Chapter ten
964 Words
The sound of Lucian’s voice was the last thing Emma wanted to hear that morning — yet it was the first that cut through the silence.
“Miss Cole. My office. Now.”
She stood instantly, smoothing her blouse before entering. He didn’t look up right away, still flipping through a sleek folder filled with merger documents. When he finally did, his ocean-blue eyes locked onto her with sharp precision.
“There’s an upcoming merger between Sinclair Enterprises and Kensworth Holdings,” he said. “I want you to research their assets, cross-check financial liabilities, and find any discrepancies that could pose a risk. I expect a report by four.”
Her pulse stumbled. “Today?”
“Is there a problem?”
His eyes lifted, calm but piercing.
“No, sir.” She swallowed hard. “I’ll have it ready.”
“Good.” He leaned back slightly, dismissing her with a nod. “And Miss Cole—”
She paused at the door.
“Don’t bring me anything half done. I don’t tolerate mediocrity.”
The words stung, but she only nodded, clutching her tablet tighter as she walked out.
Hours bled into each other. Emma’s world became numbers, graphs, and coffee that had long gone cold. Her palms ached from typing, her mind spinning from the pace he set. Every few minutes, she could feel Lucian’s gaze through the glass — silent, evaluating. It was unnerving, that quiet observation of his. Not quite distrust, but something close.
She hated how aware she was of him — the weight of his presence, the memory of that night when his mask had slipped for a heartbeat. The part of her that had once felt sympathy for him warred with the side that now guarded itself fiercely.
By the time she finished, it was three fifty-five. She checked every line twice before finally printing it and walking into his office.
Lucian looked up briefly, gesturing for her to place the document on his desk. His sleeves were rolled up, veins tracing down his forearms, his focus entirely on the papers in front of him.
She waited in silence as he flipped through her work. Every tick of the clock sounded louder. Then his pen stopped.
“You miscalculated this,” he said, circling a line. “Kensworth’s subsidiary in Berlin merged last quarter. It affects the liability figure.”
Emma leaned closer, frowning as she reviewed it. “You’re right. I overlooked that.”
He stood, moving beside her to show where she went wrong. His hand brushed hers briefly as he turned the page, the contact so faint but enough to make her freeze. The warmth of his skin burned against hers, even after he stepped away.
Her throat felt dry. “I’ll correct it—”
“Already done,” he interrupted, adjusting the line with a few quick strokes. “Next time, don’t overlook details under pressure. If you’re going to work for me, Miss Cole,” — his tone dropped lower — “you’ll need to learn how to .hold your ground.”
Her head lifted at that, meeting his gaze squarely. “Then I’ll learn.”
For a moment, neither moved. Something flickered between them — respect, maybe, or curiosity laced with tension. Then Lucian blinked, mask falling back into place.
“See that you do,” he said simply, and sat back down.
Emma walked out with her heart hammering, uncertain whether she’d passed some unspoken test — or failed it.
*****
Flashbulbs erupted like fireworks. Alexa stood under the studio lights in a crimson gown that shimmered like liquid fire. It was her first professional shoot — and Miles, head of PR and relentless flirt, was supervising.
He leaned casually against a lighting rig, that infuriating grin plastered on his face. “Careful, sweetheart. You’re starting to make everyone else look average.”
She didn’t spare him a glance. “Then maybe they should try harder.”
The photographer called out directions, and Alexa moved through poses like a storm — fierce, focused, untouchable. The camera loved her. Every shot was sharp, alive, magnetic.
The team murmured in awe. Even Miles’ usual smirk faltered as he watched her. There was something in the way she held herself — confidence threaded with defiance, strength built from years of having something to prove.
When the last shot ended, applause broke out. Alexa laughed, breathless, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Then she noticed Miles still staring, his expression unreadable — admiration softening his normally teasing eyes.
“What?” she asked, uncomfortable under his gaze.
He blinked, as if caught. “Nothing. Didn’t think you had it in you.”
“You underestimate too easily,” she said, lifting her chin.
“Maybe,” he murmured, almost to himself, “or maybe I just didn’t look close enough.”
Her chest tightened unexpectedly. She turned away, pretending to busy herself with the stylist, but she could feel his eyes linger — and it unsettled her more than she cared to admit.
*****
Back at the office, the evening had fallen quiet. Most employees were gone, the city lights reflecting off the glass walls. Emma was gathering her things when Lucian’s voice came from behind her.
“Miss Cole.”
She turned. He stood by his desk, jacket draped over one arm, eyes on her. “You’ll be accompanying me tomorrow night.”
Her brows knit. “To where?”
“A private client dinner.” He paused. “You’ll take notes, observe, and learn.”
“Learn what, exactly?” she asked cautiously.
Lucian’s lips curved, faint but deliberate — not quite a smile, more like a warning wrapped in amusement.
“The rules of power.”
- Writer
