HIS FRAGILE OBSESSION

Chapter 4

Hazel stood in her tiny room, dressed in her usual crop top and loose shorts, when a loud rumble echoed from the street outside Hazel’s building. A large moving van was parked downstairs. Vance Enterprises had sent two professional movers at 6:30 AM sharp to pack and transfer all her belongings.

Hazel took a deep breath, checking every corner one last time to make sure nothing was left behind. As she walked out of the apartment building, she saw her homeowner, Mr. Henderson, standing by the entrance in his bathrobe, looking completely shocked and bitter as he watched the uniform-clad movers handle her stuff.

Hazel didn't even look at him. She simply handed him the keys, felt a wave of absolute freedom wash over her, and stepped into the passenger seat of the van. She was done with that nightmare forever.

Half an hour later, the van pulled up outside a sleek, modern glass high-rise in the Prime Executive District.

The movers efficiently brought all her boxes up to the 12th floor and placed them neatly in her new living room. As soon as they handed her the electronic key card and bowed out, Hazel stood frozen, taking in, her new home.

The apartment was stunning, fully furnished with sofas, polished wooden floors, a modern kitchen, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows that gave a breathtaking view of the city.

Ring! Ring!

Her phone alarm blared loudly from her pocket. Hazel jumped, looking at the screen. 07:45 AM.

Her eyes widened in pure horror. She had to report at Vance Headquarters at 9:00 AM, and she hadn't even started getting ready!

"Oh no, no, no!" Hazel gasped, running straight into the bathroom.

She took a fast shower, her heart hammering against her ribs. Because her kitchen wasn't set up yet, she quickly poured a bowl of cornflakes with milk, swallowing it down in three gulps while standing near the counter.

Now, she rushed to her suitcase, pulled out a high-waisted, charcoal-black pencil skirt that hugged her waist perfectly, ending just above her knees and paired it with a crisp, tailored white silk shirt, unbuttoning the top two buttons for a sharp, slightly bold, and elegant look. She slipped into a pair of black heels, tied her long dark hair into a neat ponytail, and put on a swipe of dark nude lipstick. Looking at herself in the mirror, she looked entirely different, professional, sharp, and subtly breathtaking.

Checking her watch, it was already 08:30 AM.

Hazel bolted out of the apartment, took the fast elevator down, and ran out onto the main street.

"Taxi! Cab!" she called out frantically, waving her hand.

Her luck was completely terrible today. Because of the peak morning rush, every single cab passing by was occupied. Ten minutes passed, and her panic reached an all-time high.

If I walk as fast as I can, I can reach the office in fifteen minutes! I'll barely make it! She thought, clutching her leather handbag tightly.

She started power-walking down the sidewalk in her heels, her heart racing as she checked her watch every thirty seconds.

Suddenly, a sleek, pitch-black Rolls-Royce slowed down right next to her along the curb. The heavily tinted glass window smoothly rolled down and a deep, smooth voice echoed from inside.

"Need a lift?"

Hazel didn't even look properly. She was in such a rush that she kept walking. "No, thank you! I'm in a hurry!"

Two steps later, her brain froze.

Wait... that voice.

Hazel stopped dead in her tracks. Her head snapped back toward the luxury car.

Sitting in the plush leather backseat was Nicholas Vance. He was wearing an immaculate tailored charcoal suit, resting one arm over the armrest, his sharp, dark eyes staring directly at her through his designer glasses.

Hazel’s blood ran cold. She felt like crawling into a hole.

"M-Mr. Vance!" Hazel stammered, stepping back instantly. "I... I am so sorry! I didn't realize it was you! I was just... I was looking for a cab and..."

Nicholas didn't express any anger. His face remained calm, unreadable, and intensely powerful.

Without breaking eye contact, he spoke two calm words to his driver. "Open it."

The driver immediately stepped out and opened the back door for Hazel.

"Get in, Ms. Hazel," Nicholas said softly, his voice leaving zero room for argument. "You're going to be late on your very first day."

Hazel swallowed her nerves, nodded quickly, and carefully slid into the spacious backseat. The door shut softly, cutting off all the noisy city traffic outside. The interior of the car smelled faintly of expensive leather and Nicholas’s signature dark wood cologne.

Hazel sat stiffly at the edge of the seat, keeping a polite distance from him, holding her bag tightly on her lap.

"I am really sorry about earlier, sir," Hazel whispered, looking down at her hands. "I didn't mean to sound rude. I was just panicking because I couldn't find a cab."

Nicholas casually flipped a page of the tablet he was holding. He didn't look at her, but a faint, almost invisible trace of amusement touched the corner of his lips.

"Panicking won't solve your problems in my office, Ms. Hazel," Nicholas said smoothly, his deep voice filling the quiet car. "As my personal secretary, your time belongs to me. So you should be strictly on time."

"It won't happen again, sir. I promise," Hazel replied quickly, her voice trembling slightly.

Nicholas slowly turned his head toward her. His dark eyes swept over her, taking in her neatly tied hair, her fitted white silk shirt, and the way her high-waisted skirt showed off her soft curves. His gaze lingered for a second too long, heavy and dark, making Hazel’s pulse skyrocket.

"Good," Nicholas said, turning his gaze back to his tablet screen. "Your new apartment... was everything to your satisfaction?"

Hazel looked at him in surprise, her heartwarming slightly. "Yes, Mr. Vance! It’s... it's more than amazing. Thank you so much for the accommodation. It means a lot to me."

"Don't thank me," Nicholas replied coldly, though his tone wasn't harsh. "It’s an investment to ensure you are always ten minutes away whenever I call you. Remember that."

Hazel nodded quietly, biting her inner lip. Even though he sounded cold and business-like, sitting right next to him in the quiet car, feeling his powerful presence sent a strange, unfamiliar shiver down her spine.

Five minutes later, the black Rolls-Royce pulled up at Vance Headquarters.

The grand glass doors parted automatically as Nicholas stepped out of the luxury car, with Hazel following closely a step behind him.

The main lobby was buzzing with early-morning employees, managers holding folders, receptionists, and security guards in sharp uniforms. The moment Nicholas entered, a sudden, respectful silence washed over the entire hall. Employees instinctively stepped aside, bowing their heads slightly as their intimidating CEO passed by.

Hazel’s heart was pounding in her chest. She kept her eyes glued to the back of Nicholas's tailored suit jacket, trying her best to ignore the curious, surprised glares from the staff.

When they reached the private executive elevator, Nicholas tapped his key card, and the doors slid open.

Instead of walking straight inside, Nicholas paused, silently stepped aside so she could enter first.

Hazel’s cheeks flushed a soft pink. It was a small, subtle gesture, but in front of the surrounding staff, it felt immensely prominent.

"Thank you, sir," Hazel murmured awkwardly, quickly stepping into the elevator, feeling slightly embarrassed under his intense gaze.

Nicholas stepped in right after her, the doors closing to seal them in total privacy as the lift shot silently up to the 25th floor.

Inside the sprawling, magnificent CEO suite, the view of the city skyline was breathtaking. The floor-to-ceiling glass walls made the massive office feel like an absolute throne room.

Nicholas walked over to his desk, effortlessly removing his suit and draping it over his executive leather chair. He unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled them up slightly, revealing his sharp watch and toned forearms.

"Sit, Ms. Hazel," he commanded smoothly, gesturing to the chair opposite his desk.

Hazel took a seat, keeping her spine straight and her notepad ready in her lap.

"Before you begin, let me be clear," Nicholas said, turning his sharp, dark gaze onto her. "I don't tolerate mistakes, and I don't give second chances. Your job is to manage my life here so I don't have to waste time on trivial details. Understood?"

"Yes, Mr. Vance," Hazel answered, her voice firm despite the nervous fluttering in her stomach.

Nicholas pulled out an iPad from his desk and slid it across to her. "This holds my entire schedule for the month. Today, you will review every single upcoming meeting, familiarize yourself with our active international projects, and cross-check the files on your desk. I expect you to know my schedule better by lunchtime."

"I’ll get right on it, sir," Hazel said, nodding eagerly as she picked up the device.

"One more thing," Nicholas added, as he leaned back in his leather chair. "Bring me a black coffee. No sugar. Two shots of espresso."

"Right away, sir."

Hazel stepped out of his office and walked over to her executive secretary's desk right outside his glass doors.

Carefully, Hazel prepared the black coffee just as he specified. The dark, hot liquid steamed in a delicate porcelain cup.

She walked slowly toward his massive mahogany desk where Nicholas was seated, intensely focused on reviewing a stack of confidential physical contract files for an upcoming multi-billion-dollar international deal.

"Your black coffee, Mr. Vance," Hazel said softly, reaching out to place the steaming porcelain cup on the marble coaster.

Suddenly, the tip of her black heel caught the slight edge of the thick executive rug under her feet.

"Ah!"

Hazel gasped as her ankle twisted and her balance gave out completely.

SPLASH!

The steaming hot black coffee flipped completely out of the saucer and slammed directly onto the center of Nicholas’s desk, soaking straight through the top-secret contract documents, splashing across his sleek digital tablet, and dripping heavily from the corner of the desk.

The delicate porcelain cup clattered against the desk and shattered into pieces on the floor.

Hazel’s blood ran completely cold. The breath died in her throat, her eyes widening in absolute, terrifying horror as she stared at the dark, wet stain spreading across the multi-billion-dollar contracts and the hot coffee dripping from the desk.

"I... I..." Hazel stammered, her voice shaking violently, her hands flying to her mouth. "Mr. Vance... I-I am so sorry! I didn't...."

Nicholas didn't shout. He didn't slam his hand on the desk.

Instead, he slowly stood up from his leather chair. The silence in the office became deafening, thick with a dangerous, suffocating aura.

Slowly, Nicholas wiped a drop of coffee from his wrist with his thumb. Then, he raised his head and locked his dark, pitch-black eyes directly onto hers. His jaw was tightly clenched, his expression unreadable, icy, and intensely lethal.

Hazel backed away a step, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. Tears of embarrassment and fear welled in her wide hazel eyes.

"I'll clean it up right now, sir! Please don't fire me..."

"Fire You?" Nicholas cut her off softly. His deep voice vibrated through the quiet room like a low hum of thunder.

He slowly walked around the desk, closing the distance until his tall, broad frame completely shadowed her tiny figure against the glass wall.

Reaching out, his long fingers gently brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His cold breath touched her flushed cheek as he leaned down, his dark gaze piercing straight into her soul.

"You don't get to escape that easily, Ms. Hazel," Nicholas whispered, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes. "You owe me now. And in my office... you pay back every single drop."

Hazel’s breath hitched in her throat, her chest heaving as she struggled to process his words.