SHE SAID "NO" TO HIS PROPOSAL

New Boss, Old Lover

Do I really need this job? Do I really need to study law? I groaned as my hand blindly slapped at the alarm clock on my nightstand. Just five more minutes. My body ached from staying up until 2 a.m., working on those case assignments and proofreading articles. The exhaustion clung to me like a fog, clouding every thought.

When I finally forced my eyes open, a wave of dizziness hit me as I fumbled for my phone. The screen lit up, and panic shot through me.

Holy Grail, I'm late!

Scrambling out of bed, I rushed through a shower, brushed my teeth with lightning speed, and grabbed my keys, barely remembering to lock the door behind me. Today was the general meeting to introduce the new Vice President, and of all days, I had to be late.

Stuck in traffic, I slumped in the back of the taxi, feeling my anxiety building. It was my third time being late this month. This is not good. Not today, of all days. The tension in my chest grew tighter with each passing second. Taylor Swift's "Lover" played softly on the radio, and I nearly choked at the irony. That song. The song Greg had proposed to me with.

Of course. I didn't even have the energy to ask the driver to change it, so I just sat there, trapped with the memory I'd rather forget. I dug my nails into my palm to distract myself.

When the taxi finally pulled up in front of the 60-floor building, it loomed above me like a giant, reminding me just how small I felt today. I really don't need this right now.

After paying the driver, I bolted into the lobby, frantically pushing the elevator button. As the doors began to close, a man entered my peripheral vision. He looked eerily like Greg from behind, tall with that same tousled dark hair. My heart lurched, but before I could make sense of it, the doors slid shut.

By the time I reached my desk, I was a frazzled mess. I booted up my computer, glancing nervously toward the VP's office just across the room. Please don't let him see me like this.

Emma, always the office gossip, noticed me immediately. "Late again, huh?" She leaned over my cubicle wall with her usual teasing grin. "You missed the meeting! You should've seen our new VP. Girl, he is smoking hot."

I forced a laugh, still too flustered to fully engage. "Traffic," I muttered, trying to downplay it.

Emma's eyes sparkled as she leaned in closer. "Don't look now, but he just walked in."

My heart sank. No. Please, no.

After a few moments, I turned toward the VP's office. My stomach flipped when I saw him.

It was Greg.

No. No. No. My pulse sped up, and it felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room. My palms were slick with sweat, my fingers trembling slightly. Emma prattled on. "He's so hot, isn't he? I heard he's been single for a while now. Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I forced a smile, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm fine. Just remembered I have two articles due today." I scrambled to come up with an excuse, anything to get out of this conversation. "Better get on it."

I hurried away to compose myself, my legs shaking as I made my way to the pantry. Greg is the new VP. He's my boss now. The thought kept looping in my mind. What am I going to do? Resign? Would he fire me? My heart pounded in my chest, and I forced myself to take slow, steady breaths. I have to stay calm. Be professional.

Back at my desk, I caught a glimpse of Greg leaving his office. My breath hitched. Please don't look this way. Without thinking, I dropped to the floor, pretending to search for something under my desk. Pathetic, Luna. Absolutely pathetic.

When I finally dared to sit back up, Richard, the VP's secretary, called for the team leaders to meet in the conference room. My stomach churned as I realized Greg would be leading the meeting.

Why? Why today? I grabbed my notebook, trying to steel myself. You've got this. Be professional. Just pretend he's not... him.

The conference room was packed by the time I arrived, and the only seat left was right next to Greg. Of course it is.

I groaned inwardly as I sat down. Greg entered the room, exuding that familiar confidence, but his expression was colder now, more distant. He started going over the agenda for the September issue, his voice smooth and commanding.

"And you?" he said suddenly, his eyes locking onto mine. "What are your suggestions for next month's legal content?"

My mind blanked. I hadn't even been in the earlier meeting. Great. Just great.

"I—I'm sorry, sir. I wasn't at the earlier meeting, but I'll make sure to be prepared moving forward."

His eyes narrowed slightly, clearly unimpressed. "I expect the first draft on my desk by the end of the day." His tone was detached, like I was just another employee.

Maybe that was for the best.

After the meeting, I threw myself into work, typing out legal research and notes at lightning speed. By 4:45, I was done, but my law class started in less than an hour. I dropped my report on Richard's desk and was about to leave when Greg's voice stopped me cold.

"I said on my desk, not Richard's."

I turned, my heart pounding again. He didn't even look up from his work. Typical Greg. I handed him the report, and without missing a beat, he crossed out two of my suggestions.

"I don't want these two. Revise them," he said flatly.

"Understood. I'll bring the revisions tomorrow morning."

Greg glanced up then, his expression unreadable. "Tomorrow?"

"It's already five. I have a prior commitment."

He gave a small nod and returned to his papers, dismissing me without a word.

I walked out of his office, my emotions swirling. This is going to be harder than I thought. The Greg I knew was gone, replaced by someone cold and distant. I shook off the thought. Focus on work. Focus on law school. There was no room for past heartbreak here.