His Game of Control

As dawn broke, Ava made her way downstairs, her heels softly clicking against the marble floor. She ate breakfast alone, her movements deliberate and composed, even as her mind churned with tension. Her delicate hands moved gracefully over the silverware, yet she barely tasted the food.

The silence of the dining hall was both a balm and a reminder of the night before, as sleep had eluded her due to the unsettling sounds from Orion and Chloe’s room, their laughter and loud moans seeping through the walls, coiling tight knots of resentment in her stomach.

After a while, Ava pushed her plate aside, setting her napkin down with a calm precision that masked her fatigue. She wore a sleek, dark green dress that hugged her form with understated elegance, the color bringing out the depths of her hazel eyes. The fabric draped gracefully over her shoulders, and a thin belt emphasized her slender waist. A subtle sparkle glinted from her diamond earrings, completing the look of a woman who was not only powerful but untouchable.

When she arrived at the office, the receptionists greeted her with polite nods, though their eyes betrayed a hint of awe, as if they were in the presence of royalty. Ava swept past them, her mind already preoccupied with the weight of her responsibilities. She entered the boardroom, where the senior members of the company were seated, ready to discuss the latest updates on their upcoming project.

Their company specialized in groundbreaking ventures, focusing on sustainability and global infrastructure—projects that shaped the world, from constructing green skyscrapers to launching advanced renewable energy plants. Their latest project was a state-of-the-art eco-city initiative, designed to be fully sustainable, self-sufficient, and technologically advanced. It was a venture that aimed to revolutionize urban development, providing a blueprint for cities of the future.

Yet, despite the grandeur of the project, Ava found herself struggling to concentrate. Her eyelids felt heavy, and her thoughts kept slipping, pulled by the tendrils of exhaustion. She tried to push through, nodding along as the presenter discussed timelines and budgets, but the lingering ache from her sleepless night gnawed at her resolve.

“Mrs Miller? What are your thoughts on the proposed adjustments to the budget?” the presenter’s voice cut through her haze, pulling her attention back to the present.

She blinked, quickly regaining her composure. “Yes, I believe an adjustment would be prudent. Let’s ensure that the initial allocation aligns with our sustainability goals without compromising on quality,” she replied, her voice steady, betraying none of her inner turmoil.

Just then, the boardroom doors burst open with a dramatic flourish. Orion strode in, exuding a confidence that was almost predatory, a wicked glint in his eyes as they fixed on her. The room fell into a stunned silence, heads turning, whispers of confusion and intrigue flickering through the crowd. Ava tensed, her pulse quickening as he made his way over to her with a smile that was both charming and chilling.

“Why did you start the meeting without your darling husband?” he drawled, his voice carrying an edge that only she would recognize. “Leaving without me, Ava? That’s no way to treat your better half.”

A ripple of murmurs passed through the room. The board members exchanged looks, some nodding approvingly as if reassured by this apparent display of unity. After all, the marriage had raised concerns among the shareholders. But now, as they watched Orion’s casual possessiveness, they seemed relieved, as if their fears were finally being put to rest.

Without warning, Orion reached down, took her hand, and pulled her up from her chair, his grip just a bit too tight, his fingers digging into her skin with a punishing firmness. Before she could protest, he sat down in her chair, tugging her onto his lap. His hand held hers in place, his grip a silent threat, an assertion of control disguised as affection.

Ava felt a surge of fury burn through her, the forced proximity making her skin crawl. She could feel the weight of the room’s gaze on her, their judgmental eyes watching as she kept her expression placid, her hands folded over his in a way that suggested harmony rather than silent fury.

Her mind raced as she fought to keep her composure. Every second in his lap felt like a branding iron pressed against her pride, a bitter reminder of the power games he relished. But she couldn’t afford to let her true feelings show; any hint of rebellion, and the board would think she’s the crazy one.

She leaned slightly into him, plastering on a gracious smile. “Well, darling,” she replied, her voice sickly sweet, “I didn’t want to disturb you from your… late-night activities. I thought it best to let you rest.”

Orion’s jaw tightened, his grip on her hand intensifying, but she felt a small triumph knowing she’d struck a nerve. He couldn’t retaliate openly without exposing the truth, so instead, he squeezed her hand harder, his nails biting into her skin.

“Thank you, love,” he replied through gritted teeth, maintaining his charming facade. “But you know I wouldn’t miss this for the world. We’re partners in every sense of the word, aren’t we?”

Ava felt her stomach turn. The room seemed oblivious to the war between them, nodding approvingly at their supposed show of unity. To them, they were a power couple—a formidable duo working toward a shared vision.

But beneath the surface, Ava’s resentment toward him festered, each word and gesture feeding a loathing that had been building since the moment she found out that he faked his own death to escape marrying her.

She shot him a sidelong glance, her eyes narrowing just enough that only he would notice. “Of course, Orion. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she replied, her tone laced with just enough irony to make her point.

As the meeting continued, Ava remained perched on his lap, a prisoner in her own boardroom. She could feel every rise and fall of his chest, every shift of his fingers as he held her hand in place, a silent reminder that he was the one in control—or so he thought.

Orion’s hand slid to her waist, his thumb pressing into her side with a possessive insistence that made her grit her teeth.

But Ava was not so easily subdued. She leaned back slightly, her eyes meeting his, the defiance in her gaze unmistakable. If he wanted to play this game, she would match him move for move.

As the presenter continued outlining their plans, Ava took a slow breath, steadying herself. She would respond, yes, but in a way that maintained her dignity. With a practiced smile, she gently leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder, though her words were for the entire room.

“Thank you all for your dedication to this project. It’s only through our collective strength that we can accomplish such visionary goals,” she said, her voice steady. “And, of course, I couldn’t do it without Orion’s… unwavering support.”

She felt him tense, his fingers digging harder into her side, but she continued, maintaining her gracious expression as she added, “Our partnership is indeed unique. In fact, we’ve fixed our court wedding for this Saturday, to legalize our union, so we can work better as a couple.”

A murmur of approval swept through the board members, but Orion’s gaze darkened, his hold on her growing even more punishing. The tension between them was a silent war, a clash of wills that no one else in the room seemed to notice.

Just as the meeting neared its end, Orion’s lips brushed close to her ear, his voice a low, dangerous whisper. “Careful, Ava. You’re playing with fire.”

But Ava merely smiled, a dangerous gleam in her eyes.

“Then I hope you’re ready to get burned.”