Alexander's POV
The moment I saw her in that conference room, I knew it immediately.
The woman who had slipped out of my bed before sunrise, leaving behind nothing but the faint scent of vanilla and guilt was now sitting among my employees, pretending not to know me.
Serena. She told me her name last night.
She'd gone pale the second our eyes met. Her lips parted, her fingers froze on her file, and for one brief second, I saw it.
It was the same spark of fire that had burned between us last night. Then she blinked and buried it under a mask of professionalism.
That was... impressive. Most people cracked faster under my intense stare.
I never expected that she worked under the company I acquired. Fate truly had its way of playing with me.
I continued the presentation as if nothing had happened, explaining my plans for restructuring and expansion.
But a small, infuriating part of me couldn't stop wondering what she was thinking. Did she regret it? Was she pretending it hadn't meant anything?
When the meeting ended, I dismissed everyone, but her.
"Miss Serena," I said smoothly, my tone even, "stay behind for a moment, would you?"
Her head snapped up. Her eyes widened, but she nodded quickly, and professionally. "Yes, sir."
The others filed out, whispering to one another while throwing subtle glances at her and me. The door shut, and silence filled the room immediately.
She stood near the table, clutching her folder like it was a lifeline.
I studied her quietly for a few seconds. She looked different from last night. She was calmer, composed, yet the nervous tremor in her hands betrayed her.
"Relax," I said, leaning against the table. "You look like I'm about to fire you."
Her lips parted as she responded. "Should I be worried?" I watched as her eyes scanned me.
I smiled faintly. "Depends. Do you usually run away after a good night?"
Her breath hitched, and her fingers tightened around the folder. "I—I don't know what you're talking about."
I arched a brow. "Really? You expect me to believe I have a twin wandering around this city? I'm the only one."
A flicker of irritation crossed her face. "Look, last night was a mistake. I was drunk, you were... there and it was convenient. Let's not make this into something it isn't."
"Mistake," I repeated quietly, savoring the word. "Interesting choice."
She looked up sharply. "What do you want from me, Mr...?"
I let the silence linger just long enough for her to squirm.
"Blackwood. Alexander Blackwood." I was slightly irritated. She wasn't listening when I introduced myself earlier... her actions proved it.
She blinked. Her lips parted slightly before she caught herself and nodded. "Right. Mr Blackwood."
"Now that we're properly introduced," I said, stepping closer, "you can stop pretending this is your first time meeting me."
Her eyes which were filled with uncertainty, darted up to mine. "It's better that way. I don't mix personal life with work."
"Good," I murmured. "Neither do I." I might have said that, but the words caused a bitter aftertaste feeling on my tongue.
Her shoulders relaxed a little, though she still looked like she was standing on thin ice.
"Which department are you in?" I asked, trying to make her feel comfortable.
"Marketing," she answered quickly. "Campaign coordination and client strategy."
I could see the happiness in her eyes as she answered me, and I felt a bit better.
"Hmm." I moved behind her, glancing at the reports she'd left on the table. "Your work seems solid. Numbers are clean and deadlines are consistent."
"Thank you," she said quietly.
I tilted my head, catching the faintest scent of her perfume, vanilla and jasmine. It was the same as last night.
"Tell me, Miss Serena," I said softly, "do you plan to keep avoiding eye contact every time we meet?"
Her breath hitched again. "You're making me uncomfortable."
I smiled. "Then I'll stop." I could see the way she felt uncomfortable with me standing behind her.
I stepped back, giving her space. "You have my word, Serena. What happened between us stays between us. I'm not interested in humiliating you."
She turned then, meeting my gaze for the first time since the meeting. Her eyes were fierce despite the nerves. "Good. Because I don't need pity, Mr Blackwood."
"I wasn't offering pity," I said. "Just discretion."
She hesitated, then nodded stiffly. "If that's all, I'd like to get back to work."
"Of course." I gestured toward the door. "But, Miss Serena?"
She paused in her tracks.
"Next time," I started with a low voice. "If you're going to disappear in the morning, at least leave a note. It's the polite thing to do."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "You—!"
I smiled faintly. "Dismissed." It felt fun to tease her.
She huffed and walked out, heels clicking sharply against the floor.
When the door closed behind her, I couldn't stop the small chuckle that escaped me.
She was angry and it made her even more beautiful.
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A few minutes later, I was back in my office. I'd barely had time to sit when I saw her again through the glass wall across the hall.
She was talking to another employee, gesturing toward a screen, her face filled with confidence. The same woman who'd flushed under my touch last night was now the picture of composure.
I found myself watching her longer than I should have.
'Damn.' I muttered under my breath.
I spent most of my career keeping distance and clean lines between business and pleasure. Women, to me, had been temporary distractions. Neat, uncomplicated, and forgettable.
But she wasn't forgettable. Serena wasn't.
She'd walked into a bar with heartbreak written all over her face, but there'd been something underneath that strength. The kind that didn't beg or break. It was the type I wanted to explore.
I wasn't supposed to care. I wasn't supposed to notice.
And yet, I did. I tugged at my tie, the feeling of frustration slowly creeping into my mind.
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A knock sounded on my door. It was my assistant, Claire, stepped in with a stack of reports.
"Sir, these are the current campaign metrics for the marketing team. Miss Serena headed most of the coordination."
I nodded, flipping through the pages. Her name appeared more than once — neat handwriting, concise annotations, results that actually mattered.
"She's competent," I said quietly.
Claire smiled proudly. "She's one of our best. Everyone respects her."
"Good," I murmured, closing the file. "Keep me updated on her progress."
Claire tilted her head. "Should I tell her she's under review?"
"No," I shook my head, meeting her gaze. "I'll handle that myself."
She nodded and left the office.
The office grew quiet again.
I leaned back in my chair, looking at the city skyline beyond the window.
Serena thought last night was a mistake. I didn't blame her though. Heartbreak had driven her into my arms. But I wasn't the kind of man who believed in coincidences.
If fate wanted to throw her back into my path, I wasn't going to ignore it.
In this office, she was my employee.
Outside it…
We'd see how long I could keep my distance. Serena was an interesting lady. Would I be able to keep my distance from her?