Guarding the Rose: The CEO's Secret Duty

"Tess!"

I woke up with tears streaming down my face, only to see Jonathan staring at me worriedly. I grabbed a tissue and dried my tears, my voice hoarse. "I'm fine."

Jonathan handed me an opened bottle of water. I took it and let the water soothe my grainy throat. "Head over to Skylark Entertainment without me tomorrow, Jonathan."

Skylark Entertainment was the largest entertainment agency in the country. Lorcan acquired it five years ago.

"Why?" Jonathan asked, baffled.

A humorless smile tugged on my lips as I opened the car door. My voice was drowned out by the sound of the pouring rain. "Because I've still got some pride left."

Alas, an ordinary person's pride and integrity were only worth so much.

While researching potential celebrity candidates in the hotel, I'd only just come across a decent-looking young man when Jonathan called. "Tess, it's best if you come to Skylark Entertainment."

I looked no better than a bedraggled goblin as I leaned into the swivel chair behind my computer. "Did something happen?"

"The reps at Skylark Entertainment think your absence is a show of insincerity on our company's part," Jonathan explained.

Insincere? Those pricks!

I bolted for the shower. "Give me half an hour."

Half an hour later, Jonathan and I found ourselves waiting in the CEO's office at Skylark Entertainment. We were given a simple task—talk Sabrina into signing with us.

Ten minutes later, the CEO of Skylark Entertainment finished his meeting and strolled through the office door, his silhouette dashing and confident.

I stood up and met the CEO halfway, smiling as I reached for a handshake. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Steele."

Lorcan hummed in acknowledgment, then turned his gaze on me. "Sit."

"Mr. Steele, our company has already reached out to Skylark Entertainment with an invitation. We were hoping to—"

Before Jonathan could finish speaking, Lorcan crossed his legs on the couch and gave the documents he held a cursory glance. After that, he lifted his gaze to us and interrupted coolly, "Co-workers?"

"Uh, yes…" Jonathan was thrown off his curve by Lorcan's unexpected question.

My brows furrowed. "Mr. Steele, we came today to invite Ms. Sabrina Porter, a talent managed by Skylark Entertainment, to collaborate on our company's commercial production. If you're agreeable—"

"I'm not." Lorcan's gaze was as dark as obsidian, and he said in a cold, hard voice, "If your company is interested in working together with one of our talents on an upcoming commercial production, we're happy to let other excellent candidates collaborate with you. But Sabrina—"

"Fine, then," I cut him off brusquely and stood up to leave. "I hope we'll get to work together with Ms. Porter the next time."

I'd delivered that statement through gritted teeth, then dragged Jonathan with me as I left the office.

Lorcan was happy enough to let us hire any candidate under his management except Sabrina. I ought to commend him for his loyalty and dedication.

I was fuming, and it was a surprise smoke hadn't come out of my ears.

A week later, I attended a star-studded dinner party in an expensive cocktail dress.

Skylark Entertainment wasn't the only agency I could reach out to. There were plenty of fish in the sea.

I helped myself to a glass of champagne, and with a winning smile, graciously approached a nearby, fresh-looking young man. He was the high-potential candidate I'd found and researched back at the hotel.

Unfortunately, the entertainment industry was nothing more than murky, shark-infested waters.

Before I could get close to the young man, a greasy, stout, bald man approached me. His clammy, fleshy palm immediately found its placement on my waist as he leered at me. "Hey, gorgeous, why haven't I seen you around before?"

I scowled. "Let go."

"Oh, don't play coy with me. Women who come to these things are always looking for a rich man to go home with."

"Didn't you hear her? She told you to let go!" The next second, a long leg shot out and landed a swift, hard kick on the greasy bald man. He fell, landing on his backside.

Lorcan straightened, his face grim with the promise of violence as he slowly approached the bald man. The sole of his leather shoe, polished to the point of gleaming, pressed against the greasy man's right hand.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Mr. Steele, please spare me! I'm not worth your time!" the greasy man pleaded, practically prostrating at Lorcan's feet as despair twisted his face.

Lorcan stared down his nose at the creepy man, scowling. "Which hand did you put on her? This? Or this?"

He stepped on the man's fingers even harder until a distinct crunch rang through the air. The man let out a howl as his fingers were crushed under Lorcan's shoe.

I stared at Lorcan in bewilderment. It was as if he'd become the brash young man he'd been ten years ago.

My heart wrenched over and over. I mourned for him, as I did for myself. He would have been better off without me. I was an accessory to his most miserable, most humiliating moments.

…

While I was in a daze, the security came and dragged the greaseball away. It was only when Lorcan turned to look at me that I snapped out of my thoughts. Flashing him a smile, I said politely, "Thank you."

With that, I spun on my high heels and made to approach the young, high-potential candidate I'd been eyeing earlier.

"Tessa Langley." Lorcan's large palm suddenly wrapped around my arm.