my boss wants me at all cost

Chapter Four: The Elevator Incident

Chloe kept her head down the next morning. She arrived earlier than usual, hoping to clean the executive offices before Klein showed up. She didn’t want to see him — not after what he said.

"I want to know you."

"Call me Klein when we’re alone."

She wasn’t used to this kind of attention — especially not from a man like him. Chloe wasn’t some rich girl with polished nails and expensive perfume. She was just a cleaner from South Texas trying to survive.

And Klein Carter? He was a man who could buy entire buildings without blinking.

They had nothing in common.

So why couldn’t she stop thinking about him?

Chloe rolled her cleaning cart into the hallway and started dusting the glass wall panels. Everything was still and silent — until she heard the ding of the elevator behind her.

She turned around — too late.

The doors slid open, and Klein stepped out.

He looked tired — his sleeves rolled up, tie slightly loosened — but even in that state, he looked effortlessly powerful.

Their eyes met.

Chloe froze. Her heart dropped into her stomach.

Klein arched an eyebrow. “You’re here early.”

“Wanted to finish up before the offices got busy,” she replied, keeping her voice low and polite.

He stepped closer, eyes never leaving hers. “Avoiding me?”

Chloe’s lips parted. “I just came to work.”

Klein gave a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You don’t have to be afraid of me.”

“I’m not afraid,” she said, more quickly than intended.

He stopped just inches from her.

“Good,” he said softly. “Because I don’t want you to run.”

Before Chloe could reply, the elevator dinged again — and this time, someone else stepped out.

A tall woman with fiery red hair, flawless makeup, and a tight designer suit.

“Wow,” the woman said, folding her arms. “Still charming the cleaning staff, Klein?”

Chloe felt her face burn as she instinctively stepped back.

Klein’s jaw clenched. “Savannah. What are you doing here?”

Savannah. So this was her. The ex everyone whispered about.

“I came to talk about the gala,” she said smoothly. “But I see you’re… busy.”

Klein stepped in front of Chloe, blocking her from view. “We’re done here. Set an appointment with my assistant.”

Savannah raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Fine. But don’t forget — you and I still have unfinished business.”

She walked off, heels clicking like gunshots on the marble floor.

Chloe stood frozen.

Klein turned back to her. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“I shouldn’t be here,” she whispered.

“Yes,” he said, his voice low and firm. “You should.”

He brushed past her, leaving the air between them charged.

And Chloe knew — this wasn’t just some harmless attraction.

It was already turning into something bigger.

Something dangerous.

Something she might not be able to stop.