The CEO Hates Me

Office Rumors

By 9:12 AM—

Everyone knew.

Lena didn’t know how.

Or why.

But the moment she stepped out of the elevator, she felt it.

Eyes.

Whispers.

A pause in conversations that resumed just a second too late.

She frowned, adjusting her bag on her shoulder.

“Okay… what did I do now?”

“You really don’t know?”

Lena turned.

A girl stood by the reception desk, arms crossed, perfectly styled hair, sharp eyeliner, and a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“I’m sorry?” Lena said.

The girl tilted her head slightly.

“You’re Lena, right? The new girl?”

“…Yes.”

A pause.

Then a slow, knowing smile.

“Of course you are.”

Something about her tone made Lena’s stomach tighten.

“I’m Chloe,” she added. “Executive assistant.”

The way she said it sounded less like an introduction… and more like a warning.

“Nice to meet you,” Lena replied carefully.

Chloe’s gaze flicked over her—from her shoes to her hair—like she was assessing damage.

Or competition.

“Mm,” she hummed. “Interesting choice.”

“For what?”

“To work here.”

Lena blinked.

“…Okay.”

Chloe stepped a little closer.

Lowered her voice.

“People are talking, you know.”

Lena stiffened. “About what?”

Chloe smiled wider.

“You. And Mr. Cole.”

Lena let out a short laugh.

“That’s funny.”

“I’m not joking.”

The laughter died instantly.

“That doesn’t even make sense,” Lena said. “I’ve been here for—what? Two days?”

“Exactly.”

Lena frowned.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” Chloe said softly, “people don’t get his attention that fast.”

Something cold slid down Lena’s spine.

“I don’t have his attention.”

Chloe raised a brow.

“No?”

Before Lena could respond—

“Miss Scott.”

Lena turned sharply.

Ethan.

Standing a few feet away.

Watching.

And suddenly—

Everything clicked.

The silence.

The whispers.

The tension.

They weren’t just looking at her.

They were looking at them.

“Sir,” Lena said quickly, straightening.

Chloe stepped back smoothly, her expression shifting into something polite. Professional.

“Mr. Cole.”

Ethan barely acknowledged her.

His gaze stayed on Lena.

“In my office.”

Lena nodded.

“Yes, sir.”

As she walked past him, she could feel it again.

The eyes.

The curiosity.

The judgment.

And behind her—

Chloe’s stare burned the most.

⸻

The door shut behind her with a soft click.

Lena exhaled.

Then turned.

“What is going on out there?”

Ethan didn’t look surprised.

“They’re talking.”

“I noticed.”

He leaned back against his desk.

“Does it bother you?”

Lena let out a short, incredulous laugh.

“I just started working here and people think I’m—what? Sleeping with my boss?”

His jaw tightened slightly.

“No one said that.”

“They don’t have to.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Tense.

Lena crossed her arms.

“This is because of yesterday, isn’t it?”

“The meeting?” he asked.

“No,” she said. “You.”

His eyes sharpened.

“Explain.”

“You defended me,” she said. “You never do that, do you?”

Ethan didn’t answer.

And that was answer enough.

“So now,” she continued, “everyone thinks I’m special.”

Her voice dipped slightly.

“Or worse.”

His expression darkened.

“That’s their assumption.”

“And it affects me.”

A pause.

Then—

“Are you concerned about your reputation?” he asked.

Lena stared at him.

“Of course I am.”

Ethan’s gaze didn’t waver.

“Then prove them wrong.”

Her frustration spiked.

“That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one being watched.”

A beat.

Then, quieter—

“You don’t know what it’s like.”

Something flickered in his eyes.

Brief.

Gone too fast to name.

“You’re right,” he said calmly. “I don’t.”

Lena blinked.

She hadn’t expected that.

At all.

The tension shifted.

Just slightly.

But before she could say anything—

A knock.

Ethan’s expression hardened instantly.

“Come in.”

The door opened.

Chloe.

Of course.

“I have the updated schedule—” she started, then paused slightly when she saw Lena.

Her gaze lingered.

Too long.

Too sharp.

“I didn’t realize you were busy.”

“We’re not,” Ethan said.

Lena resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

We’re definitely busy.

Chloe stepped inside, placing a file on the desk.

“Your 11 AM meeting has been moved.”

Ethan nodded once.

“Fine.”

But Chloe didn’t leave.

Instead, she looked at Lena again.

Smiled.

Sweet.

Fake.

“Be careful,” she said lightly. “This office can be… overwhelming.”

Lena smiled back.

Equally fake.

“I think I’ll manage.”

Chloe’s eyes flickered.

Challenge accepted.

Then she turned and walked out.

The door closed.

Silence.

Lena exhaled slowly.

“She hates me.”

Ethan didn’t deny it.

“She’s worked here for years.”

“And?”

“And she doesn’t like change.”

Lena scoffed softly.

“I’m not ‘change.’ I’m just doing my job.”

Ethan’s gaze lingered on her.

“You’re more than that.”

Her heart skipped.

“What does that mean?”

A pause.

Then—

“Nothing.”

Just like that.

The moment vanished.

Again.

Lena shook her head slightly.

“You’re impossible.”

“And yet,” he said quietly, “you’re still here.”

Their eyes met.

And this time—

It lingered.

Too long.

Too intense.

Until—

Her phone buzzed.

Lena broke the gaze, pulling it out.

A message.

Unknown number.

Her brows furrowed.

“Who is—”

She opened it.

And froze.

Her blood ran cold.

Unknown:

If you know what’s good for you… stay away from Ethan Cole.

Lena’s grip tightened around her phone.

Her pulse spiked.

“What is it?” Ethan asked.

She looked up slowly.

Hesitated.

Then turned the screen toward him.

His eyes scanned the message.

And for the first time—

His expression changed.

Not irritation.

Not control.

Something darker.

More dangerous.

“Delete it,” he said quietly.

Lena frowned.

“What? Why—”

“Now.”

His tone left no room for argument.

Her heart pounded.

“This isn’t normal, Ethan—”

“I said delete it.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Sharp.

Lena stared at him.

Then at the message.

Then back at him.

“Who sent this?”

A beat.

Ethan’s jaw tightened.

And when he finally spoke—

His voice was low.

Controlled.

But laced with something that made her chest tighten.

“Someone you should stay away from.”