After My CEO Forced a Kiss on Me

It was a Friday evening at an upscale rooftop bar in Manhattan. The air was crisp, and the city lights glittered below us like scattered diamonds. I stood near the edge of the terrace with Sandra Okafor. She was my new colleague, and we were celebrating my new job offer. I felt light. I felt free. For the first time in years, the crushing weight in my chest was gone.

Then I saw him.

Castiel Pierce was standing across the terrace. My breath caught in my throat. My heart slammed against my ribs. He looked exactly the same. Sharp suit, perfect hair, and that easy, arrogant posture. He wasn't alone. A beautiful, glamorous woman clung to his arm. Kiana Kelley.

Castiel ordered champagne loudly. He pulled Kiana close and kissed her. It was a deliberate performance. He didn't look at me directly, but I knew him too well. I felt his eyes sliding to the corner, watching me. He was waiting for me to crack. He wanted to see my confidence shatter.

Kiana turned her head. She caught my eye and flashed a bright, poisonous smile. She knew who I was. She knew exactly what she was doing.

"I need to go," I whispered to Sandra.

"Mira? Are you okay?" she asked, her smile fading.

"Just a headache. I'll see you Monday."

I turned and walked away fast. I didn't run, but I wanted to. I stepped into the empty elevator and the doors slid shut. The quiet hit me hard. I pressed my thumbnail into the palm of my hand. I pushed hard until the pain grounded me. I watched my knuckles turn white. *You left him,* I told myself. *You are safe.* My hands finally stopped shaking by the time I reached the lobby.

I thought that was the end of it. Just a bad coincidence. But Monday morning arrived with a nightmare.

I walked into the Midtown marketing firm for my first real day. The lobby was buzzing. People were whispering. Sandra grabbed my arm as soon as I stepped inside.

"Emergency town hall," she said quickly. "In the atrium. A corporate acquisition just went through over the weekend."

We stood in the crowd of employees. The HR director tapped the microphone. "We are thrilled to announce our new parent company," he said. "Please welcome your new CEO."

A tall figure stepped up to the podium. The blood drained from my face. Castiel.

He adjusted his cuffs and looked out over the crowd. His eyes scanned the room, moving past dozens of faces until they locked onto mine. He didn't smile. He didn't blink. He just looked at me. It was the look of a man who had finally cornered his property.

My stomach twisted into a cold knot. Every instinct screamed at me to look away, to hide behind Sandra. But I didn't. I planted my feet. I kept my chin up and stared right back at him. I refused to look away first.

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