifted. But it was in possession.

He stepped back abruptly. "You're scheduled to attend the Brussels summit next month", he said coldly. "You will be representing Cena's Empire".

Kate blinked twice. "You want to hire me?".

"It's not a request", he interrupted.

She laughs briefly. "I don't work exclusively".

"You will". He said,

"And if I refuse to?"

His voice dropped a bit. "You won't".

Kate's eyes brightened.

She loved power in men. But she never bowed to it.

"Send the contract, I will consider it", she said smoothly.

Then she walked away.

Chris watched her leave as her figure was very recognizable.

"Sir, your mother is asking for you", the assistant whispered.

Chris's expression went blank.

Elisabeth Cena's office was darker than the rest of the lounge.

Her late husband's pictures were on the walls of her office.

She stood by the window when Chris entered.

"You watched her", she said without turning around.

Chris didn't react. "You have cameras everywhere".

"Well, I have instincts everywhere", she replied.

He didn't answer.

Elisabeth turned slowly. She was beautiful in a way that intimidated people.

"She's not suitable", Elisabeth said with a frown.

"Suitable for what?" He said.

"For you".

"You don't even know her". He said tightly.

"I know women like her".

Kate's face flashed in his mind.

"She brings attention". "And men talk when she enters a room", Elisabeth continued.

Chris' eyes brightened . "But that's her job", he said.

"And what exactly will her job be in Brussels? Softening your rivals? Laughing at their jokes? Letting them believe they can have her on their beds?

Chris' voice sharpened. "Careful, Mother. Careful".

Elisabeth's eyes sparkled.

"You are getting emotional already".

"I am not emotional", he said with a frown.

"You are your father's son. He let a woman distract him once". She said softly.

Chris froze with his eyes widened.

A heart attack, they said . As the shadow around his father's death came up again.

But he had always suspected something didn't just add up.

"Mother", he said carefully, "why did you take control of the company quickly after he died?".

"Because someone had to", she smiled faintly.

"That's not what I asked and you know it".

She stepped closer, placing a hand on his cheek. "I protected you".

In his mind, from what?

She withdrew her hand. "End whatever this is before it becomes embarrassing for the family".

"There is nothing to end". Chris replied sharply.

"Good", she said softly. "Because I will not compete with a woman who earns her living through attention".

Chris became cold. "She earns through strategy", he said quietly.

Elisabeth's smile disappeared.

"Are you trying to defend her?"

He walked out without answering.

Kate sat alone in her apartment later that night.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Chris Cena came in.

You belong in my world. Decide wisely.

She stared at her screen and murmured . "Belong?"

She opened her laptop and pulled up archived articles about Cena's Empire.

The articles contained timeline, ownership shifts and emergency board meetings after Mr Cena's death.

But there were gaps . Documents that should have been public, were hidden.

She clicked on a picture of Elisabeth Cena at the emergency press conference years ago.

She had not looked like she was grieving. She looked like she was prepared.

Kate's eyes narrowed and she murmured "So, this is why you hate me".

Her phone buzzed again but this time it was a call.

Chris was calling her . She answered .

"Are you alone?" He asked.

"Yes, I am".

"Good", he replied with a smile.

"You aren't working for Edgewood again".

"I don't take orders", she said sharply.

"You do now ".

She smiled softly. "Or what?".

His breathing slightly changed with control.

"Or I will make sure no one hires you in this city again".

Silence was felt after those words.

It was more like a threat but full of desperation.

Kate leaned back on her couch. "You're afraid".

"I'm not afraid of you," he said assuredly.

"You're afraid I will choose someone else", she smiled.

He lowered his voice . "You won't ".

"Why?".

"Because I won't let you". He said.

Her pulse quickened.

There was something unstable beneath his control.

"You don't own me", she said softly.

"I don't need to own you", he interrupted.

"Then what do you need?".

There was a long pause.

"You", he said sharply.

Kate stood still as the word felt heavier than it should.

"I'll see you tomorrow ", he said.

"That wasn't even agreed", she said confusingly.

"It is now", he said.

And he dropped the call.

Kate stared at her window and pondered if she should walk away or not because she thinks exclusive contracts will limit her and limits mean vulnerability.

And vulnerability meant weakness to her .

But she wanted to see how far Elisabeth would go to protect her position.

And how far Chris would go to protect his mother.

Kate picked up her wine glass, and walked down to the window to stare at the city below.

"Let's play", she whispered.

Across the city, in the dark office of the private lounge, Elisabeth Cena watched the security footage of what had transpired earlier .

She paused on the frame where Chris stared at Kate.

And she realized his stare wasn't about lust or curiosity but it was something deeper.

"She's dangerous", Elisabeth murmured.

Then she picked up her phone and put a call through.

"Dig into Kate Milmar", she instructed quietly. "I want everything, like who she meets, who she touches, who pays her and the rest".

She hung up slowly.

Elisabeth whispered to the empty office . "If she wants to enter my family, she will learn how cruel families can be".

Chris entered Kate's building at 7:00am and knocked at her apartment at about 7:02am.

She was barefoot with a silk robe and a coffee she planned to take .

She didn't look surprised as she opened her door and let him in.

"You broke into my building", she said calmly.

"I bought your building", he corrected sharply.

Kate picked up her cup of coffee and took a sip.

"That's dramatic", she said.

"I don't do dramatic things", he said calmly.

"You just purchased real estate before breakfast and you think that isn't dramatic".

He looked through the room and realized how clean her room was . No personal pictures hanging .

"You live like you are about to move out", he observed.

"I am",

He fixed his eyes now on her . "Not anymore".

She walked past him deliberately, the fabric of her robe brushing his arm. "You're early".

"I don't like waiting", he said softly.

"I like keeping men waiting cause it makes them nervous", she replied with a soft smile.

"I'm not part of your men".

"No", she agreed softly. "You're worse".

Chris placed a file on her glass counter. The file contains details of the contract;

"Exclusive contract, duration of six months and you have to represent only the Cena Empire".

"And what do I get?" Kate asked curiously.

"You get access".

"But I already have access".

"You don't have it in my world though". He clarified.

She opened the file and saw the amount and it looked really generous.

"You're overpaying", she said softly.

"I don't negotiate for things I want, I just go for it", he said arrogantly.

"There it is again", she said curving her lips.

"What?".

"The fact that you want to own me". She said .

He became uptight . "I am offering you protection".

"Protection from who?", she asked.

"From everyone".

She closed the file slowly while smacking her lips.

"And if I refuse?".

His voice dropped. "You won't".

Kate stepped closer. "You like control because you are afraid of losing it".

"Sign it", he said quietly while trying to ignore her eye contact.

She moved his face towards her. "Kiss me first".

His breathing slowed.

"Are you trying to manipulate me?" He said,

"But buying my building isn't manipulation?" Kate replied to him slowly but softly.

He stepped forward until her back touched the glass counter.

"You think this is a game?", he murmured.

"I think you don't know how to separate business from desire". She replied.

His voice became almost gentle . "I beg your pardon, I separate everything".

"Well, that's your problem,"she replied sharply.

He leaned closer, stopping inches away from her lips.

She felt his control like heat against her skin.

"You want me to choose you", she whispered.

"Yes, cause I am the right person for you", he said.

"Give me a reason beyond money".

His fingers finally brushed her waist firmly but possessive.

"I don't share", he said affirmatively.

Her pulse jumped a bit.

"And if I refuse to be kept?".

His eyes went dark and cold . "You won't".

She almost believed him for a second and then her phone buzzed.

A message notification from an unknown number flashed on her screen.

Ask Chris how his father really died

Kate went numb.

Chris noticed immediately.

"Who is it?".

"Wrong message", she said smoothly with a smile.

But her mind was racing. She looked at him carefully.

"Tell me something I don't know".

"What?".

"How did your father die?" She asked.

His hand left her waist immediately.

"He died from heart failure".

"How convenient ", she interrupted sharply.

His eyes hardened . "You should be careful with the things you say".

"Why should I be?". "Did someone push him toward having a heart failure?".

Silence engulfed the room.

His voice increased but was uneasy. "My father was under pressure".

"From who?".

He stepped back completely from her now. "You're crossing lines".

Kate picked up the file, opened and closed it gently. "So are you". She replied.

Elisabeth Cena watched the security update on her tablet.

Chris had been inside Kate's apartment for fourty minutes.

Her assistant stood across from her desk. "We've begun background checks", he said.

"What did you find?".

"We didn't find anything illegal. She's very careful", he replied with assurance.

Elisabeth smacked her lips. "Everyone has a price or a weakness".

"But we actually found something", her assistant said sharply.

Elisabeth looked up immediately.

"Kate's father once attempted to sue Cena Empire thirteen years ago for wrongful termination, but the case was dismissed".

Elisabeth went mute.

"What's his name ?".

He handed her the file that contained the document.

She read it once and in her mind she said "interesting " with a wicked smile on her face.

"Does Chris know about this?" the assistant asked.

"No, he doesn't know". Elisabeth replied with a slow smile.

"I want him to fall deeper with her first".

Back in the apartment , Chris adjusted his suit amidst the tension between both of them.

"You're signing the contract", he said flatly.

Kate moved her head a bit. "Why are you really threatened by other men?".

"I'm not threatened."

She stepped around him slowly, circling him like a strategist studying a syndicate .

"You don't fear other men touching me," she said quietly. "You fear your mother seeing you choose me".

His eyes caught hers .

"That's not true. Where did you get that notion from?".

"She controls your image, your decisions, your board and maybe your entire existence".

"You know nothing about my mother", he said grudgingly.

"I know she hates me without meeting me".

He didn't reply to her .

Kate softened her tone slightly. "Why does your mother hate me?".

Chris looked away from her .

"She believes women distract men from gaining power," he said quietly.

"And what do you believe?".

"I believe distractions should be eliminated".

She licked her lips. "And am I a distraction to you?".

"Yes, you are".

She was surprised he replied to her honestly.

"And yet you are here".

He lowered his voice. "I can control my distractions".

She stepped closer to him again.

"Control me then", she said in a seductive way.

He grabbed her waist suddenly, not harshly but very firm.

"Don't test me", he warned softly.

She whispers . "Or what?".

His thumb brushed the inside of her robe touching her waist .

"You won't like the answer".

She leaned closer. "Try me".

He kissed her with dominance .

Her fingers curled into his shirt.

And for a moment, neither of them were thinking about Elisabeth or contracts or secrets.

They were just feeling the heat and possession.

He then pulled back first.

"Sign it," he repeated.

She looked at him carefully and signed it.

That night, she sat alone again when the unknown number texted her .

You're closer than you think. Elisabeth didn't inherit power. She took it.

Who is this? Kate typed back.

An email arrived instead of a reply.

She opened it. It was a scanned document.

Old board meeting minutes from the week of Mr. Cena's death.

Emergency transfer of voting rights to Elisabeth Cena approved prior to official medical confirmation.

The one line that was highlighted.

Kate's heart skipped a bit.

In her mind " Prior to medical confirmation?"

"Does that mean Elisabeth secured control before her husband was declared dead?".

She was snapped out of her thoughts when her phone rang .

It was Chris .

She hesitated at first but answered.

"Are you satisfied?" He asked.

"With what?"

"Your contract and your new life".

She stared at the document in her mail.

"Tell me something honestly," she said.

"What?"

"Did your father know he was losing control before he died?"

A long silence was felt.

"Where are you getting this from?" Chris asked slowly.

"But I am asking you".

"You're investigating my family?".

"I'm just protecting myself". She said sharply.

"You think my mother is dangerous?".

Kate looked at the mail again.

"I think she is strategic".

Chris' breathing changed.

"If you're playing a game, Kate ...."

"I'm not playing", she interrupted.

"Then stop digging", he shouted.

"Why?"

His voice dropped into something darker .

"Because if you find something you don't understand .... I might not be able to protect you".

"From your mother?", Kate asked coldly.

"No, from me", he said quietly.

He hung up.

Kate stared at her screen for a few seconds and walked to her window.

Elisabeth stood up from her chair.

"Hmmmn, she is curious", she murmured.

She walked to her safe and unlocked it and brought out a small sealed envelope.

On the envelope was her late husband's handwriting.

If anything happens to me

"Curiosity ruins women like you", she whispered to the empty room while touching the envelope lightly .

She picked up her phone and dialed a strange number.

"It's time to accelerate the Brussels deal", she said softly.

Chris stood alone in his private lounge office, staring at a picture of his father.

"You shouldn't have left me with her", he muttered.

His phone beeped.

A message from a private number.

She knows about the board transfer. Ask your mother why it was signed before your father's heart stopped.

Chris looked blankly at his phone screen.

Something inside him didn't feel right.

He whispered "only his mother, the family lawyer and ...... Kate know about the time discrepancy".

At 2:17am, Chris stood in front of his mother's office door inside the High Rise but didn't knock, he just entered.

Elisabeth was sitting behind her desk reading documents religiously.

"You look like your father when you are troubled", she said without looking up.

"Why were the board's voting rights transferred to you before he was declared dead?".

Elisabeth turned a page of the document in her hand calmly. "Is that why you couldn't sleep?".

"Answer me", he said sharply.

She looked at him anxiously.

"You are CEO, you have access to records", she said.

"But I want your answer".

She looked at him carefully.

"You've been spending too much time with her".

"Mother, this isn't about Kate". He said with his voice slightly loud.

"It's always about that woman". She said calmly.

Chris stepped closer to her desk. "Why was it signed early, I ask?".

Elisabeth folded her hands. "Because your father was dying".

"But he hadn't been declared dead".

"You know medical confirmation lags behind what we know and see, right?" She countered.

"That's not what I asked".

"You think I staged his death?" Her voice sharpened slightly.

"I think you were prepared".

Silence engulfed the room.

"I was protecting you". Board members were already circling and if we hadn't secured control, they would have taken everything before the ambulance arrived". She said quietly.

"So, you signed the transfer before his heart stopped?. He asked sharply.

Elisabeth's eyes flickered.

"Well..... How do you know that?" She asked softly.

Chris didn't answer.

"She's digging", Elisabeth said coldly .

"Leave her alone"

"You brought her into this", she said with a loud voice.

"I can handle her", Chris replied.

Elisabeth stood up slowly.

"You cannot handle a woman who survives by reading men's weaknesses ".

His voice dropped. "She's not manipulating me".

Elisabeth walked around him.

"Every woman manipulates", Christian. The question is whether you notice".

"Did my father know?" He asked.

She stopped circling him

"Yes"

When Chris heard that he shook a bit but regained composure.

"He agreed?" He asked.

"Well, he didn't fight it".

"But, why?".

"Because he was tired", Elisabeth said with a smirk.

"Tired of what?".

"Of being betrayed" her look became hardened.

"By you or....?", he asked.

A sharp slap landed across his face suddenly.

"You forget who built this company beside him. You forget who cleaned up his excesses" she said coldly.

Chris held his cheek.

"You are hiding something", he said.

"And you are becoming emotional".

"I'm becoming aware".

Elisabeth stepped back. "Be careful, because awareness destroys families".

Chris didn't respond as he left .

She exhaled slowly then picked her phone.

"Watch her more closely. If she continues digging, I want an upper hand". She instructed the unknown person on the line.

She ended the call. Her fingers trembled slightly.

Kate Milmar didn't ignore patterns and she doesn't get scared easily.

Another message from the unknown person came in at 7:42am.

You're asking the wrong question. Ask why the autopsy was delayed.

She murmured "autopsy delayed?".

She had not seen that detail . She opened her laptop immediately and went to her archived press coverage, medical records and legal fillings.

She saw it.

Three day delay before final autopsy confirmation.

"Hmmmn ... .this is unusual for a high-profile CEO", she whispered.

Her mind started connecting dots together .

"Oh!! I see with the emergency transfer, immediate press conference and now delayed autopsy"

"Elisabeth had stood up strong that day, looking controlled, tearless and prepared". She continued.

Kate leaned back in her chair .

"This is bigger than inheritance", she murmured.

Her phone rang. It was Chris.

She answered on the fourth ring.

"Are you investigating autopsy reports now?" He asked without greeting.

She smiled slightly . "Are you watching me now?".

"I asked a question. "You are digging into my father's death".

"So are you", she countered.

"Who's feeding you with information?" He demanded.

"No one".

"Don't lie to me".

Kate stood and walked up to her window.

"I really don't need to be fed. Your family history is messed up".

His voice darkened. "You think this is a game?".

"No," she said softly. "I think it's survival".

"Survival for who?" he asked.

"For me".

His tone changed after a long pause. But this time lower and you could hear the danger in his voice.

"If you continue, you will put yourself in danger".

"From you?"

He didn't answer.

"Chris..... if your mother secured control before your father died, it means she expected him to die". She said coldly.

"She was protecting the company".

"Or herself you mean?" She said calmly.

His breathing quickened . "You don't know her," he said with a high tone.

"Oh! I know powerful women"

"And you think you're one of them?"

"Yes, I am".

He didn't respond. But said something that shocked her.

"Come to the Private Lounge tonight".

"That sounds like a command".

"Well, it is".

"And if I refuse".

"You won't," he smiled.

"You're very confident," she said softly.

"No, he corrected her quietly ."I'm very aware"

He hung up.

That night, Kate entered the High Rise through the private elevator.

Chris was waiting inside the Private Lounge alone.

He looked like an ordinary man waiting for his bride to come and meet him.

"You came," he said with a smile.

"I'm curious".

He poured two glasses of wine.

"You like danger", he observed.

"I only like the truth".

He handed her a glass.

"You think my mother killed him", he said bluntly.

"I just think she moved too fast".

"You don't hold back in rooms full of men, but you do that around her". Chris said.

"She hates me", Kate said calmly.

"She doesn't trust you".

"She doesn't trust anyone who she can't control".Kate said sharply.

Chris stepped closer.

"You think I'm being controlled?"

"I think you are trying not to be".

His hand brushed her face lightly.

"You're playing with something you don't understand".

"Then explain it".

His voice dropped.

"My father was not weak.

Kate said calmly. "I didn't say he was".

"He was betrayed", Chris continued.

"By who?".

His eyes went dark.

"Someone inside the company".

Kate looked at him carefully.

"Was it your mother?".

He placed his glass down and suddenly pulled her closer.

He kissed her slowly, with intent and not with dominance or possession.

He tightened his hands around her waist.

"Stop digging," he murmured against her lips.

"Then tell me the truth", she whispered.

"You don't want the truth".

"I always want the truth".

He pulled away slightly, looking at her face.

"If I lose my mother....."he began, then stopped.

She saw something clearly now.

His greatest fear is losing his mother's love and becoming weak for a woman.

"You're not afraid of me," Kate said softly. "You're afraid of choosing me".

He didn't deny it.

Suddenly, the elevator chimed.

Both of them froze.

The Private Lounge doors slid open slowly . Chris's security system didn't alert any guest.

It was Elisabeth Cena. She stepped out elegantly, calm but deadly.

Her eyes moved from her son's hand on Kate's waist to Kate's face with disgust.

"So, this is how my son conducts investigations," Elisabeth said smoothly.

Chris released Kate immediately.

"Mother......"

"I warned you", Elisabeth interrupted.

Kate didn't move.

"Elisabeth," she said calmly. "I was hoping we would finally meet".

Elisabeth gave her a side smile.

"You're trespassing".

"I was invited".

Elisabeth turned to her son

"You brought her into this house".

Chris was shocked . "It's my house".

"It's my husband's building", Elisabeth correctly said sharply.

The tension became tough.

Kate looked at Elisabeth carefully.

"You moved very quickly after his death", Kate said softly.

Chris opened his eyes widely.

Elisabeth looked at her sharply.

"You're bold", Elisabeth said.

"I'm just obversant".

Elisabeth stepped closer and stood face to face with Kate, looking straight into her eyes.

"Women like you survive by attaching themselves to powerful men".

"While women like you survive by becoming them". Kate responded sharply.

Silence erupted between them.

Chris stepped forward. "Enough, both of you".

Elisabeth kept staring at Kate.

"You think you're clever ", Elisabeth said quietly. "But you are digging into something that will bury you".

"Then stop hiding it", Kate replied harshly.

Elisabeth's composure cracked for the first time.

"You don't know what happened in that hospital room", she said.

Kate's pulse increased.

"Then tell me".

Elisabeth looked at her son.

"Ask him who was there when his father's heart stopped?".

Chris went completely still.

Kate slowly turned towards him.

"Chris?"

He didn't say anything.

Elisabeth turned back toward the elevator.

"You want the truth?", she said softly. "Ask him why he signed the final consent form".

The elevator doors closed.

Kate's voice was shaking.

"What consent form?"

Chris looked away from her.

"It was a medical authorization", he said quietly.

"For what?"

He moved back a bit.

"To stop resuscitation".

Kate was shocked.

"You were there?", she whispered.

"Yes"

"And you signed it?"

"Yes, I did".

There was silence . Her heart pounded violently.

"Did you want that or your mother?", she asked.

Chris finally looked at her.

His eyes were very dark.

"He didn't have a choice".

Kate stepped back slowly.

"What does that even mean?".

He didn't answer.

Kate stepped back completely while murmuring.

"Did Chris help Elisabeth to do it?".