The morning started quietly, almost deceptively so. Rina arrived at R Empire, her heels clicking against the marble floor, her white blouse crisp and sleeves rolled neatly. The employees whispered behind her back, some curious, some intimidated. She didn't mind. Control wasn't about being liked. It was about being respected.
Luis, meanwhile, was already on his way to her company, unaware that she had been the one behind R Empire's sudden rise. He had heard rumors — powerful new deals, impossible profits — but he didn't know who controlled it. He thought it was a businesswoman from another city. He would never suspect her.
Rina sat in her office, reviewing contracts and signing documents with calm precision. Her phone buzzed — Alex had sent a short message: Coffee break at my place later? She smiled faintly and typed back: Yes.
By noon, Bianca appeared at her office door, looking furious. "Luis wants to know why you're ignoring him! He's been calling nonstop!"
Rina looked at her, calm and unshaken. "Luis can wait," she said simply. "If he's worried, that's his problem, not mine."
Bianca's face twisted with anger, but she knew better than to push. Not today.
Later in the afternoon, Luis finally arrived at the building, looking around nervously. When he saw Rina enter her office, perfectly poised and radiating authority, he felt a pang of something he hadn't felt in a long time — fear.
Rina didn't acknowledge him at first, simply picking up a document and pretending not to notice him lingering in the hallway. Luis cleared his throat. "Rina… can we talk?"
She looked up slowly, her black lipstick sharp against her pale skin, and smiled faintly. "About what, Luis?"
He swallowed. "About us… I just want to understand…"
Her smile didn't falter. "Understand what? That I'm in control now? That I've moved past everything?"
Luis opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Rina stood, adjusted her blazer, and walked past him, her heels clicking deliberately. "I suggest you focus on your own empire, Luis," she said softly but firmly. "This one is mine."
He watched her go, helpless, realizing that the woman he had once tried to control was gone. The Rina in front of him was untouchable, powerful, and entirely out of his reach.
As she entered her office, closing the door behind her, she allowed herself a small smile. Luis and Bianca could throw all the tantrums and lies they wanted. It wouldn't matter. She had claimed her life, her freedom, and nothing would take it away from her.
That night, she texted Alex: Day went well. Coffee tonight?
His reply was instant: Always.
And for the first time in a long while, Rina felt the bittersweet mix of revenge and freedom settle comfortably around her — hers to enjoy, hers to command, hers to savor.
After work, Rina left the office with a small sense of satisfaction. The way Luis had lingered in the hallway, unsure of what to do, made her chest tighten with a quiet thrill. She had come a long way since her rebirth, and every glance of respect, fear, or confusion she received now only reminded her how far she had climbed.
Alex was waiting in his car when she stepped outside, the city lights reflecting off the sleek black exterior. "Long day?" he asked softly, opening the door for her.
Rina smiled, letting him help her in. "The usual chaos," she replied lightly.
He didn't answer with words. Instead, his hand brushed hers as she sat down, and that small touch sent a shiver through her. The warmth, the comfort, the unspoken connection between them — it was addictive.
He drove them to a quiet rooftop café overlooking the city. The air was cool, and the lights sparkled below like tiny stars scattered across the ground. Rina ordered a glass of wine, Alex a coffee.
They sat in silence for a while, enjoying the calm, until Alex leaned closer, his voice low and teasing. "You know, every time you walk into a room, everyone forgets to breathe. I'm not sure it's fair."
Rina laughed softly, leaning back. "I'm not doing it on purpose."
"Doesn't matter," he said, his eyes darkening with desire. "I notice, and I can't stop noticing."
Her pulse quickened, and she leaned closer, the space between them shrinking. "Alex…" she whispered, her lips barely brushing his ear.
He turned toward her, capturing her lips in a heated kiss. It was soft at first, exploratory, then deepened, filled with tension and longing. Rina's hands slid along his shoulders, feeling the strength and warmth of him, while her body pressed closer.
They pulled back for a moment, breathless. Alex's forehead rested against hers. "You're dangerous, Rina," he murmured.
"And you're irresistible," she replied with a teasing smirk.
They laughed softly, the sound mingling with the night air. For a moment, everything else faded — Luis, Bianca, the chaos, the revenge — all irrelevant. It was just them, the city below, and the undeniable pull between their hearts.
Rina knew this was only the beginning, and for once, she didn't mind the fire she was about to dive into.
After their rooftop date, Alex drove Rina back to her car. The city lights blurred past, but inside the car, the air was electric. He kept stealing glances at her, his hand brushing hers every now and then, making her pulse quicken.
When they arrived at her apartment building, he turned to her, eyes dark and serious. "Rina, don't go back to that house tonight, okay? You need space."
She smiled faintly. "You mean space away from Luis and Bianca?"
He smirked. "Exactly."
Rina thought about it for a second. She wanted to go back, to show them she wasn't afraid, but tonight… she wanted something different. "Fine," she said, a little mischievously.
Alex's lips twitched into a smile. "Good choice."
Before she could get out of the car, he leaned in, brushing her lips with his in a teasing, lingering kiss. Her breath caught, and her fingers instinctively gripped his jacket. The kiss was slow, tasting of wine, coffee, and the unspoken tension between them.
When they finally pulled apart, Alex rested his forehead against hers. "You're impossible," he murmured, a soft laugh in his voice.
"And you love it," Rina replied, her own lips curling into a small smile.
He chuckled and opened the car door for her. "Come on, then. My place. Tonight, no drama, no games. Just us."
Rina nodded, her heart racing with anticipation. She climbed in, and he drove off, the city lights streaming past them like streaks of gold and silver.
That night, in Alex's mansion, they shared dinner and laughter, a rare quiet intimacy that made Rina forget everything else. Later, she ended up in his room, the soft sheets cool against her skin, her head resting on his chest.
He kissed the top of her head and whispered, "You're mine tonight. Just mine."
Rina closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the warmth and safety he offered, knowing that in his arms, she could finally breathe.
Outside, the city continued to buzz, the world moving on. But in that room, it was just them — a small, dangerous, intoxicating world of their own. And for the first time, Rina let herself get lost in it.