The Devil’s office
The Cross Tower was 60 floors of glass and pure intimidation.
I stood across the street at 7:55am in my only "work" outfit. Black pants. White blouse. Shoes that were already pinching my toes.
I took a shaky breath and pushed through the revolving doors.
The lobby was marble. Cold. It echoed with every step.
A security guard looked me up and down. "Name?"
"Lila Thompson . I’m here to see Mr. Cross ."
He scanned a list. "Floor 58. Elevator bank C. Don’t be late again."
_Again?_ Like he expected me to fail.
Floor 58 was worse.
Assistants in heels clicked past me. No one smiled. Everything was gray, white, and chrome.
Damian’s office was at the end. The door was open.
He was on a call, standing by floor-to-ceiling windows. New York looked small under him.
"...I don’t care about the delay. Fix it, or I find someone who can."
He hung up and turned.
His gray eyes landed on me. Cold. Assessing.
"You’re on time," he said, like he was surprised.
"Sit."
I sat.
"Your job is simple," he said, sliding a tablet across the desk. "My schedule. My dry cleaning. My coffee. Black. No sugar. Answer my calls. Do not speak unless spoken to."
"That’s it?" The words slipped out before I could stop them.
His jaw ticked. "That bothers you?"
"No, Mr. Cross ."
"Damian," he corrected, voice dropping. "When we’re alone."
The way he said it made heat crawl up my neck. _Alone._
I nodded, staring at the tablet. 14 meetings. 3 flights. Dinner with investors tonight.
Then I saw it. 7pm. *Pediatric Wing Dedication - St. Mary’s Hospital.*
My heart stuttered. Leo had his checkup at St. Mary’s every month.
"I also need you to handle a donation today," Damian continued. "Go to St. Mary’s. Sign the papers for the new wing. $5 million."
$5 million. For a hospital wing.
And I was struggling to pay $8,000 for a shop.
"Yes, Mr. Cross ," I whispered.
"Damian," he said again.
He stood and walked around the desk. The scent of cedar followed him.
He stopped too close. Reached out and picked a piece of lint off my shoulder.
"You look tired, Ms. Thompson ."
I froze. He was inches away. I could see gold flecks in his gray eyes.
The same eyes Leo had.
"I’m fine," I lied.
He stepped back, expression unreadable. "We’ll see. Car is waiting downstairs at 6:30. We’re going to the hospital together."
_Together._
For 2 hours.
At the hospital where my son’s doctor knew my name.
I grabbed the tablet with shaking hands. "Understood."
As I walked out, his voice stopped me.
"And Lila?"
I turned, heart pounding.
"Don’t lie to me again."
My blood ran cold.
_Did he know?_
