Alex opened the door, freezing in place when he was greeted by Edward's smile.
"Alex," Edward said calmly. He looked at Chloe who averted her gaze in response.
"Can I help you?" Alex asked. Edward shrugged.
"Oh, I'm just checking up on my little secretary, we had an emergency call, but she wasn't answering her phone."
"You make it a habit to show up to places unannounced?" Alex did his best to keep his voice level, but Edward's presence felt like nails pressing into his skin.
"When it comes to my secretary, yeah. It's part of the agreement she signed after all. I am to know her location at all times, and she is supposed to answer whenever I need her, day or night..." Edward watched as Chloe stood up from the floor, fixing her hair as she walked towards him.
"Well, as you can see, we're in the middle of something," Alex said.
"And as you can see, I need my secretary," Edward shot back.
"Her name is Chloe." Alex felt his blood boiling, despite all Chloe had done, she still meant something to him.
"She gets to hear her name when she behaves," Edward walked past Alex and into his foyer. He surveyed the living room and kitchen before looking at Alex with an affirming nod. "Nice place you got here."
Alex couldn't bear to reply, and Edward laughed softly.
"Don't worry Alex, we'll be out of your hair in a minute." Edward walked over to Chloe, grabbed her neck, and pulled her toward him. She let out a whimper, glancing at Alex as Edward's arm wrapped around her waist. "You're supposed to keep your communication open at all times. I was very specific about that."
"I-I'm sorry..." Chloe said, letting out another gasp as Edward's large hand squeezed her breast.
"You're also supposed to give me an itinerary report about your weekend plans... you didn't say anything about meeting up with Alex." Edward glanced over at Alex, who stood with clenched fists.
"You said this would be quick, Edward. I'm not interested in being part of whatever weird fucking kinks you two have developed," Alex said.
"You sure about that?" Edward asked, pushing Chloe over the kitchen island while groping her body. Chloe moaned softly, once again getting lost in Edward's touch. But when her eyes locked with Alex, she came to her senses. Chloe stood, promptly pushing away from Edward while taking a deep breath.
"No," She said, letting out a heavy breath.
"No?" Edward asked, laughing as he playfully let her go. He inspected Alex for a moment before nodding slowly. "Ah, I see, you're still trying to win his love, aren't you? Despite how much you love you're new role as my personal fuck toy. Despite how much I've already defiled your body... you still love him, don't you? You still think you two have a future together."
Chloe cleared her throat and stepped back from Edward. "I..."
"Come on Chloe, be a big girl... tell me what's on your mind," Edward said
"I'm being paid to be your secretary, and only your secretary... and that's what I'm going to be from now on." Chloe's voice shook. Edward clapped his hands together.
"Is that so?" Edward let out a sigh and shook his head, "I must say, Alex, I'm truly surprised by the grip you have on Chloe, it really is admirable. But, I wonder how long she's going to be able to last..." Edward began to unbutton his shirt, but before he could continue, there was a knock on Alex's open front door. Immediately, he stepped back from Chloe, and all three looked to see Sarah standing in the doorway, giving them an awkward wave.
"Well, hello," She said nervously, "So sorry to interrupt, but I can't find my wallet anywhere. I think it might have left it here earlier. Do you mind if I look around Alex?"
"Uh, yeah that's fine, go ahead," Alex said, stepping aside to allow Sarah space to enter. She walked into the living room, and as she passed Edward, his eyes hungry latched onto her.
It was the same way he had looked at Chloe the night of their dinner party, and Alex felt the same amount of dread wash over him.
"I've seen you before, haven't I?" Edward asked as he watched Sarah search through Alex's couch cushions. Sarah's body jolted before she slowly looked at Edward.
"Are you talking to me?" She asked.
"Yeah... I'm talking to you." Edward said.
"I work at SharpEdge, you're one of the Nobles who oversees my team," Sarah was short, promptly continuing her search in the couch cushions. Her disinterest only seemed to encourage Edward, who took a step towards her, fixing his hair as he spoke.
"Yeah, you seemed familiar. Vixens are so rare, it's hard not to notice one, especially one as beautiful as you."
"Edward." Trepidation flowed through Alex's voice, the room filled with an all too familiar air of fear. Sarah examined Alex, and upon seeing his expression, began to realize the peril she was in. This was a Noble. This was her Noble. With one word, he could ruin her life. With one word, he could push her into a secretary position.
"Well, thanks," Sarah said plainly.
"You're welcome..." Edward stared for longer than he should have. "Don't tell me you're actually seeing Alex."
"And what if I am?" Sarah shot back. Edward stepped toward her, and it made her shrink back.
"I'd say if you are, then Alex is one lucky piece of shit. Two vixens in one lifetime? I couldn't tell you how many nobles would kill for the opportunity." Edward glanced back at him. "And yet here he is. A freelancer, an unsung hero of the common folk, stumbling into vixen far beyond his caliber."
This couldn't be happening, not a second time. Alex needed to stop this, he needed to get Edward preoccupied. He promptly tapped his temple, making Amber appear at once.
"You called?" Amber asked, surveying the room. Alex couldn't answer, he could only hope that Amber would be clever enough to piece together what was happening and what was needed. "One hell of a party..." She said plainly.
Sarah, stepped away from Edward, stopping as she hit the wall behind her. Her breath was shallow as she glanced over at Alex. Edward placed his arm over her head.
"Maybe you could tell me what it is about him you find so damned attractive." Edward waited for Sarah to respond, when she didn't, he continued. "You know, Chloe found him attractive too... until she met me."
"Amber just gave me an alert," Alex blurted out. Amber looked at Alex with intrigue. Edward turned to him with disinterest.
"Did she now, awfully convenient Alex."
"It looks like there's been an error on your servers, your client data is being purged." Alex looked at Amber with pleading eyes as he spoke, entirely unsure if she understood that what he said was complete bullshit, and needed her to act on it.
She looked at him inquisitively, then to Edward and Sarah, then back to him.
"I think you're full of shit," Edward said plainly.
"Check your own Amber report then, you'll see the purge is happening right now," Alex replied. Amber stared at him for a moment with her head tilted.
