Chapter 197
Chapter 202
Madison
+15 BONUS
Alexander leaned against my new desk, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “I’m thinking of hiring a new personal assistant p>
“But I’m your personal assistant,” I said, unable to keep the edge from my voice.
“And now you’re also a project manager with your own office and team,” he pointed out. “That’s a lot for one person to handle p>
I crossed my arms. “Are you saying I can’t do it p>
“I’m saying it’s a significant workload.” His eyes met mine. “Most people would jump at the chance to escape being my PA p>
“I’m not most people.” I moved around the desk, putting it between us like a barrier. “I can manage both positions p>
Alexander’s lips curved into that infuriating half–smile. “You haven’t even started the project yet. How do you know p>
“Because I know myself and my capabilities.” I straightened my spine. “I’ve been handling your impossible schedule, your meetings, your calls, and your… personal matters for over months. Adding project management won’t break me p>
“And if it does p>
“Then I’ll be the first to tell you to hire someone else.” I met his gaze directly. “But not before I’ve proven I can do it p>
He studied me for a long moment. “You’re very determined, Ms. Harper p>
“Yes, I am.” I softened my tone. “Let me try, Mr. Knight. If the workload becomes too much, I’ll let you know p>
“Fine.” He pushed away from the desk. “We’ll do it your way. For now p>
I nodded, relief washing over me. “Thank you p>
“Don’t thank me yet.” He checked his watch. “We should get back upstairs. I have a conference call in thirty minutes p>
We left my new office, walking side by side toward the elevator. The silence between us was charged, filled with unspoken words. I couldn’t help wondering why he’d been so quick to suggest replacing me as his PA. Was he trying to create distance between us? Or was he genuinely concerned about my workload?
In the elevator, Alexander pressed the button for the executive floor and then turned to me. “I’m impressed, you know p>
“By what p>
Chapter 202
+15 BONUS
“Your ambition.” The elevator doors closed, sealing us in the confined space together. “Most people would have jumped at the chance to escape being my personal assistant p>
“Is working for you really that terrible?” I asked, a small smile playing on my lips.
“I’ve been told I’m demanding.” His eyes glinted with amusement. “Impossible, even p>
“You don’t say p>
He chuckled. “Yet here you are, fighting to keep both positions p>
“The PA job is my primary responsibility,” I said firmly. “The project management is secondary, even with the bonus pay p>
“Speaking of which…” He stepped closer, his cologne enveloping me. “Have you thought about what you’ll do with the extra money p>
I hadn’t, actually. Between worrying about my mother, juggling work, and navigating whatever was happening between Alexander and me, planning for extra income hadn’t been a priority.
“I’m not sure,” I admitted. “Maybe save for the future p>
He made a dismissive sound. “The future is uncertain. You should enjoy some of it now p>
“Like what? Shopping sprees? Luxury vacations p>
“Why not?” His eyes traveled over me. “You work hard. You deserve nice things p>
The elevator slowed as we approached our floor. I stepped away from him slightly, creating a professional distance between us.
“I’ll think about it,” I promised.
“Do that.” The doors opened, and he gestured for me to exit first.
I walked ahead, feeling his presence behind me as we made our way back to his office. The familiar routine of our workday resumed, but something felt different now. Maybe it was the knowledge that I had my own office waiting for me downstairs, or maybe it was the lingering questions about Katherine that I couldn’t bring myself to ask
“The conference call is with Jameson Hotels,” Alexander said as we entered his office. “They’re looking to expand their boutique line in New York–not Manhattan, but in Brooklyn. More specifically, Williamsburg p>
“Hipster central,” I remarked, pulling out my tablet to take notes. “Smart move p>
“They think so.” He settled into his chair. “I need the reports from the Tribeca project we did last year. The demographics were similar p>
I nodded. “I’ll get them right away. Anything else p>
“Pull the financial projections from the Chelsea hotel conversion too p>
Twenty minutes later, I returned with the requested files and laid them on his desk. “Here’s everything. I
2/4
Chapter 202
+15 BONUS
highlighted the sections most relevant to the Williamsburg location p>
Alexander glanced through the papers, nodding appreciatively. “Excellent work p>
“That’s why you pay me,” I replied with a small smile.
Alexander’s eyes lingered on mine for a moment longer than necessary. “Among other reasons p>
The heat that rushed to my face was immediate and unwelcome. I cleared my throat, gesturing to his desk. ” Your conference call starts in five minutes. Do you need anything else before it begins p>
“No. That will be all for now, Ms. Harper.” He leaned back in his chair, eyes still fixed on me. “Close the door on your way out p>
I nodded and retreated to my desk outside his office, settling into my chair with a small sigh. Through the glass walls, I could see Alexander preparing for his call, arranging documents, and checking his watch. The familiar sight was somehow comforting – a reminder that despite everything that had changed between us, some things remained constant.
I turned my attention to my computer, diving into work to distract myself from thoughts of Alexander, Katherine, and my new responsibilities. The steady rhythm of typing helped clear my mind, and soon, I was fully absorbed in my tasks.
An hour later, I decided to take a coffee break.
The morning had been hectic, filled with calls and emails about Alexander’s new Brooklyn hotel project. My mind was buzzing with information, and I needed caffeine to process it all.
I made my way to the cafeteria, nodding politely to colleagues as I passed.
I grabbed a cup and filled it with the strongest brew available, then added a splash of cream. As I stirred my coffee, I noticed something odd. The usual whispers and side glances that followed me around the office were absent. For weeks after my promotion, I’d endured crude comments and office gossip–speculation about how I’d “earned” my position.
“Bet she’s good at taking dictation,” I’d overheard one guy say to his colleague.
“Managers wouldn’t keep her around if she wasn’t spreading her legs for them,” another had commented within earshot.
“Must be nice getting promoted for sucking the boss’s
I’d walked away before hearing the rest of that particular gem.
But today? Nothing. No whispers. No abrupt silences when I entered a room. No knowing smirks or lewd
gestures. It was as if they’d found new targets for their venom, or perhaps Alexander’s warning had finally sunk
I took my coffee back to my desk, relieved by the reprieve but also slightly unnerved by the sudden change. The gossip hadn’t bothered me as much as it should have–I knew the truth, even if I couldn’t share it with anyone.
Setting my cup down, I glanced through the glass wall at Alexander, who was still on his conference call. He
3/4
Chapter 202
+15 BONUS
caught my eye and gave a small nod before returning his attention to his computer screen.
Katherine. The name had been haunting me.
I should just ask him directly. The question was simple enough: “Who is Katherine?” Three words. Yet every time I considered bringing it up, something held me back. Fear, perhaps. Fear of what the answer might be.
My phone buzzed with an incoming message. I glanced down, expecting work–related correspondence.
Instead, I saw Caroline’s name.
“Hey Madison! Let’s meet for drinks tomorrow. I want to get to know Alexander’s ‘assistant‘ better. 7 PM at The Loft p>
Chapter 203
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.