Chapter 6 – Between Logic and Feelings
1522 Words
The air inside the CEO’s office felt tense. Selena stood stiff, the report folder pressed to her chest like a useless shield. Leonardo’s words—I can’t stop thinking about you, Selena—still echoed in her ears, sounding far too real.
“W-what do you mean, Sir?” she finally managed to ask, her voice nearly breaking.
Leonardo didn’t answer right away. His gaze stayed sharp, too close, too intense. As if he was searching for secrets even Selena herself didn’t know.
“I want to know what you’re hiding,” he repeated softly, almost a whisper.
Selena bit her lower lip and quickly lowered her eyes. “I’m not… not hiding anything. I’m just an ordinary secretary, Sir. My job is to keep your schedule neat, prepare reports on time, and—”
“And make me lose focus,” Leonardo cut in fast.
Selena froze. She looked up, disbelief filling her eyes. “Lose focus…? Sir, you’re joking, right?”
Leonardo narrowed his eyes, then suddenly gave a faint smile. A smile that felt more like a threat than warmth. “Do I look like the kind of man who jokes with his secretary?”
Selena opened her mouth, then closed it again. Words stuck in her throat. Part of her wanted to scream Yes, of course you’re joking! but another part—more honest, more afraid—wasn’t sure of the answer.
The air was too heavy. Finally, Selena stepped back, trying to create distance. “I’m sorry, Sir. I think it’s already late. There’s a morning meeting tomorrow, and I need to prepare extra documents.”
Leonardo stared at her for a few more seconds before stepping aside, giving space. “Fine. Go.”
His tone sounded light, but his eyes still held something back.
Selena hurried out, closing the door with her heart still pounding wildly. By the time she reached her desk, she almost collapsed into her chair. Her hands clutched her skirt, her cheeks burning red.
(Oh God, what was that just now?)
---
The Next Morning
The office returned to its usual rhythm. But for Selena, nothing felt the same anymore. She felt like every step, every move she made, was under Leonardo’s radar.
Barely an hour after she sat down, the intercom buzzed.
“Selena, come to my office.”
Selena sighed. (It’s only nine a.m., what does he want now?!) she muttered, grabbing her notebook.
Inside, Leonardo was sitting casually, jacket open, twirling a pen in his hand. “Bring me last month’s financial report.”
Selena blinked. “It’s already on your desk, Sir. The left pile.”
Leonardo glanced, then nodded. “Right. Sit down.”
Selena held her breath. Sit? For what? But she obeyed, taking a seat across from him. “Do you need me to take notes?”
Leonardo just stared at her. For a long time. Too long. Until Selena’s face felt like it was on fire.
“…Sir?” she asked nervously.
Leonardo suddenly leaned back, lips curving faintly. “No. I just wanted to make sure you’re not running away from me.”
Selena almost exploded. “Running away? Sir, I’m your secretary, not your prisoner!”
Leonardo chuckled softly—a sound so rare it made Selena freeze. His laugh was low, almost like strange music in her ears.
Her eyes widened. “Did you… just laugh?”
He raised a brow. “Is that a problem?”
Selena covered her face with her hands briefly. “Oh my God… this is insane. You called me here just to—what? To make me watch you laugh?”
Leonardo leaned forward, voice deep. “That’s not a bad idea.”
Selena shot up so fast her notebook nearly fell. “Sir! If you’re bored, you should find a new hobby. Stop disturbing your secretary who already has piles of work!”
The room went silent.
By the door, Matteo fought back a grin. He knew too well how rare—almost impossible—it was for anyone to speak to his boss like that.
Leonardo stayed quiet for two seconds before laughing again. This time clearer. Short, but real.
“Selena…” he said softly, his tone strangely warm. “You’re really… interesting.”
Selena froze, face heating up. She quickly turned away. “I’ll… I’ll get back to my desk.”
She rushed out. As soon as the door closed, Matteo glanced at his boss with a smirk. “Boss, honestly… I’ve never seen you laugh like that.”
Leonardo sighed, eyes fixed on the door Selena had just shut. His lips still carried the faintest smile. “Neither have I.”
---
The whole day felt… strange. At least for Selena.
She tried focusing on her work, but distractions kept coming.
First, just as she sat down—
“Selena, turn on the projector.”
She frowned from her desk. “But… Matteo is in the room, Sir.”
Leonardo’s eyes locked on hers, sharp but calm. “I asked you.”
Grumbling inside, Selena entered the meeting room, turned it on in seconds, and turned to leave. But then came that look again. Not cold—but measuring.
“Thank you,” he said simply.
Selena bit her lip, escaping quickly. (Why me? Matteo was right there! And that look again… No, stop it, Selena. He’s just your boss!)
An hour later—
“Selena.”
She inhaled deeply. “Yes, Sir?”
“Bring me the pen on my desk.”
Selena nearly exploded. “A pen? But it’s right in front of you!”
Leonardo’s face stayed calm. “I want you to hand it to me.”
Annoyed, Selena grabbed the pen and set it down in front of him—harder than necessary. “Here, Sir.”
He raised a brow. “You look displeased.”
Selena forced her face neutral. “Not at all. I just thought… you could’ve done that yourself.”
Leonardo studied her, then smiled faintly. “You’re quite brave.”
Selena froze. “What do you mean?”
“Not many people dare complain to me.” He leaned back, eyes still fixed on her. “But for some reason… I don’t mind when it’s from you.”
Selena quickly looked down, pretending to organize her files.
(Oh God… did he really just say that? Why am I burning up?)
Hours later—
“Selena, come in.”
She walked in with clear irritation. “What is it now, Sir?”
Leonardo pointed to his laptop. “What time is the meeting tomorrow?”
Selena exhaled hard. “It’s already in the calendar, Sir. You can check it there.”
“I know.” Leonardo closed the laptop and looked straight at her. “But I want to hear it directly from you.”
Selena stared. “Seriously? So all this—projector, pen, schedule—you were just… playing?”
Leonardo didn’t answer immediately. He just kept watching her, then his shoulders shook slightly. A soft laugh escaped his lips.
Selena froze. That was the first time she’d seen him really laugh—not just smirk, but truly laugh.
“Sir… are you… joking with me?” she asked uncertainly.
Leonardo rested his chin on his hand. “Maybe. Or maybe I just wanted to see your reaction.”
All day, the office felt different. Selena fumed at being called for small things. Yet deep down, she couldn’t deny it—every time his cold gaze softened a little when it landed on her, her heart skipped.
(Ugh, Selena! You should be annoyed, not nervous!)
---
By evening, the office grew quiet as people left. Selena stayed behind, finishing her last stack of files. She glanced at Leonardo’s door now and then—still closed, with light glowing faintly inside.
(Feels like he’s been trying to mess with me all day…)
At eight, Selena finally decided to leave. Matteo greeted her briefly before staying behind to escort his boss later. Selena nodded and walked out, her emotions still tangled.
---
That Night
In his grand residence, Leonardo lay on his king-size bed, lights dimmed. Beyond the wide glass windows, the city shimmered under the night sky.
But closing his eyes brought no peace. Instead of business strategies, his mind replayed—
Selena’s smile…
Her annoyed frown…
Her bold words from earlier.
All spinning uncontrollably in his head.
Leonardo groaned, covering his eyes with his arm. “Why do you… keep appearing in my thoughts?”
Eventually, he drifted into sleep.
In his dream, Selena stood close, eyes full of emotions. Her hand almost touched his face. Her voice came soft, almost teasing:
“Sir… what is it that you really want from me?”
In the dream, Leonardo reached out, almost touching her cheek—
Then he woke up, violently.
His eyes flew open
, breath ragged. Sweat dampened his forehead. His heart pounded too fast.
“….”
Then his low voice broke the silence, filled with frustration.
“Damn it. I can’t fall for my secretary.”
- Writer
