The first thing I noticed when I woke up was how soft and luxurious the bedding was. I blinked groggily and took in my surroundings. The room was beautifully decorated, with elegant furniture and a large window that let in the morning light. As my mind cleared, I realized that I was in someone's home—a very upscale home.
Panic set in as memories from the previous night flooded back. I remembered the drinks, the flirting with Ven, and then him guiding me toward the refreshment table. But the rest was a blur. The realization hit me hard: I was in Ven's house. I must have been so drunk that I passed out here.
"Great," I muttered to myself, sitting up in the bed. "Just great."
I scanned the room for any sign of Ven, but there was no one. My clothes, neatly folded on a chair, were the only indication of the previous night's events. Embarrassed and confused, I quickly got dressed, trying to make as little noise as possible.
I tiptoed down the hallway, trying to avoid being seen. The house was immaculate and modern, a reflection of Ven's polished demeanor. I couldn't help but notice small details—a framed painting on the wall, the scent of fresh coffee lingering in the air—that hinted at a lifestyle far more opulent than I had expected. But there was no time to linger. I slipped out the front door, breathing a sigh of relief once I was outside.
The drive home was a blur. My head was spinning with questions: What had happened after I passed out? Why had Ven taken me to his home? And most importantly, how was I going to face him at work?
Once I got home, I quickly showered and changed into my work clothes, determined to shake off the fog of the previous night. By the time I arrived at the office, the usual hum of work had resumed, and I tried to blend in, hoping to avoid any awkward encounters with Ven.
I sat at my desk, preparing for the day's tasks when a woman I didn't recognize approached me. She was tall, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, her presence exuding authority.
"Seren Grey?" she asked, her voice clipped and professional.
"Yes, that's me," I replied, a knot forming in my stomach.
"I'm Isabelle Carson, Draven Carter's new Executive Assistant," she said, extending her hand as if this was a normal introduction.
My heart dropped. "New assistant? I thought I was—"
"Effective immediately, you've been reassigned," she interrupted smoothly. "You will no longer be handling any duties for Mr. Carter. From now on, I will be managing all of his affairs."
Confusion and panic washed over me. "But I've been working as his assistant for months now. There must be some mistake."
Isabelle didn't waver. "There's no mistake. You'll be relocated to a different department. Your new assignment will be provided to you shortly."
I stared at her, my mind racing. This was so sudden, so out of the blue. I had never even met Draven Carter in person—only worked through intermediaries and handled his affairs remotely. Why was I being replaced now?
"Can I speak with Draven?" I asked, feeling a desperate need for answers.
Isabelle's expression remained neutral. "Mr. Carter is not available for personal meetings. Any concerns you have can be addressed through HR."
There was no room for negotiation. I nodded stiffly and returned to my desk, heart pounding as I tried to comprehend what had just happened. After months of working tirelessly as the CEO's assistant—albeit through a strange and distant process—this was how it ended?
As I packed up my personal belongings, the office around me continued in its usual rhythm. No one seemed to notice my turmoil. I walked toward the elevators with my box of things, still numb from the shock of it all.
Once outside, the cold breeze of the morning air hit me, but it did little to clear the whirlwind of thoughts in my head. What had caused this sudden change? Was it something I had done—or something to do with Ven?
The idea gnawed at me. Ven had been kind to me last night, but there was something about him that had always felt... off. As if he wasn't just another employee. But the idea that Ven could be connected to Draven Carter in some way seemed too far-fetched. After all, I had never even seen Draven in the building, despite handling his affairs for so long. Could it really be possible?
I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away. There were too many unanswered questions, and without any real information, I could only speculate.
One thing was clear: I needed to figure out what had led to this sudden reassignment and how Ven fit into the bigger picture. My world at the office had just taken an unexpected turn, and I wasn't about to let it slip away without uncovering the truth.