CHAPTER TEN
635 Words
##CHAPTER TEN##
Elena groaned dramatically and dropped her head onto her desk.
“You are literally the reason people fear CEOs.
Silence. Then he calmly said “You still agreed.”
Her face immediately grew warm. Unfortunately true. Elena sat up quickly that’s because rejecting you feels dangerous.”
“Smart decision.”
“You sound like a mafia boss.
“I’m offended.”
“You should be.”
The corner of Damien’s mouth twitched slightly.
That tiny almost-smile again. God. Those were becoming dangerous especially because Damien rarely smiled fully, which somehow made every small expression feel more intimate. More personal.More unfairly attractive.
Elena crossed her arms stubbornly “Fine. But if I become homeless after paying for this dinner, I’m haunting you personally.
“I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“That wasn’t the important part of the sentence but Damien had already turned calmly toward the executive elevator again, clearly dismissing her complaints entirely.
Arrogant billionaire. Elena hated how attractive confidence looked on him.The elevator doors closed behind him softly.
And suddenly—
silence filled the atmosphere of the office. The moment she left the office every single employee nearby immediately turned toward Elena.
Oh no!
OH NO.
She recognized those faces instantly. Office gossip faces. Several women in the marketing department stared openly. Two interns looked seconds away from exploding. One accountant nearly dropped his coffee entirely.
Then—
whispers began. Oh my God. Did you hear that? He invited her to dinner.” She called him by his first name. Wait… SHE CALLS HIM DAMIEN?
Elena froze in horror.
Wonderful.
Absolutely wonderful.
A woman from accounting suddenly appeared beside Elena’s desk dramatically. Miss Rivers,” she whispered aggressively, “how are you still alive?”
Elena blinked slowly. “…Excuse me?”
“Mr. Cross barely speaks to employees.” Another coworker leaned closer. He once made a director cry during a budget meeting. That’s not comforting information. But he was smiling at you. He has facial expressions?
Elena wanted the ground to swallow her immediately.
More employees slowly gathered nearby pretending not to stare. One intern whispered loudly: Maybe she’s secretly related to him.
Another shook her head immediately. No way. Did you SEE the tension between them?
Elena nearly choked on oxygen. There is no tension! Every single person looked unconvinced. Traitors. Absolute traitors.
Then suddenly—
a sharp voice cut through the department. What exactly is happening here? Everyone immediately scattered. Like frightened birds. Elena looked up and internally suffered.
Mrs. Veronica Hale. The senior marketing supervisor. Thirty-eight years old perfect makeup, perfect posture, permanent irritation and unfortunately she looked furious.
Veronica’s eyes moved slowly from the elevator Damien had entered moments ago… and back toward Elena. Cold calculation immediately filled her expression.
“Miss Rivers.”
Elena forced a polite smile. “Yes ma’am?”
Veronica folded her arms sharply. You seem… comfortable with the CEO. Danger. That tone meant danger.
Elena laughed nervously. Not intentionally.
Several nearby employees accidentally snorted. Veronica’s expression darkened further. I don’t appreciate distractions during work hours.
Elena blinked “He literally called me over himself.” Wrong answer. Very wrong answer.
Veronica’s smile tightened immediately. I see.
Oh God. She hated her already. Elena recognized that look instantly. Jealousy. Not romantic jealousy exactly. Professional jealousy. The kind older employees developed whenever management noticed someone younger too quickly.
And unfortunately Damien Cross had noticed Elena very publicly. In front of everyone. On her FIRST day. Wonderful.
Veronica placed several thick folders onto Elena’s desk suddenly. Hard. The sound echoed loudly.
Elena stared at the mountain of paperwork in horror. “…What is this.”
“Work.”
There’s enough paper here to start a legal war!“You’re an intern, Miss Rivers. You should be eager to prove yourself.”
- Writer
