CEO Daddy, Our Son Was Stolen!

Chapter 7

Selene Alvaroz’s POV

“Congratulations, Ms. Alvarez. You got the job.”

I clutch my phone tighter, trying to suppress the rush of emotions threatening to spill over. Relief and victory should be mine, yet all that resonates is a deep, gnawing discomfort within my chest. The words don't feel like a victory, just a reminder of how much is at stake.

“Thank you,” I say, forcing my voice to stay steady. “When do I start?”

“Monday morning. We’ll send over the paperwork today.”

I hang up, staring at the cracked screen of my phone as my thoughts swirl. I got the job at Castellano Holdings, and yet, a part of me feels more on edge than ever. Dominic Castellano is a billionaire—a man who has everything except the time or interest to pay attention to an employee with two kids. I didn’t land this job because of some grand stroke of luck. I earned it.

But now, more than ever, I know I need to keep my head down. I need to avoid him. I need to focus on work and nothing else. That’s all. Easy, right?

***

The first day goes by smoothly. I meet my team, settle into my workspace, and dive into the emails flooding my inbox. For a while, I convince myself that I’m just another employee, a small part of a much bigger machine. Everything feels normal. But then I feel it.

A gaze. Heavy, calculating, and unrelenting. I don’t have to look up—I know exactly who it is.

Dominic Castellano.

I catch glimpses of him throughout the day—passing by the conference room, lingering at the far end of the hallway, standing near the elevators just as I approach. He never acknowledges me. He never speaks to me. But his presence is there, inescapable, suffocating, dangerous. It’s as if he’s watching me at all times.

But I don’t look up. I don’t let him see me notice.

I push through the rest of the day, just trying to focus on my work. But then—things start going wrong. My work emails stop sending. Then, the system locks me out completely.

And then—my ID badge stops working.

Frustration gnaws at me as I swipe the plastic card once more, only to be met with blank silence and stillness. I frown, confused, and swipe it again, harder this time. Nothing.

A voice cuts through the tension behind me.

“Ms. Alvarez?”

I turn, forcing a polite smile, despite my stomach churning with unease. “There’s a problem with my badge.”

The security guard’s expression is unreadable as he gestures to the door. “Mr. Castellano would like to see you. He’s expecting you.”

My breath catches. Castellano. Of course.

I straighten my back, trying to keep my composure, and walk through the office with deliberate steps. My heart pounds in my chest as I approach Dominic’s office.

The door is open. I step inside, and there he is—Dominic Castellano, leaning back in his chair, his eyes fixed on me. His gaze sharpens the moment I enter.

“Ms. Alvarez,” he says smoothly, as if he’s been waiting for me. “We need to talk.”

I try to remain steady, but there’s a flutter of nerves in my stomach. I glance at the chair in front of his desk but hesitate before sitting.

“Is something wrong?” I ask, keeping my voice calm.

He doesn’t immediately answer. Instead, he watches me closely, his eyes piercing and unreadable. “There’s an issue with your background check,” he says, his voice smooth and controlled, but underneath it, I hear something else—something like amusement.

My heart races. “W-what kind of issue?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper as the fear tightens in my chest.

Dominic leans forward, his eyes never leaving mine, and his words hit me like a cold slap.

“Tell me, who exactly are you running from, Selene?”