The Elevator Incident

four

My alarm buzzes relentlessly, pulling me from the fragile grip of sleep. I groan, slapping it off and lying there for a moment, trying to shake off the lingering fog. Today is my first day at Williams, Inc. The enormity of that hits me all over again as I drag myself out of bed. This isn't just any job—it's the chance I've been waiting for to prove myself outside the shadow of my family's name.

After a long shower, I stand in front of my closet, trying to decide what to wear. I settle on a navy pencil skirt and a crisp white blouse—professional, but not too stiff. As I get ready, my thoughts drift back to the weekend. That guy, the one who made my heart race and left me breathless. His voice, the way he called me "angel," keeps replaying in my mind. I shake my head, trying to focus on the day ahead.

Stop thinking about him, I scold myself. You've got bigger things to worry about.

I give Dino a quick pat on the head before grabbing my bag and heading out. The drive to Williams, Inc. is smooth, giving me time to mentally prepare—or at least try to. I know little about Christopher Williams, the elusive CEO. He's a mystery, with no photos online and no public appearances. Just a reputation for being fiercely private and dangerously effective. I wondered briefly if the same little boy I used to play with when I was younger was still there, before our families got into the feud, of course. Would he even recognize me? Heck, would he even remember me from all those years ago. I pondered what he's like in person for the rest of the drive, but pushed the thought aside as I pulled into the parking lot.

The lobby is sleek and modern, all glass and steel, buzzing with the kind of energy that makes you feel like things are happening here. Big things. My heels click on the polished floor as I make my way to the elevators, the knot in my stomach tightening with every step. When the doors slide open on the 25th floor, I'm greeted by a corridor lined with glass offices. A receptionist showed me to the large conference room where the meeting is to be held and then guided me to my own office. 

I settled down, turned on my computer, and logged in my access. My office has a nice view of the city. I walked to the window, a small smile etched my face. This is where I start. This is where I can prove to myself that I am beyond my family name. I grabbed the materials needed for the meeting and read through it again, just to make sure that everything is correct.

I'm the first one there, which is a small blessing. I sit down near the middle of the table, hoping to blend in once the others arrive. The room gradually fills with my new colleagues, the low hum of conversation filling the space. I keep my head down, focused on my notes, trying to ignore the nervous flutter in my stomach.

Suddenly, the room goes quiet. I look up, and my heart nearly stops.

"Good morning, everyone," a deep, familiar voice announces.

My breath catches in my throat as I recognize the voice. No, it can't be. I look up, and there he is, standing at the head of the table. Christopher Williams. The man from my bed just two nights ago.

My mind reels as I try to make sense of what's happening. He's the CEO? The man who called me "angel" with that teasing smirk is now my boss. My very hot and sex-on-legs boss. I quickly look down, hoping no one notices the shock on my face, but I can feel his eyes on me, like a weight I can't escape. When I glance up, his gaze is locked on mine, and the corners of his mouth curve into the faintest hint of a smirk.

He knows. Of course, he knows.

"Let's get started," he says, his tone all business, though I swear I catch a hint of amusement in his eyes.

The meeting drones on, with Christopher—Mr. Williams, I remind myself—going over the details of various projects. I do my best to focus, scribbling notes and nodding along, but my mind keeps drifting back to that smirk, that voice. The way he looked at me, like he knew exactly what was going through my head.