Serena took a deep breath as she placed the last piece of data into the Baxter report. The clock on her desk read 13 minutes and 43 seconds. She had done it. After meticulously reviewing every detail, she could only pray it was enough to meet Kael Valen's impossible standards.
Her heart raced as she quickly pressed the print button, her eyes darting nervously to her watch. She needed to get this done—now. The seconds seemed to tick louder in her mind, her anxiety building as she feared she might be late. The printer hummed to life, its steady noise the only sound breaking the silence of her hurried movements.
When the report was finally printed, she grabbed the sheets with a steady hand, placing them into the folder she had carefully prepared for the Baxter report. She straightened her blouse with confidence, clutching the folder tightly, knowing it held not just her work, but the key to her future with Kael Valen. This was her first mission from him, and failure wasn't an option. She made her way through the bustling office to his corner suite. Each step felt heavier than the last as her nerves tightened.
Reaching his door, she stopped to compose herself. "You can do this," she whispered under her breath. She knocked firmly. Silence. She frowned, her heartbeat quickening.
Serena knocked again, this time louder. Still no response. Anxiety crept in, a hundred scenarios racing through her mind. What if something had gone wrong? Hesitant but determined, she pushed open the door and stepped inside.
"Mr. Valen?" she called out, her voice tinged with concern.
The office was silent, the usual hum of activity replaced by an almost eerie stillness. His desk sat untouched, a glass of water and a stack of papers neatly arranged. Serena's eyes darted around, searching for any sign of him. She was about to leave when the sound of movement made her turn.
Her breath caught in her throat. Emerging from a private washroom on the left side of the room was Kael Valen. He was half-naked, a towel slung low around his hips. Droplets of water traced the contours of his broad shoulders and chiselled chest, glistening under the soft overhead lights. His muscles were sharply defined, a clear reflection of years of hard training and unyielding discipline. A faint line of water trailed down the ridges of his abs, disappearing beneath the towel.
But it was the tattoo that captured her attention. On his right waist, an intricate phoenix design, its wings spread wide, rose from curling flames that seemed to shift with the light. The sharp, elegant lines of the tattoo traced the contours of his side, its form both powerful and subtle. The contrast of the black ink against his tan skin made it all the more striking, adding an air of mystery to his already commanding presence. Serena couldn't help but wonder about its meaning, but the story behind it remained hidden, locked away beneath his guarded expression.
Kael's sharp gaze locked onto her, freezing her in place. His expression was unreadable, a mix of mild annoyance and bemusement. "Serena," he drawled, his voice low and steady, "I wasn't aware that knocking twice constitutes permission to invade someone's office."
Serena's cheeks flamed as she realised she had been staring. She averted her gaze, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I knocked, but you didn't respond. I thought something might have happened, so I…" She trailed off, suddenly unsure how to justify her actions.
Kael raised a brow, his smirk faint but obvious. "And your first instinct was to burst in? Very bold, Serena. A little patience might have served you well. But instead, you barged in like someone with no respect for boundaries. Next time, try showing some."
The sarcasm in his words stung, but Serena managed to keep her composure. She silently cursed him in her mind, feeling the heat of frustration rise within her. It wasn't her fault he hadn't answered. How was she supposed to know he was occupied? Still, she bit her tongue and glanced down, unwilling to show any weakness.
"I was concerned," she said, finding her voice again. "Next time, I'll just… wait outside until you let me in."
"Finally, you're making sense," he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. He turned away, walking toward a wardrobe in the corner. Serena couldn't help but notice the way his muscles shifted with each step, the tattoo flexing slightly as he moved. He grabbed a shirt and slid it on, the momentary glimpse of vulnerability vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.
"Where's the report?" Kael asked, his voice calm yet demanding, not looking at Serena as he continued to dress.
"Uh, here," Serena replied, her hand trembling slightly as she held out the folder.
"Put it on my desk," he ordered. Serena walked over to the desk and placed the report carefully on the surface, the weight of his gaze pressing down on her as she stood there. She was about to leave when his voice stopped her.
"Wait."
Serena turned back, her pulse quickening. Kael reached into his drawer, pulling out a florist's business card, and handed it to her.
"I need you to do something for me," he said, his tone cool and businesslike. "Purchase 1,000 red roses from this shop. Tell them it's an order from me."
Serena's eyes widened in surprise. Without thinking, she blurted out, "For what?"
Kael's expression darkened. He didn't answer immediately, instead walking toward her with deliberate, measured steps. Serena's heart raced as she wondered what he was about to do.
"Mr. Valen," she asked cautiously, "what are you trying to do?"
Kael's lips twisted into a faint sneer. "You're quite annoying, you know that? You're nothing to me—just a secretary—but here you are, questioning me, trying to pry into my life."
Before Serena could react, Kael advanced on her, cornering her against the bookshelves. Her breath caught in her throat as she found herself trapped, the space between them closing rapidly. His gaze locked onto hers with a dangerous intensity. He grabbed her jaw roughly, forcing her to meet his eyes.
Kael's grip on her jaw tightened, his thumb pressing against her skin as he searched her face. He was trying to find something he believed she was hiding. He believed she was a spy, sent by his father to dig into his affairs.
Serena held his gaze, unflinching despite the heat of his stare. But as he looked into her eyes, something unexpected happened. They were beautiful—too beautiful. Dark and endless, they seemed to hold a depth of emotion he couldn't quite reach. There was a sadness in them, an emptiness that made him feel a pang of discomfort. For just a moment, his cold façade faltered. It was brief, but Serena saw it: a fleeting hesitation, an uncertainty in his eyes that made her pulse quicken.
Frustrated, Kael released her abruptly, stepping back with an almost imperceptible shake of his head, as though banishing whatever momentary weakness he'd shown. "Get lost," he muttered, his voice thick with disdain.
Serena stood there, feeling the sting of his touch still lingering on her skin. She swallowed hard, fighting the urge to react. "I'm sorry," she said, the words coming out before she could stop them. It wasn't what she wanted to say, but it was the only way to avoid making things worse. She needed to keep things professional, especially when it came to their work.
"I need to know what it's for so I can make better arrangements," she said, trying to make her reasoning sound logical.
Kael didn't acknowledge her apology. Instead, he turned away, his voice cold as he gave his final instruction. "They'll know what it's for. Just mention my name. Once you're done, let me know, and wait for my next instructions."
"Sure," Serena replied quietly, her resolve hardening as she left his office, her mind racing.
Without hesitation, Serena grabbed her bag and set off for the florist's location, the address neatly printed on the business card. It was an hour-long taxi ride, and the congested roads during rush hour made it feel even longer.
When she finally arrived, the sight of the flower shop took her breath away. The storefront was charming, adorned with cascading vines of ivy and delicate hanging baskets of blooms. Inside, the air was fragrant and vibrant with colour. Rows of flowers lined the walls, each arranged meticulously. Roses in every shade imaginable—crimson, blush pink, pure white—sat alongside elegant lilies, cheerful sunflowers, and clusters of lavender that perfumed the air. In the corner, a small display featured exotic orchids, their petals patterned like intricate works of art.
Serena couldn't help but wander closer. The flowers seemed to call to her, their delicate beauty lifting her spirits despite the stress she carried. She leaned in to admire the soft, velvety texture of a rose, then brushed her fingers lightly against the waxy petals of an orchid. Moving to a bundle of daisies, she marvelled at their simplicity and charm, each petal radiating joy.
"Hi, Miss. May I know which one you like?" a voice interrupted her reverie.
Startled, Serena turned to see a shop assistant smiling politely at her. "Oh, I'm sorry," she said, flustered. "The flowers are so beautiful—they distracted me. I almost forgot what I came here for." She tapped her forehead in self-reproach, her cheeks flushing. Kael's impatience loomed in her mind, a stern reminder that she couldn't afford to waste time.
Straightening up, she composed herself. "I'm here to purchase 1,000 red roses. It's an order from Mr. Kael Valen."
The shop assistant's smile faltered. "I'm so sorry, Miss, but we don't currently have that many red roses. We've been facing supply issues, and our new stock is only expected to arrive this evening. Would you like to wait?"
Serena felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her chest. "Wait? No, I can't wait until evening. Mr. Valen expects the roses now," she said, her mind racing for alternatives.
"Or do you have any other flowers—about 1,000 stalks?" Serena asked, trying to salvage the situation.
The assistant hesitated, looking apologetic. "I don't think that's a good idea, Miss. Mr. Valen always insists on red roses. It's a strict requirement—only red roses will do, never any other flowers."
Serena's frustration mounted. "Oh, for goodness' sake," she muttered under her breath. "Then how many red roses do you have in stock right now?"
"We currently have a bouquet of red roses," the assistant admitted. "But they aren't as fresh as the ones we usually prepare for him."
"Okay. Let me see them first," Serena said quickly.
A moment later, the assistant returned with a modest bouquet of red roses. Though smaller and slightly wilted, they still exuded a faint fragrance and soft elegance. Serena picked up the bouquet, inhaling the scent deeply. After a brief moment of consideration, she gave a firm nod. "Mm. It's okay. I think this will work," she said confidently, setting the bouquet down on the counter with care.
"Could you wrap these for me, please?" she added, her tone polite but efficient. As the assistant began to wrap the bouquet with practised precision, Serena hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"Mm. May I know what these roses are for?" she asked cautiously, choosing her words carefully. It wasn't idle curiosity; she needed to be prepared if this task ever came up again. The last thing she wanted was to be caught off guard or, worse, fail to meet Kael's expectations.
The assistant smiled apologetically. "Not exactly. But Mr. Valen orders 1,000 red roses every week and has them delivered to the same address."
"Every week?" Serena repeated in disbelief. "That's… excessive."
The assistant chuckled lightly. "I've always assumed it's for a woman." She paused, then showed Serena a small card that accompanied the bouquet.
"To my baby," Serena read aloud, her brows furrowing.
"Baby?" she muttered under her breath. "That's oddly distant for someone who sends 1,000 roses weekly. Is he pampering her or trying to make up for something?"
"Of course, he's pampering her. He's the devil, after all," she answered herself in a dry tone, shaking her head.
The assistant handed her the wrapped bouquet. "Here you go."
"Thank you," Serena said sincerely, making the payment and bidding her goodbye. As she stepped outside, she pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts. Finding the name "Devil," she typed a message:
"Mr. Valen, this is Serena. I have your flowers ready."
With a firm press of the send button, she sighed and hailed another taxi, determined to complete the task without another hitch.