Emma's POV
Does he think I'm one of those girls he can flirt with?
My fingers brushed through my hair, now loose around my shoulders. The memory of earlier kept replaying in my mind, making me wonder why he did that.
"Miss Emma, what's my schedule for today?" he asked.
I took a slow breath, trying to compose myself, then opened my tablet.
"You have a board meeting at 11 a.m. and a business lunch with Mr. Eric Adams at 2 p.m.," I said calmly.
"Get ready. You're coming with me for the lunch," he said without even looking at me.
"Yes, sir."
I left his office, my mind racing all the way back to my desk.
I wasn't even sure why his behavior didn't annoy me.
Maybe because he's hot?
Ugh. Get it together, Emma.
Once I got to my desk, I threw my hair into a ponytail and got to work.
***
A few hours later, I stepped into his office to remind him about the board meeting.
He looked up with a frown.
What's with the attitude? Am I not allowed to remind him?
He stood and walked toward me, making my heart race, but I forced myself to stay calm.
"Are you this stubborn, Emma? I told you to let your hair down," he said calmly.
"There's no rule that says I have to," I shot back, meeting his gaze. I had no idea where that confidence came from. I just hated being told what to do.
A slow smile spread across his face.
He stepped closer than before, then leaned down and whispered in my ear.
"I'm into you, Miss Emma."
A shiver ran down my spine.
Wait… what?
He's into me?
"I've been wanting to see you again since we met at the club," he continued. "Your hair was down then… and honestly, that's one of the things that caught my attention."
He walked back to his desk and sat down like he hadn't just dropped a bomb.
Emma, what did you expect? He's a flirt. That's what they do.
I pressed my lips together, stopping myself from rolling my eyes.
"Sir, you're my boss and I—"
"I know that caught you off guard," he interrupted smoothly. "Your first day, and I'm already confessing. Too forward, perhaps."
His eyes stayed locked on mine.
"But I don't play games. I prefer honesty."
He leaned back slightly.
"So relax. We'll start as friends."
For the first time in my life, I was speechless.
I simply nodded.
We left his office together and headed for the boardroom. Everything he'd said kept replaying in my head.
Focus, Emma.
Inside the boardroom, the meeting was intense. The tension, the seriousness, and the constant exchange of ideas were overwhelming.
No wonder he won the award for best businessman.
I listened carefully, taking notes, though my stomach was starting to protest. I hadn't eaten anything since morning. The excitement of resuming work today had completely distracted me.
What felt like forever later, the meeting finally ended.
I breathed in relief.
As he stood and left the boardroom, I followed him immediately. He entered his office, and I stepped in behind him to remind him about the lunch meeting
.
He walked toward his desk, then turned to look at me while loosening his tie.
"What is it, Emma?"
The way my name rolled off his tongue without the Miss hung in the air. Low. Deliberate.
Like he meant every word he said earlier.
He really wasn't joking about wanting us to be friends.
"I wanted to remind you about the lunch meeting with Mr. Eric," I said.
"Go take a rest, Emma. You look tired," he replied, giving me a small smile.
Did he notice that during the board meeting?
I smiled back before leaving his office.
Back in mine, I called Lila. I needed someone to talk to right now.
She didn't pick up.
Probably busy.
I tried focusing on work, but my mind refused to cooperate.
Then an idea popped into my head.
Maybe I should finally get my employee ID done.
I left my office and went to the person Mr. Foster had told me about. By the time my employee ID was ready, it was already lunch break.
I headed back toward my office when suddenly i bumped into someone.
The files she was carrying slipped from her hands and scattered across the floor. I quickly bent down to help.
"I'm so sorry," I said.
When I looked up, the smile on my face disappeared instantly.
Sophia.
"Emma," she muttered.
"What are you doing here?" she asked nervously.
"And who are you to ask me that question?" I shot back.
"I… I'm sorry, Emma," she stammered.
"Let's just act like we don't know each other, Sophia."
I walked away before she could say anything else.
***
We were currently on our way to the lunch meeting with Mr. Eric.
But my mind was still stuck on the encounter with Sophia.
What is happening today?
First my boss confessing he's into me.
Then Sophia showing up here.
And the day isn't even over yet.
When we arrived at the restaurant, we were directed to our table.
Someone was already seated there.
Mr. Eric.
We got straight into business, but honestly, my mind wasn't paying attention.
All I could think about was food.
When I'm hungry, I lose focus completely. Then suddenly, my stomach growled.
Loudly.
Both my boss and Mr. Eric looked at me.
"Are you hungry, pretty one?" Mr. Eric asked with a smile.
"Miss Emma," my boss corrected him coldly.
"I think that will be the end of the meeting."
Wait.
Did he just end the meeting because of me?
Either way, I was grateful.
Why would people talk about business without food? Rich people really have weird lifestyles.
When Mr. Eric left, the waiter came to take our order.
I scanned the menu while watching the colorful dishes passing by other tables.
"Let's see…" I murmured. "Burrata with roasted cherry tomatoes… yes. And the wild mushroom risotto. Can I add roasted rainbow carrots on the side?"
The waiter nodded and wrote it down.
Then he turned to my boss.
"I'll have the same as hers," he said calmly.
A few minutes later, the food arrived.
And I ate like my life depended on it.
The food was amazing.
I almost choked from eating too fast.
"Easy, Emma," my boss said.
That snapped me back to reality.
I'd completely forgotten he was sitting right there.
I gave him an awkward smile.
"Was I eating that badly?" I asked.
"No, Emma. You're just… you," he said, smiling. "You look cute. I like that."
I blinked at him.
"You like that I eat a lot?"
"No. Some girls pretend they don't like food. But you're different." He leaned back, studying my empty plate. "I'm amazed you actually finished all that. Are you a foodie?"
"Not really," I said, trying to hold back my laugh at his shocked expression.
"And you're not even fat," he added.
I gestured for him to lean closer.
Curious, he did.
I whispered, "The food only makes my hair longer."
"Really?" he asked, eyes widening.
That did it.
I burst out laughing.
A moment later, he joined me.
As we sat there laughing together, I realized something surprising about him. He wasn't as arrogant or cold as I first thought. He was actually fun, relaxed in a way I hadn't expected, and surprisingly friendly.
And maybe—just maybe—being friends with him wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.