Chapter 5 The Encounter

Getting Kane to agree to let me work requires a level of manipulation I hadn't known I possessed before.

Over breakfast the next morning with my cheek still tender, I plant the seed.

"I've been thinking about what you said yesterday," I begin carefully cutting my fruit into the exact way Kane prefers. "About being grateful for everything you've given me."

Kane looks up from his papers with eyebrows slightly raised. "Oh really?"

"You're absolutely right about everything," I continue hating every word but knowing this is my only chance.

"I have been ungrateful and selfish and I think part of it is because I feel like I'm not contributing anything meaningful to our life together or your success."

It's exactly the right approach because Kane's ego responds immediately to the idea that I want to be a better wife.

"You contribute plenty, darling. You're the perfect partner for social events," he says in that patronizing tone.

"But I could be so much more than just decoration," I lean forward slightly. "I was actually good at my job before Kane, I was organized and capable of handling responsibility."

"What if I could use those skills to help you somehow? To support your business and make connections that might be valuable?"

Kane sets down his coffee, his attention fully focused on me now. "What exactly did you have in mind?"

"Maybe I could work for one of your business associates? Or make connections that might benefit you?"

"I saw that Stonetech is looking for an executive assistant; they're big enough to have interesting projects but not enough that they'd expect me to work excessive hours that would interfere with my duties."

I hold my breath watching Kane process the idea carefully like he's examining it from every possible angle.

The key is making him think this is all about serving him better, not about my own desperate need for freedom and independence.

"Stonetech," he muses thoughtfully. "It's a big company."

"So it would be good for you if I worked there?"

I can see Kane's mind working, calculating all the potential advantages of having his wife in a competitor's organization.

"It's not a terrible idea," he says slowly. "But you'd need to be extremely careful."

"Any inappropriate conduct would reflect poorly on me."

"Of course, I understand," I say trying to look eager and submissive instead of desperate.

He studies me for a long moment and I force myself to meet his gaze.

"Very well," he says finally. "You may apply for the position."

I smile and for the first time in months the expression feels genuine instead of forced. "Thank you so much, I promise I won't let you down."

"I know you won't, darling," he says with that ominous smile. "Because you understand exactly what would happen if you did."

Three days later I stand in the lobby of Stonetech Industries with my palms sweating despite the air conditioning.

I'm wearing one of Kane's approved outfits, that he pronounced professional but not provocative.

"Evelyn Hellbound?" a woman with kind eyes approaches me. "I'm Sarah Chen, head of human resources, thank you for coming in today."

The interview process is more rigorous than I expected which both terrifies and excites me.

"Your qualifications are excellent," Sarah tells me as we wrap up the formal interview portion. "But I should mention that Mr. Stone likes to meet potential executive assistants personally."

"He's very particular about who he works closely with and trusts with sensitive information."

My stomach clenches because Kane is waiting in the car outside and he made it clear that this interview process should take no more than two hours total.

"Of course," I say trying to sound confident. "Is he available now by any chance?"

Sarah checks her tablet. "Actually, yes, he's just finished a conference call, let me see if he has a few minutes to meet with you."

She leads me to an elevator that requires a special key card taking us to the top floor where the executive offices are located.

The executive level is even more impressive than the lobby, expensive with an atmosphere of quiet power.

"Mr. Stone's office is just through here, he's expecting you," Sarah says leading me down a hallway lined with abstract art.

She knocks on a massive oak door then opens it at the sound of a deep voice saying, "Come in."

"Mr. Stone? This is Evelyn Hellbound here for the executive assistant position."

I step into the office and immediately feel overwhelmed by the presence of the man behind the desk.

Abel Stone is tall even sitting down with dark hair and a commanding presence that reminds me of Kane but different somehow.

He looks up from his paperwork and our eyes meet.

The world stops completely.

I don't know how else to describe what happens in that moment, one second I'm standing in a corporate office nervous about a job interview.

The next I'm drowning in the most intense eye contact of my entire life like everything else has disappeared.

Abel Stone has dark eyes like looking into the depths of still water.

When he looks at me I feel like he's looking straight through me.

Something passes between us in that moment, and he stands slowly making me realize he's even taller than I thought—regular exercise without obsession.

His eyes seem to widen for a brief second but it happens so quickly that I think I imagined it.

"Ms. Hellbound, please have a seat," he says with a deep voice.

I manage to walk to the chair across from his desk without tripping and as I sit down I catch a whiff of his cologne.

And it makes something flutter in my chest.

"I've reviewed your application thoroughly, your qualifications are quite impressive," he continues settling back into his chair but keeping his eyes fixed on mine.

"Thank you," I manage to say.

"Tell me what interests you about working at Stonetech specifically?"

It's a standard interview question but I find myself giving a more honest response than I planned.

"I want to be part of something meaningful again. I've been away from the working world for a while focusing on personal matters."

Abel leans forward slightly, his attention completely focused on me.

"What personal matters kept you away from work?"

"Family illness," I say carefully choosing my words. "My mother was very sick and I needed to focus on her care completely."

"I'm sorry to hear that, is she better now?"

"She's... recovering slowly, it's been a very long process."

Abel nods. "Family is the most important thing in life," he says simply.

We talk for another twenty minutes about the role. But underneath the professional conversation is a connection that I can't name.

Finally, he glances at his expensive watch. "I think we've covered everything I needed to know about your qualifications."

"However," Abel continues and something in his tone makes me look up hopefully.

"I do have one more question for you."

I wait holding my breath.

"When can you start working here?"

For a moment I think I've misheard him completely. "I'm sorry, what?"

"You're hired, Ms. Hellbound," he says simply. "If you want the job, it's yours."

Joy floods through me so suddenly and completely that I almost start crying right there in his office.

A job, my own job, with my own paycheck and my own purpose in life.

"I... yes," I stammer like an idiot. "Yes, I want the job, thank you so much."

"Excellent, Sarah will handle all the paperwork and details, you can start Monday."

I stand to leave still hardly believing this is really happening.

As I reach for the door handle, his voice stops me.

"Ms. Hellbound?"

I turn back to find him watching me with that same intense expression.

"I look forward to working with you."

As I leave his office and make my way back to the lobby, something tells me that this is going to change everything.