The One

Office day

The clock read 6:45 AM when Karol woke up, starting her morning routine—showering, getting dressed, and heading down to the kitchen for breakfast.

Opting for a simple and casual look, she made her way downstairs by 7:15 AM. The moment she stepped into the kitchen, she was welcomed by Christian, who was deep in conversation with her parents.

"Morning," she said, her voice brightening the air.

Both William and Anna turned to her, greeting her in unison. "Oh, morning baby girl!" they exclaimed, their smiles warm and genuine. Christian looked up, beaming as he said, "Morning!"

"You're here early?" she asked, her eyes narrowed in playful suspicion.

Christian grinned. "Yeah, I came to have breakfast with you. Your mum offered to make me some, so I thought I'd stick around and chat with them while I waited." He took a bite of his mate's favourite vanilla pancakes, clearly enjoying them.

With an eyebrow raised, she questioned, "Mum? Dad?" She glanced at her parents, who exchanged sly smirks and carried on their conversation with Christian, unfazed by her inquire.

Unable to resist, she pressed further. "Since when did this whole Mum and Dad thing start happening?" She stood next to her mate one hand on her hip and the other resting against the kitchen chair, an amused grin on her face.

He smiled, turning slightly to gaze at her. "Since yesterday, I guess," he murmured, leaning in closer, his breath brushing against her. She instinctively took a step back, a playful retreat from his warmth.

Turning around, Christian smirked knowingly as he inhaled the faint scent of his mate while she muttered 'weirdo' under her breath. With a grin, she made her way to the stove, preparing a fresh batch of pancakes.

By 7.30 am, both of them had ventured out of the house, making their way to Christian's office nestled in the heart of the bustling city. Upon their arrival, they parked in the underground VVIP car park before stepping into the lift reserved exclusively for elite clientele.

"Morning, Sir, morning, Ma'am," greeted Christian's personal assistant Sean, impeccably dressed in a sleek professional suit, an iPad in hand.

"Morning, Sean," Christian replied, nodding at his assistant, while Karol chimed in, "Morning, Sean!" Her smile was met with a return gesture that ignited a flicker of jealousy in Christian at their brief exchange.

Christian gently wrapped his arm around Karol's waist as they entered the lift together. However, she instinctively shifted away, conscious of the CCTV cameras that might capture their closeness, unwilling to become the subject of town gossip.

"Your schedule is fully packed from 8.30 am to 6 pm. Oh, sir, Miss Blair has arrived to meet you," Sean announced before Christian could respond. The lift dinged, signalling they'd reached the top floor. All three of them made their way towards Christian's office, but Sean paused, taking his place by the side of the office door.

Entering his office, Karol found herself captivated by the breathtaking view from the top floor. She set her bag down on the plush sofa and wandered towards the window, her breath caught in awe by the stunning panorama before her.

Lost in the magnificent landscape, she didn't initially register Christian's voice. "Do you like the view?" he asked, standing beside her. Closing the distance, he whispered, "Do you like the view, baby girl?" His words were laced with an alluring softness, complemented by Arlo's low, resonant voice.

As they enveloped her from behind, whispering sweet nothings into her ear, she felt a delightful shiver race down her spine. Finally snapped back to reality, she smirked and whispered back, "No," while continuing to gaze at the endless horizon.

"I love this view, Christian. Just imagine it at night, with all the city lights sparkling like stars. It's going to be breathtaking," she added, subconsciously wrapping her arms around his as he embraced her waist.

As always, Arlo couldn't help but inject a touch of audacity, mentally chiming in with an overly romanticized thought: 'Or when she comes to pick us up late at night, and we indulge in wild office encounters' through their mind-link.

Arlo sent over a flurry of 18+ images to Christian, causing his mate to stir slightly from sleep. Just as Christian's hand reached out, ready to pull her closer, their moment was abruptly shattered by Blair, who barged into the room without so much as a knock. Both Christian and Karol spun around in surprise, the sudden movement causing her to involuntarily step away from her mate, a gesture that triggered a frown from him.

Without sparing Karol a glance, Blair fixed her attention on Christian, her voice dripping with sugary faux sweetness. "Christian," she called out, oblivious to the tension in the air.

Christian's annoyance flared up for two reasons: his mate's unexpected retreat and Blair's unwelcome entrance. In a cold tone, he replied, "What?" and strode over to his desk, trying to shake off the interruption.

Blair, eyes narrowing, cast a fleeting glare at Karol before issuing her orders. "You're late for the meeting," she said, turning on her heel and striding out, leaving the couple behind.

Karol wasted no time rushing to Christian, slapping his arm lightly. "Christian!" she scolded, her voice carrying a blend of urgency and exasperation. His puzzled expression, a clear 'What?' played on his face.

"Go! You're late for your meeting," she insisted, pushing him gently towards the door.

"Nah, don't worry about it. They won't start without me," he replied nonchalantly.

Karol couldn't help but give him a gentle shove. "You ass. Go! Don't keep them waiting!"

In a quick motion, Christian turned and enveloped her in a warm hug. "Okay, okay. I'm going, but you have to come with me," he said, holding her steady against him.

She looked up, her confusion evident as she attempted to wriggle free. Christian, however, clung to her, asking cheekily, "Hmm, what's your answer?"

"No," she shot back.

A gleam of mischief sparked in Christian's eyes. "Then I'm not going unless you come with me," he teased, refusing to let go.

"Jeez, what a child," she sighed, rolling her eyes.

"So? What's your answer, milady?" he pressed, grinning.

"Fine, let's go. But don't expect me to give you 100% focus in that meeting."

Christian's smile widened, resembling a child about to go on an adventure. He helped her adjust, ensuring she stood tall and steady. "Let's go," he declared, gripping her hand as they exited his office, making their way to the meeting room one floor below.