HER ONLY EXCEPTION

Chapter 13-GRADUALLY LOOSENING UP

After Carrie left, she spent the first hour wandering through the penthouse.

She explored the kitchen which had a wine fridge stocked with bottles that probably cost more than her old monthly rent.

She walked down the hallway, passing her own room, then the guest room, until she reached the door at the very end.

That was Henry's room, the door was closed. Andrea stopped, her hand hovering over the handle for just a moment before she dropped it and turned away.

It wasn't her business. He'd made it clear this was professional and she had no right to invade his privacy.

She went back to the living room and curled up on the sofa, pulling one of the cashmere throws over her legs.

Mrs Carrie had said Henry would be home within the hour. “Maybe he'd like to talk after he's back, I'll should wait for him.”

She leaned her head against the armrest.

Just a few more minutes.

Henry didn't get home until after 10 PM.

The meeting with investors had dragged on for two hours longer than it should have, and by the time he stepped into the elevator, he was exhausted.

When the doors opened into his penthouse, the space was dark except for the glow of city lights.

That was when he saw her. Andrea was asleep on his couch, curled up beneath one of his throws, her head resting against the armrest and her hair falling across her face. One hand tucked under her cheek, she looked peaceful without that guarded expression she always wore.

Henry stood there for a long moment, just admiring her. He should wake her, tell her to go sleep in her room.

But something stopped him.

Maybe it was the faint circles under her eyes that she tried to hide with makeup or it was the way her breathing was slow and even, like she hadn't slept well in a long time.

Henry exhaled slowly and walked over to the couch. He crouched down beside her, his gaze lingering on her face.

Then, carefully, he slid one arm beneath her knees and the other behind her shoulders and lifted her. Andrea stirred slightly, her head falling against his chest, but she didn't wake.

Henry carried her down the hallway to her room, pushed the door open with his legs, and laid her gently on the bed. He pulled the duvet over her, his movements careful.

For a moment, he just stood there, looking down at her smiling. He sat beside her bed and passed a strand of her that had fallen over her face behind her ear. She looked adorable, his eyes swept over her soft pink lips and drifted back to her eyes, her long eye lashes complimented her beauty that made Henry's heart flutter.

“What the hell are you doing, Henry?”

This wasn't supposed to be complicated, she was his assistant and is here because of work. That's all. But as Henry turned and walked out, closing the door softly behind him, he knew he was lying to himself.

Andrea woke up the next morning to sunlight streaming through unfamiliar windows. She sat up slowly, clearly disoriented, she was in her bed, under the covers and still fully dressed.

“How did I get here?”

The last thing she remembered was waiting on the couch. She must've fallen asleep, but Clara had already left and most of the staff were gone too.

Which meant…

“Henry”

Andrea's cheeks flushed hot.

He had carried her to bed. She buried her face in her palms, mortification flooding through her.

This was humiliating.

Andrea threw off the covers and got ready quickly; changing into a simple blue dress, one of her better work outfits though the fabric was cheap and the hem was fraying.

By the time she came downstairs, her heart was pounding. Henry was in the kitchen, she stopped at the bottom of the stairs, her breath catching.

He wasn't wearing a suit, just dark gray sweatpants with a fitted black T-shirt that clung to his shoulders and chest. His hair was slightly damp like he'd just left the shower and his arms crossed as he leaned against the counter, coffee in one hand, eyes on his phone.

Andrea tried not to stare at him for too long, he looked sexy in casual clothes.

Henry looked up, then their eyes met for a brief moment.

"Morning," he said, his tone even

"Morning," Andrea managed to respond

Henry's gaze dropped, sliding over her slowly.

His expression shifted.

"What are you wearing?" he said.

Andrea blinked. "What?"

"That dress." Henry set his coffee down. "What is that for?"

"It's a dress for work."

"No, you're not taking that to work"

"Excuse me?"

Henry stepped closer. "You're my assistant now. You represent me, everywhere we go, you're a reflection of me and my company." His gaze met hers. "That… won't work!"

Andrea's cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment. "There's nothing wrong with this dress."

"We're going shopping" Henry's tone was matter-of-fact. “leaving in twenty minutes."

"Leaving? We're going to be late for work…"

"We're going shopping" he repeated firmly

“ No, Mr Moore, we can't just skip work…"

"You work for me now. I decide when we go to work and when we don't." He turned toward the stairs. "Be ready in fifteen minutes."

Twenty minutes later, Andrea sat in Henry's sleek Range Rover, trying not to feel like a scolded child. Henry sat beside her in a dark suit with no tie, typing on his phone, looking completely unbothered.

They pulled up in front of “Maison Laurent” one of the most exclusive boutiques in Chicago.

Andrea was clearly shocked. "Mr Moore…"

"Let's go," he said, already stepping out.

Inside, a woman in a tailored dark blue suit approached immediately.

"Mr. Moore," she said warmly. "Wonderful to see you again."

"Thanks Celeste. I need a full wardrobe for her." Henry gestured to Andrea. "Work-appropriate, high-quality, everything."

"Of course."

Henry walked to a seating area. "Bring options."

The next hour was a blur. Celeste pulled dresses, blouses, trousers, blazers all with designer labels, beautiful and expensive.

Andrea tried them on one by one, stepping out each time for Henry's approval. Sometimes he nodded, sometimes he shook his head. He barely spoke.

When she stepped out in a sleek charcoal pantsuit, Henry's gaze lingered.

"That one," he said.

Andrea looked at herself in the mirror and was surprised herself. She looked completely different, more professional and expensive, like someone who already belonged in his world.

After the tenth outfit, Andrea finally spoke up.

"Mr Moore, this is too much. I can't accept all of this."

Henry looked up. "You don't have a choice."

"Of course, I do…"

"No, new girl. You don't." His voice was firm. "This isn't charity, this is your job. You represent me now and I won't have my assistant looking anything less than exceptional."

Andrea's jaw tightened, but she couldn't argue.

"Celeste," Henry said. "We'll take everything, add shoes and bags."

As he turned to sit again and wait for the items being packaged, his eyes caught a particular dress that grabbed his attention. Henry walked to the rack near the window, “One more,” He pulled out a dress; floor-length emerald green, fitted bodice, flowing skirt that caught the light like water.

"Try this one," he said.

Andrea frowned. "That's not work-appropriate."

"Just try it."

She took the dress and disappeared into the dressing room. When she put it on and looked in the mirror, she was stunned.

She looked extremely beautiful, and she stepped out slowly. Henry was standing now, arms crossed across his chest and phone forgotten on the couch. His eyes locked on her, and for just a long moment, he couldn't take his eyes off her.

"We'll take it," he said to Celeste.

Andrea frowned. "I don't need this too"

"There's a charity gala tomorrow night," Henry said. "and you're coming with me."

Andrea's heart stopped. "What?"

"You're my assistant, so you attend events with me. The gala starts at seven. We leave at six-thirty."

In the car, Andrea sat in silence as they drove back, her hands folded tightly in her lap.

"I've never been to a charity gala before," she said quietly.

Henry glanced at her. "I know."

"What if I mess up?"

"You won't."

"You don't know that."

"I know you're smart, you'll figure it out." There was confidence in his tone. Andrea looked away, her chest tight.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked softly.

Henry was quiet for a moment before responding

"Because you work for me," he said finally. "and I take care of what's mine."

“What's mine?”

Andrea's breath caught “what's that supposed to mean?”

She stared out the window, her heart racing.

Tomorrow night, she'd be attending a charity gala with Henry Moore.

And she had no idea how she was supposed to survive it.