HIS ASSISTANT, HIS TERMS

EASIER SAID THAN DONE

Clara's POV

By the time I stepped outside my apartment building, the sky was still half asleep.

The street was quiet, the air cool, that strange early morning calm settling over everything. Three boxes sat neatly by my feet, packed carefully, deliberately. I stared at them for a second, then at my phone.

6:42 a.m.

I exhaled slowly. Of course, I was early.

I shifted my weight, folded my arms, telling myself again that I hadn’t overpacked. Everything in those boxes was necessary. My work clothes, leisure clothes, even comfortable shoes, a just in case jacket and toiletries.

That didn’t stop the flicker of embarrassment when a very unhelpful thought crossed my mind.

I knew he was going to say something.

As if summoned by the thought, a sleek black car pulled up smoothly in front of me. My heart jumped, traitorous and sudden. The door opened, and Adrian's driver stepped out while he just rolled down the window of the back seat like he was calm, composed, already looking like the day belonged to him.

His gaze went from me… to the boxes on the ground… and back to me.

“Are you planning to move in, Ms Lane?” he asked flatly.

Heat rushed to my face. “I only packed what I think I need, sir,” I said, lifting my chin.

For a brief second, just one, something like amusement flickered across his face.

“Get in,” he said.

No argument. No commentary.

I waited till the driver loaded the boxes into the trunk, before getting in beside him. Once the door closed, the car pulled away.

The drive was quiet.

Not awkward. Just… quiet.

I stared out the window, noticing the way the city slowly woke up, while my mind refused to settle. He looked painfully awake beside me, with his perfect suit and relaxed composure, one hand on his lap, the other scrolling through the phone he had barely looked up from. His cologne filled the space, familiar enough now that it did something annoying to my chest.

I reminded myself firmly that this was work.

The private hangar still caught me off guard.

It did every time.

The plane sat there waiting like it was nothing special, like this was just another Tuesday. I followed him inside, trying not to stare, trying not to marvel at the fact that my boss owned a private jet and still somehow made it feel completely normal.

I never really got used to how rich he was. I wasn’t sure I ever would.

The jet was quiet and luxurious in a way that didn’t scream for attention. I settled into my seat, absentmindedly, nerves buzzing just under my skin.

Midway through the flight, he finally spoke.

“My family’s having a vacation,” he said, eyes forward. “I asked you to come incase there's work to handle.”

I nodded. “Yes sir.”

He added. “You’re allowed to enjoy yourself when there’s nothing to do.”

I blinked.

Enjoy myself?

“Yes sir,” I said carefully, not trusting myself to say more. He stared at me for a moment before going back to his phone.

The rest of the flight passed quietly. I couldn’t stop myself from wondering, again, if he had seen the picture. If he’d chosen silence intentionally. My cheeks warmed just thinking about it, and I shifted in my seat, scolding myself internally.

When we landed, another car was waiting.

The drive to the villa was unreal.

Winding roads, open views, sunlight spilling across landscapes that looked like postcards. I tried to absorb it all quietly, the calm, the beauty, the sense of being somewhere far removed from my normal life.

When we got to our final destination, I was in awe. I watched some people move to take our boxes in. Adrian was still on his phone, absorbed, while a butler greeted us with an easy smile.

The villa was… breathtaking.

With high ceilings, open spaces, natural light everywhere. The kind of place that felt expensive without trying to be intimidating.

The butler showed me around while Adrian followed behind, distracted, silent, phone still in hand. I tried not to gape, but it was difficult. Everything felt intentional. Thoughtful. Beautiful.

Eventually, we stopped in front of a door.

“This will be your room,” the butler said.

I stepped inside and immediately froze.

It was stunning.

Spacious, elegant, calm. Soft colors. Large windows. A bed that looked like it belonged in a magazine.

There was a door next to mine.

“That’s my room,” Adrian added, gesturing to the door. “Come to me if you need anything. It's best you stay close by incase work comes up.”

Of course, he does.

I nodded, trying to look professional on the outside, very aware of the warmth creeping into my face on the inside.

The bathroom nearly took my breath away. Marble everywhere. Gold accents. A mirror so large I could see my entire reflection. A shower that looked like it could wash away stress itself.

Before the butler left, I was told to freshen up and meet everyone downstairs for dinner. Adrian confirmed it briefly with a nod of his head, then disappeared down the hall to the door next to mine, leaving me finally, mercifully alone.

“This is unreal,” I murmured to myself.

I dropped onto the edge of the bed and pulled out my phone.

Mia picked up immediately.

“Biatchhhhh... Give me the juice,” she said before I could say anything, making me chuckle.

So I did.

I told her everything, from my lawn, to the plane, then the villa and finally my room placement.

She laughed, teased me, also made a joke about the picture which made me groan and cover my face.

Eventually, her voice softened.

“Just enjoy the trip, Clara,” she said. “Don’t think too much.”

Easier said than done, I thought.

I ended the call, stood in front of the mirror, and took a breath.

"You’re here for work," I reminded myself.

I freshened up quickly, changed my clothes, calmed my racing thoughts. Though, my heart still beat a little faster than it should have as I reached for the door.

Dinner waited downstairs.

And so did everything I wasn’t ready to acknowledge yet.