The CEO Who Should Not Want Me

Settling In

(Ivanna POV)

My first official morning at Kovaar Global began with me sitting on my bed, staring blankly at a bowl of cereal that had gone soggy thirty minutes ago.

I’d barely slept.

Every time I closed my eyes, that anonymous message flashed behind my eyelids like a warning sign.

Do not trust anyone at Kovaar Global. Especially him.

I tried telling myself it was spam. A wrong number. Some ridiculous prank. But something about how quickly it disappeared… the timing… the phrasing…

No. I couldn’t think about it.

Not today.

I forced down a few spoonfuls of cereal, grabbed my bag, and headed out. My stomach stayed tight the whole commute, but the moment I stepped into Kovaar Global’s lobby again, the nerves rearranged themselves into something else. Determination. Curiosity. A faint thread of excitement.

I was here. Actually here.

Gwen had already emailed me directions, so I took the elevator up to my assigned floor. My heels made soft clicks on the polished tiles, mingling with the hum of printers and muted conversations. The entire place smelled faintly of coffee and ambition.

A young man with glasses looked up from his desk as I approached.

"Hi. I’m supposed to check in with the Integration Department?"

"Oh, yes. You’re Ivanna, right?" He smiled warmly. "Welcome aboard. I’m Thomas."

He gave me a brief tour of the open workspace. Rows of desks, glass-walled meeting rooms, smart screens on every other wall displaying live progress metrics. Everything felt structured, intentional, almost clinical. But in a strangely comforting way.

My workspace was neat and minimal, with a brand-new laptop waiting for me. A small welcome package sat beside it: a mug, a sleek notebook, a pen engraved with Kovaar Global.

I ran my fingers across the engraving. It felt heavier than it looked.

The day passed in a blur of onboarding, introductions, system access requests, and orientation meetings. I didn’t even realize it was already noon until Thomas tapped my desk.

"Lunch break. You coming?"

I hesitated. "Is there… a cafeteria?"

"A very fancy one. You’ll see."

The café was nothing like what I expected. Sunlit, spacious, with actual chefs preparing dishes behind clear counters. I chose grilled chicken with a quinoa salad and sat across from Thomas. He chatted easily, filling the silence I didn’t know how to fill.

"So, what made you apply?" he asked.

"I needed a challenge," I said honestly. "And a stable job."

"Ah. Same."

He grinned. I relaxed a little.

But halfway through my meal, my attention caught on a familiar silhouette entering the café.

Arin.

His presence hit the room like a shift in gravity. Employees subtly straightened, conversations softened. He wasn’t doing anything just walking, one hand in his pocket, speaking quietly to a tall woman beside him but everything about him demanded attention.

His suit today was midnight blue. His tie, perfectly knotted. His hair pushed back neatly, as if not a single strand dared disobey him.

He radiated discipline. Precision. A quiet force that made everyone instinctively make room.

"Is that…?" I began.

"Yep," Thomas whispered. "That’s the man himself."

I had seen him yesterday, but today he felt sharper, more defined. Maybe I was too nervous to truly register him in that room. Or maybe some people become recognizable only when they start to matter.

Arin’s gaze swept the room.

And then paused.

On me.

Only for a few seconds, but long enough for my breath to catch. I felt suddenly self-conscious — my simple lunch, my modest blouse, the way I was trying not to stare back. His expression didn’t change, but something flickered in his eyes. Something… perceiving.

Then he looked away and continued walking as if nothing happened.

Thomas exhaled. "Wow. I’ve never seen him actually look at someone that long."

"Don’t be ridiculous," I muttered, stabbing my salad.

But my pulse refused to calm down.

***

By mid-afternoon, I was reviewing departmental structures when a soft voice pulled me from my screen.

"You must be Ivanna."

I turned — and nearly stood up too quickly.

Elena Kovaar.

Arin’s sister.

I recognized her from online articles. She was elegant in an effortless way, warm brown eyes and a smile that made her seem far gentler than the company she belonged to. Her dark hair fell loosely around her shoulders, and her blouse was a soft cream silk that somehow looked both relaxed and expensive.

"I’m Elena," she said, offering her hand.

"Nice to meet you," I said, hoping my palms weren’t sweaty.

"I wanted to personally welcome you. We don’t get many consultants from London. How are you settling in?"

"A little overwhelmed. But… good overwhelmed."

She laughed lightly. "That’s normal. Kovaar Global is intense. But you seem like someone who can handle it."

I hoped she was right.

"Also," she added with a gentle tilt of her head, "thank you for engaging in the board meeting last week."

I blinked. "Oh — I didn’t think anyone noticed."

"People noticed. Including my brother."

My heart tripped.

"Arin appreciates intelligence," she continued. "And honesty. Even when it irritates him."

I didn’t know what to say. Elena seemed to sense my flustered silence and gave me a reassuring smile.

"If you ever need a breather from… all this," she gestured lightly around the office, "come find me."

Before I could thank her again, someone called her name and she excused herself.

I leaned back in my chair, exhaling. Elena Kovaar. Arin’s sister. Speaking to me like we were already acquaintances.

This place was surreal.

***

By five, my body felt heavy. My brain ached from absorbing so much information, but I refused to complain. I needed this. I needed every paycheck. Every opportunity. Every step forward.

I packed up just as I saw him again.

Arin.

He stepped out of a meeting room, sleeves slightly rolled, tie loosened just enough that he seemed… human. His hair looked slightly mussed, as if he’d pushed his hand through it out of irritation. He was speaking with Marcus from Security, voice low, expression tense.

Marcus left first.

Arin turned.

Our eyes met.

Again.

He didn’t speak. He didn’t smile. He didn’t frown.

He simply held my gaze for a brief, unsettling moment, as if trying to understand something he couldn’t quite place.

I swallowed, nodded politely, and walked past him.

I felt his eyes on my back until I reached the elevator.

***

When I got home, I kicked off my shoes and microwaved leftover curry for dinner. I ate on my couch, exhaustion finally sinking into my bones. I plugged my phone in to charge, took a hot shower, and changed into my soft cotton pajamas.

I was just about to crawl into bed when my phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

My blood chilled.

I stared at the notification.

One new message.

You’re being watched.

My fingers trembled.

Another message appeared instantly.

And he isn’t the only one.

I felt the air leave my lungs.

A third message blinked onto the screen.

Check behind you.

My heart stuttered violently as I turned, fear scraping up my spine

And froze.

Someone was standing outside my window.

Watching me.