The CEO Hates Me

Lena Scott was already late. Not “fashionably late.” Not “oops, traffic was bad” late. No. Catastrophically late. “Move, please—sorry—excuse me!” she rushed through the revolving doors, nearly tripping over her own heels as she burst into the towering glass building. Her first day. Her first day at Cole Industries. And she was about to ruin it. The elevator doors were closing. “Wait!” she shouted, sprinting forward. A hand shot out from inside, stopping the doors. Lena exhaled in relief as she slipped in. “Thank you so mu—” Her words died. The man inside didn’t look at her. Tall. Broad shoulders. Black suit tailored to perfection. His presence alone seemed to suck the air out of the small space. And when he finally turned— Cold grey eyes. Sharp. Assessing. Unforgiving. Lena swallowed. Wow. Rude and attractive. Dangerous combination. “Which floor?” he asked, voice low and flat. “Uh—fifty-two,” she said quickly. A pause. Then he pressed the button. Silence filled the elevator, thick and suffocating. Lena shifted awkwardly, clutching her coffee like it was her only source of stability. Say something normal, she told herself. “Big building, huh?” No response. She winced internally. Great. He hates small talk. Or people. Or me specifically. The elevator suddenly jerked. Lena gasped, losing her balance— —and her coffee flew straight forward. Time slowed. The lid popped open. Hot coffee splashed— All over him. Silence. Dead, terrifying silence. A dark stain spread across his pristine white shirt. Lena’s soul left her body. “I—I’m so sorry!” she stammered, scrambling for tissues. “I didn’t mean to—” He looked down at his shirt. Then at her. And that’s when she saw it. Not anger. Not frustration. Something worse. Pure, controlled irritation. “You should be,” he said coldly. Her hands froze. “I—I’ll pay for the cleaning—” “That won’t be necessary.” The elevator dinged. Doors opened. He stepped out without another word. Lena stood there, mortified. Great. First day and I’ve assaulted someone with coffee. What could possibly get worse? — “Miss Scott?” Lena snapped to attention inside the HR office. “Yes!” “We’re excited to have you here,” the woman smiled. “You’ll be working directly under the CEO.” Lena blinked. “Sorry… the CEO?” “Yes. Mr. Ethan Cole.” Something about that name felt… familiar. “Don’t worry,” the woman added. “He’s strict, but fair.” Lena forced a smile. Strict is fine. I can handle strict. “Shall we?” the HR lady gestured. They walked down a long corridor, heels clicking against marble floors. Then they stopped. The door opened. And Lena’s heart dropped. Behind the desk— Was him. The elevator man. The coffee victim. The walking disaster she had just humiliated. Ethan Cole looked up slowly. Recognition flickered in his eyes. Then his expression hardened. “Well,” he said, voice cutting like glass. “This should be interesting.” Lena’s stomach twisted. I’m going to get fired.