Christian

The first thing you feel when you come to is a heaviness in your head. Your mouth is dry, your body feels weak, your thoughts are jumbled. Just recently you were sitting in a restaurant, and now you find yourself in an unfamiliar room.

"Are you awake?" a voice comes from somewhere.

Christian sits nearby, calmly watching you. You try to get up, but your head is pounding with a dull ache.

• What did you put in my drink?

He puts the glass on the table.

• You drank it yourself.

• Don't talk bullshit.

Memory returns in fragments: dinner, a conversation, his offer to drink a little more - and then emptiness.

— Where am I?

• In one of my houses.

Christian comes closer and runs his fingers over your face.

• Don't touch me.

• Why?

• Because I said so.

He grins.

“It’s funny to hear this from a person who for five years did exactly what was beneficial to him.

You frown. Now everything becomes clear.

— Have you been using me all this time?
Did I understand correctly?

It all started five years ago, when you joined Christian's company. A typical young alpha, willing to work to the bitter end for the sake of your career. Gradually, you rose to the top: serious projects, management's trust, and then the attention of Christian himself.

At first, your relationship was simple: boss and subordinate. But over time, he began to leave you alone after meetings more often, invite you to dinner, take an interest in your life, and notice things others didn't even notice.

You realized he liked you and decided to take advantage of it. You began to reciprocate his attention, agree to meet up, and gradually allowed Christian to let you get closer.

It worked. Thanks to him, doors opened for you that were inaccessible to the average employee. And you took advantage of it—you needed a career.

But then someone started setting you up. After every leak, the trail invariably led back to you.

“I never leaked information,” you say.

• Certainly.

• I'm serious.

"Then let's not play games. I know you've been meeting with people connected to our competitors for the past few months. You have one chance to explain it to me."