Finally, it was Monday — the day I'd been anticipating like Christmas.
I woke up early, practically jumping out of bed. I took a clean, quick bath, dabbed on some light powder, a touch of pink-nude lipstick, brushed out my hair, and slid into my best corporate outfit. I made sure I looked pretty — just like always.
I rushed to the bus station and finally, I arrived…
Not just at work — but at my dream company.
Wardstone Corporation.
I'd been assigned as the CEO's secretary.
My desk sat just a few steps away from his office — sleek, modern, and glowing like something out of a magazine.
The desk was polished mahogany, the kind that shimmered when light hit it. A comfy silver-framed chair sat behind it. A top-grade computer screen glowed softly, and the phone system looked like something from the future. Everything was perfect.
Neat stacks of files. A luxury pen holder filled with gold and black pens. A leather-bound calendar. Even a few framed pictures of the company's top board members — with one in the center: Cassian Ward.
He looked serious in the photo. Sharp jawline. Fierce eyes. But nothing could have prepared me for the real thing.
Just a few minutes into my first morning, the front door opened — and he walked in.
Tall. Clean-shaven. Hair slicked back like he walked straight out of a billionaire perfume ad.
People stood like statues as they greeted him.
"Good morning, sir."
"Good morning, Mr. Cassian Ward."
He gave a small smile, responding politely, "Good morning to you all."
He walked past me.
I felt my breath catch — not because I was nervous, but because no photo had prepared me for this.
I leaned toward a girl sitting across from me — Stephanie.
"Hey, Stephanie… who is that?"
She didn't even look up. "That's Cassian Ward — the CEO. And the man you'll be working directly under."
My eyes widened. "Thanks," I said quickly and walked back to my seat, glancing again at the framed photo on my desk.
This picture doesn't do that man justice.
Not long after, the HR lady walked me to his office to officially introduce me.
He greeted me kindly — all smiles, composed.
"Welcome to Wardstone, Azaria."
I smiled and replied softly.
He must be nice, I thought to myself.
The rest of the day went smoothly.
I reminded him of meetings, made his coffee just the way he liked it, scheduled appointments, and even rode with him once to an external briefing.
A handsome boss. Friendly coworkers. Not too stressful.
Everything… seemed too good to be true.
After I followed him to a meeting earlier that day, he glanced at me and said calmly,
"You look very professional, Miss Quinn. I hope you'll prove your capability while you're here."
I blinked, caught off guard.
"Uh… thank you, sir."
He nodded once and returned to his desk like it was nothing.
But me?
My heart wasn't calm for the next hour.
On my way home from work, I messaged Anna my bestie:
"Anna, he's so fine it's actually dangerous. I think I'm in trouble."
Seconds later, she replied:
"Don't tell me you're already crushing on your boss on day one! Ehhhh Azaria baby do the calms my dear be professional girl."
I typed back fast:
"Babe… he's just too good not to notice.
I swear, the way he walked in? The suit, the voice… my ovaries didn't stand a chance."
Anna:
"LMAO stop it I can already see you blushing through the phone.
Send me a pic, I need to see this man that's shaking your heart like pepper soup "
Azaria:
"He's like if sin had a face. I'm not joking. We're in trouble "
We kept texting the whole ride home, laughing and teasing, but a tiny part of me… wasn't joking at all.