The sleek black car rolled smoothly into the underground garage of Vels Corporation, its engine humming low like a well-trained beast. The moment the tires stopped, silence filled the air, heavier than the echo of the doors that soon opened. Andrew stepped out first, tall and commanding in his tailored suit, his expression unreadable. The morning sunlight cutting through the gaps in the concrete roof highlighted the sharp lines of his face — cold, focused, and distant.
Selina followed a few seconds later, her heartbeat thundering in her chest. Her hand trembled slightly as she adjusted her blazer and clutched her handbag, pretending to scroll through her phone to avoid meeting his gaze. Every step she took beside him reminded her of what had happened earlier that morning — the kiss. The reckless, consuming kiss that still lingered on her lips like a secret she couldn't confess even to herself.
She swallowed hard, keeping her eyes fixed on the ground. Her mind was spinning with what-ifs and self-reproach. What if someone had seen them? What if he regretted it? What if she was just another distraction to him?
Andrew, on the other hand, was battling his own storm of thoughts. His expression might have been composed, but inside, he was everything but calm. Every time he caught a glimpse of her reflection on the tinted glass wall, his chest tightened. He could still taste her. Feel her warmth. The softness of her lips had burned into his mind like an unshakable memory.
He shouldn't have kissed her. He knew that. She was his assistant, his employee, and crossing that line was dangerous. But logic had no place when it came to her — not anymore.
When they reached the elevator, the atmosphere was unbearable. The metallic doors slid open with a soft chime, and the two stepped in, alone once again. The silence between them stretched thin, so sharp that even the faint hum of the elevator sounded too loud.
Selina stood at the far corner, pretending to check her phone again. Her reflection on the mirrored walls betrayed her — cheeks slightly flushed, lips pressed together tightly.
Andrew stole a glance at her but quickly looked away. Focus, he told himself. You can't afford distractions today.
The elevator dinged again, and the doors opened to the main office floor. Relief washed over Selina like a wave as she stepped out first, walking briskly as though escaping something — or someone. Her colleagues turned their heads when they saw her walking alongside the CEO. Whispered voices followed her, soft but sharp enough to sting.
"Isn't that Mr. Vele's assistant?"
"She came in with him again?"
"Maybe they're… you know."
Selina pretended not to hear, but her heart ached. Her greatest fear was coming true. She didn't want anyone to think she was getting special treatment or — worse — that she had gotten close to him in that way.
She quickened her pace, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Andrew, sensing her discomfort, said nothing. He knew better than to draw more attention. Instead, he walked calmly to his office, his expression as neutral as ever — though his thoughts were far from peaceful.
Unbeknownst to both of them, a pair of eyes followed their every move from a distance. Someone, hidden behind the reflection of the glass office wall, observed quietly — a faint smirk curling on their lips as they watched the tension between the two.
Selina finally reached her desk, exhaling a shaky breath as she dropped her bag. The familiar smell of coffee and printer ink filled the air — normal, comforting, and safe. But she didn't feel safe. She felt exposed. Vulnerable.
Her fingers shook slightly as she organized the documents piled on her desk. She needed to distract herself. She needed something, anything, to stop the replay in her mind — the moment his lips found hers, the warmth of his breath against her skin, the way her knees had nearly given out.
Frustrated, she stood abruptly and muttered, "Coffee. I need coffee."
Down in the break room, the sound of the coffee machine was the only thing filling the silence. She leaned against the counter, rubbing her temples.
"Get a grip, Selina," she whispered to herself. "It was just a kiss. Just a mistake. Forget it."
But the more she said it, the less she believed it. The memory refused to fade, teasing her mind like a forbidden melody.
Meanwhile, in his office, Andrew sat behind his desk, pretending to review the latest reports from the finance department. But his focus was gone. His gaze often drifted toward the glass wall separating his office from the open workspace outside. He could see Selina, faintly, moving about — her hair catching the light, her expression thoughtful and distant.
Something about her drew him in, even when he tried to resist. There was an innocence in her, a sincerity he couldn't find anywhere else. And yet, that same innocence was the reason he had to stay away.
He loosened his tie and leaned back in his chair, muttering under his breath, "What are you doing to me, Selina Whyte?"
Outside, Selina returned to her desk with her coffee, trying to bury herself in work. She barely noticed the glances of her co-workers — some curious, some judgmental. Her phone buzzed softly with a message.
Andrew: Meeting in fifteen minutes. Bring the partnership files.
Her stomach flipped. She took a sip of her coffee to calm herself, but the moment she thought about walking back into his office — alone — her heart started to race all over again.
Little did she know, those eyes that had been watching earlier hadn't stopped. From across the hallway, hidden in plain sight, someone snapped a discreet photo of Andrew and Selina on their way in together. The phone screen lit up briefly — a message being typed to an unknown contact.
Message: You were right. There's definitely something between them.
The photo was sent successfully. The smirk returned.
Back at her desk, Selina took a deep breath and stood up, clutching the files tightly. Whatever happened this morning, she couldn't let it affect her work. Not today. Not when she was already walking on thin ice.
But as she stepped toward Andrew's office door, she couldn't help but wonder — was she walking toward her job, or toward another mistake she wouldn't be able to take back?