OWNED BY MY RUTHLESS BOSS

Before He Could Ask

Alexander Blackwood was a man who believed efficiency was the foundation of success.

He hated waiting, repeating himself, and employees who needed constant instructions. Throughout his career, he had employed countless assistants, each promising to be more capable than the last. Most lasted a few weeks. Some barely survived a day.

Elena Montgomery had been working for him for only a short time, and Alexander had already concluded that she was inexperienced, overly apologetic, and far too sensitive for his demanding environment.

What he hadn’t expected was for her to learn his habits faster than anyone before her.

When Alexander stepped out of the private elevator onto the executive floor, he immediately noticed something unusual.

Elena was already sitting at her desk.

Her dark brown hair fell neatly over her shoulders, and she wore a pale blue blouse with black trousers. Her computer was running, several folders were arranged beside her keyboard, and she was speaking professionally into her headset.

She wasn’t rushing around or looking frightened. She wasn’t even watching the elevator, anxiously waiting for his arrival.

Elena: “Good morning, Blackwood International. Mr. Blackwood’s office. How may I assist you?”

Alexander slowed his steps.

Elena listened carefully before typing something into her computer.

Elena: “Of course, Mr. Harrison. I’ve already forwarded your request to the appropriate department. You’ll receive confirmation shortly.”

She ended the call just as Alexander approached.

Without appearing startled, she stood and offered a polite smile.

Elena: “Good morning, Mr. Blackwood.”

Alexander glanced at her desk.

Alexander: “You’re early.”

Elena: “Yes, sir.”

Alexander: “Why?”

Elena: “I wanted everything prepared before you arrived.”

He studied her briefly.

Alexander: “My schedule?”

Elena immediately handed him a neatly printed document.

Elena: “Already updated, sir. Your meeting with the finance department has been moved, and the revised contracts are waiting for your signature.”

Alexander looked at the schedule.

Everything was correct.

Alexander: “The Sterling follow-up?”

Elena: “Confirmed. Their legal department sent the requested amendments. I’ve highlighted the sections requiring your approval.”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

Alexander: “The quarterly reports?”

Elena: “Completed and arranged in your office, sir.”

Alexander said nothing.

Elena simply waited, her hands resting comfortably in front of her.

There was no trembling, no nervous apology, and no desperate attempt to fill the silence.

Alexander: “Fine.”

He walked past her toward his office.

Elena returned to her chair and continued working.

Alexander noticed that she didn’t watch him leave.

Interesting.

The moment Alexander entered his office, he stopped.

His enormous mahogany desk was immaculate.

Every document had been arranged according to priority. The contracts requiring signatures were placed on his right, financial reports on his left, and a separate folder containing urgent correspondence sat directly in front of his chair.

His laptop was ready.

The presentation for his next meeting was already open.

And beside his computer sat a steaming cup of coffee.

Black.

No sugar.

Exactly the temperature he preferred.

Alexander stared at it.

Then his gaze shifted toward a covered breakfast tray beside the coffee.

He removed the cover.

Scrambled eggs, lightly toasted sourdough, sliced avocado, and smoked salmon.

His usual breakfast.

Prepared precisely the way he liked it.

Alexander’s expression darkened.

He hadn’t ordered breakfast. He hadn’t requested coffee. And he certainly hadn’t told his new assistant what he preferred to eat.

For several seconds, he remained motionless.

Then he pressed the intercom.

Alexander: “Miss Montgomery. My office.”

Elena: “Right away, sir.”

A moment later, Elena knocked and entered.

Elena: “You called, Mr. Blackwood?”

Alexander gestured toward his desk.

Alexander: “What’s this?”

Elena followed his gaze.

Elena: “Your breakfast, sir.”

Alexander: “I can see that.”

She remained quiet.

Alexander: “Who told you to order it?”

Elena: “Nobody, sir.”

His jaw tightened.

Alexander: “Then explain.”

Elena clasped her hands gently.

Elena: “I noticed you usually arrive without eating, and yesterday you didn’t have lunch until very late. I thought having breakfast ready might save you some time.”

Alexander leaned against his desk.

Alexander: “And how exactly did you know what I eat?”

Elena: “I noticed what you ordered during the previous meeting, sir. You didn’t touch the tomatoes, and you asked for your eggs without pepper. I also noticed you prefer your toast lightly browned.”

Alexander stared at her.

Alexander: “And the coffee?”

Elena: “I noticed you never add sugar or milk. You also prefer it freshly made rather than left sitting on your desk.”

His eyes narrowed.

Alexander: “You’ve been studying me?”

Elena blinked.

Elena: “Your working preferences, sir. I thought understanding them would help me do my job properly.”

Silence filled the office.

Alexander looked toward the breakfast tray again.

Alexander: “And who authorized you to spend company money on my breakfast?”

Elena looked genuinely confused.

Elena: “Oh, no, sir. I didn’t use company money.”

Alexander slowly turned his attention back to her.

Alexander: “Then whose money did you use?”

Elena: “Mine, sir.”

His expression changed slightly.

Alexander: “Excuse me?”

Elena nervously adjusted the sleeves of her blouse.

Elena: “I bought the ingredients myself. I prepared everything at home before coming to work.”

Alexander stared at her.

Alexander: “You cooked this?”

Elena: “Yes, sir.”

Alexander: “Personally?”

Elena: “Yes, Mr. Blackwood.”

For several seconds, Alexander said absolutely nothing.

He looked down at the perfectly prepared breakfast before returning his attention to the young woman standing in front of him.

Alexander: “Why?”

Elena appeared surprised by the question.

Elena: “Well, I noticed you don’t always have time to eat. I thought perhaps having breakfast ready would make your morning a little easier.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened.

Nobody had ever done this for him.

His employees followed instructions because he paid them. His business associates offered gifts because they wanted something. Even the women he dated preferred expensive restaurants and lavish presents over ordinary gestures.

Yet Elena Montgomery, a woman he had repeatedly criticized, had spent her own money and time preparing his breakfast.

Without being asked.

Without expecting anything.

And judging by her innocent expression, she didn’t even realize how unusual her gesture was.

Alexander: “Miss Montgomery.”

Elena: “Yes, sir?”

Alexander: “Your responsibilities do not include cooking for me.”

Her cheeks turned pink.

Elena: “I understand, Mr. Blackwood. I just thought it would be nice.”

Alexander studied her.

Alexander: “You thought it would be nice?”

Elena: “Yes, sir.”

He couldn’t remember the last time someone had done something for him simply because they thought it would be nice.

The realization irritated him more than he cared to admit.

Alexander: “Don’t make a habit of spending your salary on me.”

Elena smiled softly.

Elena: “Don’t worry, sir. It wasn’t expensive.”

Alexander’s eyes narrowed.

That wasn’t the point.

The man could purchase an entire restaurant without checking his bank account. Money wasn’t the issue.

It was the fact that she had given something of her own when he hadn’t offered her a single reason to be kind to him.

Alexander: “Dismissed, Miss Montgomery.”

Elena: “Of course, sir. I hope you enjoy it.”

She gave him one last polite smile before leaving.

Alexander remained standing beside his desk.

His eyes returned to the breakfast tray.

He slowly pulled out his chair and sat down. After a moment of hesitation, he picked up his fork and tasted the scrambled eggs.

They were perfect.

Exactly the way he liked them.

Alexander stared at the food for several seconds before taking another bite.

He had eaten meals prepared by some of the world’s finest chefs.

Yet he couldn’t remember the last time someone had personally cooked breakfast for him.

And for some inexplicable reason, that bothered him.

By the middle of the workday, Alexander had discovered something else.

Elena was no longer asking unnecessary questions.

When he requested a contract, she already had it prepared. When a director called, she knew whether to transfer the call or arrange a later appointment. When his meeting ended, the minutes were waiting in his inbox.

She had even reorganized his correspondence so that urgent matters appeared first.

Nothing had been overlooked.

Nothing required repeating.

And most irritatingly, nothing gave him a reason to complain.

Alexander stepped outside his office carrying a folder.

Alexander: “Miss Montgomery.”

Elena looked up.

Elena: “Yes, sir?”

Alexander: “I need the updated acquisition figures.”

She reached toward a folder beside her keyboard.

Elena: “They’re here, Mr. Blackwood. I also included the comparison with last quarter’s figures.”

He accepted the documents.

Alexander: “I didn’t ask for a comparison.”

Elena: “I know, sir. But the previous acquisition meeting included questions about the growth percentage, so I thought it might be useful.”

Alexander opened the folder.

The comparison was accurate.

He closed it again.

Alexander: “Fine.”

Elena: “Is there anything else you need?”

He looked at her.

Alexander: “No.”

Elena: “Very well, sir.”

She returned to her computer.

Alexander remained standing for another second before walking away.

Something about her composure bothered him.

Not because it was inappropriate.

Because it was unexpected.

Where was the nervous woman who had practically trembled whenever he spoke?

Where was the assistant who apologized for breathing too loudly?

Elena was still polite and gentle, but she no longer looked as though every conversation with him might end her career.

And Alexander wasn’t sure when that had changed.

During her break, Elena met Sofia in the staff cafeteria.

Sofia immediately noticed her friend’s relaxed expression.

Sofia: “Well, look at you. You’re smiling. Did someone finally replace Alexander Blackwood with a human being?”

Elena laughed.

Elena: “He’s still the same.”

Sofia: “Then why do you look so happy?”

Elena stirred her tea.

Elena: “I think I’m finally understanding how he works.”

Sofia raised an eyebrow.

Sofia: “You understand the devil?”

Elena: “Sofia!”

Sofia: “What? That’s his unofficial title.”

Elena shook her head, smiling.

Elena: “He’s demanding because he likes things done a certain way. Once you understand his expectations, the job becomes easier.”

Sofia stared at her.

Sofia: “You sound like you’re defending him again.”

Elena: “I’m explaining him.”

Sofia: “That’s even worse.”

Both women laughed.

Elena took a sip of tea before continuing.

Elena: “I used to be so nervous that I couldn’t think properly. Now I just focus on doing my work. If he gets angry, I listen, correct whatever needs correcting, and move on.”

Sofia smiled.

Sofia: “That’s my girl.”

Elena: “Besides, I really need this job.”

Sofia: “I know, sweetheart.”

Elena glanced toward the cafeteria windows.

For the first time since joining Blackwood International, she felt that she might actually belong there.

Alexander returned from his final meeting to find another neatly arranged folder waiting on his desk.

Beside it was a small handwritten note.

Mr. Blackwood, the revised agreement has been checked by legal. The highlighted pages require your signature. Your remaining appointments have been confirmed.

— Elena Montgomery

He picked up the folder.

Everything was exactly where it should be.

Through the glass wall, he could see Elena speaking to another employee. She smiled warmly as she explained something, then returned to her desk and resumed typing.

Alexander watched her for a moment.

He wasn’t smiling.

He wasn’t impressed easily.

And he certainly wasn’t going to start praising an assistant for performing the duties she was paid to perform.

Still, he had to acknowledge one thing.

Elena Montgomery was becoming remarkably efficient.

He pressed the intercom.

Alexander: “Miss Montgomery.”

Elena: “Yes, Mr. Blackwood?”

Alexander: “Come here.”

She entered shortly afterward.

Elena: “Is something wrong, sir?”

Alexander leaned back in his chair.

Alexander: “Who taught you to organize my schedule this way?”

Elena: “Nobody, sir. I adjusted it based on how you prefer to work.”

Alexander: “And you believe you know how I prefer to work?”

Elena considered the question.

Elena: “I’m still learning, Mr. Blackwood.”

He studied her calm expression.

Alexander: “You’ve stopped apologizing every five minutes.”

Her cheeks turned slightly pink.

Elena: “I realized you don’t like unnecessary apologies, sir.”

Alexander: “And you’re no longer frightened of me?”

Elena hesitated.

Elena: “I still respect you, Mr. Blackwood.”

His eyes narrowed.

Alexander: “That wasn’t my question.”

She lowered her gaze briefly before meeting his eyes again.

Elena: “You can be intimidating, sir. But being nervous wasn’t helping me do my job.”

Alexander remained silent.

It was a surprisingly sensible answer.

Alexander: “Continue working.”

Elena: “Yes, sir.”

She turned toward the door.

Alexander: “Miss Montgomery.”

Elena stopped.

Elena: “Yes?”

He glanced toward the empty coffee cup on his desk.

Alexander: “The coffee was acceptable.”

A small smile appeared on her face.

Elena: “I’m glad, sir.”

She left before he could say anything else.

Alexander looked toward the closed door, his expression unreadable.

He still considered Elena inexperienced.

Still believed she had much to learn.

But for the first time, he found himself wondering how he’d managed to tolerate his previous assistants.

Because Elena Montgomery had accomplished something none of them had.

She had learned what Alexander Blackwood wanted before he even opened his mouth.

And whether he liked it or not, he was beginning to notice.