281180 months

"Why is your office scorching?!"

Using a random paper to fan myself, I query the man beside me. Office should be frigid when the aircon is on every second. Yet, I can feel the sweats dripping down between my breasts. Gosh, I might pass out if the heat continues. "It is a common temperature though"

Zander furrows his brows over the sight of me being chaotic under such condition. Normal did he just say? How is this usual? Can he even feel whether it is hot or not? Is it because the devils come from hell so that this sort of heat does not fit in line to bother them?

"It certainly is not normal. The aircon must be checked. It is not working as it should" I spit beneath a scowl. Flipping hair to the back. "Take that scarf off then" With his eyes landing on my neck, he instructs. It is when my eyes shift down to focus on my body. Right.

Because of this devil's marks upon my body, I cannot bring myself to take the blazer off even. Now that no one is inside other than us, I suppose I can remove the blazer and scarf for some moments. In hurry, I take them off. Leaving a sigh out loud in relief as the heat escapes.

"Ha..."

I thought I was about to get burned under such temperature. "How do you feel now, doll?" Zander's right brow raises. "Not bad" Shutting my eyes, I respond. "Could you help me with something, my gorgeous?" He mutters. Sounding rather like a whimper in my ears.

Drawing my attention in. Our eyes lock. His gaze softens beneath a slight frown. What is he going to request so that he has to use those puppy eyes? "If only I can" I reply. And his lips form into a beam. "There is wine bottle in the fridge. Can you go get it for me?" He asks.

Oh. It is a simple request.

But I somehow feel strange. He has several assistants if my guess is correct. Also, can't he just walk out of the room to obtain one if he does not wish the assistants to get one for him? "Is the fridge on the second floor or some?" I furrow brows. Perplexity wanders around me.

"No, it is behind the wall" Zander's sarcastic response makes me roll my eyes. Why does he have to retort like that when he is the one requesting here? It is not like I am familiar with his company also. Of course, I have to ask for directions if he wants me to lend hand.

"I am not being sarcastic, love. It really is behind the wall" Another reply quiets me down. Huh? Confusion buries inside me. Don't tell me he has a secret chamber behind the wall. "Pull the book named 281180 from there. You will understand what I am saying, gorgeous"

His finger points at the bookshelf. Hushing me down. Wait, what did he say? 281180? That's literally my password, how does he have a book named after the numbers I have been obsessed with lately? "Did you create that book as key?" I tilt my head. Ignoring his instructions.

I can't care about the secret chamber.

The numbers have captured my attention fully. Observing my reaction, Zander grins. Wait, he is grinning as if he won some prizes. "What's with your expression?" My brows pull together tightly to form a scowl. "Are you familiar with those numbers, my darling?"

The unexpected question from the man stuns me so that my eyes widen. What the fuck is going on?! "What do you mean-" As I prepare myself to query him, the man cuts me off. "Shall we carry this conversation on with the wine instead? I am craving badly for one at the moment"

Zander pushes his request forward which quiets me down. "No, tell me what you meant and I shall bring a wine to you" My gaze turns determined. Who knows what he does next? A devil can never be trusted. Not just devils but everyone. In that case, I have to assure everything.

A sigh escapes between the man's lips. "Those numbers represent the months I lost my life" His answer leaves me in pool of puzzlement. Does that mean he died once before and became a devil after? Is that how it is? That's the only conclusion here. It must be the accurate guess.

"Now be a woman of her words"

Zander pulls me back from the thoughts. And my brows rise. This man really does not slide things. "I am sure you can help me with this much at least" Zander flashes a smile. Does he think his dimples would get him out of trouble? Why is he showing them off a lot? It is annoying.

"All right" Standing up from the lounge, I walk up near to the shelf. My eyes scan the books quickly. There it is. The book with the numbers. I promptly move the book. Following his instructions as the wall parts into two. The sight across drags me into shock.

The room is majestic. Black and white theme catches my attention the most. "Do you show this room off to your girlfriends when they visit?" I scoff. Turning around, only to meet the man's proud smirk. "You are the only woman I have had in my entire life, Verena" He admits.

His voice quivers under tenderness. Lord, who taught this man to be this soft with those expressions and words? I would have fallen in love if I were my past self who yearned for affection. I bring the wine bottle out of the fridge without assuring. There is only one.

So, I have no reason to ask.

"Oh, finally" Followed by the door unlocking, Zander voices out loud. Huh? Who is he talking to? I promptly walk out of the secret chamber while holding the wine bottle. A pair of surprised eyes lock with mine as soon as I step out. Fuck, it is Damian Talon. My body freezes.

The clues begin to add up one on one. The scorching office which leaded me to take the blazer and scarf off, the bizarre request that came out all of the sudden, and the secret chamber that appears to be perfect for sex with a master bed inside. It is too easy to catch up after noticing.

THAT DEVIL PLANNED THIS!

He purposely made me reveal the hickeys in front of Damian. What is wrong with that devil?! Can't he just lay low and pretend to be a boyfriend without acting so proud to be with me?! "Did I interrupt the moment by any chance?" Damian throws a query to the man awkwardly.

"No, it is fine. We can continue things at home later" Zander's lips corner curves up into a smirk. His response puts Damian in pool of silence. Why is that devil making things hard?! I let out a sigh, but in a low tone which I can only hear. "Please take a seat, Mister Talon"

I step in. Placing the wine bottle down on the table as I sit beside Zander. "Did you bring a contract, Mister Talon?" I raise my right brow. He returns with a nod as his secretary takes the document out from the bag. "Great, I will be performing on my boyfriend's behalf"

A smile tugs at my lips. It is when Damian's brows wrinkle. He seems unsatisfied. Well, he must be forgetting who offered the opportunity out of mercy from the beginning. "We will run a cooperation to attract the customers' attention with the help of famous models"

I state assertively.

Zander, on the other side, reads the contract Damian brought. "Mister Gavril, can I arrange who to choose as models?" The request falls upon. Look at this man ignoring my existence. "You can speak about the partnership with my woman since she is the CEO here currently"

Knowing how the man is neglecting my declaration, Zander draws the attention on me. "I have given her all the rights to do as she pleases" Zander smiles while spreading his legs. And his arm wraps around my shoulder. I know he is helping me out to acquire the respect.

However, it is unnecessary for him to behave in this way by holding my shoulder. Damian's face drops when he hears the proclamation my so-called boyfriend made. "I apologize for not noticing, Mister Gavril. I will keep in mind about her importance in this collaboration"

A beam displays across Damian's face. Jerk. Did he just mean he did not acknowledge me as important person here before? He really forgot who arranged this meeting so that his loser ass won't cry about the loss of company. "I appreciate it" Zander responds beneath a nod.

"Then, can I, Miss Laurel?"

Damian repeats the question but with his attention upon me this time. "No" And I refuse. Causing the man to clench jaw. "This cooperation cannot fail. I have the responsibility to take care of everything. You can simply sit back and observe the sales" I flash a smile.

Fuck his requests, I am doing whatever I wish in this contract. After all, the authority is in my grasp. Zander has already transferred me the rights also. I can do as I crave without any care. Damian pushes pressure into his grin. "I understand, thank you for consideration"

He expresses gratitude,

while gritting his teeth in vexation.