How to remain professional?  

Starley and Raul slept on the sofa, covered only by a blanket. Wait, where did this blanket come from? It seems Raul put it on. But Starley needed to wake up before Raul did. It would be very awkward.

Quickly, Starley's eyes searched for the shirt she wore last night. Finally, she spotted the white shirt she wore last night still lying on the floor. Slowly, Starley got up from the sofa, trying not to wake Raul.

Starley held her breath as she tried to get up. And she succeeded; she got off the sofa without waking Raul. Then Starley headed straight for the white shirt still on the floor. She picked it up and put it on immediately. Luckily, Raul didn't tear this shirt like he tore her underwear last night.

After putting on the white shirt, Starley glanced back at Raul. Raul was still sound asleep. With slow steps, Starley quickly left Raul's office. Just as she stepped out of the office door, she ran into Carlos, Raul's assistant, who was walking towards her.

Carlos, who had been walking and focused on the iPad in his hands, immediately raised his gaze when he sensed another figure in the corner of his eye. When he saw it was Starley standing in front of Raul's office door, Carlos slowed his pace and slightly bowed politely to greet Starley.

"Good morning, Miss Bellamy," Carlos greeted. Starley felt embarrassed then; she hoped she didn't look like she had just escaped from a one-night stand.

"Good morning, Carlos. Why are you here so early?" Starley asked.

"I just wanted to drop off some documents in Mr. Blackwell's office," Carlos replied.

Starley nodded, but a second later, when she realized what Carlos had said, she immediately remembered that Raul was still sleeping on the sofa, naked. Although a blanket covered him, Carlos would still find out everything.

"Come back later," Starley blurted out, making Carlos look confused.

"Have breakfast first, oh my, have you had breakfast, Carlos?" Starley asked.

"Not yet, I was going to drop off the documents—" Carlos'sStarley cut off Carlos's words.

"Oh, right. Then could I ask you to buy breakfast for me? I'm craving macarons this morning, and we have the best ones here," Starley exclaimed.

She panicked because if Carlos entered the office, he would immediately know that his boss and Starley had just done something inappropriate there. Starley's words made Carlos blink for a moment.

Then Starley added, "Raul said that if I wanted something, I could ask you for help. And don't worry, I'll pay you back later." Starley wasn't giving up. When Carlos heard Raul's name, he seemed to remember his task. He slightly bowed and replied again.

"I will get the macarons for you immediately, Miss Bellamy." After that, Carlos left to buy macarons for Starley. Starley sighed, hoping Raul would be awake by the time Carlos returned. She quickly took the elevator to Raul's room.

When she arrived at Raul's room, she went to the bathroom and took a hot shower, trying to wash away all traces of her romantic encounter with Raul the night before. After a few minutes, Starley stepped out of the shower and looked in the mirror. At that moment, she realized Raul had left a kiss mark on her neck. The kiss mark was visible and very red now.

Did Carlos see it earlier? Starley closed her eyes for a moment and sighed. Okay, calm down, Starley; there are more critical things to consider. This kiss mark is not the main issue.

Starley put on a bathrobe and stepped out of the bathroom. She almost jumped in surprise when she saw Raul already in the room. He is sitting on the side of the bed, wearing only pants and no shirt, making him topless. Raul seemed to be waiting for Starley.

"Oh my God, you scared me!" Starley exclaimed.

"You surprised me more, cupcake. I thought you had run away again," Raul said. That was my plan, but it failed now, Starley thought, annoyed.

Raul stood up and walked towards Starley. When Raul was in front of her, he said, "I asked Carlos to buy some clothes for you; they will arrive this afternoon."

Starley blinked and then asked, "What clothes? I still have some clothes from Selene's mansion."

"Your clothes for staying here," Raul replied.

"What do you mean staying here? I plan to move to Selene's mansion today," Starley exclaimed.

Raul raised an eyebrow and slightly opened his mouth as if to say "ah" without making a sound. "I forgot you haven't read the agreement you signed last night."

Starley widened her eyes. "What agreement?"

"You signed the collaboration agreement last night; did you forget?"

Starley immediately remembered asking where she should sign. She also recalled Raul asking if she didn't want to read the agreement first. Starley could go crazy with herself. Oh my, how many glasses of wine did Starley drink last night?

"What does the agreement I signed last night say?"

"Coincidentally, I brought it here." Raul then handed the document to Starley. She took it, opened it, and read the agreement. But the contents of the agreement were not as bad as Starley had imagined.

The initial pages only outline the agreement between Raul Blackwell and Starley Bellamy, establishing their collaboration as follows:

Raul Blackwell, the owner and CEO of B.I.A., will guarantee Starley Bellamy's safety and provide protection from B.I.A. for three months.During the three months, Starley Bellamy must become an employee of B.I.A and join the hacking team. Working hours are flexible, according to requests and needs.Starley Bellamy is entitled to assistance in investigating issues. She has the right to request protection. Suppose anything happens to Starley Bellamy, B.I.A will take full responsibility.

Starley felt there were no issues with the initial page. Then she turned the page to read further, and she gasped when she read the next part.

During the contract period, Starley Bellamy must live in Raul Blackwell's mansion and follow Raul Blackwell's schedule, including if she has to go on business trips and undertake regular or dangerous missions.While employed at the B.I.A., Starley Bellamy is obligated to disguise herself with a new identity. She must claim to be Raul Blackwell's secretary even though she is actually part of the hacking team. All of this is for the safety of everyone involved.

Starley was still in shock. What is all this? Living in Raul's mansion? A new identity? Raul's secretary? Starley continued reading.

Starley Bellamy will be paid like a regular employee for three months. The salary amount will be based on the negotiations.Raul Blackwell will cover Starley Bellamy's living expenses during the contract period.Starley Bellamy must swear to keep all secrets heard during this collaboration. If not, Starley Bellamy must pay for the damages.Starley Bellamy is required to report wherever she wants to go to Raul Blackwell.Starley Bellamy agrees to undergo martial arts training and shooting classes according to the specified schedule.

Starley's head spun as she read it, and she still hadn't read much more text. Starley looked at Raul now.

"Why do I have to live in your house?" Starley asked.

"It's easier for me to keep an eye on you if we live together," Raul replied. Starley closed her eyes. She didn't know she would have to live with Raul for the next three months. She should have read it last night.

"If that's the case, I want to cancel this agreement," Starley exclaimed. They had accidentally slept together once last night; it was impossible to collaborate when there was sexual tension between them.

Raul raised an eyebrow and said, "Have you read everything?"

"Not yet, but I want to cancel it."

"Read page three, paragraph two," Raul said immediately.

Starley furrowed her brow but opened the page Raul mentioned and read it.

If Starley Bellamy cancels this agreement before the contract ends, then Starley Bellamy is obligated to pay a cancellation fee of 10,000,000. Starley was stunned and stared at Raul in disbelief.

"A cancellation fee? Really?" "I′ve given you a discount; usually, the cancellation fee for missions like this can go up to 25,000,000."

Raul was back to being a salesman, and Starley sighed. How could an unemployed person like Starley pay such a fine? Even Starley's savings were far from that amount. Then Starley glared at Raul. "You deliberately let me sign it when I was drunk."

"I reminded you to read it first last night," Raul replied. Starley remembered that, but she had foolishly signed it right away.

"And what does a new identity mean?" Starley asked, puzzled.

"I've thought it through; it's the best for your safety. You need a new identity while working at B.I.A. You can choose your new identity name, and after that, I'll take care of the rest," Raul answered.

Starley bit her lip, thinking about what might happen during their three months together. To be honest, she was hesitant. But her family needed her; she had to do this. Starley would be getting paid for doing this, and when she thought about it, this offer wasn't so bad. Raul watched Starley, who was silent and lost in her thoughts.

"Is there something you're doubting?" Raul asked.

A lot, Starley thought to herself.

"You mentioned that we wouldn't talk about the past anymore; is that still true?" Starley asked.

Raul's eyes darkened now. He stepped closer, so the distance between him and Starley was now minimal.

"Are you seriously asking that after what we did last night?" Raul questioned.

Starley's throat felt so dry. She swallowed hard. Starley averted her gaze to stare at the bed behind Raul. But Raul kept looking at her.

"Last night was an accidental mistake," Starley replied.

Raul chuckled softly, sounding so sexy to Starley's ears. Then suddenly, Raul leaned closer to Starley's ear.

"I remember you wanted it too, cupcake. I know last night was purely because we both wanted it," Raul whispered.

Starley held her breath. It turned out her body and mind couldn't cooperate last night.

"Tell me, did you enjoy last night?" Raul asked.

"No," Starley lied. Suddenly, Raul kissed the spot on Starley's neck where the kiss mark was. Reflexively, Starley grabbed Raul's shoulders in shock. She immediately felt a spark when Raul's lips touched her skin.

"Usually, you're good at lying. But on this, you can't lie to me, Starley."

Raul stepped back to look at Starley's face. Then, his hand touched Starley's warm cheek.

"Your cheeks turned pink suddenly and feel warm," Raul exclaimed. Then Raul's finger moved to Starley's lips, making her slightly part her lips.

"Your body is more honest than your mouth, cupcake," Raul added.

"You once said you wouldn't mix work and pleasure," Starley reminded him. Raul lowered his finger from Starley's lips.

Then he stared at Starley intensely. "Yes, but it seems someone can break that principle of mine."

"It's not my fault; you're just easily tempted by a drunk woman," Starley replied stubbornly.

"Tell me, how can I not be tempted when you are the one who has filled my wild imagination for the past three years?" Raul asked honestly, unable to hold it back.

Starley's breath caught. Did Raul admit he wanted Starley even after ending their friends-with-benefits relationship?

Starley knew that what Raul meant was just her body. But if that's the case, how would they manage to work together for three months while remaining professional?

…