Ensnared by Aloof CEO's Game

One day, I drank too much and mistook my stern, ascetic boss for my long-time crush.

When I woke up, I nervously said, "Yesterday... we..." He replied, "What, Ms. Murray? You're not going to take responsibility?" I thought I was doomed and would definitely get fired, but instead, my boss gave me a week off to rest.

A week later, he cornered me and asked, "I gave you a week. Have you figured out how to take responsibility for me?"

I was dumbfounded.

1 My name was Davina Murray, and I had been Liam Reid's secretary for six years. Many people said behind my back that I had used underhanded means to climb the ladder; otherwise, how could I have risen from an ordinary secretary to Liam's personal secretary?

I always ignored these rumors because I firmly believed that the innocent would remain innocent.

My ability was the main reason I had been able to stay by Liam's side for so many years.

But I never imagined that one day, I would actually sleep with him! Honestly, I really didn't mean to sleep with him. It was mainly because that client was impossible to deal with, and I was forced to drink a lot of wine... Fine. The truth was, I was in such a bad mood that day that I mistook Liam for my unattainable love.

I wasn't to blame because they... did look somewhat alike.

2 When I woke up in bed and saw that familiar stern face right in front of me, I was so scared I rolled off the bed and almost had a heart attack.

"Yesterday... we..." I grabbed a piece of clothing to cover my naked body, barely able to speak coherently.

The second I spoke, I wished I could bite my tongue off.

What nonsense was I spouting?

"Yes."

Liam, being the big company's boss, naturally remained unfazed by such a scene. For him, it was nothing.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Mr. Reid. I drank too much and didn't remember anything. I'm really sorry..."

Having served him for five years, I had some understanding of his character.

He could overlook trivial matters, but he was uncompromising on major issues.

Sleeping with him was definitely a major issue for him.

After all, he had his beloved one.

And that person wasn't a woman.

Seeing him remain silent, I continued, "I'll just pretend this never happened. I won't expect you to take responsibility, and I will zip it..."

I looked at him nervously. Meeting those deep, brooding eyes, I couldn't help but tremble slightly.

"Not going to take responsibility?

Ms. Murray, this decision surely has your style written all over it."

Liam's sarcastic tone left me stunned for a moment.

What is it? He was unhappy because I didn't want him to take responsibility?

Maybe he was so pissed off that he wasn't thinking straight.

"Well... If you really can't let this go and want to fire me, I can pack up and leave right away."

Although I usually acted decisively and remained calm and rational, I was a bit intimidated by him. He was my boss no matter what.

Liam was an authoritative figure, strict and meticulous in both work and life, not tolerating the slightest mistake.

Even though I didn't want to lose this job, I had to accept the punishment for my mistake. After all, I did black out from drinking yesterday.

Yet to my surprise, Liam didn't intend to hold me accountable.

"Who said I was going to fire you?" He lifted the blanket, grabbed a white towel from the bedside, wrapped it around himself, and walked toward the bathroom.

"Prepare my clothes. I have a meeting at the company later."

"Yes, Mr. Reid." He truly was a workaholic. Even after one night of craziness, he was still thinking about going back to the company for a meeting.

3 Sitting on the floor, I looked at the mess of torn clothes, feeling helpless.

There were hardly any intact clothes left, which was enough to show how intense last night was... What a beast.

I meant myself. In the end, I could only grab his white shirt with two missing buttons and my tight skirt from yesterday, quickly tidied up, and went to the mall across the street to buy him new clothes.

I could wear yesterday's clothes, but Liam definitely couldn't.

He was the boss, the face of the company, and a neat freak.

While changing clothes in the store, I looked at the marks on my body... I couldn't help but wonder if Liam had also been wasted.

I bet he was; otherwise, how could I have successfully defiled him?

But... I thought he wasn't into women.

How could he... Could he be bi?

4 I bought the clothes as quickly as possible and brought them back to the hotel room, waiting at the door for him to change.

Once he put on the new clothes, he went back to the stern, impeccably dressed business elite, looking incredibly handsome.

We took the elevator downstairs to the restaurant for breakfast. He acted as if nothing had happened yesterday, immediately starting to ask me about work-related matters.

I respectfully replied, "I've reviewed the project proposal. There's no problem. And I've sent it to the relevant people. You need to make a decision this afternoon at the latest.

Oh, and there's also a video conference at 4 PM that requires your presence, and dinner with Mr. Marsh at Dreamy Gastronomy Restaurant tonight."

"OK."

Liam responded nonchalantly and then turned around and glanced at me deadpan. He said, "Have Nicholas accompany me tonight." Nicholas Dixon was actually my assistant and the only male secretary in the department.

"Alright." I always complied with the boss's orders.

Of course, I was secretly thrilled.

I didn't have to work overtime and attend social events, which meant I could go out with my girlfriends. Who wouldn't be thrilled?

And of course, I knew Liam didn't want me to go because Neil Marsh was a heavy drinker. When dining with him, alcohol was a must, and Neil wouldn't let anyone leave until one person threw the towel in.

Liam probably worried that I might get drunk and make inappropriate advances again, so he had Nicholas accompany him to avoid such a possibility.

I really wanted to tell him that I was utterly ashamed of what I had done, and I had no intention of it happening again... I drank too much yesterday, so I didn't remember much, but I vaguely recalled being quite loud.

Just thinking about it made me feel so embarrassed.

Especially now, in the narrow elevator, with just the two of us, the air was thin, and the atmosphere was awkward.

What made it even more awkward was that he acted as if nothing had happened and continued to ask me about work. Yet as long as I thought about his darling waiting for him abroad... I felt that I was going crazy.

With a ding, the elevator finally reached the restaurant floor. I swore those were the longest twenty seconds of my life.

5 The hotel's breakfast was a buffet. Liam was the boss, so his only job was to eat. I knew his preferences well and quickly picked out some dishes he liked and brought them to him.

I grabbed some food for myself, too.

I remembered that I hadn't taken the pill I had bought earlier yet. So, I grabbed a few bites, took out the pill, and washed it down with milk.

"What are you taking?"

Liam paused and looked at me, asking.

"Morning-after pill, Mr. Reid," I smiled at him and, fearing he wouldn't believe me, showed him the packaging.

"I know better than to cause you trouble.

Rest assured, Mr. Reid."

The Reid Family was a prestigious family, and there were countless women who wanted to have his baby... I wasn't going to join that crowd.

"As expected, Ms. Murray, you're always thorough and meticulous."

He said lightly, his gaze seemingly fixed on me.

I opened a bottle of vitamins, took out two pills according to the instructions, and swallowed them with milk.

"Thank you, Mr. Reid."

I really thought he was complimenting me. After all, he promoted me to personal secretary because he valued my thoroughness and meticulousness at work. Right?

But as soon as I finished speaking, he slammed his fork on the table and stood up abruptly.

With his hands on the glass table, he leaned slightly toward me, looking at me with a half-smile. "Ms. Murray, it seems you're quite experienced. You know pills like this are harmful and are recommended to be taken with vitamins."

Experienced my ass! The vitamins were recommended by the pharmacist, OK?

And wasn't it a good thing that I was being through?

He certainly wouldn't want me to get pregnant after one night and come back to claim his inheritance, turning the whole thing into a drama, right?

Although the chances of getting pregnant after one-time sex were slim.

Looking at his slightly narrowed eyes, I opened my mouth but said nothing because the things he said next made me ecstatic.

"Haven't you always wanted a few days off?

I'll give you a week off, starting today."

With that, he left the restaurant without looking back.

Gee! Did I hear that right?

Liam said he would give me a week off?

6 I couldn't remember the last time I had a proper vacation to relax.

For all the years I had been his personal secretary, I had worked overtime on every holiday, always on standby even during some week-long holiday break.

For months, I had been pestering him to give me a few days off so I could rest, but he never approved.

Finally, it seemed his conscience had kicked in.

I guessed last night was worth it after all.

Given what had happened, I wasn't sure how to face him, so a few days off to process everything was just what I needed.

The first thing I did on my break was, of course, to veg out at home.

Not to mention that last night was a long night. After I went back home, I handed off my work, put my phone on silent, and collapsed into bed.

I had a dream where I was in a dreamy chapel, and someone was kneeling in front of me, proposing. I couldn't see his face clearly, but I vaguely heard his voice repeatedly saying, "Davina, marry me."

His voice was deep and magnetic, very familiar, but I couldn't link it to an exact face.

The blurry face actually bore a resemblance to Liam.

Was I crazy? We slept together after getting drunk. It didn't mean anything. How come I dreamed of him proposing to me?

But in the dream, I actually smiled and said, "I will."

I was crazy.

It was such a cliché scene. I refused to admit the woman in the dream was me.

I woke up with a start, dazed for a few seconds, and then grabbed my phone to check the time, only to see over a dozen missed calls, all from Paige Hudson.

Worried she might have an emergency, I quickly called her back. As soon as she picked up, her bossy tone came through. She said, "Davina, what the heck? I've been calling you all night!"

"I was sleeping. M\my phone was on silent."

I stretched and asked, "What's up?"

"Something big! Get to Jazz Bar right now." "What?" "Brenton is back and throwing a party at Jazz Bar. Trust me, you don't want to miss this!"

Brenton Reynolds was my unattainable love.

He was my first love.

He was the man I used to have a crush on for years.

7 "What does his party have to do with me?"

I replied lazily, my tone extremely indifferent as if Brenton were a stranger to me.

In fact, we really were no different from strangers now.

In the past... I just foolishly thought he had feelings for me too.

I actually knew he was back yesterday afternoon. The moment his plane landed, he announced it on Facebook.

As my bestie, Paige naturally picked up on the hidden meaning in my tone.

"I'm not kidding. There's really a show to watch. Brenton got into trouble as soon as he returned, and now his enemies are causing a scene. Hurry up, or you'll miss it!"

So exciting!

I jumped out of bed, changed clothes, and rushed to Jazz Bar.

Brenton and I used to be very close, and he always told the others that I was like a younger sister to him.

"Who the heck is your younger sister?"

Every time I heard him introduce our relationship to other girls, I would jump up and deny it angrily, saying, "I'm a year older than you, OK? Show some respect!" In fact, I didn't want to be his sister at all; I just wanted to be his girlfriend.

Maybe I got lucky. Later, I did become Brenton's girlfriend, but only for two short months.

But that was during our school days.

Later, he went abroad for love, and we basically lost contact. I only found out he was back from Facebook.

He didn't contact me after he returned, so I naturally wouldn't take the initiative to reach out to him.

The only reason I was heading to Jazz Bar now was pure curiosity.

8 As I was about to arrive at the bar, I called Paige to come out and get me.

"You dressed like this?" She looked at my simple outfit with disdain. "Why didn't you just wear your work clothes? Do you really think you're here just to watch the show?" "Or what?" I looked at her suspiciously.

"Never mind. You're here, and that's what matters."

Paige dragged me straight to the destination.

She pushed open the private room door forcefully, and everyone inside stopped what they were doing at once and looked toward the door.

I stood at the door and glanced inside.

Everything was harmonious. There were no signs of any fight. Even no one was drinking.

Paige said Brenton had gotten into trouble? And his enemies were here?

I gave Paige a resentful look, and she shrugged, whispering in my ear, "If I didn't say that, would you have come?" She really knew me well.

What a traitor! I should break off relations with her!

But now wasn't the time for that; I had to deal with my ex-boyfriend who had just returned from Metrurg.

"Hi. Long time no see."

Brenton put down his glass and walked toward me. I beat him to him and greeted him, smiling politely, my tone courteous yet distant.

"It has been a long time indeed."

Brenton smiled quite awkwardly and then turned to Paige and thanked her, "Thanks for bringing her here."

"Why did you ask Paige to bring me here?" I looked at Brenton, annoyed.

If he wanted to see me, why didn't he contact me directly? Why did he use Paige as a middleman?

"Come in, and I'll explain."

He reached out to grab my arm, but I subtly moved to the right, avoiding his touch.

I glanced at the people inside the private room, all familiar faces.

"Davina, come on in."

Someone I was familiar with waved at me.

I didn't act coy and just walked in.

"What made you decide to come back from the great Metrurg?"

I looked at Brenton, my tone calmer and more natural than I had pictured.

Before this, I couldn't even imagine what it would be like to see him again.

My somewhat sarcastic remarks made the atmosphere a bit awkward.

"You have no idea, Davina. In fact, Brenton has been thinking about you all these years. He's come back several times but didn't dare to contact you. And today is the same. He asked us to find a way to get you here. It was all thanks to Jonathan's clever idea to call Paige, and sure though, she managed to bring you here."

The atmosphere instantly became even more awkward.

I glanced at Paige, who looked down guiltily.

"Davina, are you still mad at me?" Brenton looked down at me, his eyes slightly red, his voice a bit choked.

I didn't understand why he had that look.

"Mad?

Why would I be mad?" I asked, utterly confused.

9 "I had to go abroad back then. Actually, I..." Before he could finish, I raised my hand to stop him. "Stop! Brenton, you don't think the reason why I've been single all these years is that I've been waiting for you to come back, do you?"

What a narcissist!

Did he think I couldn't live without him?

Realizing what this was all about, I suddenly found it amusing.

"Aren't you?"

Paige was about to speak, but I silenced her with a glare.

I knew exactly what she was going to say.

She really didn't deserve to be my bestie!

After all these years, she still didn't have a clue what kind of person I was.

Brenton went abroad for love and failed, and just because he was back for me, I had to agree to get back together with him?

Did I look like a second-hand store?

I smiled, picked up a glass of wine, and said to Brenton, "Welcome back, Brenton.

Even though years have passed, I still think of you as my younger brother."

As I was about to drink, my phone rang.

There was no music in the private room, so my quirky ringtone was particularly jarring.

I had to put down my glass and answer the call. Nicholas on the other end of the line said, "Davina, can you come pick up Mr. Reid?

He's had too much to drink and insists you come to get him."

Liam seemed a bit off tonight, too.

But I had to thank him for that, which gave me a chance to escape.

"I have an urgent matter and need to leave."

I put down the glass and stood up to leave.

Brenton grabbed my hand. "Davina, today is my birthday."

Why did he sound so aggrieved?

Because I forgot his birthday?

Honestly, ever since I became Liam's secretary, I hadn't even had time to remember my own birthday, let alone Brenton's.

I turned back and gave him an apologetic smile. "Happy birthday. Sorry, I came in such a rush, and I didn't bring a gift.

I really have something urgent. Enjoy."

After saying this, I left the private room very decisively.

10 As I walked out of Jazz Bar, Paige chased after me.

"Davina... I'm sorry. I thought you still had feelings for him, so I tricked you into coming."

Paige apologized sincerely.

"Please don't be mad, OK? I promise I'm not siding with them.

It was Jonathan, that jerk, who told me Brenton couldn't forget you and asked me to help bring you two together... He said if I could get you to come, he would..." "He'd give you a chance?"

Paige had liked Jonathan Barnett for many years, but they had never been together.

"Paige, don't be silly. If he really was into you, he wouldn't use this excuse to make you do things for him."

Besides, this wasn't the first time.

Unfortunately, Paige was more stubborn than me. I had persuaded her many times, but she never listened.

She chose not to see the truth, and there was nothing I could do. I guessed the only one who could make her see the reality was herself. So, I didn't say much. I gently patted her shoulder and said, "When you find your heart broken, come find me. I've always got your back."

"Where did that come from? Just go."

Paige pushed me away while teasing me, "Go on, you workaholic. Don't come crying to me when you're lonely and helpless."

"Don't sound so sure. You never know who might end up needing whom."

I retorted and drove away.

I wasn't angry with Paige about what happened tonight. She always mistakenly thought I still liked Brenton, and my parents had been persistently asking her to help find me a good match. She thought I was too proud to contact Brenton myself.

But I never told her that I had long given up on Brenton.

11 The place where Liam and the others were having dinner was a bit far from here, and it took me half an hour to drive there.

When Nicholas saw me, he looked as if he had seen a savior and quickly came over. "Davina, finally."

"Where's Mr. Reid?" I asked. "In the private room. He's had too much to drink and won't leave..." Nicholas led me to the private room where they were.

Everyone else had left, leaving only Liam.

Seeing him sitting on the sofa in a daze, looking lost and innocent, I finally understood why Nicholas seemed so helpless.

"Mr. Reid."

Nicholas walked over, gently patted Liam's shoulder, and called softly.

Liam shook off his hand. "Where's Davina? I want Davina to take me home..."

In all the years I'd known him, I'd never seen the usually composed Mr. Reid so down-to-earth.

I almost wanted to take out my phone and record it.

But thinking about what happened yesterday... I unavoidably felt a bit guilty.

"Mr. Reid, Davina is here..." Nicholas looked up at me, crying silently for help.

I walked over and waved my hand in front of Liam. "Mr. Reid, it's me, Davina. I'm here to take you home."

Hearing my voice, Liam immediately looked up, his eyes sparkling like stars.

"Davina?" He cupped my face, scrutinizing me for quite a long time before pushing me away in disappointment. "You're not Davina."

I was simply at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

He didn't recognize me just because I changed into casual clothes?

"Mr. Reid, it's really me. I'm Davina. I swear."

I patiently coaxed him.

He buried his face in the nearby seat, ignoring me. Seeing that, I had no choice but to squat in front of him, lift his face, and say slowly, "Mr. Reid, I really am Davina.

I know you like to write with your left hand and eat with your right. You hate cilantro, green onions, carrots, fatty meat, and duck. You love fish but hate fish bones...

At the beginning of this year, I bought you a whole year's supply of red underwear..." Nicholas couldn't hold back his laughter when he heard about the underwear.

"Sorry... Davina, I didn't mean to."

"It's fine. Mr. Reid is drunk anyway. Nothing is going to happen as long as we keep this between us."

Nicholas wasn't the gossiping type, so I wasn't worried he'd spread this as a joke.

After hearing my words, Liam looked up again.

"Davina... It really is you."

He cupped my face and giggled, completely losing his usual composed demeanor.

"How much exactly did he drink?"

I asked Nicholas.

I had known Liam for years and had attended countless social events together with him, but I'd never seen him this drunk.

Nicholas scratched his head, feeling guilty. "I don't know... Mr. Marsh and the others were in high spirits today, so they took turns toasting Mr. Reid. I couldn't stop them. I'm sorry, Davina. I failed to take care of Mr. Reid."

"Don't blame yourself. If he really didn't want to drink, no one could force him."

I supported Liam's shoulder with one hand and waved Nicholas over. "Give me a hand."

Nicholas quickly came over to help support Liam.

But as soon as he touched Liam, the neat freak, Liam shook him off with great force.

"Don't touch me. Only Davina can touch me." I was speechless. Did I owe him in my previous life?

Why was he tormenting me like this in this life? Didn't he know how tall and heavy he was?

Nicholas's expression was complicated, his eyes flashing with helplessness and a bit of panic and finally turning into sympathy for me.

With no other choice, I had to support Liam myself, trembling as I helped him out of the restaurant and into the car.

I couldn't argue with a drunk, could I?

12 Nicholas had also drunk quite a bit, and his staying wouldn't help, so I told him to take a cab home.

I drove Liam back myself.

We lived in the same building in the same neighborhood.

He lived on the 21st floor, and I lived on the 20th floor.

It wasn't that I tried to make it easier for me to take care of him; it was purely a coincidence.

One day, I was about to go to work. As I walked into the elevator and discovered that Liam lived in the same building as me, to be honest, I was freaking out.

But after a while, I got used to it.

In fact, I got used to him bossing me around.

He always called me up for the smallest things, like needing a document for work or wanting a cup of coffee...

Eventually, after work, I'd just stay at his place, ready to do whatever he needed, and only go back to my own place when it was time to sleep.

Over the years, I had become accustomed to such a routine.

Of course, the biggest reason was that he paid me well enough to make it worth my while.

And now, here I was, supporting a completely drunk Liam from the underground garage into the elevator.

As I was about to collapse from exhaustion, I was still considering whether I should take some embarrassing photos of him to threaten him with these photos for a raise.

Was I a bit too greedy?

13 After a herculean effort, I finally got him home. I took off his shoes and coat and laid him on the bed.

Then I sat down on the floor, exhausted.

Before I could catch my breath, Liam mumbled, "Davina..."

"What?" I replied grumpily.

"You're being mean to me... How can you be mean to me?"

Liam opened his eyes, looking pitiful like a helpless kid.

I was stunned for quite a while, unable to process what I was seeing.

Was this really the high and mighty, always serious Liam?

"Alright, alright. You're the boss, and I'm on your payroll. I have no right to be mean to you."

I guessed that this was how he was when he was with his "darling".

"Get me a glass of water." This sounded more like him.

"Sure. Just a sec."

I got up from the floor and went to the living room to get some water.

As I was coming back with the water, his phone on the bedside table suddenly rang.

It was a WhatsApp video call.

Before I could reach it, Liam on the bed turned over, grabbed the phone, and answered the call.

"Baby..." A sweet and coquettish voice rang out, almost making me spill the water.

Whenever Liam took video calls, I was always in the living room and never saw his "darling".

But now... The drunk Liam pointed the camera right at me.

"Who are you?" the person wearing a pink shirt asked me with a slightly changed expression.

"I'm Mr. Reid's assistant... Mr. Reid drank a bit too much and asked me to fetch him some water."

I raised the glass awkwardly and smiled, trying to be nice, "Well... Mr. Reid had a bit too much to drink at a business dinner tonight, so he isn't quite sober now. But don't worry. I was with him the whole time, and I promise he came back as soon as he finished drinking."

That should reassure his significant other, right?

However, as soon as I finished speaking, the person burst into tears like a child.

I was stunned. Did I say something wrong?

Just as I was about to ask, Liam suddenly reached over and ended the call.

"So noisy."

I was stunned again. Meanwhile, I was glad that it wasn't Nicholas who brought him back, or there would have been a huge misunderstanding.

But the person on the other end was quite good-looking... He even had a bit of resemblance to Liam, though he was the cute type, and he seemed to be wearing makeup...

Thinking about what I did with Liam yesterday, I felt a wave of self-loathing.

The reason was that when Liam drank too much, he was quite well-behaved. He didn't throw up or go crazy. Apart from holding my hand and not letting me leave, he didn't do anything inappropriate to me.

So, I concluded that last night, I must have been the one who got drunk and acted out, taking advantage of him.

Gee! What did I do?

14 After Liam fell asleep completely, I slipped my hand out, left his place, and went back to my own place.

I slept until morning, vaguely hearing the phone ring.

"Davina, come up here."

Hearing Liam's voice, I instinctively responded, got up, changed, and went upstairs.

He called me at this hour, and I figured the reasons were either he couldn't find a tie or the clothes he wanted to wear, or he needed me to make him coffee... I had become accustomed to being on call.

Could you believe it?

Every morning, what woke you up wasn't an alarm clock or some ridiculous dream, but your boss's phone call.

But as I reached his door, I suddenly remembered that I was on vacation.

Liam had given me a week off yesterday, and this was only the second day! Thinking of this, I turned to leave, but at the same time, with a click, he opened the door from the inside.

"Come in."

His pleasant voice came from behind, and I had no choice but to go in.

As soon as I entered, he asked, "How did I get home yesterday?"

It seemed he had a serious blackout. He couldn't remember how he got home.

And he didn't remember the way he acted after he got drunk yesterday, contrasting sharply with his current calm and cool demeanor.

I respectfully said, "Nicholas called me, and I went to pick you up."

"You picked me up?" He suddenly stopped and looked back at me, his deep eyes obscure.

"Yes. Nicholas had a bit too much to drink as well." I didn't mention that Liam insisted I pick him up, thinking he wouldn't believe it was him who stubbornly wanted me to come. Saying it would do no good for either of us.

So, I planned to text Nicholas later, telling him to stick to my story if Liam asked.

"I see."

He said lightly, seeming to buy my story.

"Pick out an outfit for me."

He said and then went to the bathroom to freshen up.

"Mr. Reid, you gave me a week off yesterday..." I followed him to the bathroom door, mustering the courage to speak.

The only response was the sound of running water.

I wasn't going to lose my week off, was I?

No way! I must get out of there!