on'

rough the sleek curtains of my office, but the glow from my desk lamp il

issues, and as the CEO, it was my responsibility to tackle each one. It didn't help that there was a new project brewing, one th

any of his usual check-ins or ridiculous suggestions. His presence was a bit of a lifeline during these

aking a break, he knocked and entered w

small grin playing on his lips. He was dressed in his usua

uttered, running a hand through my

thinking. "You need to unwind, Damon," he said, eyes fixed on me with an almost fatherly

ally believe my own words. The pressure n

"How about we go out tonight? A drink or two. You need to e

rper," I replied, my tone hardening.

himself on the edge of the desk. "I get it, you don't like to let go. But seriously, Dam

need to drink to fix my problems. The company's kitchen is

me thing. You can eat here, sure, but you need something d

had a way of making his suggestions sound like commands without sounding

ntirely convinced this would make any difference. I'd had a long-standi

unch or breakfast?," Harper suggested enthusiastically, his eyes practically sparkling. "Tru

tation. I had to admit, I had heard good things about it

ugh I could already feel the weight of the decision lifting a b

r days. A proper treat will do wonders. Let me get the order ready. No objectio

deny that I was looking forward to it. "Fine

the door with that same smile. "I'll ge

per. I'll hol

e evening, while I found myself oddly looking forward to the idea of a meal from Marlowe's

r my head, but for now, it was one less thing I had to dea

Emma'

y gotten my apron off when the call came in. My boss, M

ne?" he asked, his voice c

address I'd seen a hundred times, in the gossip magazines, in the news. Damon Blackwood, the CEO and owner

out of place, but I didn't have time to fix it. My pink apron, always a signature part of my uniform, seemed to add just the right

fle my ponytail, but I hardly had time to notice. The order was already late

mind wandered for a split second-Was he really the one behind this order? The idea of de

up the engine and took off, the sound of the bike

t another de

could feel the weight of the address in my

ulling up in front of the towering Blackwood building.

reception area was pristine, all dark wood and polished surfaces. It was like stepping into another world-one of luxu

she asked, her voi

trying to keep my tone professional. "I'm Em

felt very aware of my simple pink apron and casual outfit. But after a b

op floor. Take the elevator to the 23rd flo

ng the direction and maki

rs opened with a soft chime, and I stepped in, clutching the food bag tightly. As the elevator ascended, I c

ned with contemporary art, and a faint, pleasant scent of lavender in the air. I walked past several closed doors before reaching the last

smooth. "You must be the one

he bag with a polite sm

nd him. "Mr. Blackwood is ex

A massive desk dominated the space, its dark wood gleaming under the soft lighting. Large windows behind the desk revealed a st

ng for me all along. His expression was unreadable at first, but as I stepped closer, I no

rying to keep my voice st

ed on me as if studying me. I set the bag down on hi

ty, a slight smirk tugging at his lips as he met my g

hter, suddenly feeling all t

shifting my weight slightly. "We

. His gaze never left me, an intensity that I hadn't expected radiating from h

ession. I offered a brief smile to him before quickly turning away, not wanting to linger longer tha

? Or was I just an

wood staring after me lingered in