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.