HIS COLD GAZE MY SECRET FLAME

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lly as she sorted through contracts,financial reports,and other corporate documents. She had long since mastered

quietly taking care of the administrative tasks and ensuring that everything ran smoothly. But now, nearly two years into her role she was all aware of the high sta

de and a mind even sharper. Lucia had never been particularly interested in the gossip that was s

thoughts long after interactions. His presence was commanding. When he walked into a room, everything shifted, the air grew he

s on her desk when her phone buzzed signaling a message "Mr Bethel requests your presence in his office immediately". Her heart skipped. Lucia knew the drill the CEO didn't summon anyone without a reason, it wasn't t

walked briskly, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she made her way to Mr Bethel's office. The glass loomed ahead, the world outside barely visible through the reflection of the build

the dimming light, Lucia's voice was steady " you sent for me, Sir?" though a part of her felt uneasy. She'd never been entirely sure of how to read him despite her best efforts. Without turning around, he spoke "Close the door, Lucia" , his voice low a

nodded, already preparing mentally for the hours of work ahead, "Sure sir, I'll be ready" she replied keeping a calm voice despite

erate, Lucia's mind was racing with uncertainty. He stopped just a few inches away

nderstand. "It's a great company sir" she said , her voice steady "Very successful", " Oh, I see you're a loyal employee that's good". Before she could respond, the phone on his desk bu

heart. She turned to leave, but her hand hesitated on the door handle for just a second longer than necessar

r, the air outside his office felt somehow thinner like the room had taken

walked briskly, forcing herself not to look over

any? That wasn't idle curiosity. Brian Bethel didn'

rking here for tw

ain in her memory. Sm

e'd met him on day one at the Kursh Organization. She had just fin

at didn't reach her eyes. "Keep your head down, do what you're told, and don't cross

unsure of what that meant a

isp white shirt. A wristwatch that probably cost more than her yearly salary. The

in her direction. But even without that, Lucia had felt

in a tai

had neatly arranged earlier now seemed out of place. She sat d

s. No tasks from the executive group chat.

requests you

screen and plac

like that before. He usually worked through his personal a

she thoug

of a colleague Mark from Accounts. "Late ni

offering a tight sm

you too long. We still need someone around here with a puls

ce

mple now. There was more to him. And she had seen a flicker of it