015

It had been more than twenty years since the epic war against the vampires. And we had won—all thanks to our fearless leader, Madam De La Cruz,

"Well, all thanks to your traitorous sister," Madam De La Cruz said sarcastically. "If she hadn't betrayed the pack, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to be leader."

"Madam, we all agreed never to bring her up again," Elder Abraham reminded her.

"Yeah, whatever," she scoffed.

"Since today is our victory anniversary, why don't we focus on the positives?" Amara, one of the council members, interjected. "Instead of bringing up ugly pasts, let's celebrate! Let's drink, let's be merry!" She raised her glass.

"Cheers?" she asked, grinning.

"Cheers!" the others echoed, clinking their glasses.

The mood lightened for a moment, but then Sir Marcus cleared his throat.

"I know we wiped out the vampires," he began, nodding toward Madam De La Cruz, "but recently, there have been... unsettling occurrences. Two dead bodies were found by the human police two days ago, near a club."

"So what?" Madam De La Cruz scoffed. "Humans no longer commit murders?" She narrowed her eyes. "Are you trying to say I lied about wiping out the vampires?"

"No, Madam, please don't misunderstand me," Sir Marcus replied quickly. "But the bodies had fang marks on their necks. They were completely bloodless. Something or someone drained them dry before killing them.

"It could be the work of a wild beast, Amara suggested.

"A wild beast? Around a club?" Sir Marcus raised a brow.

"Marcus," Madam De La Cruz said coldly, "the vampires have been extinct for twenty years. We haven't had a single report of them in all this time. I will not tolerate you questioning me or my leadership. The next time you bring this up, you'll regret it."

"Madam, I wasn't—"

"Enough! Just drop it," she snapped, silencing him.

"But Cassandra, I still have a lot of files to sort out, and your mother specifically said you should attend this meeting alone."

Cassandra's eyes darkened. "I find it insulting that you question every order I give you," she snapped. "You're my personal assistant. If I say you're coming with me, then you're coming with me. Now drop whatever you're doing and let's go!"

Marissa clenched her jaw but said nothing.

"I'm already fuming because my mother dumped this whole Rodrigo deal on me—don't add to my frustration

Cassandra and Marissa arrived at the proposed venue for the meeting. They immediately spotted Matthew.

"Hi, Miss Cassandra. Nice to finally meet you," Matthew said, offering a handshake.

"You bitchhhh, you didn't tell me he was this handsome and hot!!!" Cassandra screamed in Marissa's head through wolfwhisper.

"Hi, Mr. Rodrigo. Nice meeting you too. Sorry I wasn't there for the first meeting," Cassandra said aloud, ignoring Marissa's shocked expression.

"Well, no problem. Your PA wasn't understanding my points," Matthew said, flashing Marissa a hard look. "Thank God you're here now."

"So, let's get started?" Cassandra asked.

"Sure, sure."

"Wipe my chair clean," Cassandra ordered.

"Huh?" Matthew replied, confused.

Marissa rushed over and wiped Cassandra's chair with a handkerchief, brought out her files, and placed them on the table in front of Cassandra.

Matthew stared, his expression unreadable.

"Order my favorite wine, and make sure to stand close in case I need any assistance. I don't want to be raising my voice," Cassandra continued, then turned to Matthew with a sweet smile. "Shall we?"

Matthew's gaze flickered between the two women. There was something unsettling about the way Cassandra spoke to Marissa as if she were a slave.

But Marissa went about the orders showing no reactions. It was clear to Matthew that this was the normal way between the two ladies.

Interesting.

He forced a polite smile and sat down.

Let's begin.

One Hour Later

"I think we've reached a mutually beneficial agreement," Matthew said.

I think so too," Cassandra agreed. "But remember, we still have a lot of paperwork to finalize before the deal is officially approved."

Of course. Nice meeting you in person, Miss Cassandra. I look forward to completing this deal." Matthew shook her hand before walking away.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Cassandra turned to Marissa.

I want him!" she declared.

Marissa sighed. "Of course you do."

And why the hell didn't you tell me he was hot?! I thought he was some old, grumpy businessman!"

Maybe because his looks are irrelevant to business?" Marissa deadpanned.

Cassandra ignored her. "When we get back, reschedule all my appointments. I want to meet with him at least once a week until the deal is finalized."

And…" She paused dramatically. "I forgot to invite him to my party! This could be my chance to get closer to him.

Marissa groaned. "I see where this is going."

Tomorrow morning, take an invitation letter and an expensive bottle of wine to his office. Tell him I'm personally inviting him."

If it's personal, shouldn't you be delivering it yourself?" Marissa asked dryly.

I have to meet-up with Dave tomorrow.

Cassandra scoffed. "Why am I even explaining myself to you?

The Next Morning at Matthew's Office

Marissa struggled with the ridiculous bouquet of flowers and the expensive wine Cassandra had chosen.

Who invites someone to a birthday party with flowers?" she muttered, trying to push open the office's glass doors.

At the reception, she spotted an older woman,Mrs. Ollie.

Good morning, ma'am. I have a delivery for Mr. Rodrigo."

You can leave it here. It will get to him."

I was ordered to deliver it directly to him," Marissa insisted.

Mrs. Ollie sighed but eventually called Matthew. A moment later, she gestured to Marissa toward his office.

Upon entering, Marissa greeted him. "Good morning, Mr. Rodrigo. Miss Cassandra asked me to deliver this personally. She wishes to invite you to her birthday party next week,she insists you don't miss it."

Matthew leaned back, studying her. "I don't attend parties unless they're business-related."

Marissa smirked. "Then consider this business-related. Cassandra is your business partner, after all."

She turned to leave, but Matthew's voice stopped her.

Why do you let her treat you like that?"

Marissa froze.

Excuse me?"

You're smart. I saw it firsthand during our first meeting. So why do you let her boss you around like this?"

Marissa clenched her fists. "You have no right to say that, especially after calling me 'just an assistant.'"

Matthew exhaled. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way."

It's fine. You're all the same."

No, I'm not—" He took a step forward. "I mean it. I apologize."

Their eyes locked.

Why does he keep looking at me like that? Marissa wondered.

She turned to leave, but Matthew suddenly reached for her hand.

The moment their skin touched, time seemed to stop.

A vision flashed before them—images neither of them understood.

Matthew let go of her hand instantly, breathing heavily.

Marissa staggered back, her heart racing.

What the hell was that?"

Matthew's eyes darkened. "Who are you?