CHAPTER FIFTEEN
MONDAY
ASHLEY POV
Monday morning smells like burnt coffee and impatience.
That's the first thing that hits me when I step out of the elevator.
Not dread. Not fear. Just that sharp, overworked scent that means too many people showed up before they were ready.
"Morning," someone says behind me.
I turned and saw a woman with short curls and an oversized mug smiles like she's already on her second cup.
"Morning," I replied with a smile off my own .
She glances at my badge. "You're the new one."
Still maintain my tight smile. I said "Still am."
She laughs. "Give it a week. Then you'll just be tired like the rest of us." she turned and walked towards the stairs.
I step onto the floor, adjusting my bag on my shoulder. Phones are already ringing. Chairs scrape. Someone is arguing softly near the printers.
I noticed Harper pops up from her seat the second she sees me.
"There you are," she says. "I was starting to think you'd decided to quit while you still had the chance."
"I guess you forgot there is penalty check for that."
She nodded, with look that totally said I was pulling your legs you better get use to it.
"Good morning to you too." I said ignoring her teasing
She grins. "You look… awake."l
"I slept."
"Show-off." she said picking up her coffee and sipping it meticulously.
I drop into my chair and power on my system. The screen lights up, flooding my face in white. Emails load in waves.
"So," Harper says, lowering her voice, "did you dream about him?"
"No." I said curtly, focusing on sorting my Messages.
She squints. "That was too fast."
"What is too fast?" I asked lifting my head to face her
"Your response" she said hiding her laugh
"I did not dream about my boss." I said slowly playing along.
"Yet." she said.
I shoot her a look. She raises her hands. "Relax. I'm joking. Mostly." I nodded hiding my smile by turning away.
The elevators ding again down the hall.
Conversation shifts immediately. Not silence. Just… adjustment. Voices soften. People sit straighter.
"He's here," someone murmurs.
I don't look up right away. I finish typing the sentence I'm on, hit save, then lift my head.
Damien Axford walks onto the floor like he owns the air. His presence doesn't announce itself, It just settles him in dangerously. Suit perfect. Expression calm. Phone in one hand.
my attention split between the screen and Claire walking beside him.
"…media wants a response before lunch," Claire is saying.
"They'll have one," he replies. "Not before I approve it." He said in a voice that leaves no room for negotiation.
I noticed him walking towards me.
He stops walking, right in front of my desk.
"Good morning, Ms. Dean."
I straighten. "Good morning, sir."
"You're early." he said
"So are you." I replied in same tone
For half a second, the corner of his mouth twitches. Not a smile. Something adjacent.
"True," he says.
He glances at the notepad beside my keyboard.
"You keep written notes." he said pointing to my note pad casually.
"I remember better that way." I said following his hand with my eyes
"Good." he said as he eyes returned to my face.
Harper is holding her breath beside me. I can feel it. I turned slightly and place my hand on her shoulder to help her breathing
"You'll attend the eleven o'clock strategy meeting," Damien continues. "I need you to take minutes." he said, his tone lighter than before.
"Yes, sir." I said
"And Ms. Dean."
"Yes."
"Bring a jacket."
I blink. "Excuse me sir."
"The boardroom runs cold," he says, already turning away.
Then he's gone.
Harper exhales so hard her chair squeaks making me quickly removed my hands from her shoulder.
"Okay," she whispers. "Either he likes you or he's planning to sacrifice you." she said matter of fact and I turned to look at her.
"I think he just hates bad note-taking." I said faking ignorance
"Same thing." she took my word at face value and we both settled into our work.
By ten, the office has fully settled into its rhythm. People argue over phrasing. Someone swears quietly at their screen.
At some point delivery arrives for the CEO. and I send the errand girl to deliver it to his office.
Coffee refills happen at ten fifteen, and I had mine silently while Harper decided to talk my head off with office gossip.
shortly after that we returned to our desk and resumed work.
I'm halfway through organizing a folder when someone leans over the divider.
"You're Ashley, right?"
"Yes."
"I'm Mark. Digital."
"Nice to meet you."
He glances around, then lowers his voice. "Is it always like this?"
"Yes," Harper answers before I can. "But with fewer heart palpitations."
I smiled and he nodded
"I better return to my desk then and let you work." he said turning to walk away. I let him leave knowing I had lots of work on my plate.
At ten forty-five, Claire walks past again, clipboard in hand.
"Ashley," she says, stopping. "Conference room A in fifteen."
"I'll be there."
She hesitates, then adds, "Bring your laptop."
"Of course."
As she walks away, Harper nudges me. "You're getting pulled in fast."
"I'm efficient." I said without eyes blinking
"That's what they say before they disappear into upper management." she said pouting, I just smiled packed the things I needed for the meeting, I picked up my jacket and left for the boardroom.
The boardroom is, in fact, freezing.
I take the seat Claire gestures to, jacket zipped up like Damien suggested. He notices. I know he does. He doesn't comment.
The meeting is long. Detailed. Sharp. I tried to write as much word that was said.
"These numbers don't align," Damien says at one point.
"They're projections," one of the managers sitting across the table replies.
"They're hopeful projections," Damien corrects. "Adjust them." Once again in tone that leaves no room for argument
The man nods, chastened.
I write everything down leaving very little out.
Halfway through, Claire leans toward Damien again.
"Emma hasn't logged in," she says quietly.
He doesn't look at her. "Noted."
"Do you want HR to—"
"No."
Just one word. Calm. Final. Claire, nodded and settled back into her chair.
The meeting continues. Damien made adjustments to most rules and strategies.
At twelve thirty, the meeting was adjourned and people stand quickly, relief tangible.
"Ms. Dean," Damien says. "Stay." I looked at him quickly then nodded.
The room clears out fast.
When it's just us, he looks at me again.
"You handled that well." he said standing and walked towards me
"Thank you." I said not leaving my position. he walked to me and I handed him my note. He took it go over it and said.
"You didn't miss anything."
"I didn't want to."
He pause taking his time to study me.
"You seem steadier today," he says.
"I had coffee." he raised his eye brow
"That's not what I meant."
I meet his eyes. "I know."
He studies me for a moment, like he's measuring something invisible.
"Did you enjoy your weekend," he asks suddenly.
"Yes." I said unwavering.
"That wasn't sarcasm." he asked
"No." I answered, my pause steadier than ever.
Another pause.
"You adapt quickly," he said retrieving back slightly
"I had to." I bent to pack my things.
"That instinct can serve you," he replies. "Or ruin you."
"So can ignoring it." I said straighting up with my things in my hands.
For a fraction of a second, something sharp passes through his gaze.
"Go home on time today," he says. I was shocked at his word, but it did not reflect in my expression.
"That's not usually advice executives give." my eyes narrowed as I studied him.
"Consider it an exception." with that he walked to the door, without a backward glass he left the boardroom.
"Yes, sir." I said to the empty room
Back on the floor, Harper is waiting.
"Well." she asked standing the instant I walked in
"Well what." I asked
"What did he say."
"He told me to go home."
Her face tightens. "That's… unsettling."
"Agreed." I settled in my seat and resumed work.
"Did Emma take the day off," a colleague ask as walked into a office area.
"She didn't say anything," someone else replies.
"I thought she was remote."
"She hates remote."
I keep working. not bothering to asked, but whenever a name was said something unsettles me, like the person bearing that name has been erased.
I shrug. "People surprise you."
At four forty-five, Damien passes again.
"Ms. Dean."
"Yes." I said standing up
"Tomorrow will be heavier." He pause to look at me.
"I'll be ready." I said quietly for people close by only
"I expect you to be."
Then he's gone. I settled back and tidy off my desk, surprisingly I am not mesmerized by his look or action or words again. anytime is too close all I feel is power from inside me enough to taking down if there is need.
By five, the office empties in stages. Lights dim. Conversations trail off.
I pack my bag and step outside.
The city is loud again. Alive. Unconcerned.
Monday is over.
Nothing feels resolved.
Everything feels like it's just begun.