Jane pov
My heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as i hurried through the executive corridor, clutching the folders close to my chest. my chest was tight with nerves, and my stomach turned each time i remembered the way Zayn had looked at me last week — like i was something small and disposable.
I had promised myself: no more messing up. No more letting him get under my skin.
I reached his door, paused, smoothed my skirt, and exhaled slowly. Then i knocked twice and stepped in.
Zayn was already seated behind his massive glass desk, dressed immaculately as always — black tailored suit, sleeves neat, watch glinting against his wrist. He didn't look up right away, just flipped a page in a thick file with the same cool detachment i'd come to know.
"You're late," he said, voice low and sharp.
i blinked. "It's 7:59."
He finally looked up. His eyes — dark, unreadable — met mine like a wall of ice.
"I don't pay you to almost be on time."
I bit the inside of my cheek, biting back the sting. "Understood, sir."
I stepped forward, set the file down precisely on the edge of his desk, and waited.
Zayn's gaze lingered on me a moment longer than necessary.
my blouse was slightly wrinkled from the rush that morning, and a few strands of hair had escaped my bun. i wondered if he noticed. Judged. Of course he did.
"I want the Compass competitor report by noon," he said, flipping open another folder. "Make sure the figures are verified. I won't be embarrassed again because you can't double-check basic data."
I nodded stiffly. "Yes, sir."
"And bring my coffee. Black. Not whatever watered-down excuse you brought last week."
I hesitated.
He looked up again, slower this time. "Problem?"
"No, sir." i turned on my heel before my voice could shake.
As I left the office, I could feel his eyes on my back.
For a man who barely tolerated her existence, he had a strange way of paying attention.
i reached my desk, sat down, and released a breath i didn't know i been holding.
One day, I will stop letting him get to me
One day, I will walk in that office and not feel like breaking.
But today wasn't that day.
Zayn pov
She knocked.
Two sharp taps. No hesitation this time.
I didn't look up right away. i didn't need to. i knew it was her. There was a subtle shuffle she made when she stood still — barely there, but i noticed.
Always noticed.
When i finally lifted my eyes from the file, she was already walking toward my desk, holding the folder close to her chest like it was armor.
She was in pale blue today. Wrinkled near the waist. Hair messily pinned, like she hadn't slept well or had rushed her morning.
And yet…
I shoved the thought aside.
"You're late," I said curtly.
Her expression flickered. She glanced at the wall clock. "It's 7:59."
I said nothing for a beat, then turned a page in the file. "I don't pay you to almost be on time."
She stiffened. Just slightly. But enough.
Good. If she thought he was softening, she was mistaken.
Jane placed the folder on my desk with both hands—neat, deliberate—and stood there waiting. Obedient, quiet.
Too quiet.
I forced himself to speak. "I want the Compass competitor report by noon. No errors this time."
"Yes, sir," she said, voice even.
I glanced at her again.
She wasn't trembling like she did on her first week. She didn't fumble with her words anymore. Didn't cry when i snapped. That should have made things easier.
But somehow, it didn't.
I leaned back in my chair. "And bring my coffee. Black. Not that watered-down garbage from last week."
She blinked. Just once. "Yes, sir."
A pause.
Still here.
"Problem?" i asked, sharper than intended.
"No, sir." She turned and left.
I stared at the door for a long moment after it clicked shut behind her.
my jaw tightened.
There was no reason for the irritation bubbling in my chest. No reason for the memory of her laugh — not even directed at him — echoing from Friday night. No reason for the way the image of her with that man was still burned into his brain.
Levi.
I remembered him clearly now. Friendly. Relaxed. The kind of man who had nothing to lose.
Zayn had everything to lose. That was the difference.
And Jane… she was just my secretary.
I flawed, easily replaceable, slightly-too-bold secretary.
So why the hell was she suddenly so hard to ignore?
I ran a hand over my face and pulled the Compass report closer.
Focus.
This was business.
Everything else was just noise.