My Boss Next Door

Chapter 2

Alexander

As I stood in the elevator, waiting for the doors to close, I caught sight of a woman racing toward me. She was clearly in a hurry, and I could almost predict what would happen next. Most girls would either flash a smile or bat their lashes to get my attention, but instead, she shouted, "Hold the doors!" I smirked, letting the doors slide shut without a second thought, just to see how she'd react.

When she muttered "Fucking asshole" under her breath, I felt a flicker of surprise and intrigue. That wasn't the typical response I was used to. I opened the doors again, and her startled expression made my heart race a little faster. "Did you just call me an asshole?" I asked, leaning casually against the elevator wall, curious to see how she would handle the situation.

What I didn't expect was for her to stand there, flustered and clearly taken aback, but there was something refreshingly genuine about her annoyance. The way her cheeks flushed as she tried to regain her composure only made her more interesting. Most women wouldn't dare speak to me like that, and yet here she was, unfiltered and unapologetic. I found myself captivated by her spirit. She was cute in a way that was unexpected, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a spark of interest in someone who wasn't just after my name or status. Maybe this encounter wouldn't be as mundane as I initially thought.

As she stepped into the elevator, I couldn't help but notice the details-the soft curve of her pink lips, the kind that looked effortlessly inviting, hinting at both stubbornness and sweetness. Her dark hair fell in gentle waves, framing her face with a certain elegance that caught the light just right, making it almost impossible not to stare. But it was her eyes that held my attention the longest-bright and full of emotion, slightly defiant yet carrying an unexpected warmth. There was something captivating about the way she held herself, a quiet strength mixed with an undeniable beauty that seemed almost unaware of its own effect. She was stunning, yes, but in a way that was all her own.

As I took in her features, a strange sense of attraction stirred-a rare feeling I hadn't let myself feel in a long time. But I quickly pushed it aside. This was just some girl, another stranger in the elevator, no different from the rest. I mentally shook off the fleeting intrigue, reminding myself that I didn't have time for distractions. The last thing I needed was to let my guard down, especially over someone I barely knew. Besides, it was just a look, a passing thought, nothing more. So I crossed my arms, forced myself to focus on the dinging elevator floors, and tried to shrug off the idea of her as soon as it entered my head.

Suddenly, her voice cut through the silence. "Are you always like this? Ignoring people when they ask you for something?"

I turned, a little surprised by her boldness. She didn't look the least bit intimidated, just irritated-and oddly enough, it made me smirk.

"Are you talking to me?" I replied, raising an eyebrow, half-amused and half-curious about where this was going. Most people either stayed silent or tried to charm their way into conversation, but she seemed content to call me out without a second thought. Her directness was unexpected, and as much as I tried to brush off the intrigue, it had my attention.

She crossed her arms, looking genuinely annoyed, and shot back, "Do you see anyone else here with us? I don't talk to walls-that's not one of my hobbies."

I couldn't help but chuckle at her sharpness. Leaning in just a bit closer, I caught her gaze and replied, thoroughly amused, "Then what are your hobbies? Calling strangers names?"

Her eyes narrowed, but I noticed a faint blush rising in her cheeks. She held her ground, though, that fire in her eyes refusing to back down. There was something strangely captivating about her defiance, something that made me wonder what else lay beneath her quick wit and sharp remarks.