Enchanted

The next morning, Seraphina arrived earlier than usual—before the city had fully yawned awake. She carried her mother’s worn leather bag slung across her shoulder and the weight of expectations on her back. Her fingers clutched a file folder—Caelan’s full-day agenda. After yesterday, she wasn’t about to slip up. She stepped off the elevator onto Floor 30 just as a slim redhead sauntered past her with a smug smile. Expensive perfume lingered in her wake. “Another assistant?” the woman scoffed under her breath. “He’ll be bored of you by Friday.” Seraphina said nothing, but her chest tightened. One of his flings, she guessed. Her eyes flicked to the closed doors of his office. How many women had walked in and out of his life without leaving a dent? She knocked softly before entering. Caelan was at his desk, reading the news on a tablet, a cup of untouched coffee beside him. He didn’t look up. “You’re early,” he said. “You’re busy. I figured it would help.” She placed the agenda neatly on the desk, maintaining a calm she didn’t feel. He finally glanced at her. “Efficient and polite. Rare combo.” “I try.” “You’re not like the others.” She hesitated. “Is that a compliment or a warning?” He smirked—an expression that danced between charm and cruelty. “You’ll figure it out.” Before she could respond, a phone buzzed. Caelan answered with a clipped tone. “Cancel the 10AM meeting. Tell Thomas I don’t negotiate twice.” Seraphina stepped back toward the door, but his voice stopped her. “Vale.” “Yes, sir?” He didn’t look up. “Get yourself a proper coffee next time. You look like someone surviving, not living.” Her breath caught. A cruel comment—or a strange kind of concern? She left his office without a word, but her chest burned. --- Later that day, while reviewing files in the break room, she overheard two interns whispering. “Rhodes? He doesn’t date. He devours.” “Remember Vanessa? Model. Gone after two weeks.” “And the pianist last month?” Seraphina shut the file a little louder than necessary. They turned, flushed, and scampered out. She exhaled. Not your business. Don’t let him in. But even as she told herself that, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Caelan Rhodes was more than the rumors—or worse than them. --- Meanwhile, in Caelan’s office, he stared at the closed door after she left. Something about her unnerved him. Quiet. Intelligent. Resilient. Not my type, he told himself. But for the first time in a long time, he wondered what would happen if someone didn’t play his game. And worse… what if he didn’t want her to?