Alexander's pov
It had been several days since my visit to Nova's apartment. In that time, Rebecca had been relentless in pushing me to either promote her to my secretary or find a new one. I was inundated with her constant reminders, each one more insistent than the last.
Then, one day, as I was engrossed in work, I heard a voice in the hallway that made me pause. The voice was unmistakable-sharp, witty, and laced with a familiar sarcasm. My heart skipped a beat as I realized it belonged to Nova. I could tell it was her even though I couldn't see her yet. The scent of her strong perfume reached me, a scent I had missed more than I'd realized.
She was having a conversation with Rebecca, her tone dripping with her usual edge. I could make out fragments of their conversation.
"Well, Rebecca," Nova said, her voice cutting through the hallway, "I didn't realize you were vying for a promotion. You're quite the ambitious one."
Rebecca, who was clearly flustered, responded sharply, "I just think it's time we have someone who can handle the job better. Clearly, I'm more than qualified."
Nova's voice dripped with her characteristic sarcasm. "More than qualified? Considering the mess you've made of things while I was gone, I'd say you're better suited to a role that doesn't involve handling the complexities of my boss's schedule."
I could almost hear Rebecca's frustration as she stammered, "Well, what makes you think you're so special? I've been doing my best to keep things running smoothly."
Nova laughed, a sound that was both musical and mocking. "Your best? Rebecca, you're adorable. But let's be real. I've been doing this job for years, and my 'best' is what kept this office from falling apart. So, if anyone's getting promoted, it won't be someone who's been stumbling through my files like a bull in a china shop."
With that, Nova stepped into my office, her dark makeup accentuating her intense gaze and her outfit provocative as always. She looked every bit the person who had once held the reins of my chaotic office.
"Alexander," she said, her tone smooth and authoritative, "I see the position's still open. What's a guy to do without his favorite secretary?"
Rebecca glared at her, clearly unimpressed. "Well, now that you're here, what do you expect to do? You were fired, remember?"
Nova's lips curved into a smirk. "That was then. And I'm here now. So, if you're done with your little power play, maybe we can discuss what's next."
Rebecca's face flushed with frustration as she stormed out, leaving Nova and me alone.
I could only watch, a mix of relief and apprehension swirling within me. Nova's presence was a welcome relief, but the tension between us needed to be addressed. As she took her place in front of my desk, the familiar banter returned, and with it, a sense of normalcy.
"Nova," I said, my voice steady but soft, "It's good to see you."
She arched an eyebrow, her gaze steady. "I bet it is. So, what's the deal? You miss me so much you had to drag me back?"
I nodded, my expression serious but softened by the hint of a smile. "You could say that. There's a lot to discuss, but first, let's address how things are going to work from here on out."
As she settled in, the air between us felt charged with a mixture of unresolved tension and the possibility of a new beginning. We had a lot to sort out, but seeing her back in my office, commanding and defiant as ever, was a step towards addressing the unresolved issues between us.
Nova's pov
The office buzzed with its usual frenetic energy as I settled back into my old desk. The familiar hum of computers, the clatter of keyboards, and the murmur of conversations were oddly comforting. Despite the whirlwind of emotions I'd been through, it felt good to be back where I knew the rhythm of the chaos.
I was still processing my decision to return. The past few days of watching Alexander on my doorstep had tugged at something deep inside me. As much as I wanted to hold onto my anger, the reality of the situation couldn't be ignored. Alexander had been stubborn, but there was a part of me that missed the way things were-despite his ruthlessness.
I glanced over at Alexander's office door. It was a small relief to see him working behind it, even if the usual barrier of formality was still there. I'd seen the determination in his eyes when he'd waited outside my apartment. It was confusing, but I couldn't deny that a part of me appreciated the gesture. Maybe he was serious about making amends, or maybe he was just trying to salvage the mess he'd made. Either way, it didn't change the fact that we had a lot to work through.
Rebecca's departure had left a brief silence in the office, but it didn't last long. The staff quickly adapted to the new, old routine. I had to admit, part of me enjoyed watching the office dynamic shift back to what it used to be. It was like slipping into an old pair of shoes-familiar and slightly worn, but comfortable.
When the end of the day finally rolled around, I found myself heading toward Alexander's office. I took a deep breath, my fingers lightly tapping on the door before pushing it open. Alexander looked up from his desk, his expression shifting from concentration to something softer, almost relieved.
"Nova," he said, his tone a mix of formality and warmth. "You wanted to talk?"
"Yeah," I began, trying to keep my voice steady despite the residual tension. "We need to sort out a few things."
He nodded, gesturing for me to take a seat. As I did, I took in the clutter of papers and files on his desk-familiar and somehow reassuring. This was where I belonged, or at least where I had always felt I belonged.
"I owe you an apology," Alexander said, his gaze meeting mine. "For the way things went down before. I was out of line, and I should have handled it better."
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. "You're right. And I'm not going to pretend I wasn't hurt by it. But I'm here now, and that's what matters."
He looked at me with a mix of gratitude and determination. "I appreciate that. I can't promise I'll be perfect, but I'm committed to making this work."
I raised an eyebrow, allowing a small smile to tug at the corners of my mouth. "Well, I guess we'll see. It'll take some getting used to, but I'm willing to give it a shot."
Alexander's expression softened further, and I could sense a genuine attempt at reconciliation. "Thank you, Nova. I know this won't be easy, but I believe we can make it work."
I nodded, feeling a tentative sense of optimism. There was still a long road ahead, and our working relationship would need to be rebuilt from the ground up. But for now, it felt like a small victory.
As I headed back to my desk, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement for the future. Maybe, just maybe, this was a chance for a fresh start-for both of us.
YOU ARE READING
The CEO's Match
RomanceWhen a sudden corporate emergency arises, the CEO of a major conglomerate, Alexander Blackwood, and his alluring secretary, Nova Dice, find themselves on an unplanned business trip to a high-profile industry conference. Known for his ruthless effici...