ONLY WHEN WE’RE ALONE
1984 Words
Something had changed between Alexander Blackwood and Elena Montgomery.
Neither of them had spoken about it.
Neither had acknowledged the kiss at the company party or the strange morning they had spent waking up in the same bed.
At Blackwood International, everything appeared perfectly normal.
Alexander remained the ruthless billionaire who terrified his employees, and Elena remained his hardworking personal assistant.
But behind the closed doors of his office, the atmosphere had become different.
Not softer, exactly.
Just different.
And Elena was beginning to notice.
Alexander entered the executive floor with his usual intimidating expression.
Elena immediately stood.
Elena: “Good morning, Mr. Blackwood.”
Alexander: “Morning, Miss Montgomery.”
She handed him his schedule.
Elena: “Your meeting with the investors has been confirmed, sir. The Morrison documents are ready, and Mr. Harrison requested a callback.”
Alexander examined the papers.
Alexander: “The financial projections?”
Elena: “Already attached.”
Alexander: “Coffee?”
Elena: “On your desk.”
He nodded.
Alexander: “My office.”
Elena followed him inside.
The moment the door closed, Alexander placed the folder on his desk.
Alexander: “Elena.”
She froze.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Elena: “Sir?”
Alexander looked at her.
Alexander: “Did you sleep properly last night?”
She blinked.
That was not the question she’d expected.
Elena: “Yes, Mr. Blackwood.”
His jaw tightened.
Alexander: “Alexander.”
Elena stared at him.
Elena: “What?”
Alexander: “When we’re alone, you can call me Alexander.”
Her heart skipped.
Elena: “I… I don’t think that’s appropriate, sir.”
He raised an eyebrow.
Alexander: “You didn’t seem particularly concerned about what’s appropriate when you kissed me.”
Elena’s face turned scarlet.
Elena: “Mr. Blackwood!”
Alexander leaned back against his desk.
Alexander: “Relax. I’m not going to announce it to the entire company.”
She lowered her gaze.
Elena: “I’m still very embarrassed about that.”
Alexander: “I’ve noticed.”
For a moment, silence settled between them.
Then Elena looked up.
Elena: “Why?”
Alexander’s expression remained unreadable.
Alexander: “Why what?”
Elena: “Why do you want me to call you Alexander?”
He studied her.
The question was reasonable.
Unfortunately, he didn’t have an answer he was willing to share.
Alexander: “Because I said so.”
Elena almost smiled.
Elena: “That’s not really an explanation.”
His eyebrow rose.
Alexander: “You’re becoming increasingly argumentative.”
Elena: “Only when we’re alone, apparently.”
Alexander stared at her.
For one brief moment, amusement flickered across his face.
Then he straightened.
Alexander: “Get back to work, Elena.”
She smiled softly.
Elena: “Yes, Alexander.”
The sound of his name in her voice made him pause.
He didn’t show it.
But he noticed.
Later that morning, Elena was preparing documents when Sofia appeared beside her desk.
Sofia: “Good morning, survivor!”
Elena laughed.
Elena: “Please stop calling me that.”
Sofia: “Absolutely not. You’re practically a historical figure at this point.”
Sofia leaned against the desk.
Sofia: “So, tell me. How was the party?”
Elena’s fingers froze above her keyboard.
Elena: “The party?”
Sofia narrowed her eyes.
Sofia: “Yes, the party. The one where you disappeared before I could find you.”
Elena swallowed.
Elena: “I wasn’t feeling well.”
Sofia’s expression softened.
Sofia: “You should’ve called me.”
Elena: “I know. I’m sorry.”
Sofia: “How did you get home?”
Elena hesitated.
Before she could answer, Alexander’s office door opened.
Alexander: “Miss Montgomery.”
Elena immediately stood.
Elena: “Yes, Mr. Blackwood?”
Alexander: “The Sterling contract. Now.”
Elena: “Of course, sir.”
She quickly gathered the folder.
Sofia stepped aside.
Alexander glanced toward her.
Alexander: “Miss Carter, don’t you have work?”
Sofia straightened.
Sofia: “Yes, Mr. Blackwood.”
She hurried away.
Elena followed Alexander into his office.
The door closed.
Alexander: “Elena.”
She looked up.
Elena: “Yes?”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Alexander: “You look nervous.”
Elena: “Sofia was asking about the party.”
Alexander’s expression hardened.
Alexander: “What did you tell her?”
Elena: “Nothing about your mansion.”
He studied her face.
Alexander: “Good.”
Elena hesitated.
Elena: “Alexander?”
He looked at her.
Elena: “I don’t like lying to my best friend.”
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then he placed the contract on his desk.
Alexander: “You don’t have to lie. Tell her you were unwell and received medical attention. Both are true.”
Elena considered his words.
Elena: “And if she asks who took me?”
Alexander: “Tell her I arranged it.”
She looked surprised.
Elena: “You wouldn’t mind?”
Alexander: “I mind unnecessary gossip. I don’t mind the truth.”
Something in Elena’s expression softened.
Elena: “Thank you.”
Alexander looked away.
Alexander: “Don’t make a habit of thanking me for basic decisions.”
That afternoon, Elena struggled with a particularly complicated investor presentation.
She had spent hours organizing the documents, but one financial chart refused to match the figures in the supporting report.
She rubbed her forehead.
Then she tried again.
And again.
Finally, she sighed.
Elena: “Come on…”
Alexander: “Talking to your computer?”
Elena nearly jumped out of her chair.
Alexander stood behind her.
Elena: “Mr. Blackwood!”
He glanced toward the screen.
Alexander: “What’s wrong?”
Elena: “Nothing, sir. I’m just checking the figures.”
Alexander leaned closer.
Alexander: “You’ve been checking the same figures for twenty minutes.”
Elena blinked.
Elena: “How do you know?”
He ignored the question.
Alexander: “Move.”
She immediately shifted her chair.
Alexander leaned over the desk, examining the spreadsheet.
His shoulder brushed hers.
Elena became painfully aware of how close he was standing.
He smelled faintly of expensive cologne.
Alexander: “There.”
He pointed toward a formula.
Alexander: “You’re referencing the previous quarter.”
Elena leaned forward.
Elena: “Oh!”
She corrected the formula.
The figures immediately matched.
Her face brightened.
Elena: “It worked!”
Alexander looked down at her.
She was smiling at the screen as though she’d accomplished something extraordinary.
Alexander: “Obviously.”
Elena laughed softly.
Elena: “Thank you, Alexander.”
He went still.
She hadn’t even realized she’d used his first name.
Alexander glanced toward the corridor.
Fortunately, nobody was nearby.
Alexander: “Careful.”
Elena looked confused.
Elena: “What?”
He lowered his voice.
Alexander: “My name. Only when we’re alone.”
Her cheeks warmed.
Elena: “Right. Sorry.”
Alexander straightened.
Alexander: “And stop apologizing.”
She smiled.
Elena: “I’ll try.”
The next surprise came when Alexander noticed Elena repeatedly checking her phone.
Normally, she barely touched it during working hours.
But that afternoon, she looked at the screen several times, her expression growing increasingly worried.
Alexander observed her from his office doorway.
Eventually, he called her inside.
Alexander: “Elena.”
She entered immediately.
Elena: “Yes, Alexander?”
He gestured toward the chair.
Alexander: “Sit.”
Elena obeyed.
Alexander: “What’s wrong?”
She blinked.
Elena: “Nothing.”
His eyes narrowed.
Alexander: “Don’t lie to me.”
Elena looked down at her hands.
Elena: “It’s just something personal.”
Alexander leaned back.
Alexander: “Does it affect your work?”
Elena: “No. I promise.”
He studied her for several seconds.
Alexander: “Then why do you look like you’re about to cry?”
Elena immediately shook her head.
Elena: “I’m not.”
Alexander remained silent.
Eventually, she sighed.
Elena: “My landlord increased the rent.”
He didn’t respond.
Elena: “I was already struggling a little, and now I have to figure out how to cover the difference.”
Alexander’s expression remained unreadable.
Alexander: “How much?”
Elena looked embarrassed.
Elena: “It’s okay. I’ll manage.”
Alexander: “That wasn’t my question.”
She hesitated before telling him.
Alexander barely reacted.
The amount was insignificant to him.
But judging by Elena’s expression, it was enough to keep her awake at night.
Alexander: “Why didn’t you mention this earlier?”
She looked genuinely confused.
Elena: “Because you’re my boss.”
Alexander stared at her.
Elena: “I don’t expect you to solve my personal problems.”
For some reason, that answer irritated him.
Not because she was wrong.
But because she was right.
Alexander: “Your salary is reviewed after probation.”
Elena nodded.
Elena: “I know.”
Alexander: “You’ve been performing above expectations.”
She looked up.
Elena: “Really?”
He frowned.
Alexander: “Must you always sound surprised?”
A small smile appeared on her lips.
Elena: “Sorry.”
Alexander sighed.
Alexander: “I’ll ask HR to review your compensation based on your performance. Nothing more.”
Her eyes widened.
Elena: “Alexander, you don’t have to—”
Alexander: “I know what I have to do.”
She fell silent.
Then she smiled.
Elena: “Thank you.”
He looked away.
Alexander: “Get back to work.”
By the time the executive floor emptied, Elena had finished her remaining assignments.
She approached Alexander’s office and knocked.
Alexander: “Come in.”
She entered carrying the completed investor presentation.
Elena: “Everything is ready for tomorrow.”
Alexander accepted the folder.
Alexander: “Good.”
Elena remained standing.
He looked up.
Alexander: “Something else?”
She hesitated.
Elena: “Can I ask you something?”
Alexander: “You already are.”
She smiled faintly.
Elena: “Why are you being nicer to me?”
Alexander’s expression changed immediately.
Alexander: “Nicer?”
Elena: “A little.”
He leaned back.
Alexander: “I’m not being nice.”
Elena: “Okay.”
Alexander: “I’m being reasonable.”
Elena: “Of course.”
Her small smile irritated him.
Alexander: “Stop smiling like that.”
Elena tried.
Unfortunately, that only made her smile wider.
Alexander stared at her.
Then he shook his head.
Alexander: “You’re impossible.”
Elena laughed softly.
Elena: “That’s usually what people say about you.”
Silence.
She immediately froze.
Elena: “Oh my God. I didn’t mean—”
Alexander laughed.
It was brief.
Low.
Almost unwilling.
But unmistakably genuine.
Elena stared at him.
Alexander stopped laughing and looked at her.
Alexander: “Don’t look so shocked.”
She smiled.
Elena: “You should laugh more often.”
His expression slowly hardened.
Alexander: “Don’t push your luck, Elena.”
She nodded.
Elena: “Good night, Alexander.”
He watched her walk toward the door.
Then, just before she left, he spoke.
Alexander: “Elena.”
She turned.
Elena: “Yes?”
He paused.
There was nothing he needed.
No instruction to give.
No document to request.
For a moment, he simply looked at her.
Then he said something he had never said to any of his previous assistants.
Alexander: “Get home safely.”
Elena’s expression softened.
Elena: “I will.”
She smiled.
Elena: “You too.”
The door closed.
Alexander remained seated behind his desk.
For several seconds, he stared at the empty doorway.
He had spent years ensuring nobody became important enough to distract him.
Yet somehow, a shy, plus-size woman with warm brown eyes and an irritating habit of worrying about everyone else had begun occupying his thoughts.
He didn’t know what to call it.
He didn’t want to call it anything.
But one thing was becoming increasingly obvious.
When they were alone, Elena Montgomery was no longer simply Miss Montgomery.
And that distinction was beginning to matter more than he wanted to admit.
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