Across the office, Harper's typing slowed considerably as she watched the exchange unfold. Her professional façade remained intact, but there was undeniable curiosity in her blue green eyes as Marius worked to smoothing things over with Tera. He released Tera's wrist and cupped her face instead, tilting it up toward his one. "Go home," he murmured persuasively. "Fine," Tera conceded with a mumble. "But I will be scrolling through online dating sites." Marius's eyebrows shot up in surprise at her threat, a genuine laugh escaping him despite the tension of the moment. "Online dating sites? Really? You think some app is going to find you someone better than me?"
Marius shook his head with mock disbelief, pulling her flush against his chest. "Sweetheart, if you need to scroll through profiles to remember how good we are together, then maybe I have not been reminding you often enough." His arms wrapped securely around her waist as he pressed a quick kiss to her temple. "But go ahead– waste your time swiping right on strangers. I promise you will come crawling back eventually." From her desk across the office, Harper watched the exchange with growing fascination. The professional barrier she had established earlier was beginning to crack under the pressure of Marius's romantic banter and Tera's dramatic threats. Tera whispered in Marius's ear, so Harper could not hear what she was saying. "And no girl you seduce into this office can suck you cock like I can."
She wiggles out of his arms and heads for the door. "You have until the end of the week before I replace you," she said challengingly without looking back at him and left with a mischievous smile. Marius stood frozen for a moment after Tera's departure, her challenging words echoing in the sudden quiet of his office. A slow smile spread across his face as he watched her walk out, clearly amused by her possessiveness. "End of the week," he murmured to himself, shaking his head with appreciation. "That woman knows exactly how to get my attention." He turned back toward his desk, his movements regaining their usual confident stride. As he sat down, his eyes automatically drifted toward Harper's desk across the room.
"Well," he began casually, leaning back in his chair. "At least someone around here seems determined to keep me interested. A text message pops up on Harper's phone screen as she is finishing the final priority responses for Marius: "Leaving now. See you soon." Oliver's concise message carries the weight of anticipation, a promise hanging between their professional duties and the personal life awaiting them. She saves the document and shuts down her computer with practiced efficiency, grabbing her purse from the desk drawer. She walked over to Marius's desk and placed the priority response folders on his desk. "I organised he priority responses, I will deal with the rest tonight," she said professionally.
Marius glanced at the organized folders Harper placed on his desk, his eyes quickly scanning the labels. "Good work," he approved distractedly, flipping through one folder with minimal interest. His attention shifted back to Harper as she stood before him. The professional barrier she had maintained throughout the afternoon seemed to waver under his direct gaze. "So," Marius began conversationally, leaning back in his chair and studying her face. "How long have you been dating Oliver? Before or after he promoted you to advertising?" he set the folders aside deliberately, crossing his arms behind his head as if settling in for a personal conversation rather than discussing work tasks.
"I am curious about logistics," he continued smoothly. "Did HR approve your transfer knowing about your relationship? Or was that conveniently overlooked due to certain… connections?" For a moment Harper considered not answering, but then she thought maybe the curiosity would make him more annoying. "We have been dating for three days," she said casually. "My transfer was not his decision. Once we reported our relationship to HR, Tanja said I had to transfer to keep things professional." Marius's eyebrow shot up in surprise at er revelation. "Three days?" he repeated incredulously. "You have been dating the CEO for three days and you have already transferred departments to maintain professionalism?"
He let out a short, disbelieving laugh, shaking his head. "Tanja must be having a field day with this one. Oliver falling for his secretary after a few months? That is the kind of drama HR dreams about." He stood up from his desk and walked around to lean against it directly in front of where Harper was standing. His proximity immediately shifted the dynamic between them. "And let me guess," he said with a knowing smirk. "During those three days, Oliver has already promised you the world– promotions, raises, special assignments…" Harper took a deep breath before speaking. "No, it is not like that. Let me be clear, my feelings about Oliver have nothing to do with my position here."
Marius's smirk softened into something more thoughtful as he listened to Harper's firm denial. He studied her face intently, searching for any hint of insincerity in her blue green eyes. "Okay, I believe you," he said finally, his tone shifting from teasing to genuinely curious. "That is… surprisingly noble of you, Harper. Most people in your position would be milking the relationship for every advantage they could get." He pushed off the desk and began pacing slowly around his office, his movements more contemplating than aggressive. "So, you are telling me Oliver Williams fell head over heels for a secretary who does not care about his power or influence?" he stopped pacing and turned back to face her directly. "That is either the most romantic story I have ever heard, or the biggest lie HR has ever had to process."
"Does Tera like you for your power and influence?" Harper asked challengingly, hoping that challenging him personally, would speed this conversation along so she could go see Oliver. Marius's expression faltered slightly at her question, his confident demeanour cracking under the direct comparison. He hesitated for a moment before answering honestly. "No," he admitted grudgingly.