The air in the car was a little dull, the rain making a thin trail across the windows. Serena leaned against the backseat, her fingertips tapping the screen of her cell phone and dialed a number. The moment the call was dialed, her voice was cold and said, "Mary, rearrange all the schedules for tomorrow. Notify, nine o'clock in the morning, the boardroom, none can be absent."
The colleague on the other end of the phone paused and answered in a low voice, "Yes, Ms. Serena."
"And," Serena's eyes gazed out the window, her tone sinking a bit more, "Find out who met with Richard alone after the board meeting adjourned yesterday. I want the list, by tomorrow."
Hanging up, she dialed a few more numbers and roughly laid out a few urgent matters for the group. Her voice was calm but with undeniable authority, as if every word proclaimed that the power of the Worth Group, had fallen into her hands. She rubbed her temples and closed her eyes for a moment. The car drove smoothly in the rain and eventually stopped in front of the main entrance of a five-star hotel.
The driver got out of the car and held an umbrella for her as Serena stepped out of the car, her thin black heels splashing a few drops of water on the wet ground. She looked up at the name of the hotel - "Moon Shadow Hotel" - and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. Tonight, she needed to relax, and her personal assistant, Caleb Hart, was already waiting for her inside.
Walking into the lobby of the hotel, Serena snapped to see Caleb standing at the bar. He was wearing a simple white shirt with the cuffs lazily pulled up, raising his strong little arms. His short sunny blonde brown hair was slightly disheveled, and his slim light brown eyes lit up at the sight of her like a little puppy wagging its tail. He walked over to her quickly, a warm smile on his face, "Serena, there you are."
Caleb Hart, 25 years old, two years younger than her, was her customized assistant back home. He was sunny and handsome in appearance, with a clean smile like a college student, but his execution was amazing, no matter what task she gave him, he completed it perfectly. What's more, his loyalty to her fills Serena with a sense of security-something that's important in the whirlwind of family struggles. What Serena still didn't know was that Caleb had another identity: he was a beta of the werewolf pack, lurking at her side, both as a guardian and on some kind of hidden mission.
"Come on, dining room." Serena said lightly, taking the first step.
The hotel's dining room was dimly lit, with the bright lights of the New York nightscape outside the windows. Once relatively seated, Caleb attentively pulled out her chair for her and ordered her favorite strong wine. Dinner was a simple French dish of foie gras with truffle steak, and Serena picked up her knife and fork and sliced the steak slowly and methodically, while her eyes occasionally swept across the table to Caleb.
"You're quiet today." She spoke suddenly, a hint of teasing in her voice.
Caleb froze for a moment, then scratched his head and smiled a bit coyly, "I'm afraid I'll upset you by saying the wrong thing. You ... don't seem to be in a good mood today."
"The funeral just ended, who could be happy?" Serena hummed softly and picked up her wine glass and licked it, the scarlet liquid shimmering in the light, "But with you here, I'm not too bad."
The comment was the most unintentional of compliments, but it made Caleb's ears redden instantly. He smiled down and whispered, "I'm content to help you."
Dinner grew lighter, and Caleb told gossip he'd heard at work, amusing Serena without leaving a light smile on her face. At the end of the meal, the two walked out of the restaurant side by side and took the elevator up to the suite that had been reserved for her. Once the door closed, the air in the room seemed to thicken instantly.
Serena took off her trench coat and casually tossed it on the couch, her posture caressing as she looked over at Caleb. He stood in the doorway, unarmed, like a big boy waiting for instructions. Serena approached him and stopped in front of him, tilting her head slightly, her gray-green eyes locking onto his gaze.
"Caleb," her voice was low with a hint of compulsion, "how long have you been with me?"
"A year and three months." He answered quickly, his throat knotting into a step.
"Long enough that you don't have any other ideas?" Lina stepped forward, her fingers gently picking at his chin, her tone ambiguous.
Caleb's breathing was messed up for a moment, and he covered her eyes, his voice hoarse, "I ... I've always had thoughts. But I didn't dare to say."
"And now?" She leaned closer, her teeth nipping at his ear.
In the next second, Caleb seemed to ignite and pressed her against the wall. His kisses came eager and hot, with a hint of wolfishness, but he was careful when she hummed softly. Serena didn't push him away, sliding her fingers into the hair that responded as if she were playing a dangerous game.
The lights in the room faded, clothes scattered on the floor. Caleb's hands roamed her body, his hot breath spraying the side of her neck. Serena closed her eyes, enjoying the moment of indulgence.
The rain outside the window continued, the night was deep, and the ambiguous intertwining had only just begun.