Title: "Behind Closed Doors"

Chapter 2 : The morning meeting

Chapter 2: The Morning Meeting

Lila  adjusted her navy pencil skirt for the third time, her nerves getting the better of her. She’d been Mr. Adam knight’s secretary for nearly two years, yet the flutter in her stomach refused to subside every time she stepped into his office. It was as if her heart had signed a lifetime contract to beat erratically in his presence.

“Lila,” Adam's deep, commanding voice called from his office, pulling her from her thoughts.

“Yes, Mr. Knight,” she answered, quickly grabbing her notepad and pen before stepping into the room.

Adam stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his tailored charcoal suit hugging his broad shoulders perfectly. The morning sun lit his chiseled jawline, and Lila had to remind herself to breathe. He turned to her, offering a faint smile that sent a shiver down her spine.

“Morning meeting in ten minutes,” he said, his piercing gray eyes meeting hers. “I need the quarterly report summary and the investor projections on hand.”

“Already prepared,” she replied, holding up the leather-bound folder she’d stayed late to compile the night before. The corner of his mouth quirked up in approval, a sight rare and dangerously heart-stirring.

“You’re always ahead of the game,” Adam remarked, stepping closer. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Sam.”

Lila's cheeks warmed at his praise, but she quickly masked it with a professional nod. “Just doing my job, sir.”

As Adam walked back to his desk, Lila tried not to stare. Tried, and failed. Every inch of him exuded confidence, power, and a kind of quiet intensity that made her wonder what lay beneath his composed exterior. She was hopelessly, irreversibly in love with a man who likely saw her as nothing more than his efficient right hand.

The sound of his phone vibrating pulled them both from their thoughts. Adam picked it up, his expression hardening as he read the text.

“Change of plans,” he said abruptly, setting the phone down. “Jennifer will be joining the meeting.”

Lila's stomach sank. Jennifer Reeves. The new head of marketing. Stunning, brilliant, and effortlessly charming. The way Adam's tone softened whenever Jennifer’s name came up hadn’t escaped Lila's notice. She forced a smile, hiding the ache threatening to creep into her chest.

“Understood,” she replied, her voice even.

As they walked to the boardroom, Lila  kept her composure, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. Adam held the door open for her, his hand brushing hers briefly—a fleeting moment that shouldn’t have meant anything, but left her pulse racing.

Inside, Jennifer was already seated, her vibrant red dress and confident smile lighting up the room. She stood to greet Adam, placing a hand on his arm as they exchanged pleasantries. Lila took her usual seat, her professional mask firmly in place, even as her heart clenched.

As the meeting progressed, Lila diligently took notes, stealing glances at Adam whenever she could. He was sharp and commanding, effortlessly steering the conversation. It was one of the many things she admired about him. Yet, each time Jennifer laughed at his jokes or leaned in slightly too close, Lila's chest tightened.

By the end of the meeting, Lila's notepad was filled with perfectly organized notes, though her mind was a tangled mess. She gathered her things quickly, eager to escape before her emotions betrayed her.

“Lila,” Adam called as she reached the door. She turned, masking her feelings with a practiced smile.

“Yes, sir?”

“Great work as always,” he said, his tone softer than usual. For a moment, his gaze lingered, as if he wanted to say something more. But then he nodded, and the moment passed.

“Thank you,” she replied, her voice steady despite the storm inside her. She left the room, her heart heavy with the weight of unspoken words and impossible dreams.

As she walked back to her desk, she whispered to herself, “Get it together, Lila. He’s your boss. That’s all he’ll ever be.”

But deep down, she knew it wasn’t that simple. Not when every moment with him felt like both heaven and heartbreak.