The way her staff was talking more. Laughing more. Lingered smiles, casual jokes—even in the middle of deadlines.
The source was obvious.
Julian Blackwood.
He was like a warm draft in her perfectly air-conditioned world. Unruly. Unpredictable. And, somehow, people liked it. Her people.
That irritated her more than she’d admit.
She stayed later than usual. The office was quieter now, the staff mostly gone, the city lights flickering on below.
She turned off her screen and leaned back in her chair.
A soft knock at the door.
Selena hart
hm, come in
julian
“Didn’t mean to interrupt your villain origin story,”
julian
“Just brought the samples you asked for.”
Selena hart
“Put them there.”
julian
“You always stay this late?”
Selena hart
“Yes.”
julian
“Must be lonely.”
Selena hart
She stared at him. “I don’t need company to do my job.”
julian
“No. But you might need a break to stay human.”
Selena hart
“Don’t mistake my silence for tolerance, Mr. Blackwood. Your charm might dazzle the junior staff, but I see through it. You're reckless, disorganized, and you think rules are suggestions.”
julian
Julian grinned. “And yet, you hired me.”
Selena hart
She glared at him. “Regretting it is still an option.”
julian
“Regret usually comes from fear. What are you afraid of, Selena?"
Selena hart
She stepped forward. “You're overstepping.”
julian
“I do that, It’s how I get the best shots. Sometimes, the most interesting parts of people show when you push just a little.”
Selena hart
“Push too far,” she said coldly, “and people push back.”
julian
“You don’t scare me.”
Selena hart
She blinked.“Good night, Mr. Blackwood.”
she turned her chair backside
and Then he walked out.
And for the first time in years… she felt something she couldn’t quite name.
Comments
Teco
Couldn't help but laugh out loud while reading this book.
2025-04-12
1