Sweet Hatred
Chapter 46: I’m watching you.

Chapter 46: I’m watching you.

I woke up feeling like I’d been hit by a truck. A very specific, arrogant, and insufferable truck named Kael. Every muscle in my body ached, and the dull throb between my legs was a humiliating reminder of just how thoroughly he’d ruined me.

I groaned, rolling onto my side, only to feel the cool sheets against my bare skin. I wasn’t in my own bed. The room was different. The sheets were fresh, crisp—definitely changed. Of course, they had to be, considering how much of a mess I’d made last night. My face heated at the thought.

Shame on you Aria.

"Ugh, I need a gun." I muttered under my breath, my face sunk into my palms.

Then my phone rang catching me off guard.

I startled, wincing as soreness shot through me. Groaning, I reached for it, squinting at the screen. Sarah.

Shit.

I hesitated before answering, clearing my throat. "Hey."

"Hey?" Sarah scoffed. "Where the hell are you? You’re supposed to be here—And I already went to your office like five times but you’re nowhere to be found."

Sarah and I agreed to go to the IT department to request for the footage of my former desk to see if someone had truly been tampering with my work but now—

"I—I’m sick," I lied, voice hoarse.

A beat of silence. Then, suspiciously, "Sick?"

"Yes." I shifted to sit up, but the second I swung my legs off the bed and tried to stand, they buckled. A sharp gasp escaped me as I went straight back down onto my knees, my legs absolutely useless. Pain pulsed through my thighs, and I swore under my breath.

Sarah’s laughter rang through the phone. "Oh my god. You got laid."

"I—What? No!"

"You totally did! Holy shit. Who was it? Wait, was it—"

"None of your business," I snapped, gripping the sheets for balance. "I’ll see you tomorrow or later today." I ended the call before she could interrogate me further. My face burned even hotter from the embarrassment.

"Having trouble, firefly?"

That damn voice.

I snapped my head up, and there he was, standing in the doorway, watching me like I was the most amusing thing he’d seen in weeks. Kael.

Worse, he was barely dressed. Just a towel slung low around his hips, water still clinging to his skin from a recent shower, his abs glistening in the morning light. His dark brown hair was damp, tousled in that effortlessly sexy way that should have been illegal.

Well shit Aria. Look at you describing him like you’re writing an essay.

I hated how good he looked.

And I hated even more that my body noticed.

My scowl deepened. "You—" I cut myself off, biting back a curse as I struggled to push myself up again.

Kael only smirked, stepping further inside with a tray in his hands. "Breakfast?"

I wanted to throw something at him but instead I grumbled under my breath, stretching out my arms only to notice the faint bruises decorating my skin, along with the deep red marks he had left. I swore, touching the sore imprint of his teeth on my shoulder.

"I see you’re admiring my handiwork." His voice sent a hot shiver down my spine.

"How am I supposed to cover this you fucking cunt?" I spat at him.

"You don’t need to." His smirk was smug, like he knew exactly what kind of mess he had left me in. "I want everyone to know you’re my little plaything."

"Absolute bastard." I shot him a glare and attempted to stand again, only for my legs to wobble dangerously

Kael crossed the room in two strides, setting the tray down before gripping my waist and hoisting me up effortlessly. "Careful now, firefly. Can’t have you collapsing before breakfast."

I thrashed weakly in his hold, hating how easily he handled me. "Let me go, Kael."

He did the opposite, pulling me tighter against him. His breath was warm against my ear. "Not when you look so helpless in my arms."

I barely had time to form a retort before his palm landed on my backside in a sharp, stinging smack. I gasped, my glare burning hotter as he chuckled. "What the fuck—"

"That’s for all the swearing," he mused, finally setting me back on the bed.

I glowered at him, rubbing the sore spot as he casually lifted the tray, revealing a simple but well-prepared breakfast—Greek yogurt drizzled with honey, fresh fruit, a croissant, and a steaming cup of coffee.

I stared at it, then back at him. "What is this?"

"Breakfast."

"You don’t seem like the type to bring breakfast to your..." I trailed off, refusing to finish that sentence.

He arched a brow. "To my what?"

"Victims."

Kael smirked. "I’ll take that as a compliment."

I huffed, crossing my arms. "Why are you being nice?"

He leaned down, his face so close that our noses almost brushed. "Because I need you alive, firefly. Can’t have you passing out at work."

That snapped me back to reality. Work. The merger project. "Shit."

Kael straightened, clearly amused. "Relax. It’s handled."

I blinked. "What?"

He shrugged. "I looked it over. For something handed to you last minute, you did well. But don’t get too comfortable."

I scoffed. "I told you I’m good at what I do."

His lips quirked. "And I told you not to get cocky."

I grabbed a piece of fruit, chewing begrudgingly. "You’re insufferable."

He chuckled, grabbing his own coffee. "And yet, you couldn’t stop moaning my name last night."

I threw a strawberry at his head. He caught it effortlessly and popped it into his mouth with a wink.

Smug bastard.

"Or would you like me to remind you?"

***

The drive back to HQ was uneventful—at least on the surface. Kael had left earlier, leaving Niko to drive me back to work.

I could feel his curious glances, the unspoken questions swirling in his head. Maybe he was wondering what had happened between Kael and me. Or maybe it was the fact that I was suddenly dressed like a nun, covering up everything I possibly could. Either way, I wasn’t in the mood to entertain his thoughts.

By the time I arrived, the sun was high, and employees were already on their lunch breaks. That worked in my favor. Sarah was out, meaning I could slip into my office unnoticed.

My body still ached, a lingering reminder of last night, but I refused to lounge around Kael’s apartment like he had oh-so-smugly suggested.

Mia was at the entrance of the floor, but we barely acknowledged each other. The air between us was uncomfortable, but I preferred it that way.

Stepping into my office, I immediately noticed something was... off. My desk, which had been a chaotic mess of reports, data sheets, and merger documents when I last saw it, was now neat and organized. Too neat.

A flicker of unease crawled up my spine as my eyes landed on it.

A small red envelope.

It sat there, perfectly placed, wrapped in a thin red ribbon.

I froze.

Kael’s games? No. This didn’t feel like him.

A cold weight settled in my stomach as I reached for the envelope, slowly untying the ribbon. My fingers trembled slightly as I pulled out the crisp white paper inside.

The ink was deep crimson—too dark, too thick. Smudged in places like someone had been careless... or deliberate.

And scrawled across the page in slow, unhurried strokes were three words that made my blood run cold.

I’m watching you.

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