𝐕𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

Chapter 10: The Game Begins

Scarlett

I resolved to keep my distance from Alexander, to focus on my work and not let his charm distract me. But that was easier said than done. He was everywhere, his presence a constant reminder of the tension between us.

One day, while working on a project, I made a small mistake. Panic surged through me as I imagined Alexander's reaction. He was infamous for his harshness, and I braced myself for the worst.

Instead, he surprised me. "Scarlett, can I see you in my office?" His tone was calm, but I felt a knot of anxiety in my stomach.

As I walked into his office, he closed the door behind me. "I noticed an error in your report," he said, handing me the document. "But it's an easy fix."

I looked up, expecting to see anger or disappointment. Instead, his expression was gentle, almost... caring. "Thank you, Mr. Blackwood. I'll correct it right away."

He nodded, his eyes lingering on me. "Scarlett, you're doing a great job. Don't be so hard on yourself."

His words caught me off guard. Was this the same ruthless CEO everyone feared? Or was this another part of his game? I left his office more confused than ever, my mind racing with questions.

Leaving Alexander's office, I felt like I was caught in a whirlwind of emotions that I couldn’t quite name. The same man who had a reputation for making others tremble with a single look was now offering me reassurances and gentle words. It felt surreal, and my mind couldn’t stop replaying his tone, his choice of words, and the way he looked at me — not with the cold, calculating gaze I was used to, but with something softer, something I couldn’t quite understand.

As I walked back to my desk, the document he’d handed me clutched in my hand, I tried to push away the confusion that was swirling inside me. Work had always been a refuge, a place where I could focus and prove my worth through my actions. But now, that refuge felt compromised. Alexander had entered a space I’d carefully guarded, and now I didn’t know how to regain my footing.

Sitting down, I reviewed the mistake I’d made in the report. It was a minor error, something easily overlooked, but it was the kind of thing that would have previously sent my heart racing with dread at the thought of Alexander’s reaction. But today, he had simply pointed it out, almost as if he were… understanding? The thought made my chest tighten. Was this a new side of Alexander? Or was he merely toying with me, trying to lull me into a false sense of security?

I couldn’t afford to be naïve. I knew better than to let my guard down. But that didn’t stop the memory of his words from echoing in my mind: “You’re doing a great job. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” It was the last thing I had expected him to say. I had been prepared for cold, hard criticism—something that would reinforce the image of Alexander Blackwood as a ruthless CEO who didn’t tolerate mistakes. Instead, I got something that felt almost… human.

It made focusing on my work even harder. My fingers moved mechanically over the keyboard, correcting the error and reviewing the rest of the report with a meticulousness that bordered on obsessive. But my mind was elsewhere, drifting back to the rooftop kiss, to the moments we’d shared since then, each one blurring the line between professional and personal. How could someone as cold as Alexander have such a capacity for tenderness? Was it all an act, a calculated move to win my trust?

The uncertainty gnawed at me, making it difficult to concentrate. My thoughts were a tangled mess, caught between wanting to believe that there was more to Alexander than his hard exterior and fearing that I was just another conquest, another challenge for him to overcome. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was walking on thin ice, that one wrong move would send me plunging into icy waters from which there would be no escape.

By the time lunch rolled around, I was desperate for a break, anything to take my mind off the turmoil inside me. I headed to the cafeteria, hoping that a change of scenery and a conversation with some of my coworkers would help clear my head. As I entered the room, I spotted Lily and Ben sitting together, deep in conversation. They waved me over, and I forced a smile as I approached.

“Hey, Scarlett,” Lily greeted, her eyes bright with curiosity. “How’s your day going?”

I shrugged, trying to sound casual. “Same as always. Just busy with work.”

Ben grinned. “I bet you’re swamped with all the projects you’ve got going on. But you’re handling it like a pro, right?”

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure I believed it myself. “Yeah, I’m trying. But it’s a lot to juggle sometimes.”

Lily leaned in, lowering her voice. “And how’s Mr. Blackwood been? He seemed pretty intense during the last meeting.”

I felt my stomach twist at the mention of Alexander. “He’s been… different,” I admitted, unsure of how much to share. “Not as harsh as usual.”

Ben raised an eyebrow. “Different how? You mean he’s actually being nice?”

I hesitated, searching for the right words. “I don’t know if I’d call it nice, but he’s been… more understanding, I guess. He even gave me some positive feedback earlier.”

Lily exchanged a look with Ben, her eyes widening. “That’s definitely not like him. Maybe he’s starting to soften up, especially after what happened on the rooftop.”

I bit my lip, unsure of how to respond. The last thing I wanted was to draw more attention to whatever was happening between Alexander and me, but it seemed like everyone was already talking about it. “Maybe,” I said vaguely. “Or maybe he’s just trying to keep things professional.”

Ben nodded thoughtfully. “Could be. But still, it sounds like he’s treating you differently from the rest of us. Maybe you’ve made more of an impact on him than you realize.”

His words struck a chord, but they also filled me with unease. I didn’t want to believe that Alexander was playing a game, but the possibility was always there, lurking in the back of my mind. Was I really making an impact on him, or was he simply manipulating me, testing how far he could push before I broke?

The conversation drifted to other topics, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched, scrutinized. The entire office seemed to be buzzing with speculation about my relationship with Alexander, and it made me feel exposed, vulnerable in a way I hadn’t anticipated. I had always prided myself on being strong, on not letting anything or anyone shake my confidence. But Alexander was different. He had a way of getting under my skin, making me question everything I thought I knew about myself.

When I returned to my desk, I found myself glancing toward Alexander’s office more often than I cared to admit. Was he thinking about me, about our earlier conversation? Did he regret being so lenient, or was he pleased with how things had turned out? The uncertainty was maddening, and I hated how much power he had over my thoughts, my emotions.