Chapter 21: The Billionaire’s Game

The storm outside raged on, lashing heavy sheets of rain against the tall glass windows of Rafael Vexley’s suite. Thunder rolled like an angry god’s drum, shaking the silent shadows of his bedroom. Rafael sat silently in his wheelchair, the quiet hum of the night amplifying every breath he drew. His steel-grey eyes, now uncovered and sharp without those deceiving tinted lenses, locked onto Eliana like a predator studying its prey. A lazy, dangerous smirk curved his lips as he watched her sleep. She looked so heartbreakingly fragile lying there, utterly unaware of the world—or of him. Her lips were parted just enough to make his chest tighten. Her long lashes fluttered ever so slightly, catching stray beams of moonlight sneaking past the blackout curtains. Each gentle rise and fall of her chest seemed to echo in his mind, whispering secrets only he was allowed to hear. His fingers twitched against the leather armrest, aching to reach out and brush her wild curls away from her face. They spilled across his silk pillows like dark ink against snow, a stark contrast that made his throat tighten. She looked almost childlike, swallowed up by his oversized shirt, its sleeves drowning her delicate wrists. The sight stirred something deep in him—a dark blend of possession and curiosity, wrapped around a thin thread of something warmer, softer... something he forced himself to crush before it could grow roots. Another smirk pulled at his lips as he tilted his head, eyes never leaving her peaceful face. Such innocence, he thought, leaning back with a silent chuckle. So sweet. So utterly misplaced in a world like his. He reached for his phone on the nightstand and dialled a number with practiced ease. After two rings, a groggy male voice answered, "Sir... it’s almost midnight. Is everything alright?" "James," Rafael said smoothly, his voice dark honey edged with ice. "First thing tomorrow morning, go to Central Mercy Hospital. Find out everything about Frank Bennett’s condition. If he needs a transfer to a better facility, do it immediately. If not, settle all his medical bills and arrange anything else he needs to survive." There was a pause on the other end, a faint rustle as if James had sat up straighter. When he spoke, his voice carried a note of disbelief, almost shock. "Sir, you’re... you’re serious? You want to pay for her father’s care? All of it? Out of your pocket?" Rafael’s smirk widened as he let his gaze roam over Eliana’s sleeping form. She shifted slightly, curling deeper into the plush pillows. "Yes," he replied coolly, leaning back in his chair. "Is that a problem, James?" "N-no, sir, of course not. I just..." James hesitated, his confusion bleeding through the line. "Forgive me, but... you’ve never... spent money unless there’s gain. Even the charities you sponsor benefit your companies’ PR and tax reductions. I understand why you’d dig into Miss Bennett’s background—you don’t trust anyone without knowing what cards they’re holding. That’s just you. But... helping her father? I just... I need to be sure this is really what you want me to do." Rafael let out a low chuckle, deep and dark, sending a shiver down James’s spine even through the call. "Think of it as an investment, James. "A very... promising one. Just wait and see. This will yield results you couldn’t imagine." His voice dropped, laced with a dangerous amusement. "Do as I say. I’ll expect a full report by noon." "Investment...?" James echoed, his voice small. "Understood, sir. I’ll handle it first thing tomorrow." "Good." Rafael ended the call without another word, placing the phone back on the table with a soft clink. For a long moment, Rafael just watched her. The storm outside raged on, rain slamming against the windows like an uninvited guest demanding entry, thunder grumbling low in the distance. But inside, everything was silent—except for the wicked thoughts swirling through his mind. His smirk deepened as he studied Eliana’s sleeping face. So peaceful. So unaware. Then, in one smooth, almost catlike motion, he placed his hands firmly on the arms of his wheelchair and pushed himself up. Effortless. Graceful. Powerful. The lie of his paralysis fell away like a forgotten cloak as he rose to his full height, muscles tightening beneath his skin. The wheelchair sat there, empty and abandoned, like a useless stage prop after the final act. He flexed his arms, rolling his broad shoulders back until they cracked lightly, loosening the tension that came from sitting still for too long. The shadows danced across his sculpted chest and abdomen as he unbuttoned his black silk shirt with practiced ease, each button sliding open under his deft fingers. The fabric whispered as it slipped off his body and pooled on the floor at his feet. Without hesitation, he hooked his thumbs into his tailored slacks and slid them down, along with his briefs, until he stood naked under the soft golden glow of the bedside lamp. The light caressed every hard line and carved plane of his body, making him look almost otherworldly. He moved to the bed and pulled back the silvery sheets with slow deliberation. As he slipped beneath them, a brief shiver ran over his skin before the warmth of the bedding wrapped around him. Rolling onto his side, he reached out and slid an arm around Eliana’s small waist, pulling her gently against his chest. She murmured something soft and incoherent in her sleep but didn’t wake. Her warmth seeped into him, comforting in a way that irritated and soothed him all at once. Her quiet breath fanned across his chest, feather-light and calming. Rafael closed his eyes for a moment, breathing her in. This... this was exactly where he wanted her. A smug smile curled across his lips. He pressed his nose lightly to her hair, breathing in the faint scent of coconut and baby oil. "Soon... you will regret coming back to me, Eliana," he thought, eyes slipping shut as he drifted into sleep, "but it will be too late." ********* Soft golden ray of dawn crept through the massive windows, filling the room with warmth and forming delicate patterns on the navy walls. The rain had eased to a whisper, leaving only the rhythmic dripping of water from the balcony rails. Eliana stirred with a soft moan, blinking blearily against the pale light. Warmth enveloped her, a solid heat pressed against her back. She inhaled deeply, the scent of expensive cologne and clean masculine skin filling her nose. Her eyes flew open, wide and frantic. For a split second, her brain refused to register what she was seeing. Then it hit her—hard. Her heart slammed against her ribs, her pulse thundering in her ears as her surroundings sharpened into terrifying clarity. She was lying half draped across Rafael Vexley’s bare chest, his strong arm wrapped possessively around her waist, holding her firmly against him. The silk sheets were tangled around her thighs, cool against her skin, exposing her slender legs to the dim morning light. Her breath hitched when she glanced down at herself. Her clothes were gone. In their place was a crisp white dress shirt—his shirt—its starched collar brushing delicately against her collarbone. The sleeves completely swallowed her arms, hanging past her fingertips, and the hem barely reached the tops of her thighs. She forced herself to look at Rafael, a knot of dread tightening in her chest. His chest rose and fell steadily, the shadows accentuating every defined line of his torso. With trembling fingers, she lifted the edge of the sheets, her breath catching in her throat as the silky fabric slid away inch by inch. Her eyes widened, heat rushing to her face when she saw him—completely naked beneath the covers. Oh... oh my god! Panic roared to life inside her, clawing up her throat as her mind scrambled for answers. Flashes from the night before darted through her memory in chaotic fragments: the violent storm outside... his cold, elegant office... his dark, degrading request... the fleeting warmth of his chest that made her head spin... and then—nothing but blackness. Her chest constricted painfully as a single horrifying thought screamed through her mind: I slept with Rafael Vexley! She swallowed a scream, her breath coming out in ragged, terrified gasps. Her hands trembled as she pressed them to her face, her pulse thundering in her ears. No, no, no...Eliana, no! Unbeknownst to her, Rafael was already awake. He had woken an hour earlier, silently slipping his tinted contact lenses back onto his eyes, once again portraying the helpless blind man the world knew him to be. Now, he lay there pretending to sleep, his steel-grey gaze hidden behind the false cloudiness of his lenses. His lips twitched as he watched her internal panic. It was... amusing. Endearing, even. The little mouse, so caught in her own fears, unable to see the strings pulling her world apart. Finally, he decided to put on his performance. With a low, sleepy groan, he tightened his grip around her waist and pulled her flush against his chest. Eliana let out a sharp squeak as her hands splayed against his warm skin. Rafael dipped his head slightly, pressing his lips against her temple in a tender kiss. "Good morning," he murmured, his voice husky with feigned sleep. For a moment, there was stunned silence. Then— "AHHHHHHH!" Eliana screamed, her voice echoing like a siren through the massive room. She shoved at his chest with both hands, scrambling backwards with wide eyes filled with pure horror and embarrassment. The silk sheets tangled around her legs as she stumbled off the bed, nearly falling face-first onto the marble floor. Rafael watched her with an impassive expression, though inside, dark laughter rumbled through him. She looked like a terrified kitten, her curls a wild halo around her flushed face, her eyes huge with disbelief and shame. "Mr... R-Rafael... I... we... oh god..." she stammered, her voice breaking as her eyes darted around the room, searching for her clothes. "Did we... did we really...?" Rafael yawned theatrically, stretching his arms above his head, the movement pulling his sculpted torso taut and powerful. He blinked slowly, pretending to ’find’ her with his blind gaze. "Eliana?" he murmured, feigning confusion. "What’s wrong...? Did I scare you?" Her mouth fell open in shock, tears welling in her eyes. "I... I... I’m so sorry... I shouldn’t have... I was desperate... oh god... this is so wrong..." "Shh." He reached out a hand in her direction, tilting his head slightly with a gentle frown, playing his part perfectly. "Come back to bed, Eliana. You’re stuttering." She stared at him, her lip trembling. "I... I can’t... I... I have to go..." Rafael let out a small sigh, dropping his hand back to the bed. Behind the feigned concern in his clouded eyes, his mind churned with cold satisfaction. Everything was falling into place. Soon, she would have nowhere to run. "Whatever you wish," he said softly, his voice laced with deceptive warmth. "But... don’t forget... you’re mine now, Eliana." His words echoed in the silent room, wrapping around her like invisible chains. She clutched the front of the oversized shirt tighter around her chest, her tears spilling freely down her cheeks as her heart shattered with the realization that her life had descended into pure chaos. She bolted from his room, bare feet slapping against the cold marble floor as she sprinted down the corridor, humiliation burning hot and fierce in her chest. Inside, in that dim, luxurious room, Rafael Vexley watched his little pawn with a victorious smirk hidden beneath a mask of gentle confusion, as the game continued—each move drawing her deeper into his world... and into his chains.