CHAPTER SEVEN
1383 Words
Those ocean blue eyes stared at her with so much intensity. He remembered.
Emma’s knees weakened beneath the weight of his gaze. Her fingers curled tightly around her bag strap, desperate to keep herself from trembling.
“I–Thank you, Mr. Sinclair.” She managed, her voice breaking at the edges.
Lucian leaned back in his chair, studying her with a slow, calculating amusement. “Mr. Sinclair?” His lips curved slightly, almost mocking. “Formality suits you, though I recall you weren’t nearly this polite the last time we met.”
Emma’s throat closed. Heat rushed to her cheeks. She wanted the floor to split open and swallow her whole.
“That… that night was a mistake,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “It didn’t mean anything.”
Lucian stared at her for a while and then rose. The movement was unhurried, deliberate – commanding the space around him. Every step as he circled his desk sent her pulse racing faster.
“Funny,” he said softly, stopping just in front of her. “It meant enough for you to run. Twice now.” His eyes flickered with something dark. “Last time, you slipped away before dawn. Then at the cafe, you bolted again. I told myself I’d find you but fate has an odd sense of humour doesn’t it? You’ve walked right back to me.”
Emma’s chest burned as she forced herself to stand straighter, though her voice shook. “I’m not here for … that. I’m here to work. That’s all.”
Lucian tilted his head, studying her the way a predator studies prey that insists it won’t be caught. “Work then. Let’s see how well you do under pressure.”
Then without breaking his gaze, he pressed the intercom on his desk. “Olivia, come in.”
Emma blinked. W-what are you doing?”
“You’ll see.”
The door opened and a tall woman with sharp glasses and a clipboard entered briskly. “Yes, Mr. Sinclair?”
Lucian gestured towards Emma. “Miss Cole won’t be joining the rest of the internship program. From today, she’s assigned as my personal assistant. Prepare a workspace for her in the adjoining office.”
Emma’s eyes widened. “What?”
Olivia hesitated, her brows lifting a fraction. “Sir, that position is usually–”
“I’m aware.” Lucian cut her off, voice like steel. “Make it happen.”
“Yes, Mr. Sinclair.” Olivia nodded tightly, shooting Emma a curious glance before disappearing through the door.
Emma felt the floor tilt beneath her. She shook her head, voice trembling. “No–i didn’t … I don’t want to be your assistant. And besides I still have school.”
Lucian’s expression barely shifted. “Consider it a reassignment.” He continued, “we could also work around your school schedule.”
Her fists clenched around the strap of her bag. “You can’t just –”
“I can,” he interrupted softly, yet the weight in his tone crushed the protest in her throat. “And I just did.”
Tears stung her eyes. Why did everyone decide what would happen in her life for her? She forced her tears down. Crying here would only prove her parents right. She looked away biting her lip until she tasted copper.
Lucian reached to his desk and picked up a white hand towel . Without asking, he held it out to her.
“Sit.” He said quietly. “You look flushed. Compose yourself.”
Emma hesitated, staring at the towel like it was a trap.
Lucian arched a brow. “Or would you prefer fainting in my office?”
Emma snatched it quickly, her cheeks burning, and sank into the chair opposite his desk. The scent of leather and expensive cologne wrapped around her, dizzying. She dabbed at her damp palms, keeping her gaze fixed on the floor, terrified of what she might see if she looked into his eyes again.
Lucian watched her in silence, every twitch of her fingers, every unsteady breath. His jaw flexed once, the only betrayal of the storm beneath his cool exterior.
When she finally gathered enough courage to rise, he leaned forward, his voice low, a razor edged promise. “You ran once, Miss Cole. Let’s see how far you get this time– working beside me.”
Her breath hitched. She bolted for the door, muttering a broken “excuse me,” before fleeing the suffocating office.
The rest of the day passed in a haze. Emma barely remembered Olivia showing her the adjoining office, or the polite instructions about where to place her things. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, every heartbeat echoing with Lucian’s words.
By the time evening fell, her phone buzzed with a message from Alexa.
Meet me at the cafe? I want details.
Emma exhaled shakily, typing back a reply. Be there soon. See you in 20.
The cafe’s warm lights glowed against the dusk. Alexa arrived first, sliding into a corner booth with her phone and ordering a latte. She scrolled idly, waiting for Emma, when the door bell dinged and in walked a man who looked like he didn’t belong to quiet spaces.
Miles spotted Alexa instantly, a slow grin curling across his lips. Without hesitation, he walked over.
“Well, well,” he drawled, sliding into the chair opposite her without invitation. “If it isn’t the beauty from the other day.”
Alexa lifted her eyes, unimpressed. “Do you ever ask before you sit?”
“Not when the seat is worth stealing.” He winked.
She scoffed, sipping her latte. “Bold of you to assume I need company.”
Miles chuckled, tilting his head. “Maybe not company. Just….entertainment.”
“Try a deck of cards.” She rolled her eyes, not sparing him a glance.
“Ouch.” He clutched his chest in mock pain. “Sharp tongue. I like it.”
Alexa’s brow arched. “Good for you. I don’t.”
“You’re feisty, refreshing and overly confident. Most girls swoon with just a smile from me.” His grin widened when she rolled her eyes. “Admit it– you find me interesting too.”
“I didn’t even notice you existed until now.”
The bell above the door chimed, and Emma stepped in, spotting them immediately. Her brows lifted in surprise.
“Oh.” She said lightly, sliding into the chair beside Alexa. “Didn’t know I was interrupting something.”
Miles smirked, rising to his feet. “You’re not. I’ll let you ladies catch up.” He tipped an imaginary hat. “But don’t worry, Alexa. I’ll see you again.”
Alexa muttered something under her breath as he strolled out, all confident and with that smirk on his face.
Emma faced her properly, grinning. “So… what was that about?”
“Nothing.” Alexa’s tone was sharp.
“Mm-hmm.” Emma leaned in, eyes sparkling despite her exhaustion. “He likes you.”
Alexa groaned. “Please. The last thing I need is a playboy with tattoos.”
Emma laughed softly, then sobered when Alexa’s gaze shifted to her. “So? First day. Tell me everything.”
Emma’s smile faltered. She stared down at her drink, swirling the cup in her hands. “It was… fine.”
“Fine?” Alexa arched a brow. “You spent all day in the company of one of the most powerful billionaires in the country, and all I get is ‘fine’?”
Emma forced a laugh, hiding the storm inside her chest. “Trust me, it was overwhelming. But… I’ll manage.”
Alexa studied her for a while, contemplating whether to push it or let it go. Finally, she shrugged, “If you say so.”
Emma’s phone buzzed and she glanced down. It was an unknown number.
“Hello? Emma Cole speaking.” Emma said as she glued the phone to her ear.
Lucian’s voice slid through from the other line. “Olivia will send you your work schedule. Don’t be late on Friday, Miss Cole. I like my assistant where I can see her. Especially one I can’t forget.”
The line went dead.
- Writer
