Jade squinted at her phone screen, rereading the text from Enzo. It was early Sunday morning, and the message was as curt and cryptic as ever:
Enzo: “Come to the office today. 11 a.m. Don’t be late.”
She frowned, sitting up in bed. “The office? On a Sunday?” she muttered to herself. Her brows knitted together in confusion. She wasn’t sure if it was an error, some strange test, or just Enzo being Enzo.
Her grandmother’s voice called from the kitchen. “Jade, breakfast is ready!”
Jade sighed and swung her legs out of bed, setting her phone aside. Whatever this was, she had a couple of hours to figure it out.
At the dining table, the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm toast filled the air. Her grandmother set down a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon in front of her, smiling warmly.
“You’re up early for a Sunday,” her grandmother remarked, sitting across from her.
Jade poked at her food, still distracted by the text. “Yeah. Work called me in.”
“Work? On a Sunday?” Her grandmother raised an eyebrow. “That doesn’t sound right. Did they say why?”
“Nope,” Jade replied, taking a bite of bacon. “Just told me to be there at 11. You know how they are—always mysterious.”
Her grandmother chuckled softly, sipping her coffee. “Well, whatever it is, I’m sure you’ll handle it. But don’t let them push you around too much, Jade. You deserve time for yourself too.”
Jade smiled faintly, appreciating her grandmother’s support. She finished her breakfast, then hurried back to her room to get ready.
By 10:30, Jade was dressed and ready to go. She’d opted for a smart-casual look: a fitted white blouse tucked into sleek black trousers, paired with nude heels. Her hair was tied back in a low ponytail, and she kept her makeup light but polished.
“Wish me luck,” she called out as she grabbed her bag.
“Good luck!” her grandmother replied with a wave.
When Jade arrived at the office, she immediately noticed how empty it was. The usual hustle and bustle of the weekday crowd were replaced by eerie silence, the polished marble floors reflecting the dimmed lights above.
She stepped into the private elevator, her stomach twisting with nerves. Whatever this was about, it couldn’t be good.
The doors opened directly to Milan’s office, where the three men were waiting. Milan stood behind his desk, his hands clasped in front of him, his icy-blue eyes watching her intently. Enzo leaned casually against the wall, his dark gaze sharp and calculating. Thiago was slouched in one of the chairs, but his posture couldn’t hide the tension in his expression.
“Good morning,” Jade greeted cautiously, stepping inside. “So… what’s going on? Why am I here on a Sunday?”
“Close the door,” Milan said evenly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Jade obeyed, her nerves spiking as the door clicked shut behind her. She turned back to face them, crossing her arms defensively. “Okay, seriously. What’s this about?”
Enzo’s lips twitched into a faint smirk, though his eyes stayed cold. “Relax, Jade. We need to have a conversation. A serious one.”
“About what?” she asked, her voice a mix of irritation and confusion.
Milan stepped forward, his expression unreadable. “About us.”
“Us?” Jade repeated, her eyebrows shooting up.
Thiago finally spoke, his tone lighter but still carrying an edge. “Yeah. You, us, this whole… situation.”
Jade blinked, her confusion only growing. “What situation? What are you talking about?”
The three men exchanged a look, as if silently deciding who would speak next. Finally, it was Milan who broke the silence.
“Have you ever had a three-way?” he asked bluntly, his piercing gaze fixed on her.
Jade’s mouth fell open, her face flushing a deep crimson. “W-What?!”
Thiago leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he grinned. “You heard him.”
“I can’t believe this,” Jade stammered, taking a step back. “What kind of question is that?!”
“It’s an important one,” Enzo said smoothly, his voice laced with amusement. “You’re in a unique position, Jade. And we need to know how comfortable you are with… unconventional arrangements.”
“Unconventional arrangements?” she repeated, her voice rising. “You’re seriously asking me about this right now? What does this have to do with work?”
Thiago chuckled under his breath, but Milan held up a hand, silencing him. “This isn’t a joke, Jade. We’re being serious. You’re part of our world now, and things in our world don’t work the way you’re used to.”
Jade’s heart was racing, and her palms felt clammy. She looked at each of them, trying to gauge if this was some elaborate prank. But their expressions were dead serious.
“This is insane,” she muttered, shaking her head. “I don’t even know what you’re trying to say. Are you… are you suggesting something between the three of you and me?”
Enzo’s smirk widened slightly, but it was Thiago who answered. “We’re just saying we’re not the sharing type, Jade. And if you’re going to be with us, you need to understand that.”