Secretary with benefits

chapter 4

It was Saturday afternoon, and Olivia had decided to spend her day off exploring a nearby park, hoping some fresh air and greenery would help clear her mind after a week that had been filled with intense moments and unexpected emotions. She wore a casual outfit—a soft blue blouse paired with jeans and comfortable sneakers—and had her favorite book tucked under her arm, planning to spend a few quiet hours reading on a bench by the lake.

As she rounded a corner on the park path, she looked up, and her steps faltered. There, standing near a small café in the park, was Aiden. Dressed in a fitted dark T-shirt and jeans, he looked casual yet impossibly striking. He was laughing with a woman who looked strikingly similar to him, her dark hair pulled back in a chic ponytail and wearing an expression that mirrored his intensity.

Aiden’s eyes found her almost immediately, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face before he gestured her over. Olivia hesitated, not sure if it was appropriate to interrupt, but he waved her forward, leaving her no choice but to approach.

“Olivia,” he said smoothly, his eyes crinkling slightly with an amused warmth she hadn’t seen before. “Fancy seeing you here.”

“Hi, Mr. Cole,” Olivia replied, feeling slightly awkward.

“Aiden,” he corrected, a slight smirk playing at his lips. “Outside of work, you can call me Aiden.”

The woman next to him cleared her throat, giving Olivia a once-over. “And who is this, Aiden?” she asked, crossing her arms with a skeptical glance.

Aiden turned to his sister, a faint look of impatience flickering in his gaze. “This is Olivia Hart, my executive assistant. Olivia, this is my sister, Camilla.”

Olivia extended a polite smile and a hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Camilla.”

Camilla raised an eyebrow but took her hand briefly. “Executive assistant, huh?” She glanced back at Aiden, her voice laced with a hint of sarcasm. “I didn’t realize you’d hired anyone so… young.”

Olivia felt a flicker of discomfort at Camilla’s tone, but she kept her expression neutral. Aiden, however, narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice cooling.

“Olivia’s been an asset to the company,” he said firmly. “She’s handled everything with complete professionalism.”

Camilla’s lips curved into a slight smirk, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m sure she has. I just hope she understands what it means to work for you—someone who expects nothing but the best.” Her eyes flicked over Olivia as if evaluating her, and Olivia felt herself bristle slightly under the scrutiny.

Aiden shifted, subtly moving closer to Olivia, almost as if he were shielding her from his sister’s scrutiny. “Camilla, why don’t you run and grab us a coffee while Olivia and I catch up?”

Camilla’s eyes flicked between them, suspicion evident. She didn’t look pleased, but she plastered on a polite smile and nodded. “Fine. I’ll be back in a few.”

Once Camilla walked away, Olivia let out a quiet breath, glancing up at Aiden with a small, uncertain smile. “Your sister… she seems protective of you.”

Aiden shook his head, a faint chuckle escaping. “Camilla’s always had a way of evaluating people in my life. But don’t mind her—she doesn’t know you.” He met her gaze, his expression softening. “And I know you’re more than capable of handling her.”

Olivia returned his smile, though her mind was still racing from the tension of the brief encounter. “Well, I appreciate the support,” she replied, a hint of amusement in her tone. “I don’t think I made a great first impression.”

He shrugged, unfazed. “Camilla’s impressions are often off the mark.” He paused, his eyes searching hers. “And as I’ve told you, I have high expectations—for good reason.”

The intensity in his gaze sent a thrill through her, and she felt a blush creeping up her cheeks.

Before either of them could say more, Camilla returned, handing Aiden his coffee and raising an eyebrow as she looked between the two of them. “So, Olivia, do you often run into your boss outside of work?”

Olivia smiled politely, keeping her tone light. “Not usually, no. I didn’t expect to see anyone here today.”

“Small world,” Camilla replied, though her tone made it clear she wasn’t entirely buying it. Her gaze shifted back to Aiden. “I think we should get going, Aiden. We have a family dinner tonight, remember?”

Aiden seemed unbothered by his sister’s unsubtle hints, giving Olivia an easy smile. “Of course. Olivia, enjoy the rest of your day.” His eyes lingered on hers for a moment longer than necessary, his expression holding an unspoken message that made her pulse quicken.

“Thank you. You too,” she replied, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment as he turned to leave with Camilla.

As they walked away, Camilla shot Olivia one last look over her shoulder, her gaze still suspicious and guarded. Olivia took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the encounter settle over her. She couldn’t deny that seeing Aiden outside of the office, especially with his sister’s probing questions, had brought their growing connection into sharper focus. And judging by Camilla’s reaction, it seemed she wasn’t the only one who noticed.

----!

Back at her apartment, Olivia couldn’t shake off the tension from her encounter with Camilla. She mulled over the day’s events as she prepared dinner, trying to sort through her thoughts. Aiden’s calm demeanor, his effortless charm, and, most importantly, the way he’d subtly defended her against Camilla’s sharp scrutiny all replayed in her mind.

She knew she shouldn’t read too much into things, especially since Aiden was her boss. But every glance, every moment they shared seemed to hold more weight than it should, blurring the lines between professional and… something else.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. She looked down to see a message from an unknown number.

Aiden: Hope the rest of your day was as pleasant as it started. I’d like to discuss the Ridgeway project. Would you be free for coffee tomorrow?

Olivia’s pulse raced at the unexpected message, and she found herself smiling despite herself. The Ridgeway project had been mentioned briefly during their meeting, but it didn’t seem urgent. Clearly, Aiden had other intentions.

After a moment, she typed back a reply, keeping it as professional as possible.

Olivia: Sure, Mr. Cole. What time would work for you?

She hit send, immediately feeling a thrill at the thought of seeing him outside of work again. It didn’t take long for his reply to come through.

Aiden: Let’s say 11 a.m., at Pierro’s Café downtown. And outside of work, please… call me Aiden.

A small smile crept onto Olivia’s lips. She set her phone down, already feeling the anticipation building. But a part of her couldn’t ignore Camilla’s words—the skepticism in her gaze, as if she already suspected something between her and Aiden. And though Olivia hadn’t yet fully acknowledged her feelings, Camilla’s reaction made her realize that others could see what she was just beginning to feel.

Olivia arrived at Pierro’s Café ten minutes early, her nerves buzzing. She’d chosen a simple but flattering dress in a deep emerald green, hoping to strike a balance between casual and put-together. The warm, inviting atmosphere of the café, with its low hum of jazz and the rich aroma of coffee, helped calm her as she waited for Aiden.

When he arrived, dressed in a sharp black shirt and dark jeans, he drew more than a few glances. He looked effortlessly commanding, his presence filling the space in a way that was both intimidating and incredibly attractive.

He smiled when he spotted her and crossed the room to join her at the table. “Good morning, Olivia.”

“Good morning, Aiden,” she replied, the casual use of his first name feeling oddly intimate.

They ordered their coffees, and Aiden quickly steered the conversation toward the Ridgeway project, going over a few strategic points. Olivia listened intently, jotting down notes and asking questions, but there was an undeniable tension between them, a sense that both of them were holding back from saying what they truly wanted.

Finally, after their coffees arrived, Aiden leaned back, his gaze settling on her with a softened intensity.

“Olivia, I want you to know how valuable you are to the company. I know you’ve only been with us a short while, but your work has already made an impact.”

She looked at him, feeling her cheeks warm. “Thank you. That really means a lot, coming from you.”

He nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. “You’re dedicated, insightful… and you have a way of seeing things that others miss. It’s not something I encounter often.”

His words sent a thrill through her, and she found herself holding her breath. But just as she was about to respond, she felt a familiar, chilly gaze behind her. She turned to see Camilla standing at the entrance of the café, her expression unreadable as she watched them.

“Camilla,” Aiden said, his tone surprised. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Camilla’s lips curved into a polite, almost too-sweet smile as she approached. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d grab a coffee.” Her eyes flicked to Olivia, lingering there with a hint of something challenging. “I didn’t realize you had company, Aiden.”

Olivia tensed, feeling the weight of Camilla’s scrutiny once more. This time, however, she didn’t look away, meeting Camilla’s gaze with quiet confidence.

Aiden, sensing the tension, spoke up. “Olivia and I were discussing the Ridgeway project. She’s been instrumental in moving things forward.”

“Of course,” Camilla replied, her smile barely hiding her skepticism. “You must be very… committed, Olivia, to meet outside of office hours for work discussions.”

Olivia remained composed, though she felt a prickling discomfort at Camilla’s words. “I believe in giving my best to my job,” she replied smoothly, keeping her tone polite. “Mr. Cole has been very encouraging, and I appreciate the opportunity.”

Aiden’s jaw tensed slightly, and he gave his sister a pointed look. “Camilla, if you have concerns, feel free to share them with me. But you should know that Olivia’s contributions are invaluable.”

Camilla’s expression softened just a touch, though her gaze lingered on Olivia with a hint of suspicion. “I’m sure they are. I just hope she knows how challenging it can be, keeping up with you.”

“I have no doubt Olivia is up to the challenge,” Aiden replied firmly, his voice holding an edge that left no room for argument.

Olivia couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude at Aiden’s defense. She met Camilla’s gaze with a steady confidence, her own determination evident.

“Well,” Camilla said, her tone lightening, “I’ll let you two get back to your… work discussion. Nice to see you again, Olivia.”

“Likewise,” Olivia replied, keeping her tone respectful.

As Camilla left, Aiden’s expression softened, and he turned back to Olivia, his gaze filled with something more personal, a kind of unspoken apology for the confrontation.

“I’m sorry about that,” he said quietly. “Camilla can be… protective. Sometimes overprotective.”

Olivia smiled, trying to ease the tension. “I can handle it, Aiden. But thank you—for sticking up for me.”

He reached across the table, his hand brushing hers briefly. The touch was electric, and Olivia’s pulse quickened as their eyes met.

“You’re welcome,” he murmured. “Just know I’ll always have your back.”