The Alpha Building stood tall—
Silent.
Dominant.
Untouchable.
It wasn't just a structure.
It was power itself.
Only individuals with over twenty percent shares—whether voting or profit—were allowed through its doors. This was where decisions were made…
And where empires shifted.
Inside the main hall—
The lighting was dim, deliberate.
A long table stretched across the room, with seats carefully arranged.
At the far end sat the seat of the CEO of Aureum Holdings.
Untouchable.
Unseen.
Unquestioned.
To his right—
The most powerful man in the room always sat.
Evereck Cole didn't bother checking name tags.
He never did.
He didn't need to.
That seat had always been his.
And today—
He walked in like it still was.
He moved straight to the right-hand chair and sat down, calm, confident, untouchable.
While others quietly searched for their assigned seats.
There was a rule.
If a new individual surpassed the current right-hand man in voting power—
The CEO would personally introduce him.
But that hadn't happened in years.
Evereck made sure of that.
He crushed competition before it rose.
Until today.
The doors opened.
The CEO entered.
Masked.
Silent.
His walking stick echoing softly against the floor as the entire hall stood up in respect.
No one spoke.
No one dared.
As everyone took their seats—
One chair remained empty.
Unnoticed.
Unquestioned.
The CEO sat.
Placed his walking stick gently on the table.
Then spoke.
"Today… something that has not happened in years will take place."
The room stilled.
"I will be introducing a new right-hand man."
Silence.
Then murmurs.
Shock spread across the hall like wildfire.
Evereck's expression changed.
For the first time—
He looked uncertain.
"Who is it…?"
"Is this real…?"
The whispers grew.
Then,
"I present to you… the highest shareholder…"
A pause.
"Damian Carter."
Applause erupted.
Loud.
Unavoidable.
Heavy.
Ethan, seated further down, clenched his jaw.
He couldn't clearly see his father's face—
But he didn't need to.
He knew.
Damian walked in.
Slow.
Measured.
Every step deliberate.
His presence alone silenced the room.
His suit sat perfectly—
But it wasn't the clothes.
It was the aura.
Control.
Dominance.
Power.
He stopped beside Evereck.
Looked at him.
And smiled.
Not a friendly one.
A dangerous one.
"You're in my space."
Evereck froze
Then slowly stood.
The weight of humiliation pressed down on him.
He couldn't argue.
Couldn't question.
Not here.
Not now.
His eyes scanned the table—
Until he found it.
Seat number two.
His name engraved clearly:
Evereck Cole.
Murmurs followed him as he walked to his new seat.
Lower.
Second.
No longer untouchable.
"Damian… over to you."
The CEO's voice echoed.
Familiar.
But Damian didn't react.
Not yet.
He stepped forward.
Calm.
Controlled.
And then—
"Law of Power 325," he began, his voice steady.
"States that women are not entitled to a seat in power gatherings."
A pause.
"That changes today."
The room stilled.
"All women holding twenty percent shares or more will now be granted full access to this table."
His eyes scanned the room.
"Equal position. Equal authority."
A beat.
"Any objections?"
Silence.
No one spoke.
No one dared.
Damian turned slightly—
And then he saw it.
The walking stick.
Familiar.
Too familiar.
His eyes lingered for a second longer.
And then—
It clicked.
Uncle Joe.
So this was it.
This was how he rose so fast.
Not luck.
Not coincidence.
Support.
Hidden.
Strategic.
Powerful.
Damian masked his reaction instantly.
No one noticed.
"I have no objections," the CEO said calmly.
Damian nodded once.
Then continued.
"Law of Power 325 will now be revised."
A pause.
"From this moment—"
"Any woman who stands at the same level of power as a man…"
"…is not to be treated equally."
Silence deepened.
"…but with respect multiplied."
The room absorbed it.
No objections.
No resistance.
Just acceptance.
The meeting continued.
Deals.
Alliances.
Discussions.
Power moving in silence.
And then—
It ended.
Everyone stood.
As tradition demanded—
A bow to the CEO.
Then—
A bow to the right-hand man.
Evereck stood still for a moment.
Frozen.
He hadn't bowed to anyone but the CEO in years.
He was the one others bowed to.
But today—
That changed.
Slowly—
Reluctantly—
He bowed.
Ethan watched.
Silent.
Helpless.
For the first time—
His father wasn't the most powerful man in the room.
And for the first time—
He realized something dangerous.
This wasn't just a game anymore.
They were losing.
Damian walked as fast as he could, trying to catch up with the CEO—but even with the walking stick, the man was gone.
"Sir, any problem?" Fred asked.
Damian shook his head slightly. "No. Let's go home. We all deserve some rest."
"Permission to slip out later, sir," Nico added, a grin breaking through his usual serious expression. "I… met someone."
Fred turned sharply. "During all these sleepless nights? How??"
Nico raised his hands proudly. "Trade secret."
Damian let out a low chuckle. "I want a PDF of those secrets."
Laughter filled the space as they walked toward the car. For once, he wasn't thinking like a CEO.
He was thinking about her.
"Let's head home," he said, his tone softer now. "From there, you can go meet your… mystery girl."
The drive back felt longer than usual.
Five days.
No calls.
No replies.
And now—he had to face her.
When Damian got home, the house was quiet.
Too quiet.
He stepped into the room and found her asleep.
Janaya.
Curled slightly on the bed, peaceful… but distant.
He loosened his tie slowly, his eyes never leaving her.
"Hey, baby…" he murmured, climbing onto the bed.
He leaned closer, brushing soft kisses across her face.
Her skin was warm.
Familiar.
Missed.
She stirred slightly.
Then slowly opened her eyes.
"You're finally home…" she whispered.
There was no smile.
That hit him.
"I'm sorry," Damian said softly, still close to her. "I've been busy."
Janaya pulled back slightly, her expression shifting.
"What do I expect from someone who disappeared after a kiss?" she said, her voice tight. "Not even a text, Damian. You let me move into your house just to feel… unwanted?"
He exhaled, running a hand through his hair.
"Babe… I've had five days of zero rest. Every second was war. I saw your texts—I just…" he paused. "I didn't have the space to breathe, let alone reply."
She didn't speak.
But she didn't move away either.
"I missed you," he added, his voice dropping. "More than I thought I would."
That was it.
Something softened.
Not fully—but enough.
He leaned in again.
This time, when their lips met—it wasn't soft.
It wasn't careful.
It was everything they held back.
Days of silence.
Frustration.
Longing.
Her fingers gripped his shirt, pulling him closer as if she didn't want distance anymore.
Damian didn't wait this time.
He pulled her closer, his lips crashing into hers with a hunger that had been building for days. Janaya responded instantly, like she had been waiting for this moment just as much as he had.
The kiss deepened.
Slower.
Hotter.
More desperate.
Her hands moved to his shirt, fingers working through the buttons without hesitation, pushing it off his shoulders as her eyes stayed locked on his.
"You kept me waiting," she whispered, her voice low.
"And you think I didn't feel it?" he replied, his breath brushing against her lips.
He guided her back onto the bed, his movements firm but controlled, like he didn't want to rush—but couldn't slow down either.
Her body responded to every touch, every shift, every second of closeness between them.
His lips trailed down slowly, leaving heat behind with every kiss. He pulled her with her legs wide opened towards the edge of the bed and went on his kneels, he kissed her thighs and found his way to the spot. Janaya's fingers tightened slightly against the sheets, her breathing uneven now.
"Damian…" she called softly.
He looked up at her, his gaze darker this time—less playful, more intentional.
She reached for him, pulling him back up.
"I want you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, but clear enough.
That was all he needed.
He closed the distance again, capturing her lips as their bodies moved closer, fitting together like they had already learned each other.
Nothing rushed.
Nothing forced.
Just heat.
Tension.
Release.
The room filled with soft breaths and quiet sounds that spoke louder than words.
Time blurred.
And when it was over—
They stayed close.
No distance.
No space.
Just warmth.
Just each other.
Exhaustion settled in slowly, their breathing easing as silence took over the room again.
This time, it wasn't awkward.
It was calm.
Comfortable.
Real.
Damian pulled her closer, his arm wrapped around her as she rested against him.
And within minutes—
They both drifted off.
Still holding on.