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Cassy barely had time to breathe before she was thrown into the reality of her new job.
"Okay," Adrian said, handing her a tablet. "Let me make this simple for you—Mr. Garcia has rules."
Cassy nodded attentively. "I'm ready."
Adrian raised a finger. "Rule number one: Don't be late."
"Got it."
"Rule number two: Don't ask personal questions."
Cassy hesitated. "…Okay."
"Rule number three," he added, lowering his voice slightly, "don't try to get close to him."
That made her blink. "Why?"
Adrian gave her a knowing look. "Because everyone who does… ends up regretting it."
The air suddenly felt heavier. But Cassy simply smiled, her voice soft but steady. "I'm not here to get close to him. I'm here to do my job."
Adrian studied her for a second, then chuckled. "That's what they all say."
Before she could respond, the intercom buzzed sharply.
"Mr. Cruz." Caleb's voice. Cold. Direct. Unforgiving.
Adrian sighed. "And that's your cue. Good luck, sunshine."
Cassy took a deep breath and walked toward the large office doors. Each step felt louder than the last. She knocked twice.
"Come in."
The moment she stepped inside, she felt it again—that same suffocating atmosphere. The office was massive, sleek, and spotless. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, but somehow, it didn't feel beautiful. It felt empty.
Caleb sat behind his desk, his attention fixed on a stack of documents. He didn't look up. "You're three minutes late."
Cassy froze. "I—"
"I don't tolerate excuses," he cut in sharply.
Her fingers tightened slightly, but she kept her voice calm. "I wasn't aware my shift had already started, sir."
That made him pause. Slowly, Caleb looked up. Those piercing eyes locked onto hers again. "And now you're talking back."
"I'm explaining," she corrected gently.
Silence. Tense. Heavy silence. For a moment, it felt like he might explode.
But instead, Caleb leaned back in his chair, studying her like she was a puzzle he didn't understand. "Most people apologize," he said.
Cassy gave a small smile. "I will if I make a mistake."
Something flickered in his expression again—that same unfamiliar spark from earlier. Annoyance… mixed with curiosity. "Fine," he said coldly. "We'll see how long that attitude lasts."
He pushed a folder toward her. "Schedule my meetings. Cancel anything unnecessary. And don't make errors."
Cassy stepped forward, taking the folder carefully. "Understood, sir."
As she turned to leave, his voice stopped her. "One more thing." She looked back. Caleb's gaze was sharp, unwavering. "Don't smile like that."
Her brows lifted slightly. "Like what?"
"Like you don't belong here," he said flatly.
For a brief second, something inside her faltered. But only for a second. Then Cassy smiled again—just as warm, just as bright. "Maybe I don't," she said softly. "But I'll still do my best."
Caleb said nothing. She walked out, closing the door gently behind her.
—
Inside the office, silence returned. But this time… It felt different. Caleb stared at the closed door, his jaw tightening slightly. Annoying.
That's what she was. Too calm. Too bright. Too… unaffected. People usually feared him. Avoided him. Broke under pressure. But her? She smiled.
And somehow— That bothered him more than anything else.