"Oliver speaks very highly of you," Marius continued, his voice dropping slightly. "Says you are the most organized person he has ever worked with." A hint of amusement touches his lips as he leaned against the edge of his desk. "He also mentioned how… dedicated you are to your job." He pushed off the desk and took a step closer to where Harper stood. Harper lightly grinded her teeth, already seeing where this conversation could lead. "I am curious to see that dedication for myself." Marius reached out, not quite touching her but hovering near enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from his body. His fingers tapped lightly against the polished wood of his desk. "So, tell me, Harper Miller," he said softly, using her full name for emphasis. "Are you ready to prove Oliver right?" Harper picked up the stack of papers on his desk as she said professionally, "My work speaks for itself. I will get to work." She turned to leave.
Marius watched as Harper gathered the papers, his expression unreadable for a moment before a slow smile spread across his face. He did not stop her from leaving; instead, he simple crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the desk again. "Fair enough," he called after her retreating figure. "But do not think I will not be checking up on your progress regularly." His voice carried easily across the office space. "And Harper? Try not to look so pleased about escaping my office." As she reached the door, Marius's tone shifted back to pure business. "Oh, and one more thing," he added sharply, making sure she would hear him clearly. "I need those reports on my desk by end of day. No excuses." The sound of his chair scraping against the floor followed as he settled back into it, already reaching for his phone to make another call.
Harper dived into her work. 15 minutes before lunch she dropped off the reports, finished and organised on Marius's desk. "I am taking lunch," she said casually. He looked up from his computer screen as she approached his desk, a slight raise of his eyebrows acknowledging her presence. He glanced at the neatly stacked reports, picking up the top one and flipping through it briefly. "Already done?" he asked, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Impressive work ethic, Miller." He set the report back down with a satisfying thud. "Take your lunch then. Do not be late getting back." As she turned to leave, he called after her again. "And Harper? Good job today. You have earned some time off." His tone was approving, almost warm compared to their earlier interactions.
…
Throughout Oliver's business meetings, Stella is very productive and helpful. At lunch time, Harper strode into his office with a takeaway box. He looked up from his laptop as she entered, his expression shifting from focused concentration to something warmed. The sight of her carrying takeout made him realize he had completely forgotten about lunch in the midst of back-to-back meetings. "Right on time," he said, closing his laptop and pushing it aside. He stood up and moved around the desk, taking the takeout box from her hands. The casual familiarity of sharing a meal together felt both natural and charged with tension. "Stell has been excellent," he admitted grudgingly as he set the food down on his desk. "She caught on to out system faster than I expected. But I still prefer your coffee." His blue eyes met hers over the desk, holding a hint of the intimacy they shared just this morning. The office door was closed but unlocked– anyone could walk in at any moment and find their CEO sharing lunch with his former secretary.
"Well, I could not very well teach her all my secrets," Harper said playfully and sat down. "I am glad it is working out. I knew you would like her." Oliver's lips curved into a faint smirk at her playful remark, his blue eyes crinkling slightly at the corners. He sat down opposite her, opening the takeout container to reveal sandwiches wrapped in brown paper. "Of course I like her," he said between bites, his tone softer not that they were alone. "She follows instructions without questioning every decision. A rare quality in this office." His gaze flicked up to meet hers briefly before focusing back on his sandwich. "But you are right about one thing– I do miss having you nearby. It is quieter without your constant commentary." Despite the teasing words, there was an underlying truth to his statement.
"I miss you too," Harper said softly. "Marius might be efficient, but he is way to friendly." Oliver's breath hitched at her confession, his fork clattering softly against the ceramic plate. The casual mention of Marius's friendliness combined with her quiet admission of missing him sent a jolt of heat through his veins. "Friendly?" he repeated, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "Harper, you have no idea what kind of hell Marius puts his assistants through. He expects them to be available twenty-four seven and does not believe in boundaries." Oliver set his sandwich down deliberately, leaning forward slightly as if drawing her into her personal space. The movement caused his sleeves to ride up slightly, revealing the strong line of his forearms. "And what does this 'friendly' Marius expect from you?" he asked pointedly. "Because I know how he operates. He will have you running errands at all hours, attending social events without warning…"
"He just jokes too much," Harper says casually and takes a bite of her sandwich, deciding not to tell Oliver about the blond Marius was making out with or his suggestive tone towards her. "I have made my professional obligations clear to him." Oliver's expression relaxes slightly at her reassurance, though a hint of possessiveness remains in his icy blue eyes. "Good. Because Marius has a habit of blurring professional lines when he thinks someone is 'cute'." He picks up his sandwich again, eating more deliberately as he studies her face. The way she handles her food with graceful precision, the casual way she mentioned setting boundaries with her new boss– it all speaks to a maturity he finds increasingly attractive.