One Night Stand, Eight Surprises: Pampered by My CEO Husband --- - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

The offer came less than twenty-four hours later.
Arielle stared at her inbox as if the email might vanish before she finished reading it. The words were straightforward, formal:
Congratulations. We are pleased to offer you the position of Executive Administrative Assistant to the CEO of Kingston Holdings. Starting salary: $84,000 annually, full benefits. Orientation begins Monday at 8:30 a.m. Please respond within 12 hours to confirm acceptance.
It didn’t feel real.
She read it again. Then again.
The numbers blurred on the screen, but her pulse pounded with clarity.
Eighty-four thousand.
A lifeline.
A godsend.
The children could have everything they needed. Real groceries. Better clothes. A daycare that didn’t smell like bleach and overboiled carrots. They wouldn’t have to ration milk or turn off the heat at night.
She pressed a trembling hand over her mouth and whispered, “Thank you.”
But even in that moment of relief, something knotted in her stomach. Because Damien Kingston hadn’t hired her out of generosity.
He’d hired her with a question in his eyes.
And a storm behind his voice.
Her first day began with a full security pass, a stack of NDAs, and a neatly labeled desk just outside Damien’s office.
The space was sleek, all minimalist glass and quiet efficiency. Every other assistant seemed to move with synchronized precision. Arielle, in her best pair of borrowed pumps, felt like a note out of tune.
“Ms. Summers?”
She turned to find him standing in his office doorway.
He didn’t smile.
“Inside.”
She followed him in.
The office was even more commanding than she remembered. High ceilings. Private lounge corner. A wall of books. A faint smell of cedar and leather. He gestured to the chair across from his desk.
She sat.
He stood.
“There are rules,” Damien said calmly, folding his arms. “You’ll arrive at seven-forty-five sharp. Leave only when dismissed. You’ll answer only to me. You’ll keep everything confidential. No exceptions.”
Arielle nodded. “Understood.”
His eyes narrowed.
“You will not bring personal problems into this office. No emotional outbursts. No childcare calls. No drama. If I get even a hint that your… family situation compromises your work, you’ll be reassigned. Or released.”
She stiffened. “I understand.”
He watched her. Like he wanted to believe her. Like something inside him didn’t.
Then he leaned forward, resting both hands on the desk. “You intrigue me, Ms. Summers.”
Arielle’s pulse stuttered.
“That’s not necessarily a good thing,” he added. “I don’t trust questions I don’t ask. And I don’t like feeling like someone’s hiding something.”
“I’m not hiding anything.”
His gaze was a blade.
“You have eyes just like my nephew,” he said suddenly. “He’s seven. Hazel-brown, with that fleck of gold near the iris.”
Arielle froze.
He straightened.
“Funny how genetics work, isn’t it?”
She swallowed. “Yes… sir.”
He walked to the window. His voice dropped, softer now. “I don’t know why you feel familiar. But until I do, I’ll be watching you closely.”
She stood. “I don’t have anything to hide, Mr. Kingston.”
He turned. “Let’s hope that’s true.”
Arielle left the office, spine rigid, heart thundering.
Hired—but already haunted.
Because Damien Kingston wasn’t just her boss now.
He was circling.
And if he got too close to the truth…
She wasn’t sure either of them would survive what came next.