I unlocked the double doors leading into the spacious walk-in closet with warm lighting from the chandelier hung on the ceiling. Clothes, bags, and shoes more than I have ever owned were arranged on open shelves and hanging racks.

At the center was a large glass-topped island used for accessories, with an ottoman in front.

I may as well play dress-up doll here, but in this case, I’m the doll. I’m more irked by the sight of my favorite color blending in with the rest of the pricey clothes. Blue.

"I know everything about you, Anastasia. Your favorite things... and everything else that spells you."

The words Zade said at our wedding echoed in my head. He wasn’t lying.

"As Mrs. Salvero, you have an image to uphold."

I turned towards Lisa, who stood at the entrance in a blouse too tight for her breasts, the buttons holding on for their dear life. RIP.

Her red lips curled in a smirk. "And I’m here to make sure of it."

"Geez, thanks..."

"You should watch your tone with me." She warned, coming close. "I’m Don Salvero’s secretary, and that means I have more authority than you. One word from me and—"

"I’ll be punished?" I mouthed, amused. "We’re not in medieval times. Have some class."

"I’m sure Jacob would disagree with that."

I frowned, feeling a twist in my stomach. "He told me he’d let Jacob go."

She chuckled. "Did he?"

Her reply only hastened my need to get my fucking phone. I can’t remain here with nothing attached to me.

"Time to get ready." She checked her watch before leaving.

I wanted to grab a needle and reduce that ass of hers. I bet it was fake, as well as those plastics on her chest.

I exhaled a breath, feeling dizzy, so I had to sit before my head fell off. I didn’t have a wink of sleep last night, even though my eyelids grew heavy, I still did my best to stay alert.

Zade spent the night making calls, and the dread of a wedding night was gone. I just sat there like fucking furniture the whole time.

Sit there and look pretty.

I’ve never been more insulted in my entire life by such words. I had no intention of acting like a piece of furniture, but first, before I did anything, I needed to make sure Jacob was okay, which meant finding a way to get my phone and my babies.

~☆~

My eyes wandered the area as Lisa led me to Zade’s office. The manor had a different outlook with the sunlight streaming in through the windows, but it was still ridiculously big.

How do they find their way around this place without a fucking map?

Along the way, I caught sight of maids dusting the antiques, shelves, and cleaning the windows. The pay better be worth it.

Lisa came to a halt in front of a door. "Sit and don’t make a sound, don’t even breathe loudly."

Do I need to remind her I was a human being? Cause what the heck is wrong with this bitch?

"Zade doesn’t like being disturbed when he’s working. The more you act like you don’t exist, the better."

I had a feeling she didn’t like the idea of me in his office. She’s channeling so much negative energy right now.

"What’s the point of me being here?"

Lisa smirked, folding her arms. "Because purchased items are always gawked at when they’re new."

I rolled my eyes. Bitch, please...

"Zade didn’t fuck you last night, did he?" she questioned as if it should frustrate me or something.

"Were you perhaps standing right at the door like a creep?"

"I knew he wouldn’t..." she said, almost relieved. "I guess my advice was wasted on you then. I bet he’s not even a bit..." Her eyes seized me up in a very annoying way, like I wasn’t up to any standard. "Interested."

She gave me her back and opened the door. I was just seconds away from yanking her hair off her head.

Control yourself, Ana. No need to get worked up over an overused bitch. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

I walked into the office, and I was greeted by a set of Chesterfield chairs facing each other, a marble low table at the center, before my eyes travelled to the executive desk that came after it.

I froze in my tracks when I caught Zade leaning against the edge of the desk, his dress shirt gripping against his biceps, sleeves rolled to reveal his tattoos but that wasn’t what stunned me. It was the glasses. Yes, glasses. That bottomless snake, wore fucking glasses.

He pushed them up to the bridge of his nose, eyes shifting toward me but only momentarily.

"File this..." he said to Lisa.

She took the paper, getting to work.

Zade rounded the table and sat in his leather chair. He pressed the bottom of his cigar into the ashtray before flipping open his laptop.

Unbelievable.

I just stood there, no less than an unwanted piece, as if waiting for some approval. Well, fuck not. I walked to one of the Chesterfield chairs and got comfortable, crossing my legs and folding my arms.

A heavy silence loomed as Zade became deeply immersed in work, occasionally rubbing his sharpened jawline.

I never thought he was that kind of person, but being a Don comes with that workaholic nature, it seems. I recalled how my father spent more time in his office and anywhere else, with barely enough time for Annabeth and me.

Lisa frequently walked back to Zade. That was when he’d respond to check whatever she showed him. Her hand would rest at the back of his seat as if itching to touch him, but waiting for some kind of permission.

Her actions got bolder and bolder until she was practically leaning down, while actively making sure her breasts were within arm’s reach.

A live porn show between a secretary and boss was not what I had in mind for the weekend.