Veloria city never slept...
Its skyline shimmered with glass towers and whispers of powers.
In the heart of it all stood STEELE ENTERPRISES - a name that commanded boardrooms and headlines alike.
"Good day ma'am"some staffs greeted Victoria Steele with their heads bowed as she walked out of her office.
Victoria ignoring the greetings walked like the empress she was - hard face,sharp pointed nose facing the sky,straight legs in heels commanding respect and fear.
Her heels clicked against the marble,echoing a rhythm that warned "keep up or get out of my way"
But power had its price...
Enemies hid behind smiles...
Rivals waited for her to stumble and tonight - someone decided she finally would.
Entering her car with her driver,she picked her pad and started checking the mails that needed to be answered.
Her car glided through the midnight streets,tinted windows reflecting the city lights.
The storm that had been threatening all day finally broke,rain washing over Veloria in silver sheets.
Her driver Thomas,spoke once,something about a short cut, she answered absentmindedly focusing on what she was doing.
The world spun...
Tiles screeched,a dark van swerved out of nowhere ,Victoria's car slammed into the guardall,the impact tore through the quiet night.
When the smoke cleared,she was trapped,dazed and conscious,another figure appeared through the haze.
A helmet. Broad shoulders.
A man,or so she thought.
He kicked open the crumpled door and reached for her "can you move",the voice was calm,low with a rough edge that carried through the rain.
"I..who are you" she demanded,wincing as he helped her out.
"Does it matter" He muttered,glancing over his shoulder.
Headlights were returning too many,too fast "we have to go."
She bristled. No one ordered Victoria Steele around. But before she could argue,he swept her close,shielding her from the rain. For the first time in years,she felt....safe.
They reached the shadows of a nearby alley. Sirens wailed in the distance.
She turned to face him. " I could have handled it."
A faint smirk tugged at his lips. You are welcome,then.
Her jaw tightened. You're insufferable."
"I've been called worse."
His tone was maddeningly calm,his expression unreadable beneath the dim streetlight.
Before she could respond,he was gone-vanishing into the night like smoke.
Victoria stood there,soaked and fuming,but beneath the fury was something she didn't want to name.
*********
Three days later,her office was abuzz.The board meeting loomed,inventors waiting. But the moment the door opened,all nose fell away.
Someone walked in.
Sharp gaze. Quiet composure.
Dressed in crisp suite and tie.
Making all heads in the room turned towards the direction of the door.
Mouth wide opened, shocking expression, slight gasps filled the air as Riley walked into the room.
"Woah."
"Who is he."
"So handsome."
"Is he showing off, why would he barge into the board meeting like that."
"Victoria would not take it lightly with him."
Victoria who was still lost staring at Riley suddenly coughed acting like her normal self immediately she heard the last comment.
She made her face cold again turning towards Riley as he walked towards her.
"Ms. Steele," he greeted,voice steady. "Riley Quinn. Your new assistant."
Victoria's heart gave a traitorous jolt. For a moment, she couldn't speak.
He met her stare evenly,no flicker of recognition in his eyes.
Or maybe he was just that good at hiding it.
Her pride snapped back like a whip." You're late."
"My apologies," he said smoothly. " Traffic was murder."
"Let's hope your work ethic isn't."
A subtle smile curved his lips - one she couldn't decide was mockery or charm.
As he stepped closer,something electric stirred in the air between them.
"Get to work." She said turning her direction to the board members while Riley went to stand at her back - his cool cologne lingered as he stood there.
Victoria released a breath she didn't know she was holding and exhaled slowly taking her focus back to the projector.
******
After the meeting Victoria with some board of directors walked out of the room with Riley following them behind.
"I definitely can't wait for us to work together Ms. Steele." One of the directors said smiling at Victoria.
"It would be my pleasure to work with you." Victoria said smiling.
They shook hands and departed.
Victoria started walking back to her office while Riley followed behind
They entered the elevator.
"What is my next schedule" Victoria asked looking stressed out.
"You have dinner with Ms. Kyla later in the evening by 4pm."
"Don't let anyone into my office till 4" Victoria said
"Yes ma'am."
'Adrian would tell you the things you need to know." She said
"Yes ma'am" Riley answered
The elevator shaked and Victoria fell into Riley's hands.
The fall was very hard that their lips brushed and they stared at each other with wide eyes ....