Chapter 1: The Manuscript
Emma's office smelled of coffee and ink—a comforting, familiar scent she'd grown to love over the years. She had stacked manuscripts on her desk, each a potential masterpiece… or a total disaster.
The knock on her office door startled her.
"Emma Harris?" A deep voice asked.
She looked up to see Julian Reed, his dark hair slightly disheveled, eyes like storm clouds, and a smirk that suggested he knew he didn't belong there—but that he was enjoying every moment anyway.
"I… yes, that's me. You must be Julian Reed," she replied, trying not to stare. His reputation had preceded him: brilliant, arrogant, and infuriatingly charming.
"I hear you're the one who will save my book from disaster," he said, setting his manuscript on her desk like it was a trophy.
Emma raised an eyebrow. "We'll see about that."
And that was how it began.