"First rule: no real names. We don't ask who the other person truly is. Second rule: treat this entire week like a dream. Third rule: no kissing on the lips. Those are my rules," Alexa said calmly, emphasizing every word.
"Alright. I agree," the man replied casually. "Since we'll be together for a week, I'll treat you the way I want. My rules are simple."
Alexa crossed her arms and waited.
"First, you're mine for this entire week. Second, no phones or internet. Third, no complaints. Fourth, every gift I give you must be accepted—you can never return anything. And fifth…" His lips curved into a teasing smile. "I can have you whenever I want."
"What?!" Alexa yelled, her eyes widening.
He chuckled softly. "Don't forget—that's what I paid for."
In truth, he was more interested in her company than anything else, but teasing her was far too entertaining.
"Okay… okay," Alexa muttered before closing her eyes in frustration.
What have you done, Alexa? she screamed internally. This is completely insane.
"And one more thing," he continued lazily. "You'll do everything I ask. When we're alone, call me 'Master.' In public, call me 'Darling.'"
Then his expression darkened playfully.
"And if you break my rules…" he said in a low voice, "I might kill you."
The murderous look in his eyes sent chills down Alexa's spine.
"As if you could kill me," Alexa shot back stubbornly. "And my fourth rule is that you're not allowed to hurt me, Darling."
Her seductive tone amused him.
He immediately realized she wasn't taking him seriously.
Without warning, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her against him. His fingers tangled lightly into her hair as he tilted her head upward.
Before Alexa could react, his lips crashed against hers.
The kiss was deep, demanding, and breathless.
Alexa's eyes widened in shock as he kissed her until her knees weakened.
When he finally pulled away, both of them were breathing heavily.
"I'm serious, Hon," he murmured near her ear. "And by the way… I just broke your third rule."
Alexa stared at him silently.
Then tears slowly rolled down her cheeks.
Humiliated, confused, and emotionally overwhelmed, she turned and ran toward the bedroom.
Alexa
Foolish, Alexa… Why are you crying? You did this to yourself.
She buried her face into the pillow.
You should've thought things through before making reckless decisions. Now look at you.
Her chest tightened painfully as thoughts of Alan returned once again.
Why wasn't I enough for him? I gave him everything…
Then another realization struck her.
That day… when I suddenly felt strange… did Alan drug me too?
Her stomach twisted at the thought.
Maybe that woman taught him those things…
Alexa clenched her fists tightly.
I still love him… so what am I supposed to do now?
After a long moment, she sighed deeply.
Forget it for now, Alexa. Just survive this week.
Despite everything, she couldn't deny one thing:
This mysterious man had not touched her while she was drunk.
If he truly wanted to hurt her, he already could have.
Maybe he was simply lonely too.
And the money…
The money could help a lot of children.
Alexa had always loved donating to orphanages and helping those less fortunate.
Meanwhile, the man stood quietly by the doorway, watching her cry silently on the bed.
Did I go too far? he wondered.
He still knew nothing about her, yet somehow her presence felt strangely comforting.
She intrigued him.
Slowly, he walked toward the bed and sat beside her.
Carefully, he brushed the strands of hair away from her face before gently wiping her tears.
"I'm sorry," he whispered softly. "I was joking."
Then he kissed her forehead lightly.
At that exact moment, the doorbell rang.
The man stood up and opened the door for room service. The waiter entered quietly and arranged breakfast on the dining table before leaving.
Afterward, the man returned to Alexa and effortlessly carried her bridal-style toward the dining chair.
Alexa blinked in surprise.
"Eat," he ordered softly.
"Thank you…"
After breakfast, Alexa stood up and instinctively searched for her phone. Then she remembered she had left it in her own hotel room the night before.
She immediately headed toward the door.
"Where are you going?" the man asked sharply.
"To my room. I need my clothes and my phone," she answered honestly.
"You're forgetting something."
Alexa lowered her gaze.
"I'm sorry… Master," she said awkwardly. "But just this once, I need to inform my mom that I'm safe. I left home suddenly, and she'll worry."
He studied her quietly for a moment.
"No need to go yourself. What's your room number?"
Alexa told him.
"Now go take a bath."
Without arguing further, Alexa entered the bathroom.
Meanwhile, the man picked up the hotel phone and contacted the front desk before calling his personal assistant.
"Gather everyone in ten minutes," he instructed coldly.
After ending the call, he prepared his laptop for a video conference.
A few minutes later, he entered the bathroom.
Alexa sat inside the warm bathtub with her eyes closed, completely unsurprised by his sudden appearance.
Instead of doing anything inappropriate, he leaned down and kissed her forehead softly.
"I'll use the shower," he said casually.
"Hm."
After taking a quick shower, he wrapped a towel around his waist and paused by the door.
"Stay there for fifteen more minutes," he instructed before walking out.
Once outside, he changed into a fitted white shirt and jeans that perfectly emphasized his sculpted physique.
The doorbell rang again.
Two attendants entered carrying Alexa's belongings from her hotel room. After tipping them generously, he dismissed them and immediately returned to his laptop.
The video conference had already begun.
All nine key executives were present.
"Boss, everyone's here," Jason, his assistant, announced.
"Good morning, Boss!" everyone greeted nervously.
"Good morning," he replied casually.
The entire room on the other side of the screen nearly stopped breathing.
They were completely unaccustomed to hearing him respond so calmly.
"I'll give you ten minutes to report."
One by one, they delivered their reports.
Everything was smooth—except for the ninth executive.
"Boss, your older brother is getting married next month," the man reported carefully. "The bride is an orphan raised by a spinster who only has two months left to live. That's why the wedding is being rushed."
"And Grandpa?"
"He's very happy, Boss. He wants the wedding to be extravagant. He also ordered that you are not allowed to marry within the next four years because he plans to personally choose your future wife."
The man sighed heavily.
"That old man should find himself a wife instead of bothering me."
Then he smirked faintly.
"Add the wedding to my schedule. I'll attend."
At that moment, Alexa quietly emerged from the bathroom wearing only a bathrobe. Thinking the man was too focused on work to notice her, she tiptoed silently across the room.
Curious, she peeked behind him and noticed multiple people visible on the laptop screen.
Unfortunately, everyone on the call saw her too.
The executives stared in complete shock.
Their boss… was vacationing with a woman?
Alexa quickly grabbed clothes from her bag and hurried back into the bathroom without realizing she had been seen.
On the screen, several executives exchanged amused smiles.
Their terrifying boss was finally taken.
"Take care of everything while I'm gone," the man said coldly. "Do not contact me for one week unless it's urgent. Jason will handle everything."
"Yes, Boss!"
"And no one tells Grandpa where I am."
He ended the call immediately.
A few minutes later, he called out toward the bathroom.
"Hon, your things are here. You can change now."
After a short while, Alexa stepped out wearing a simple dress.
"I'm done," she said softly while he remained focused on his work.
"Did you inform your mother?" he asked without looking up.
"Yes," Alexa replied gently. "Thank you."