IRENE

Kian wasn't in bed when I woke up but I didn't mind it. He held me all night, he was there when I needed him the most, it was more than enough.

I don't know what I would have done had he not pulled me into his arms.

I had been trying so hard to control my tears yesterday, I didn't want to be so vulnerable in front of him but then he hugged me and...I couldn't take it anymore.

Having shared everything, I felt relatively better. It didn't change the fact that my boss freaking assaulted me but it made me realise that I had someone trustworthy to rely on.

I checked the time and my eyes widened. It was almost noon. How the hell did I sleep for so long?

There was a message from Kian, which was sent two hours back.

Hubby: Don't panic and eat something when you wake up. I'll be back.

I smiled as I read his message, then read it three more times.

Last night, I had an overwhelming realisation. I love him.

It's scary, so fucking scary but I can't control my feelings. I just love him.

I will deal with the consequences, with the eventual heartbreak.

I finally left the bed, got ready for the day and then went down to eat something as Kian had instructed me.

The cook gave me a bowl of chicken salad to eat and I sat down at the kitchen island, slowly eating that while checking my phone.

A notification popped up on my phone, a message from Lina.

Lina: Did you hear?! Mr Torres is dead! Murdered. Brutally. Someone circulated the picture and I threw up on seeing it.

What the fuck?

Me: Are you sure? It's not fake news?

Lina: No. Did you not check the news? The picture was horrifying. All his fingers were cut off and then his arms were cut off too from the shoulder. He was stabbed multiple times all over his body as he bled out to death.

Even without the photo, I could picture it and a bile rose to my throat.

Lina: Am I a bad person if his death makes me feel relieved? He had been harassing me for a long time, yesterday was the first time someone witnessed my breakdown.

Me: He deserved what he got.

Lina: I know right? Also, your ex is dead too. Did you not hear?

Me: WHAT? When?

Lina: This morning itself. He was castrated as I heard. Where have you been?

Me: I was sleeping.

Lina: Both these murders were close apart, according to the reports, it must have been the same person.

I knew exactly who it was.

I quickly ended my conversation with Lina, unable to talk about that any longer.

I didn't know how to feel about any of this.

Kian had to be the one behind it.

I knew he was a mafia leader, he had no morals but having him kill for me felt...I don't know how to feel exactly.

Alamea strolled into the kitchen, smiling when she saw me. "Hey, you are up. Kian said you were not feeling well. How are you now?"

I nodded. "Better."

She took a seat beside me on the kitchen island. "You look exhausted though. Long night?" She teased.

I blushed, my eyes widening. "That's not...no...we didn't..."

She chuckled. "It's okay. I was just teasing you."

"We haven't even kissed yet", I mumbled.

"But you want to?"

I nodded, biting my lips.

"Then go for it. Don't be scared."

"I am not sure if he wants me in that way."

"What nonsense. He cares about you, Irene. It's so obvious. And letting you get on his bike just shows how special you are to him."

"Just because he cares for me doesn't mean it has to be romantic. I am not even his type."

She sighed. "Now you are just letting your insecurities talk."

I shrugged and went back to eating when she asked, "On a scale of one to ten, how much do you like him? Romantically."

I played around with the salad and murmured, "I love him." I had to tell someone.

But then I felt stupid having admitted it. What must she be thinking? Someone like me falling in love with him? It's ridiculous.

"Aww", she said. "That's so sweet. You should definitely kiss him now."

I didn't say anything and continued to eat the salad.

Kian walked in a moment later, my eyes snapping to him and my heart thumping loudly as he made his way over to me.

Mea got off the seat and walked out of the kitchen, leaving us alone.

There wasn't a single wrinkle on his suit or anything else to show that he had been out murdering people.

He looked like he had just walked out of a runway with his navy blue suit and hair slicked back neatly.

He occupied the seat Mea left, eyes focused on my face as if looking for a sigh of distress.

"I'm better now", I told him.

He nodded, eyes searching mine.

"Where were you?"

"Work."

"My boss and ex-boyfriend are dead," I stated, looking at him to see a sign of guilt. "Murdered. Brutally."

There was no sign of guilt, instead, there was a sadistic gleam in his eyes, a corner of his lips curved up into a cruel smirk.

"Why did you do it?" I asked.

"For hurting my wife, death is merciful for them."

"Kian..."

"Don't pity them. They got what they fucking deserved."

"It's all over the news. What if someone traces it back to you?"

He leaned his elbow against the counter, pulled my bowl of half-eaten salad towards him and started to eat from it. "What news?"

Just to make sure, I picked up my phone and searched through the internet but no matter what I searched for, the news about their death, at least Mr Torres's death didn't pop up.

There was no such news. As if completely wiped away.

Kian had a smug look on his face when I glanced at him. "Found it?"

I shook my head, sighing. "You are crazy."

"Zaire's asking for your resume. Forward it to him, you will have your interview tomorrow."

"Are you sure?"

He nodded and finished my leftover salad. I was already in the process of writing the resignation letter and decided to apply at Vandeleur Industries as per my husband's opinion.

The longer I stared at him, a realisation bloomed inside me that I loved even the darkest and the most unhinged parts of his.

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A WEEK LATER...

Zaire had hired me as his assistant.

I went through the whole interview process and he told me he would let me know if I was hired or not.

Then on Friday evening, I received an email saying that I was hired and had to report on Monday.

I decided to move past those traumatic events of that day and focus on the present. It was traumatizing but I was not going to sit and cry about it every day.

The men who hurt me were dead and somewhere deep down I felt relieved by that information.

My husband did that. He avenged me.

Kian had his palm on my lower back, leading me inside where Zaire was waiting for us near the reception.

Upon seeing us, he approached us, stretching his hand towards me for a handshake. "Good to see you again, Irene."

Before I could shake his hand, Kian grabbed mine subtly, fixing Zaire with a cold look. "There's no need for a handshake."

Zaire smirked slightly. "I wonder why."

Instead of a handshake, he placed his palm over his heart, bowing slightly to me. "Welcome to Vandeleur Industries. I am glad to assist you today."

"Thank you", I muttered with a smile.

Kian seemed to have a problem with his cousin/brother-in-law as he made no effort to hide his disdain towards Zaire the longer he talked to me.

As if sensing his mood, Zaire cut the conversation short and asked us to follow him.

He walked ahead of us and I took that opportunity to say to Kian, "You can go back if you want, I can manage here."

Honestly, there was no need for Kian to accompany me even though I liked having him around.

He walked beside me, our sides brushing, eyes fixed ahead. "I would rather be here."

My heart stuttered. It was nothing big but his presence meant a lot to me. He had lots of work yet he chose to be here with me.

I paused abruptly making him pause too, his eyes sliding to me.

Gathering all the courage I possessed, I got on my tip toes and pressed my lips against his cheek. "I feel very lucky to have you as my husband."

I pulled back quickly, blushing. I might hug him sometimes but I never kissed him like this even though I wanted to.

Kian seemed stunned as he stood there frozen, staring at me in disbelief.

I didn't bother asking him what was wrong, afraid that he might scold me.

So I cleared my throat and left him there, rushing to Zaire who walked ahead.

I reached his side, walking next to him.

Zaire glanced at me and then over his shoulder, his brow raising when he looked back at me. "In all my years of existence, I have never seen him this shocked. Please tell me what you did."

God. I blushed harder, shaking my head. "Nothing."

A knowing smile lifted his lips. "If you say so."

Kian joined us a moment later, his eyes burning holes in the side of my face and he put his arm around my waist possessively.

Zaire took us to the elevator and up to the top floor which had Zayden's and his offices.

Outside his office was a small room which he opened, declaring it as my office.

Honestly, it was better than what I had back there and I smiled. "Thank you, it's nice."

He nodded and continued to explain everything about the work.

"It's your first day, so take it easy. I have a meeting to attend, meanwhile, you can settle in and if you have any doubts, Zayden's assistant will be here to guide you."

"Okay." I smiled, a little wider this time because I was genuinely feeling happy with everything.

Zaire walked out of there and I turned to Kian. "Are you going to stay here with me?"

He rolled his eyes. "No."

"Then go, shoo", I said playfully, lighting the mood. For the past week, I was so busy thinking about everything that I didn't even talk to him like I used to do. I stopped troubling him but I had every intention to do that again.

Annoying him made me happy.

His eyes narrowed. "Is that a way to talk to your husband?"

I battered my eyelashes at him, saying in a saccharine tone, "How else would you like me to talk to you, dear hubby?"

He pressed his lips into a thin line and shook his head, turning to leave.

I blew him a loud kiss. "Buh-bye!"

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The vibe in my new office was a hundred times better than my previous one, maybe because my boss wasn't a creepy asshole.

Zaire was kind and helpful to me and so was Zayden and his assistant who was a girl, a bit older than me but nice.

They guided me throughout the day, explaining to me everything.

By the time I was ready to leave, I was feeling like my old self again and felt excited at the prospect of annoying Kian.

To my surprise, when I emerged out of the building, I was looking for the car instead I found Kian leaning against his bike, his helmet on as he looked at the entrance, waiting for me.

A grin formed on my face and I rushed over to him. "Hi!"

He had his helmet on so I reached up and pushed up his visor so I could at least see his eyes.

"Did you miss me?"

He rolled his eyes and taking the extra helmet, put it on my head.

"Did you like it here?" He asked once the helmet was on and straddled the bike.

"Yes." I nodded eagerly. "It was so much better I swear! Thank you for recommending me."

Nodding, he helped me get on behind him and revved the engine, riding out of there.

I had my arms around his waist, my head over his shoulder and I told him all the events of the day.

"...then I made myself a coffee and it was so good, my previous office had such cheap ones. This was exquisite. I loved it. I will ask Zaire about it and maybe we can get one for our home too. Wilsy gave me the whole tour too and every corner was so elegant. Like wow. Then you know what happened..."

I continued to speak, I had so much to tell him.

By the time we reached home, my throat was dry with speaking so much.

I got off the bike. "...she is nice though. I can imagine us being friends if she wants to. I wouldn't mind. Maybe I will go with her for lunch tomorrow, that would be a good start, right?"

I removed my helmet just as he removed his and I totally expected him to tell me to shut up or see an annoyed look on his face but no.

His face was calm and he looked at me softly, looking happy to have me back.

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