CHAPTER 52: CAN’T ESCAPE

After working so desperately to draw the line between us, all the rules that I had set, all the walls that I had put up, and all of my determination disappeared just like that in the heat of the moment, and then my body was eager to welcome him and the pleasure of our wild lovemaking. My core quivered and goosebumps formed on my skin just at the thought.

I got dressed and left my bedroom while praying that perhaps the promise to visit the company together might have slipped Raphael’s mind. When I arrived downstairs, all my sense of hope died in an instant when I came face to face with Raphael, who had clearly been waiting for my arrival.

"I made a promise to take you to the company with me today," he reminded me with a small nod of his head. I had no idea why he had to stare at me so intensely or why I found it so difficult to meet his gaze. Suddenly, I felt extremely awkward, and I wished that the ground would split open and swallow me up.

"Shall we?" Raphael said as he offered me his arm.

I rolled my eyes at him before walking past him without taking his arm. It felt embarrassing, and after I ended up sleeping with him, I couldn’t allow myself to get close to him anymore. I silently swore to myself that would be the last time I would lose myself in his arms and the tempting pleasure of his sweet embrace. I knew full well that what we did was wrong and that it should never happen again. Although our parents were not in the house, that didn’t mean that there wasn’t a risk that the maids or the other staff would find out about what had happened. It was my mistake for letting my guard down, even if for a moment, because Raphael didn’t hesitate to take advantage of it. I made a mental note to stay at a respectable distance away from him for the day while hoping that nothing else would happen between us. I prayed silently that nothing else would happen between us until our parents return from their honeymoon.

"I see that you’re still able to walk," Raphael said before letting out a low chuckle. I glared at him and saw how his eyes were twinkling with mischief. I could tell right away what he was thinking, but I wouldn’t let him have the satisfaction of seeing that he could affect me.

He’s nothing more than a mean bully...

During the ride to the office building, I couldn’t help but think of what Sam said that day when I ran into him at the office. There were rumors surrounding Hayes Corporation and its rise to power. The Hayes Corporation started out as a small family-owned business before it rapidly expanded into a conglomerate that was one of the largest in the country, with its businesses expanding into other regions as well. Not surprisingly, its rapid growth fueled a lot of rumors that hinted that the company was involved in shady businesses. Now, as to how shady the businesses were or even if they were shady at all, no one had any idea.

There were many rumors about the Hayes Corporation running many illegal businesses in the underground economy and then channeling that money and laundering it in their other legal businesses. I was certain that I was not the only one who was aware of these claims because even though I didn’t pay much attention to this corporation specifically, I couldn’t help but hear about the rumors. Although no one had gone as far as to officially assert these claims or face the company or the members of the Hayes family directly, that didn’t mean that the rumors were not widespread. In fact, over the years, there were even more rumors than before, and they never really died down. Of course, without any proof, I told myself that rumors were just rumors. I was certain that if any illegal businesses were going on, the police would have taken care of it already.

Although I had seen the headquarters of Hayes Corporation before on television during business news segments, I still found myself feeling very surprised at the size of the building when I stood right in front of it in person. I stared up at the tall building in front of me while struggling to believe that I was now part of the family who ran and owned this business. It felt very strange, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to have anything to do with the business. Despite that, I knew I had to keep my promise to at least learn about what was now supposed to be my family business as well.

"Let’s go inside," Raphael said as he took my hand firmly in his.

"Why are you holding my hand? What if someone sees us like this?" I asked, glancing nervously from side to side. Thankfully, there were few people walking around, and they paid us no attention.

"What’s so wrong about a brother holding his sister’s hand?" Raphael said without letting me go.

Before I could utter another protest, he dragged me into the lobby of the building with him. The building was even more luxurious inside than I had imagined when I was standing on the outside. The lobby was decorated in the style of modern luxury, and the ceiling was very high. I could see glass elevators moving up and down as people walked by, busy with the work at hand. As I started to wonder what I was supposed to do there, Raphael led me even further inside the building.

"This is a private elevator that goes directly up to my floor," Raphael informed me before he grinned a little mischievously my way.

"You have your own floor?" I blurted before I could stop myself.

"Of course, I do. I enjoy my privacy," he said before grinning my way.

The elevator door opened, and Raphael ushered me inside.

–To be continued...