Bound by Desire

Chapter 3: A Misstep: A Revelation

Sophie came to Blackwood Enterprises earlier than before, determined to take the momentum from her first day. The office was still quiet, the hum of fluorescent lights the only sound as she stepped off the elevator. She dropped her bag at her workspace and switched on the computer, opening straight into Ethan's schedule for the day.

Sophie was busy preparing the briefing notes for the morning meeting by the time Claire arrived. Claire raised an eyebrow, a faint look of approval crossing her face. “Impressive, Greene,” she said curtly and then disappeared into Ethan’s office.

A few moments later, Sophie received a buzz on her phone. Ethan.

"Miss Greene, in my office. Now."

Sophie took her tablet and dashed into his office. Ethan was positioned behind his desk while the sharp morning light illuminated his sculpted features. He did not look at her as he read a document before him, and Sophie was greeted with the familiar mention of her name.

"Miss Greene," he said, flipping the page. "Tell me about the Harding proposal."

Sophie froze for a split second. The Harding proposal? It wasn't on the schedule she had reviewed that morning. Suddenly, panic bubbled under her calm exterior, but she forced herself to think quickly.

"The Harding proposal," she began cautiously, again stalling for time. "That's... something I'm going to have to double-check the details on."

Ethan snapped up eyes, all piercing and unrelenting. "You didn't review it." Not a question.

Sophie flushed. "It wasn't in the files I got," she said honestly, although the excuse was weak. Ethan leaned back in his chair, studying her with such intensity that it made her feel small.

"In this job, Miss Greene, you are supposed to anticipate. Not everything will be handed to you." "I understand," Sophie said quickly. "It won't happen again." "See that it doesn't," Ethan replied coldly, turning his back on her and back to the papers on his desk.

"You have ten minutes to familiarize yourself with the Harding proposal and provide me with a summary. Dismissed." Sophie all but ran back to her desk, her heart racing.

She dived into the shared files, searching through documents until the proposal surfaced. It was heavy and filled with financial jargon, but she forced her mind to focus, distilling the essential elements into concise notes.

Exactly ten minutes later, she was standing in front of Ethan's office again.

"The Harding proposal outlines a strategic partnership with an international logistics firm to streamline shipping for our consumer technology division," Sophie began confidently.

"The risks involved include upfront costs and potential supply chain bottlenecks, but long-term efficiencies and market expansion could outweigh those." Ethan listened without interrupting, his expression unreadable. Once her statement was over, he nodded once. "Adequate. Next time, aim for something exceptional." Sophie exhaled quietly. "Yes, sir."

The rest of the morning was jam-packed with meetings and tasks, leaving little room for Sophie to wallow in her previous blunder. By lunchtime, she felt like she was treading water, just barely keeping her head above.

While straightening her desk, Claire swept in, an expression as sharp as ever.

"Mr. Blackwood wants you to go with him for lunch at Sterling Ventures."

Sophie blinked. "Me? Why?"

Claire gave her a look that clearly said, "Don't ask questions." "You are his assistant. When he says jump, you jump. Be ready in fifteen minutes."

As if she were half wrapped in gauze, with her co-worker Ethan, Sophie entered the upscale restaurant amidst the murmur of the rich customer's gossip. Ethan's usual confidences about his built-in presence only demanded attention. Sophie, however, was feeling a little out of her element in her conservative business attire.

Paul Sterling-the highest authority of Sterling Ventures-welcomed them along with two other executives of the company. Sophie observed the transition in Ethan: still unflappable, still a figure of control, but the edge that came out hinted at the competitiveness that lay in his blood.

Mr. Blackwood,? said Sterling, with wide smiles as he shook hands with Ethan. A pleasure as always. and who have we here?

"Miss Greene, my assistant," Ethan said with smooth civility.

Sophie extended her hand, smiling pleasant and unyielding. "It is a pleasure, Mr. Sterling."

Sterling's gaze lingered just slightly too long, and his smile had developed a distinctly predatory quality. "Pleasure's all mine."

Ethan's jaw tensed up, yet he uttered nothing but gestured for Sophie to take a seat beside him at the table.

Sophie could pay attention during lunch down to the way Ethan navigated conversational waters, causing her to wonder how he managed to be charming without being pushy, assertive without a pinch of rudeness. No one could shake off the fact that respect for Ethan came even from somebody as seasoned as Paul Sterling.

The next second, Sterling bent toward her, his tone casual yet probing. "So, Miss Greene, what's it like working for Mr. Blackwood? He doesn't strike me as the easiest of bosses."

She took a glance at Ethan, who kept a straight face with warning eyes.

"It is challenging," she told him as she weighed her words carefully, "but also rewarding. Mr. Blackwood is very high in his expectations, and I flourish through meeting them."

Sterling amused himself with a chuckle. "Now that's diplomatic. I like that."

In the silence, the tension in that car sprang hot and thick like a storm bound cloud when it carried Sophie fidgeting with her bag by its strap, unsure whether she had done anything wrong.

Finally, Ethan broke his silence. "Sterling is not to be trusted."

Sophie stared at him, shocked. "I thought the meeting went well."

"It did," Ethan replied with a clipped tone. "But that's just what men like Sterling do: they always have an angle. Don't let that charm fool you."

Sophie agreed and stashed the information away. "Understood," she said.

Ethan's gaze flicked over her momentarily; his expression softened just enough to surprise her. "Well played today, Miss Greene; better than I'd thought."

It took her aback, and she struggled to bring out a tiny smile. "Thank you, sir."

On the one hand, Sophie was feeling an odd mixture of pride and tension as the car drove to Blackwood Enterprises. Learning the world of Ethan but somehow still getting this feeling of being tested in a way she does not quite understand.