TIED TO MY BILLIONAIRE CEO

JANICE. The black luxury car glided to a gentle stop outside the grand venue, its black surface glistening in the golden lighting. From within through the windows, I already saw the dazzling lights of the paparazzi, cameras going off relentlessly, capturing every arrival.Ryder didn't blink. He pushed open the door and stepped out. He offered me a hand and I took it, stepping gout beside him. We approached the red carpet and I paused, as usual but he held on to me and murmured, "You're walking the red carpet with me."My eyes widened and I turned to him slightly. I wasn't supposed to walk onto the red carpet with him. I was his assistant, not his girlfriend.However, with all eyes on us, refusing his hand would be only more conspicuous. "But sir, I don't…""Are you defying me, Janice?"My mouth opened and closed. Then I pursed my lips in surrender. When Ryder Ambrose gave an order, you obeyed, case closed. The moment their shoes hit the red carpet, he was face-to-face with a wild chaos of photographers and journalists."Mr. Ambrose! This way!""Mr. Ambrose! A word about the DeMarto deal—are you confident you can sign it tonight?""Mr. Ambrose, what do you make of the new Albanian investor? Is he a threat to you?""Who's the woman beside you? A new business partner or your latest arm candy?"I bristled at the last question, my neck flushing.Ryder's entire demeanor shifted before I could answer. His murderous look focused on the reporter who'd asked the question, his features hard and angry.The paparazzo hesitated at once, shifting ungracefully as he lowered his camera.And, all of a sudden, we moved ahead—arm in arm.The flashes of cameras became more intense, the sea of reporters asking questions after questions, an endless barrage.I could hardly make out more than the blinding lights, but I forced myself to wear a neutral, poised look. A hostess at the entrance offered me a name tag, but before I could take it, Ryder pulled both of theirs off the tray and offered mine to me.I blinked up at him, but he did not look in my direction. So I tentatively took it from him and I breathed softly and followed behind him as we walked inside.———The atmosphere was nothing less than breathtaking.Grand chandeliers lit the grand hall with a golden glow. Expensive wine flowed freely as the city's most influential moguls and financiers argued and chuckled softly, their low tones and charmind laughter blending into the aura of wealth and privilege.Waiters in crisp white uniforms wove through the room, carrying silver trays of hors d'oeuvres and champagne.I accepted a glass of wine, sipping it slowly to steady myself.I glanced at Ryder, my voice lowering. "With all due respect, sir… why did you do that?"Ryder, clutching a glass of whiskey and standing beside me, barely glanced in my direction. "Do what?"I paused and breathed. "Make me walk the red carpet with you."He finally faced me, his blue eyes glistening under the chandeliers. "Because if we close the DeMarto deal tonight, it won't all be my doing. You were a part of it too."I blinked.Well, that was the last I had expected him to say. Could it be that he was down with something? He was showing way too much…emotions than usual. Before I could respond, a couple approached us, their smiles fixed and professional.I breathed, pushing aside my confusion. Whatever Ryder's antics were, I would have to deal with it later.The night had officially begun.———-After ten minutes of polite chatting with strangers and conscious small talk, we finally got as far as the table where Luis DeMarto sat.Luis was in his late fifties, his hair slicked black off the forehead, the severe European style giving the air of authoritative relaxation. His suit, which was definitely expensive, was partly buttoned open at the neck, exposing wiry grey chest hairs. .Ryder extended a hand. "Luis.""Luis." The older man smiled, shaking hands with him. "Good you could make it.""Wouldn't have missed it," Ryder replied smoothly, sitting across from him as I stood behind him, hands neatly folded in front of me.A waiter brought a bottle of aged wine over and filled glasses for both men. They drank slowly, their faces expressionless and calculating as they began finalizing the closure of the deal.Everything was going along fine.Until Luis carelessly placed his glass down and said, "An Albanian investor came into the party a little while ago."The mood around the table shifted.Luis swirled his wine, watching Ryder closely. "I've heard promising things about him," he added. "It's put me in quite a bind." I could feel the subtle tension radiating from Ryder. His posture remained relaxed, but there was a quiet sharpness in his gaze."Good to hear," Ryder said sharply, setting down his glass. "But I'm sure Mr. Albania won't have any say in our deal. We've spent months hammering out every detail. After all, we do have an understanding, don't we?"Luis was silent for a moment.There was a few seconds of silence, heavy with tension as both men had a face off.Then Luis laughed loudly. "Yes, yes, of course."Ryder didn't flinch. "That's nice to hear."With a parting nod, he stood up without another word.I fell into step beside him, looking back over my shoulder at Luis, whose eyebrows were knitted together in concentration and annoyance as he watched us go.Once they were a safe distance away, I leaned closer to Ryder and whispered, "What was that about, sir?" Ryder rubbed his jaw, his eyes flickering with something dark. "I'm not sure." His voice was quiet, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. Then, in an even lower tone, he muttered, "But it better not be what I'm thinking."I shivered at the quiet lethality in his voice. He glanced back at Luis for a moment, his expression unreadable as he added, "Or DeMarto will choose death over what I'll do to him." A chill ran down my spine. I swallowed as we reached our assigned table and took our seats. I sat back in my chair and took a long sip of my wine. Something told me this night wouldn't end too well.