Eva Tramell hates Austin Archer for being a reputed playboy, conceited, and haughty. Eva, however, gets sucked into his world of riches and power when he makes her an irresistible proposition. Eva finds herself enthralled and terrified by the darkness that lurks beneath Austin's cold façade. Will she be able to withstand his desire and prevent it from consuming them both, or will she give in to it?"
Chapter 1 End Goals
My father used to tell me that the best way to learn a job is to spend all of your time watching someone else do it.
"To get the job at the top, you've got to start at the bottom," he said to me.
"Become the indispensable member of the CEO's team. Become their assistant. When you finish your degree, they'll grab you up if you learn about their world."
I was no longer replaceable. And I would become the Right Hand without a doubt. Henry said, "Eva," as he stood in the doorway of my office, which was his anteroom. Something was obviously incorrect because of the firmness in his voice. "Yes?" I questioned nicely. "
In ten minutes, come to my office. We need to talk about something crucial,"
he informed me. He then walked out, shutting the door behind him. I moved back to my laptop after nodding. I had four years of experience with Archer Marketing Groups. That I was hired as the CEO's EA here was fortunate.
I cherished my job and my supervisor, Henry, who was consistently kind to me. Henry was roughly six feet tall, with broad shoulders, gray hair, and hazel eyes. He was in his late forties. And he wasn't lazy or anything because he was in his fifties. No, he wasn't. He had the energy of a bullet. He never wavered in his commitment to his work and only reconciled after striking his agreement. And for that reason, both he and I respected him.
Nevertheless, I shut down my laptop and grabbed my iPad before getting up and leaving my cabin. As expected of me, I bit my lower lip and knocked on Henry's office door. I used to do it when I was frightened or curious, and at the moment I was intrigued because Henry would always call on my cabin's phone to ask for help. And he had personally come to call me this time.
Henry beckoned you inside. I pulled open the door and took a step inside. Stock tickers flickered across dozens of screens on one wall. All that was present was technology and a large desk with two black leather chairs on one side and a single large chair on the other. There was an open view of Seattle from the windows, but I couldn't take it all in because I spotted him. His back, that is.
He was engrossed on his phone while gazing out the large windows, soaking in the scenery. He turned around, tucking his phone back into his pants. Fantastic! Angelo Austin Archer. Oh, let me say that again. Salutations, Mr. Bastard.
The elder son of Henry. At least six feet four, with perfectly squared shoulders, tanned complexion, thick stubble covering his jaw, a silk designer suit the color of the deepest blue, a snowy white shirt with its collar and first button open revealing a peek of his chest, and a stride that could eat up the world.
In his left ear, he also had a tiny black piercing. There were tiny shards of ice glinting within, but his eyes were still shining, alive-deep blue, like flowing rivers. His eyes found me, and my throat went dry as his gorgeous mouth fell into a Lucifer smirk. How on earth was he even in this place? Oh, and in case you're wondering why I had such positive feelings towards him, it's because I spent at least a year working for him. It turned out to be the worst year of my life.
He was bossy, arrogant, patronizing, stubborn, irritable, and most of all, a bastard. Ever notice how appearances may be misleading? That quotation was a wonderful fit for him.
Although he may appear attractive from the outside, there was a demon underneath.
"Miss Tramell," he growled, his deep voice assaulting my senses. In nearly four large steps, he was in front of me, his right hand outstretched in front of me, his other hand in his pocket, revealing a large, pricey Rolex. I covered my terrified expression with confidence as I placed my hand into his warm palm and he replied,
"It's not nice to see you again." His cunning tongue.
"It's true that we feel the same way, Mr. Archer," I faltered in my response. He released my hand and let out a little giggle. Once more, I heard footsteps and saw Henry coming my way, followed closely by a young man. He was approximately my height, not particularly tall like Henry and The Bastard, with dark, dripping wet hair that gave the impression that he had just wrapped up filming a hair gel commercial. His skin had a stunning russet colour, and he was wearing a black suit, a pale blue shirt, and a black tie. His eyes were dark and set well above the high planes of his cheekbones. There was still a tinge of childlike roundness about his chin. All in all, a very attractive face. His brilliant face was warm and approachable, with a small smile on his perfect lips. However, his gaze was cautious.
"You have to be Eva," he said in a melodic voice. I grinned as I nodded.
"Hello," he said, holding out his hand while I placed mine in.
"My name is Gavin Archer," he said. I see. Was he the brother of Austin? Whoa.
"Mr. Archer," I gave a nod. With a smile, "Gavin, please," Simply put, he was his brother's antithesis. I was never allowed to address Austin by his first name. Henry always allowed me to call him by his first name, so I called him "Austin" once while I worked for him.
He was repelled and told me, "I don't know about your past experiences, but we're not first name basis, Miss Tramell." I'll be referred to as Sir or Mr. Archer. I'll let you make that choice."
And I was calling him Sir, fucking it.
"So, Eva," I grinned in response. He nodded and whispered, "Eva," in a raspy voice. Henry said, "Everyone, let's take a seat." We took a seat on the large black leather couch in the room's corner. In front of me sat Henry and Gavin.
All that stood between us was a little glass desk. On the other hand, Mr. Bastard was seated a few inches away from me. "So," Henry began,
"You've already met Austin here, and as well as Gavin, and you've worked for Austin too?" "Yes, for a year," I replied. It was necessary for Mr. Bastard to say, "I should never have agreed to that."
"I-" Henry snarled, "Austin, behave," and I gave him a wide smile. His jaw twitched, but I was relieved he refrained from speaking.
"You've been working for us for four years and I must say that I appreciate your work, Eva," Henry replied. I was ecstatic. "I know you won't let me down because you have never let me down. You're -."
"Can't we just get to the point?" Henry was cut off by Austin. I detested him because of this. "Yes," Henry replied, clearing his mouth. "Of course." "The thing is, Eva," Henry went on,
"I-I." I had never heard Henry stammer in my four years of employment. No matter what, he was always self-assured. So what was the issue?
"Henry, what is it?"
I enquired. He dropped the bomb:
"I want you to marry my son."
And I felt cold all over.
Oh, what?
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