"So? What do you think of that proposal?" Ceres asked as she stepped out of Zeus's office restroom, adjusting her sleeves.
Zeus, still seated behind his desk, glanced up from the documents in his hands.
"This is actually a good one," he admitted, nodding approvingly.
As Ceres approached him, she struggled with the last few buttons of her blouse. Without hesitation, Zeus reached out and deftly buttoned them for her, his fingers brushing against her skin.
"Did Rafael show this to Ryzel first?" Zeus asked as he fastened the last button.
Ceres rolled her eyes. "I asked him the same thing. He didn't answer, but his face said it all."
Zeus smirked, shaking his head. "That stupid cousin of mine is just like his father. He'd pass up a great business opportunity just to feed his ego."
"Tell me something I don't know," Ceres scoffed. "And to think Rafael still considers him his best friend. Pathetic."
Zeus chuckled, completely agreeing with her.
"So, are you going to invest?" she asked, her golden eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"Of course. I'll have Tyla call him to schedule a meeting tomorrow," Zeus answered as he reached up and tucked a loose strand of platinum hair behind her ear.
"No."
Zeus raised an eyebrow. "Why not?" His tone stretched with playful suspicion. He knew Ceres well enough to understand that she wouldn't have brought this proposal to him if she didn't see potential in it.
Ceres might act like she only cared about spending money, her father's, Zeus's, anyone's. But in reality, she was just as business-savvy as Romos Monteverde himself. She had a sharp eye for opportunities, and every business she had shown interest in turned into a massive success.
The only reason people underestimated her was because she let them. She made them believe she was just a spoiled brat, when in reality, she simply didn't have the patience to deal with incompetent people. That's why Romos always hired the best managers to run the businesses under her name. But every major decision? That was all her.
"I told Rafael I'd show it to you and Daddy this week," Ceres explained. "And that he should wait until the week ends for an answer."
Zeus leaned back in his chair, watching her with amusement. "And what did you ask for in return?" He already knew she wouldn't do a favor for someone unless she had something fun planned.
"I haven't told him yet," she admitted, smirking. "I told him I'd only ask for something once I managed to get him an early appointment with you or Daddy. But he only asked for a meeting. I'm giving him a guaranteed investment. So obviously, I'm going to make him pay for it."
Zeus let out a laugh. "Of course you are."
"Besides," she added, "I'm going to show this to Daddy too. He needs to start investing in things outside of real estate. It's about time."
Zeus nodded in agreement. "That's actually a great idea. Tell me once he agrees, and I'll draft a contract immediately."
Ceres tapped her fingers on his desk, thinking. "I'll probably tell Rafael on Saturday night. Then you can schedule the meeting on Monday. That way, he'll spend his entire Sunday overthinking and losing sleep."
Zeus chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "You really enjoy putting people through hell, don't you?"
He stood up, pulled her against him, and planted a slow, lingering kiss on her lips.
"I'm not putting them through hell," Ceres corrected, smiling against his lips. "I'm just filtering the weak from the strong. Only strong people can handle me, after all."
She was practically admitting that Zeus met her standards. That he was strong enough for her.
And that sent a wave of pride surging through Zeus.
Of course, he was strong. But hearing it from Ceres Monteverde, the woman who had made countless men feel insignificant, was something else entirely. Because in her world, if a man couldn't handle her, even if he was powerful, rich, and influential, he was nothing but a weak waste of space.
Zeus kissed her again, deeper this time, as if what they had done earlier wasn't enough.
He was getting lost in her, in her scent, in the way her body fit so perfectly against his,
But then her phone rang.
Zeus groaned in frustration against her lips as she pulled away, laughing. He didn't stop, though. He trailed kisses down her neck, nipping at her sensitive spots just to see if he could make her lose focus.
"Hello, Mommy," Ceres answered, her voice steady, until Zeus bit down a little harder.
She gasped and immediately shot him a glare.
Zeus only smirked against her skin.
"I'm with Zeus," she said when Cielo asked where she was.
Zeus took advantage of the moment, sliding his hand up her thigh, under her mini skirt, his fingers teasing her.
Ceres slapped his hand away.
She mouthed, 'Stop it!' at him, eyes narrowing.
Zeus responded by grinning devilishly and kissing her jaw.
"Dinner?" Ceres repeated, trying her best to sound unaffected. "We haven't talked about it yet. Why?"
She let out a shaky breath when Zeus' fingers moved again, this time slower, more torturous.
"Okay, I'll tell him… Bye… I love you too."
She barely managed to hang up before swatting Zeus' arm.
"Love, where's your underwear?" Zeus suddenly asked, his voice husky as his hand slid under her skirt again, only to find nothing but bare skin.
His jaw clenched.
His golden eyes darkened.
"I didn't put it back on. It was wet." She said it so nonchalantly, so matter-of-fact, completely unaware of the damage she had just done to Zeus' self-control.
"Shiiiiit." His curse was deep and strained.
Before she could react, Zeus pulled her against him, effortlessly wrapping her legs around his waist again.
"Oh my gosh, Zeus Falcon, stop acting like a horny teenager," Ceres laughed, rolling her eyes.
Zeus, however, wasn't laughing.
"This is all your fault, love," he growled, pressing himself against her so she could feel just how hard he was. "If I end up in the hospital from a heart attack, just know, you're the reason."
Ceres sighed dramatically, but the way her fingers curled into his shirt betrayed her own rising heat.
Still, she managed to summon every ounce of willpower she had left and gently pushed him away.
"Stop that. I need to go home already," she said, straightening her clothes. "There's going to be a 'family dinner' with the Clarks tonight at home. It looks like all the wedding details for Ciena and Ryzel have been finalized."
Zeus groaned like a child denied his favorite toy.
"Do you really have to go?" he muttered, still not letting her go completely.
"Yes. That's why it's called 'family' dinner." She arched a brow. "But if you're not busy, why not join us?"
Zeus looked at her, unimpressed. "Pass."
Ceres smirked and took his face between her hands, pulling him down for a teasing kiss.
She whispered against his lips, "You are part of their family, aren't you?"
Her golden eyes danced with mischief.
"And if you come, I'll give you a prize."
Zeus narrowed his eyes, intrigued.
"Really? And what would that be?"
Ceres smirked. "It's a surprise," she said teasingly.
Zeus let out a low, frustrated groan.
"You can just tell me now." His voice was deep, nearly pleading.
Ceres laughed as she slipped away from his hold, knowing damn well that if Zeus pressed further, she might actually give in.
"Stop being so impatient." She picked up her heels, slipping them on gracefully. "You'll get your prize at home later."
Zeus exhaled through his nose, eyes dark with a mix of frustration and desire as he watched her move around his office like she owned it.
She picked up her bag and the envelope containing Rafael's project proposal, making sure she had everything before heading out. She needed to leave now, or else she and Zeus might end up doing something reckless again.
Since she drove her own car, they didn't need to drive together to the Monteverde mansion.
But Zeus, being Zeus, still insisted on walking her down to the parking area.
Inside his private elevator, with no one else but the two of them, he wasted no time pressing her against the elevator wall, his hands gripping her waist as his lips attacked hers.
It started slow, teasing, then turned into something more desperate, more heated.
His lips trailed down her jaw to her neck, biting, sucking, leaving his marks for the world to see.
"Zeus," she warned breathlessly, trying not to sound affected, "someone might be watching us through the CCTV."
Without stopping his assault on her skin, Zeus murmured, "I'm the only one who has access to this elevator's CCTV. So you don't have to worry, love."
"Really?" Ceres smirked, an idea forming in her mind.
She waited until the elevator was nearing the first floor before leaning in and whispering, her voice sultry and dripping with promise,
"Then maybe we can do 'it' here next time."
Zeus froze.
His grip on her waist tightened, his breathing hitched, and for a brief second, his brain completely short-circuited.
She saw it, the momentary glitch in the all-powerful Zeus Falcon.
Ceres laughed just as the elevator doors opened.
"Oops." She winked before stepping out, leaving Zeus standing there, looking like he had just been sucker-punched.
Zeus groaned, pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, and ran a hand through his hair, all while employees discreetly avoided eye contact, pretending they hadn't just seen their boss kissing the hell out of Ceres Monteverde when the elevator doors opened.
Taking a deep breath, he collected himself and followed after her.
He would definitely get back at her later.