Monday's exhaustion still clung to Isabella as she walked into the towering office building for her second day. She adjusted her blazer and took a deep breath, bracing herself for whatever Alexander Knight might throw at her this time.
The moment she entered his office, he didn't waste a word. "Isabella, I need a cup of coffee. Black. No sugar. No cream. And make it quick—I have a meeting in ten minutes."
Isabella's jaw tightened. She wanted to roll her eyes, but instead she nodded politely. "Of course, Mr. Knight."
She moved efficiently, selecting the finest beans from the office coffee machine, carefully measuring, brewing, and pouring. Every detail mattered—after all, first impressions of a cup of coffee could set the tone for the rest of the day.
Returning to his office, she placed the steaming cup on his desk. "Here you go, sir. Black, just as you asked."
He took the cup, glanced at it with an almost imperceptible raise of his eyebrow, and then took a slow sip. Isabella froze, expecting the usual sharp critique, the harsh snap of disapproval.
Instead… his eyes widened slightly, and a small, surprised smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "This is… good," he said, his voice low but approving.
Isabella blinked. "Th-thank you, sir."
He took another sip, leaning back in his chair. "I didn't expect it. You've got… skill, it seems."
For a moment, the harshness faded, replaced by a flicker of something she couldn't quite read. Relief and pride surged in her chest, but she kept her expression neutral. "I always do my best, sir."
He set the cup down, his gaze sharp once more, but there was a subtle softness she couldn't ignore. "Good. Keep it up."
The rest of the morning was filled with the usual flurry of tasks—emails, calls, scheduling—but the memory of that small moment lingered in Isabella's mind. Alexander Knight, the intimidating, ruthless CEO, had just admitted to liking something she had done.
It was a tiny victory—but in the world of the powerful and demanding, tiny victories were rare and worth holding onto.
By the end of the day, as Isabella packed her bag to leave, she felt a strange mix of exhaustion and satisfaction. Alexander Knight could be impossible, but maybe—just maybe—there were glimpses of something more beneath that stern exterior.
Outside, the city lights blinked awake as the sun dipped below the horizon. Isabella took a deep breath, thinking of the long journey ahead. One thing was certain: surviving Alexander Knight—and perhaps even earning his respect—was going to be a challenge she was willing to face.