chapter 4

Ava hadn’t even made it to her desk when it hit her.

The whispering.

The side-eyes.

The suspicious smirks.

“Something’s wrong,” she whispered to herself, clutching her bag like it might protect her from office gossip.

Then Veronica, the always-too-invested receptionist, waved her over with a sly grin.

“Sooo,” she drawled, “heard you and the boss got real close at the gala last night.”

Ava blinked. “Close? I tripped on a podium and screamed for help. That’s not romance. That’s... injury.”

“Mmhmm,” Veronica said, unconvinced. “The internet disagrees.”

She whipped out her phone and showed Ava a blurry photo—Ava’s face smooshed into Damien’s arm, his hand awkwardly steadying her like she was a wobbly lamp.

Caption: “When your boss becomes your bodyguard and boyfriend.”

Ava squeaked. “Oh no no no—I’m not even on his... greeting level yet!”

---

By lunch, Ava’s life had spiraled.

Someone posted an Instagram story titled “CEO’s Mystery Girl: Who is She?” with a picture of her from behind.

There were now two bets running in the office:

“When will Mr. Blackwood kiss the clumsy PA?”

“Will she survive until Friday?”

Ava wasn’t sure about either.

---

Too nervous to barge into Damien’s office, she waited until his door cracked open and he stepped out.

She panicked and waved too hard. “Sir! Um—hi—I mean—hello—about the gala...”

He raised a brow. “Did you spill something on me again?”

“No! Well—yes. Technically. But also... people think we’re dating now and I—I just wanted to say I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to trip into your soul, or whatever they’re saying!”

He stared at her.

She gulped.

Then, unbelievably, a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “They think you and I are dating?”

She nodded quickly, eyes wide. “There’s a poll. And memes.”

He crossed his arms. “What’s the verdict?”

She blurted, “I think the cake-tripping option is winning.”

He chuckled—a short, real sound that made her heart skip and her brain forget how to speak English.

“Relax, Ava,” he said, brushing past her to head back inside. “It’s just office gossip. As long as you’re not starting the rumors, I don’t care.”

She blinked. “Oh no! I barely start sentences around you.”

He looked back. “That’s probably for the best.”

---

That evening, as Ava packed up, she checked her phone.