The taxi came to a slow stop in front of Skyline Hotel.
Sarah stepped out, her heels touching the pavement softly as she looked up at the towering building before her.
The structure glittered against the night sky, its glass exterior reflecting the city lights like a thousand scattered stars.
Her heart sank slightly.
Something about tonight didn't feel right.
Still… she adjusted her dress and walked inside.
The moment she entered, she froze.
The lobby stretched endlessly before her, bathed in golden light from massive chandeliers hanging high above. The marble floor gleamed like polished glass, reflecting every movement.
Everything about the place screamed luxury.
Power.
Influence.
Sarah swallowed.
*Just who exactly is this Mr. Clinton?*
She approached the reception, but before she could speak
A deep voice came from behind her.
"Miss Sarah Arcadia."
She turned sharply.
A tall, heavily built man in a black suit and dark glasses stood before her, his expression unreadable.
Her throat tightened.
"Y-yes?"
He gestured toward a quiet hallway.
"This way."
Without waiting for her response, he turned and walked.
Sarah hesitated for a second… then followed.
---
The further they went, the quieter it became.
Soon, they passed into a restricted section of the hotel.
Signs lined the walls:
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY.
Sarah's heartbeat quickened.
They finally stopped in front of a sleek, golden door.
The man swiped a card.
A soft click.
The door opened.
"Go in," he said.
Sarah stepped inside.
---
Darkness.
The room was dimly lit, shadows stretching across the walls like living things.
She could barely make out the furniture.
"Please have a seat. The boss will be with you shortly," another voice said from somewhere deeper inside.
She sat.
Her fingers clenched tightly in her lap.
Seconds felt like minutes.
Minutes felt like hours.
Then
The door opened again.
She didn't hear it.
She felt it.
A presence.
Heavy.
Dominating.
Dangerous.
Her breath caught as a tall figure stepped into the room.
He moved slowly, confidently.
Like a predator who knew there was no escape for his prey.
Her body reacted before her mind could.
Heat.
A strange, unfamiliar heat spread through her chest.
He stopped right in front of her.
Close.
Too close.
She could feel him.
His scent.
Warm… intoxicating… dangerous.
Cinnamon.
Sandalwood.
Her breath hitched.
"Hello… angel."
Her heart slammed violently against her ribs.
That voice
Deep.
Smooth.
Familiar.
Too familiar.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Mr. Clinton?" she asked carefully.
A low chuckle escaped his lips.
"Hm."
Her pulse quickened.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
"How do you know my full name?" she asked, her voice tightening.
Instead of answering, he took another step closer.
"Tell me something, Sarah…"
The way he said her name sent a shiver down her spine.
"Do you trust Martin?"
The question hit her like a slap.
"What?" she frowned.
"Do you trust him?" he repeated calmly.
Her lips parted.
No words came out.
"Do you know what he does behind your back?" he continued.
Her heart skipped.
A flicker of unease passed through her.
"I… I don't understand what you're trying to say," she replied, forcing steadiness into her voice.
He let out a soft laugh.
Low.
Mocking.
"Of course you don't."
He moved closer again.
Now she could feel the heat radiating from his body.
"Because you've built your entire world around him."
Her breath became uneven.
"That's not"
"Then tell me," he interrupted.
"Does he love you the same way you love him?"
Silence.
Her chest tightened.
For a brief second…
Doubt crept in.
But she pushed it away immediately.
"I trust him," she said firmly.
"I love him."
The words left her lips.
But they didn't feel as strong as they used to.
The man went quiet.
Then
He laughed.
This time, louder.
Almost… amused.
Sarah's brows furrowed.
"Who exactly are you?" she demanded, standing up.
Her instincts were screaming now.
Something was very wrong.
She took a step forward.
"Answer me"
The man stepped out of the shadows.
And into the light.
Time stopped.
Her eyes widened in shock.
Her breath caught in her throat.
"No…"
Her voice came out as a whisper.
"Sebastian…?"
There he stood.
Calm.
Powerful.
Dangerous.
The faintest smirk resting on his lips.
"Missed me?" he asked softly.
Shock crashed through her like a wave.
"You…" she staggered back slightly. "You tricked me."
"Yes," he said simply.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly.
"How could you,"
"You left me no choice," he cut in.
Anger flared instantly.
She grabbed her bag.
"I'm leaving."
But before she could take two steps
He moved.
Fast.
He blocked her path effortlessly.
His towering figure standing between her and the door.
Her breath hitched.
"Move."
"No."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
Her eyes burned with anger.
"Are you threatening me?"
For a moment, something flickered in his eyes.
Something deeper.
Something intense.
"No," he said quietly.
"I'm saving you."
She scoffed.
"From what? You?"
"From Martin."
The room fell silent.
Her heart skipped.
She clenched her fists.
"You don't know anything about him."
"I know enough," Sebastian replied coldly.
He reached into his coat and pulled out a file.
He held it out to her.
"The Shincity contract."
Her eyes dropped to it.
Then snapped back up.
"What kind of game are you playing?"
"No game," he said.
"If you sign this… you become a major stakeholder in the biggest luxury resort project in the city."
Her breath caught.
"That's impossible."
"It's not."
She stared at him.
Suspicion.
Confusion.
Temptation.
All clashing inside her.
"What do you want?" she asked slowly.
His gaze locked onto hers.
Sharp.
Unwavering.
"You."
Her heart skipped.
"Leave him," Sebastian continued.
"Come to me."
Silence.
Then—
Sarah laughed.
Cold.
Sharp.
"Over my dead body."
His expression didn't change.
"I'm not one of your women you can buy with money," she snapped.
"I will never belong to you."
Her voice trembled slightly—but her resolve didn't.
She pushed past him.
This time, he didn't stop her.
She stormed out of the room without looking back.
---
Sebastian stood still.
Watching the door she had just walked through.
For a long moment… he said nothing.
Then slowly.
His jaw tightened.
A dangerous darkness filled his eyes.
"Run as much as you want, Sarah…"
His voice was low.
Deadly.
"Because the moment you stop…"
A slow smile formed on his lips.
"I'll be right there."
---
Outside, Sarah stumbled into a taxi, her heart racing uncontrollably.
Her hands trembled.
Her mind was in chaos.
Sebastian Monday.
Everything had been a setup.
The message.
The meeting.
The offer.
All of it.
Her chest tightened.
But deep down…
One question refused to go away.
Why does he want me so badly?
Her phone buzzed suddenly.
She flinched.
Slowly, she looked down.
A new message.
Unknown Number.
Her breath caught as she opened it.
"This is only the beginning."
Her heart dropped.
Because this time
She knew exactly who sent it.