𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝟏𝟖 +

𝐅 𝐎 𝐔 𝐑

Eden

The moment I got home, I kicked off my Prada shoes and practically collapsed onto the couch. My heart was still racing from the day's events, my mind spinning with everything that had happened. I replayed the interview over and over in my head, every detail of Mrs. DuBois—no, Lenore DuBois—etched into my memory. There was something about her that I just couldn't shake, something that had burrowed its way into my thoughts and refused to leave.

I had to know more.

Grabbing my laptop, I settled into the couch, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. I hesitated for a moment, feeling a little silly. I mean, who Google searches their potential boss? But my curiosity got the better of me, and I typed her name into the search bar.

Lenore DuBois.

The results came up almost instantly, the top hit being her profile on the company's website. But it was the second link that caught my attention: an article about her life, her achievements, her rise to becoming the CEO of DuBois Fashion Designers. I clicked on it, my eyes quickly scanning the page.

Lenore DuBois, age 37, married to Charles Kennedy for seven years. The words leaped out at me, and I paused, staring at the screen in disbelief. Married. Of course, she was married. A woman like that—stunning, powerful, successful—of course, she would have a husband. But there was something about seeing it written out that made it all the more real, all the more crushing.

I couldn't help but wonder what kind of man Charles Kennedy was. A quick search revealed that he was a wealthy investor, also highly successful in his own right. They made sense together—a power couple, both incredibly accomplished, both incredibly wealthy. And yet... I couldn't stop the nagging question in the back of my mind.

Why didn't she take his last name?

It wasn't uncommon for women to keep their maiden names, especially in the world of business. But something about it intrigued me. Was it a statement of independence? A way to maintain her own identity separate from his? Or was there something more to it, something beneath the surface?

I found myself scrolling through more articles, more interviews, soaking up every detail I could find about her. Lenore had taken over as CEO at the age of 24—24!—after her father had passed away suddenly. She had been thrust into the role, and yet she had not only survived but thrived, transforming DuBois Fashion Designers into one of the most prestigious fashion houses in the world. Her business acumen was legendary, her designs innovative and trendsetting.

But it wasn't just her professional achievements that captivated me. It was everything about her—the way she carried herself, the way she looked, the way she spoke. There was an aura of command about her, something almost magnetic. And I couldn't deny it any longer—I was completely, utterly smitten.

Lenore DuBois was 13 years older than me, married, and so far out of my league that it was almost laughable. And yet, here I was, obsessing over her, reading every article I could find, studying her like she was the most fascinating person I'd ever encountered.

And maybe she was.

There was something about the way she had looked at me in the interview, the intensity in her gaze, that had sent shivers down my spine. I didn't know what it was—whether it was just her natural demeanor, or if there had been something more to it. But whatever it was, it had left a lasting impression.

I closed my laptop, leaning back on the couch and letting out a long sigh. This was ridiculous. I couldn't have a crush on my potential boss, especially not one who was married and so far out of reach. But the truth was undeniable—I was completely drawn to her.

The way she moved, the way she spoke, the way she seemed to command the very air around her... It was like nothing I'd ever experienced before. I had never met anyone like her, and I couldn't stop thinking about her.

I felt a mix of emotions—excitement, curiosity, frustration. Part of me wanted to push these feelings aside, to forget about her and focus on my career, on securing the job. But another part of me was desperate to know more, to understand her, to be close to her.

I knew it was dangerous territory. Lenore DuBois was off-limits, not just because she was married, but because she was powerful, someone who could make or break my career with a single word. And yet, that only seemed to make her more alluring.

I groaned, running a hand through my short, curly hair. This was crazy. I was acting like a schoolgirl with a crush, and it was ridiculous. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get her out of my head.

I stood up and paced around the room, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts of her. But it was no use. She was there, in my mind, in every thought, every breath. And the worst part was, I had no idea what to do about it.

All I could do was wait. Wait to hear back about the job, wait to see if I'd get the chance to work with her, to be near her. And maybe, just maybe, I'd figure out what it was about Lenore DuBois that had me so completely captivated.

But until then, all I could do was wonder and dream.

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~ R