Emma's POV
My alarm went off at exactly 6:30 a.m.
For a moment, I just stared at the ceiling, letting reality sink in.
Today was my first day at Walton Apex capital..
I glanced at the clock again. Morning routines are back, and I'm definitely not a morning person!
I stepped into the bathroom, quickly freshening up before getting dressed. I kept my outfit simple but professional, beige tailored trousers paired with a fitted black top and sleek black heels. I packed my hair into a ponytail; it always helped me focus. After applying a light touch of makeup, I looked at myself in the mirror. Simple. Polished. Ready.
I stepped out of my room and into the living room. Lila was already there with her coffee, and when our eyes met, a big smile spread across her face.
"You look amazing! Totally a 10/10," she said, handing me a cup of coffee.
"Thanks, babe," I replied, taking a sip of my drink.
"I'm giving you a ride to work today," Lila said.
"Aw, that's really nice of you," I told her.
"You know I'm sweet," she said, grinning. "The last guy I hooked up with can vouch for that."
I rolled my eyes at her. "Isn't that a bit much for a morning chat?" I joked, tossing a couch pillow her way.
On our way , I called my parents to fill them in on my job, and they were super excited and proud of me. They wished me luck!
When Lila pulled up in front of Walton Apex Capital, she turned to me and asked if I was ready.
I told her I was more than ready, taking a deep breath. She smiled and said, 'That's my girl!'
As I got out of the car, I watched Lila drive off and looked up at the tall glass building in front of me. Walton Apex Capital was a sleek fifty-five-story tower made of steel and glass, reflecting the morning sunlight and standing proudly in the Manhattan skyline..
I walked through the revolving doors and into the lobby.
Marble floors gleamed beneath my heels, and the high ceiling made the space feel even more grand. Employees in tailored suits moved with purpose, their voices low and professional as they crossed the expansive hall just as it was yesterday.
I took it in for a brief second before heading toward the reception.
I was shown to my office floor, which, of course, was the same one as my boss's since I'm his assistant and need to be nearby. As I got into the elevator and the doors were almost shutting, someone stepped in just in time, hanging by the door.
I started to say, 'Please, you need to—' but my words got cut off when I looked up and saw who it was.
Yep, it was my boss.
I thought to myself, 'Why didn't you look up sooner, Emma?'
I took a breath and composed myself.
"Good Morning, sir," I said. His expression was hard to read, but it didn't seem negative, just mysterious. I couldn't quite figure out what he was thinking.
"Morning, Miss Emma," he responded as he walked into the elevator. Another guy stepped in too, one I recognized from my interview yesterday. "Good morning!" I greeted him as well.
"Good morning!" he replied with a friendly smile. "I'm Mr. Foster, the executive assistant," he said while offering his hand for a shake.
"Emma Johnson," I replied, reaching for his hand when my boss's voice cut in.
"You're here earlier than I expected, Miss Emma," my boss remarked.
What did he mean by that? When was I supposed to be here? I rolled my eyes internally.
"Yes, sir," I answered, keeping it straightforward.
I stood at the back, while the two guys were in front of me.
We got to the floor, the elevator doors opened, and he hopped out without a glance back. He just strolled straight to his office...
Emma, stop drooling. Get yourself together. He's not the first handsome man you've met, I scolded myself.
Actually… he's the most handsome man you've ever seen, my inner voice replied.
For a second, I almost groaned at my own traitorous thoughts.
Mr. Foster snapped me out of my thoughts while giving me a tour of my office and filling me in on some key details.
Before he took off, he let me know who I should meet to get my employee ID sorted out.
He was super easy to chat with, and I really liked his vibe.
Once he left, I took a look around my office. There was a sleek glass desk, my laptop was buzzing away, files were neatly stacked, a solitary plant sat in the corner, and my coffee mug was half full. Everything felt chill, and I was really digging the setup.
I settled in and started to get to work when I noticed an email pop up from Mr. Foster. I opened it to find details about my boss's activities for the day.
I jumped right in, since I had a lot to get done.
It took me about an hour to get everything organized. Then, my office phone rang. I didn't need to be told who it was, so I picked it up.
"To my office now," my boss said.
I immediately stood up, grabbed my tablet, and headed toward his office, which was right in front of mine.
I knocked and walked in. He was standing next to his desk, and the look in his eyes was chilly. He was staring at me with this intense possessiveness. Was I in trouble or something?
"Sir, you called—"
My words were cut short the moment he stepped closer. He was so near I could hear the steady beat of his heart. He leaned down slightly to my height and stretched his hand to my back.
His next move left me breathless.
He loosened my hair, letting it fall down my back.
I slowly looked up at him, our eyes locking. He gently brushed a strand of hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear.
"Always keep your hair down. It suits you more," he said, a small smile appearing on his lips.
I froze for a second, my heart racing... I blinked a couple of times, realizing this wasn't just a dream. Wait, did he just give me a compliment? What's going on?
Then he took a step back, sat down at his desk, and got back to work. His face went back to its usual expression, like nothing out of the ordinary had just happened...
My heart skipped.
So the rumors about Alexander Walton were true…
and I had just walked straight into them.