~𝑶𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒀𝒐𝒖!~

~1~

Lily Bennett stepped out of the elevator, her heart racing as she entered the sleek offices of Caldwell Enterprises. Everything about the place felt like a scene from a movie—shiny marble floors, fancy glass walls, and a buzz of busy people rushing around. She hugged her leather-bound notebook tight to her chest, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in her stomach.

Working as Ethan Caldwell's personal secretary was definitely a step up from her old part-time gig at the coffee shop. He was everything she had ever dreamed of—a successful, ridiculously handsome CEO with a magnetic personality. At first, it felt like she was living in a fairy tale, but lately, things had started to feel... different.

She paused outside Ethan's office door, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Just as she was about to knock, she could hear his voice calling out, "Come in!"

Lily opened the door and stepped inside, her heart thumping louder than ever. Ethan sat behind his huge desk, looking like he just walked off a magazine cover. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and he wore a suit that fit him like it was made for him. When he looked up at her, his piercing blue eyes felt like they were searching right through her.

"Good morning, Lily," he said, his voice smooth and confident. "Did you sleep well?"

She hesitated for a second, feeling a bit caught off guard. It was a simple question, but the way he asked made her feel like he knew more than he should. Shaking off the weird feeling, she replied with a smile, "Good morning, Mr. Caldwell. I've got the reports ready for your meeting later."

She handed him the documents, and their fingers brushed together for a second. The spark sent a strange chill down her spine, but she tried to ignore it.

"Just call me Ethan," he said, leaning back in his chair. "We're past the formal stuff, right?"

The way he said it felt like more than just an invitation to be casual; it felt like a command. She swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his gaze. "Sure... Ethan."

He kept looking at her like he was trying to figure her out, like she was some kind of puzzle he was determined to solve. "You're doing an amazing job, Lily," he said, his tone dropping to something more serious. "Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without you."

That should've made her feel good, right? But instead, it just sent a shiver down her spine. There was something intense about the way he said it, as if he was warning her that leaving wasn't really an option.

"Thanks, Ethan. I'm just happy to help out," she replied, her smile wavering.

Ethan's grin widened, but his eyes stayed serious, like he was sizing her up. "You're more than just a helper to me, Lily. You know that, right?"

Lily felt a knot tightening in her stomach. There was something about his words, something that felt both thrilling and terrifying. She forced a laugh, trying to shake off the tension. But deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was the start of something much more complicated than she ever expected.

Ethan's gaze held her captive, and Lily found herself caught in a moment that stretched far too long. The way he looked at her made her heart race, and a part of her liked it—liked the attention, liked feeling special in a world filled with nameless faces. But another part of her screamed to break free, to remind herself that she was here to work, not to be the object of his fixation.

"I... I'll leave you to it then," she said, forcing a smile before turning to walk away. As she stepped out of his office, the air felt heavier, the walls closing in just a little more.

Returning to her desk, she tried to focus on her tasks, but her mind kept drifting back to Ethan. The thrill of working for someone so powerful and charismatic had quickly become entwined with an unsettling awareness of how much he seemed to need her. Was it admiration or something darker? She shook her head, trying to dismiss the thoughts. It was just a job, after all.