CHAPTER 25
1087 Words
“Office Romance… Interrupted.”
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Hazel’s POV
Afternoon — Alexander’s Office
I took a deep breath as I stood outside his office door, balancing a tray with his favorite coffee and some documents that still had his initials highlighted in red. My hands were trembling—not because of the caffeine.
Because of him.
Because every time I stepped into that office, I didn’t just walk into a workspace anymore. I walked into his space. Into something that felt more intimate than just assistant and boss.
I knocked lightly and stepped in.
Alexander looked up from his laptop, his sleeves rolled up, a gold pen tapping against the mahogany desk. His gaze locked with mine, and instantly, the air thickened.
“You’re late,” he said, voice smooth and teasing.
“I wanted it perfect,” I replied, placing the coffee on his desk. “Extra hot, just like you like it.”
The moment I said it, I froze.
His brows lifted slightly, that signature smirk tugging at his lips.
“Just like I like it, huh?”
I blushed furiously. “I mean—the coffee. Not—”
He stood, slowly, power and elegance in every movement.
I backed up a step.
Mistake.
He closed the distance in two strides, his hand reaching for mine—gentle, deliberate. I didn’t pull away. Couldn’t.
There was no hiding from him. Not anymore.
“Hazel,” he murmured, voice low and reverent.
And before I could overthink it—he kissed me.
Soft at first.
Then firmer, deeper, as though all the restraint we’d been dancing around finally shattered.
His hand cradled the back of my head, the other resting at my waist. I melted into him, every part of me responding to the way he touched me like I was something fragile and precious.
I kissed him back.
Hungrily.
Breathlessly.
My hands fisted the fabric of his shirt. We forgot where we were, what time it was, who we were supposed to be.
Until—
“Well… this is awkward.”
Raymond’s voice.
I jumped so hard I nearly spilled the untouched coffee. My face turned scarlet as I stumbled back from Alexander, eyes wide with horror.
He didn’t even flinch. He just exhaled, clearly annoyed.
Raymond stood at the doorway, arms folded, grinning like the cat who caught both the mice and the cheese.
“Don’t mind me. Just came to, you know, exist.”
I muttered something unintelligible and bolted out of the office like it was on fire.
Embarrassment: Level 100.
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Raymond’s POV
Moments Later
I flopped into the chair across from Alex’s desk and laid my head down dramatically on the cool wood.
“You’ve got to get a better lock,” I muttered.
Alexander sat down slowly, adjusting his cuffs. He didn’t say anything for a moment—just stared out the window with that unreadable expression he wore when something mattered more than he wanted to admit.
“She tripped,” he said eventually.
I barked a laugh. “Into your mouth?”
“Let it go.”
“I’m trying, man, but you two keep making it harder. Literally every time I think it’s safe to walk into your office, I walk into either tension or tongues.”
He glared, but there was no heat in it.
I stretched out on the sofa in the corner, yawning. “Anyway… I’m just gonna rest for a few minutes. Wake me up before you turn into a lovesick poet or something.”
He didn’t argue.
He didn’t even roll his eyes.
That’s how I knew—he was already too far gone.
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Alexander’s POV
Evening — Office
Raymond had fallen asleep within minutes. His light snoring filled the room, a surprisingly calming background to the endless string of emails on my screen.
I should’ve kicked him out.
But the truth?
He looked exhausted.
And I knew him well enough to know this wasn’t just physical. It was emotional. He was holding something back. And I didn’t press—not yet.
When the clock hit 7:42, I quietly packed up my things, left him a spare key, and headed out.
There was somewhere more important I had to be.
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Later — Hazel’s POV
Outside the Penthouse
The elevator dinged softly, and when the doors opened, there he was—tall, breathtaking, mine.
He held out his hand.
I slipped my fingers into his.
We didn’t speak much. We didn’t need to.
Outside her door, he paused. I turned to look at him, and his thumb brushed the corner of my lips like he was memorizing the way I smiled.
“Goodnight, Hazel.”
I didn’t want the night to end.
So I stood on my tiptoes, kissed him softly, and whispered, “Goodnight, Alex.”
He waited until I disappeared inside before he turned away.
What neither of us knew…
Was how temporary this peace would be.
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Later That Night — Alexander’s POV
Raymond’s Apartment
We sat quietly, sipping whiskey in low light. The silence between us wasn’t heavy. It was just there.
“I’m okay,” Raymond finally said. “Just tired. Needed… a break from everything.”
I nodded, not pushing.
Some wounds speak without words.
When he dozed off again on the couch, I slipped away.
No goodbyes.
Just silence and the weight of unspoken things.
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Back Home — Alexander’s POV
Penthouse
I pushed open Hazel’s bedroom door gently.
She was fast asleep, curled up on the bed, her laptop still glowing beside her. Papers were scattered, notes scribbled in her handwriting.
She’d been working—again. Always doing too much. Always trying to prove herself.
My chest tightened.
I walked over, carefully closed the laptop, and placed the papers in a neat stack. I adjusted her blanket and stood there for a long moment.
Her lashes fluttered slightly. A soft sigh escaped her lips.
She looked so peaceful. So pure.
So mine.
“She’s driving me crazy,” I whispered to no one.
And I knew—if she ever walked away, I wouldn’t recover.
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TO BE CONTINUED…
💋 Hazel and Alexander’s passion is undeniable—but how long before someone tries to break it apart?
💔 Raymond hides pain behind sarcasm, but Mia’s silence is starting to hurt.
🚨 And Vennsea? She’s about to arrive… with a plan, a smile, and no intention of playing fair.
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Comment “CHAPTER 26 NOW” if you're ready for secrets, jealousy.
- Writer
