Chapter 2
Tyra seemed pleased with her own declaration, but Stanley probably didn't know since when he became hers.
Suddenly, Tyra flashed a sly grin, as if she'd just hatched a mischievous plan. She swayed into Stanley's room, hips swinging.
It wasn't long before a sharp shriek echoed from inside, followed by Stanley's furious roar.
"Get in here now!" he yelled.
Startled, I rushed in to find Tyra sprawled on the floor, looking fragile and pitiful.
Stanley's shirt was soaked with coffee.
She'd somehow managed to spill it all over him.
I hurried over to help him out of the shirt.
My eyes couldn't help but drift over his sculpted abs, and the smooth lines made my ears burn.
Stanley let out a low chuckle. "Like what you see?"
His gaze met mine, softer now, almost hazy.
I flushed and nodded. "Yeah, you look good."
He smirked and stood still, letting me wipe the coffee from his skin.
Once I was done, Stanley finally noticed Tyra was still huddled in the corner. "Who's she?" he asked, voice cool.
"The new assistant," I stammered.
Stanley scoffed, "Standards are dropping. How can such a fool work here? From now on, you bring me my coffee."
I nodded and guided Tyra out of the room.
But she was practically floating, her eyes sparkling. "He called me a little fool. Do you think he already likes me?"
Words failed me.
She'd only heard "fool" and twisted it into some kind of pet name.
She really believed Stanley was flirting with her.
Back in our room, Tyra was still daydreaming, her smile never fading.
What confused me was that Stanley hadn't punished her at all today. He hadn't been with anyone in years.
Did he actually like silly girls?
The thought sent a chill down my spine. When I snapped back to reality, Tyra was glaring at me with pure venom.
She stormed over, her smile gone. "Which hand did you use to touch Stanley today? Keep your hands off. He's mine!"
I blinked, confused. "Touch him? I was just helping him change."
"He's mine," she snapped. "I should be undressing him."
The sweet, innocent girl was gone, replaced by something vicious, and honestly, terrifying.
With that, she grabbed her cup and poured scalding hot water over my hand.
The burn seared through my skin instantly.
I never thought Tyra could be this cruel. She'd actually gone out of her way to hurt me.
The pain shot up my arm, throbbing with every heartbeat.
I rushed to run my hand under cold water. When I glanced back, Tyra was smirking like she'd won some prize.
"Consider that a warning," she sneered. "When Stanley's really mine, you'd better get on your knees and beg."
She burst into wild, unhinged laughter.
She completely lost it.
I kept my hand under the cold water until the pain finally faded.
The next day, I had to wrap it in bandages. Luckily, the water wasn't boiling. I probably wouldn't scar.
But working with a bandaged hand was a struggle.
Stanley's personal assistants were basically on call around the clock.
Our apartments were set up near his villa.
That day, Tyra drenched herself in so much perfume it felt like she was trying to fumigate the whole hallway.
Anyone who passed her got a lungful, whether they wanted it or not.
I caught her sneaking into Stanley's bedroom.
"Stanley's a clean freak," I warned her quickly. "He hates anyone in his private space."
Tyra shot me a glare. "You just don't want me to be with him! I'm the heroine. He's bound to fall for me."
She was hopeless.
I watched her slip into his room, roll around on his bed a few times, and then stride out with a smug grin.
"There," she said. "Tonight, Stanley will fall asleep surrounded by my scent. And tomorrow, when I wear this perfume again, he won't be able to get me out of his head."
I didn't want any part of her mess, so I got out of there fast.
But it wasn't long before we were all dragged back in.
Stanley was furious.
Everyone else was shaking with fear, but Tyra stood tall, staring at him with wide, unapologetic eyes.
"Who touched my bed?" Stanley demanded, his voice icy.
Tyra's lips curled into a triumphant smile. She truly believed she was Cinderella, and her prince had come searching for her.
She was just about to raise her hand when Stanley cut in, his tone dripping with disdain. "Who stank up my room with that cheap perfume? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Stanley's brow tightened, and the predatory chill in his gaze made him look like a devil ready to devour his prey.
Tyra's unwavering confidence was shattered, panic flashing across her face.
In that split second, it finally hit her just how dangerous Stanley really was.