Days passed. Then weeks. Almost a month into my new job, and I was finally adjusting to the work routine — organizing files, managing schedules, and learning the CEO's habits.
I had a crush on my boss, yes. But I didn't let it show — just like Anna warned. I stayed professional, kept it quiet, and only admired him in secret.
Pam Pam Pam!
The office phone on my desk rang. It was him.
"Miss Quinn, arrange an urgent meeting. Now. All department heads."
I scrambled into action and did just that.
Minutes later, I sat by the glass wall, ready to take minutes. But it became clear quickly — this wasn't going to be a normal meeting. No notes, just tension.
Cassian Ward walked in and went straight to the point.
"Who changed the foundation plans for Bellview Tower without my approval?" he asked, holding up a document.
Silence.
"We've lost three days on that site. I don't tolerate carelessness. And right now, all of you are sitting here like you're mute."
His eyes moved slowly across the room, deadly calm but burning with quiet fury.
"From now on, any changes—big or small—must pass through my office. If anyone here thinks they can't handle that…"
He pointed to the door.
"There it is."
Then he stormed out.
I stood quickly to follow him, just like a good secretary should. But we hadn't even made it out of the room when he turned to me.
"And you—are you just here to serve coffee and run errands? You know your job includes sending files to my desk on time, Miss Quinn."
A chill ran through me. I couldn't even reply. He stormed off, and I stood frozen for a second.
I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. I'd rehearsed being the perfect secretary in my head a thousand times — and still, I'd messed up. Maybe he was right. Maybe I wasn't ready for this.
Back at my desk, I began flipping through documents in a panic — organizing everything that should've been on his table already. Around me, the other staff were just as tense, focused on their own work.
Stephanie rolled her chair over beside me.
"Hey, newbie. Crazy, huh? He yelled at you too, didn't he?"
I nodded faintly.
"That's our boss," she said with a shrug. "He's sweet most times, but even one tiny delay? Boom. He goes off like that. No room for mistakes."
She leaned in a little.
"No wonder he can't keep a relationship."
My head turned sharply. "Wait — he's single?"
Stephanie smirked.
"To the core. I even heard he canceled a blind date because the woman showed up thirty minutes late."
I chuckled quietly.
Stephanie kept talking, but honestly… I'd already stopped listening.
I'd heard what I needed.
Suddenly, I noticed Mr. Cassian look in our direction through the glass.
Our eyes met — but this time not in anger, but something different that I couldn't explain.
Pam.
He immediately reached over… and closed the blinds.
The way his eyes lingered for a second longer than usual… or maybe I imagined it.
Either way, the blinds came down.
And now I couldn't stop wondering what he was thinking.
"Could he be blushing?" I said to myself in my head.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves.
This job… this man… this pressure.
Everything was on a level I'd never experienced before.
But I didn't come here to give up.
I came here to prove myself.
To be more than just the girl with a secret crush.
So I adjusted my chair, opened a fresh file, and got to work.
Still…
As I flipped through the documents, I kept thinking about the way his eyes met mine.
Not with anger this time…
But something else. Something I didn't know how to name.
I shook the thought off quickly.
Whatever it was, it didn't matter.
He was my boss.
And I was just… the secretary with a clipboard and a silent heartbeat too loud to ignore.