Chapter Two : Rules and Exceptions
577 Words
Julian learned two things within his first week working for Victoria Vence.
First, the woman never arrived late.
Second, she expected the impossible—and somehow made it look effortless.
"Reschedule the conference call with Zurich," Victoria instructed without looking up from the reports on her desk. "Push the Milan meeting to Thursday. Have legal review the new acquisition documents before noon."
Julian's fingers flew across his tablet.
"Already done."
For the first time since he'd started working for her, Victoria paused.
Blue-green eyes lifted to meet his.
There was no warmth in them.
Only calculation.
"Good."
For some reason, that single word felt more rewarding than an entire speech of praise.
By the end of the second week, Julian had memorized Victoria's coffee order, knew exactly how she liked her presentations organized, and had mastered the art of interpreting the subtle lift of her brow.
What he hadn't mastered...
was the effect she had on him.
It wasn't just her beauty.
Though there was plenty of that.
It was the way she carried herself.
Confident.
Controlled.
As though the entire world could be falling apart and she'd still have the grace to walk through the storm without a single strand of hair out of place.
"Mr. Hart."
Julian blinked.
Victoria was standing in front of his desk.
"When I speak to you, I expect your full attention."
Heat rushed to his face.
"My apologies, Ms. Vence."
Her gaze lingered on him for a moment.
"You've been distracted lately."
If only she knew.
"Won't happen again."
A long silence followed.
Then—
"You've been doing well."
Julian stared.
Victoria had already turned away.
But he'd heard her.
Three simple words.
From Victoria Vence, they might as well have been a standing ovation.
"Thank you," he replied quietly.
She stopped at the doorway of her office.
Without turning around, she said, "The board meeting starts in thirty minutes."
And then she disappeared behind the glass doors.
Julian released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
"You're doomed."
He looked up to find Emily from HR leaning against the reception desk.
"I'm sorry?"
Emily gave him a sympathetic look.
"That expression? The one you wear every time she walks into a room?"
Julian frowned.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Emily laughed.
"You have a crush on Victoria Vence."
His eyes widened.
"No, I don't."
"You absolutely do."
"I absolutely don't."
"Julian."
He sighed.
"...I absolutely do."
Emily winced.
"Good luck with that."
He glanced toward Victoria's office.
Through the transparent glass walls, she sat at her desk reviewing documents, completely unaware of the chaos she'd caused inside him.
Or perhaps she was aware.
Victoria noticed everything.
Still...
there was no way someone like Victoria Vence could ever see someone like him that way.
He was her assistant.
She was his boss.
And Victoria Vence didn't blur professional boundaries.
She created them.
Unfortunately for Julian Hart...
his heart had never been particularly interested in following the rules.
Meanwhile, behind the closed door of her office...
Victoria set down her pen.
Her gaze drifted toward the young man seated outside.
Efficient.
Attentive.
Entirely too observant.
She had noticed the way Julian anticipated her needs before she voiced them.
The way he never flinched under pressure.
The way he looked at her when he thought she wasn't paying attention.
Victoria Vence noticed everything.
And Julian Hart...
was becoming a problem.
A problem she wasn't sure she wanted to solve.
- Writer
