Felix’s POV
Kinaumagahan, maaga na akong nag-almusal, naghanda na rin sila ng umagahan. I sat at the long, polished dining table, the rich aroma of brewed coffee and freshly baked pastries filling the air. The sun streamed through the large windows, casting a warm glow across the room, but I couldn’t shake off the gnawing anticipation that filled my gut.
Jenna had spent the night in one of the guest rooms. I hadn’t seen her since I brought her home, and part of me was curious about how she’d react to her new reality. I could already imagine the myriad of emotions playing across her face: confusion, anger, maybe even a flicker of acceptance.
While I waited for breakfast, I couldn’t help but replay the previous night’s events in my head. Aiden had thought he could just gamble his way through life, never considering the repercussions of his actions. But now, Jenna was in my domain, and I was determined to make the most of it.
As I poured myself another cup of coffee, Nikolai walked in, a smirk plastered across his face. “Did you sleep well?” he teased, plopping down into a chair across from me.
“Better than I expected,” I replied, taking a sip. “You know how it is when you’re about to start something new.”
“Right. I’m sure you can’t wait to see how Jenna’s handling her new living situation,” he said, raising an eyebrow.
“I’m curious, that’s for sure,” I admitted. “I want to see if she’ll play along or put up a fight. Either way, it’ll be interesting.”
Just then, one of the staff members entered, announcing that breakfast was ready. I felt a flicker of excitement. “Let’s see if she’s hungry,” I said, standing up and making my way toward the staircase.
“Are you sure you want to be the first one to greet her?” Nikolai asked, following me. “You might want to let her settle in a bit.”
“No. She needs to understand the situation right away. I’m not going to coddle her,” I replied firmly, taking the stairs two at a time. I could hear Nikolai chuckling behind me, but I didn’t care. This was my game, and I was in charge.
As I reached the landing, I knocked on the door to her room. “Jenna, breakfast is ready,” I called out, my voice steady.
A few moments passed before I heard the sound of rustling inside. Finally, the door creaked open, and she stood there, looking slightly disheveled but undeniably beautiful. Her hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, and her eyes were still heavy with sleep, but I could see the fire in them—a hint of defiance that intrigued me.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” I greeted, a playful smile creeping onto my lips. “Hope you’re ready to eat.”
She crossed her arms, eyeing me warily. “I’m not hungry,” she stated, her voice laced with irritation.
I chuckled softly, stepping into her room. “Oh, I’m sure you are. You’ve had a long night, after all. You need your strength if you plan to keep up with me.”
Jenna rolled her eyes, but I noticed a hint of curiosity in her gaze. “What do you want, Felix?” she asked, her tone sharper than before.
“I want you to join me for breakfast. Get a taste of your new life,” I replied, gesturing for her to come with me. “Trust me, you’re going to need it.”
She hesitated, her expression caught between defiance and intrigue. Finally, with a resigned sigh, she stepped out of the room. “Fine. But I’m not doing this because I want to.”
I smirked, knowing that her resistance only fueled my interest. “Of course not. But that’s what makes this fun.”
As we walked down the hall, I felt a sense of satisfaction wash over me. Jenna might not be thrilled about her new situation, but I could already sense the potential for something deeper. This was just the beginning, and I intended to make the most of it.
Nang marating namin ang hapag-kainan, pinakilala ko si Jenna kay Nikolai. “Jenna, this is my right-hand man, Nikolai. He’s been with me through thick and thin,” I said, my tone casual as I gestured between them.
Nikolai stood up, extending his hand toward her. “Nice to meet you, Jenna. I’ve heard a lot about you,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eye that hinted he might have heard more than I’d intended.
“Yeah, I bet you have,” she replied, shooting me a sidelong glance that told me she wasn’t amused. But I could see the wheels turning in her head as she assessed the situation.
“Don’t worry; I only know the basics,” Nikolai continued, his smile friendly. “Felix has a way of making everything sound more dramatic than it is.”
I rolled my eyes, taking a seat at the table. “You know it’s true. Drama is part of the job description,” I shot back playfully, pouring myself another glass of orange juice.
As Jenna took her seat across from me, I watched her closely. She was still on edge, her posture tense as if she were bracing for something. I wanted to see her relax, to enjoy this new experience, but I also understood that it would take time for her to adjust to her new reality.
“Breakfast is simple today,” I said, motioning to the spread in front of us. “Just some eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit. I hope you’re not too picky.”
Jenna glanced at the food, her expression softening slightly. “It looks good,” she admitted, hesitating before reaching for a slice of bacon.
“Good to hear. You need to keep your strength up if you want to keep up with us,” I replied, savoring the moment.
As we started eating, the tension in the air began to shift. Jenna was clearly still wary, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes as she glanced between Nikolai and me. “So, what exactly do you do?” she asked, finally breaking the silence.
I exchanged a look with Nikolai, who raised an eyebrow as if daring me to answer. “Let’s just say I run a business that involves… some high-stakes negotiations,” I replied, keeping my tone casual. “And Nikolai helps me manage it all.”
“High-stakes negotiations?” she echoed, a hint of skepticism in her voice. “That sounds a lot like gambling to me.”
I smirked, enjoying her assertiveness. “Gambling is part of it, sure. But it’s more about strategy and knowing when to take risks. Just like in life.”
Nikolai jumped in, eager to add his perspective. “And Felix is one of the best at it. He doesn’t just play the game; he rewrites the rules to suit him.”
Jenna raised an eyebrow, looking from me to Nikolai. “And what happens when the rules backfire?” she challenged, a small smile playing on her lips.
I leaned back, appreciating her spirit. “That’s when you learn the most,” I replied confidently. “Every loss is just a lesson wrapped in disappointment.”
Her smile faded slightly as she processed my words, and I could see her internal struggle. “And what if I don’t want to learn those lessons?” she asked quietly.
“Then you might just find yourself lost in the game,” I said, my gaze steady on hers. “But don’t worry; I’ll be here to guide you. After all, you’re mine now, and I plan to make sure you’re well taken care of.”
Nikolai cleared his throat, sensing the charged atmosphere. “Well, let’s change the subject, shall we? Jenna, what are your interests? We should get to know you a bit better.”
As the conversation shifted, I felt a sense of satisfaction wash over me. Jenna might not have chosen this path, but she was now part of my world—a world where I held the cards, and I intended to make the most of it.