The next morning, Lily walked into the office feeling off-kilter after last night's unexpected revelation. She hadn't been able to sleep well, tossing and turning, replaying every second of her date with Alex—Alexander Lawson, the boy she once made fun of. How could she have not recognized him? The thought gnawed at her. He'd changed so much, yet his eyes… those dark, intense eyes were the same.
As she entered the lobby, something felt different. The usual calm and orderly atmosphere was gone. The place buzzed with urgency. Phones rang off the hook, and her coworkers scurried around like ants in a disrupted colony.
Lily blinked, confused. "What's going on?" she asked Sarah, one of her closest coworkers, who looked just as frazzled as the rest of them.
"You don't know?" Sarah gave her a startled look. "The new CEO's coming today! Nobody told you?"
Lily's brows furrowed. "New CEO? Since when?"
"Apparently, it was all finalized last week, but nobody thought to inform us until this morning. The whole company's restructuring. The board didn't waste any time," Sarah explained while frantically organizing her desk. "Rumor is, the new guy is a big deal—super young but already massively successful."
Lily's confusion deepened. New CEO? She hadn't heard a thing about this, not a single whisper until today. "How can someone just come in and become the new CEO like that?"
Sarah shrugged. "Happens all the time with mergers or buyouts. Sometimes, a wealthy investor or a major player in the industry buys enough shares or gets appointed by the board. It's corporate politics, you know?"
Lily nodded, though her mind was still spinning. This sudden shift in leadership felt like a bad omen. And with everything that had happened with Alex last night, her nerves were already on edge.
Suddenly, the general manager, Mr. Parker, appeared, clapping his hands together to get everyone's attention. "Alright, everyone! I need you all to quiet down and form a line near the conference room. The new CEO is about to arrive, and I expect everyone to make a good impression."
The office quickly fell into order, but Lily's heart started racing for a different reason. She didn't even know who this new CEO was, but the anticipation was unnerving.
The door to the conference room swung open, and the sight that greeted her made her blood run cold.
It was him.
Alex.
Alexander Lawson walked into the office with the same confidence he had displayed the night before. He was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and commanding presence. His gaze swept over the room, meeting the eyes of the board members and then the employees with a subtle nod of acknowledgment.
Lily's stomach dropped. How is this even possible? He had gone from the nerd she barely noticed in high school to… her CEO? She stood frozen, watching as he exchanged pleasantries with the senior management team, his demeanor calm and collected, as if he hadn't dropped a bombshell on her just hours ago.
Alex turned to the employees, giving a brief yet impactful introduction. "I'm Alexander Lawson, your new CEO. I'm excited to be here and look forward to working with each of you. Let's make this transition as smooth as possible and take this company to the next level." His voice was deep, controlled, and confident, a far cry from the boy who once stood in the shadows.
Lily's heart pounded in her chest, her palms sweating. She stood in the line, her mind racing. Does he know I work here? Is that why he didn't say anything last night?
After the brief introductions, Alex left with the senior staff to familiarize himself with the building and its operations. As soon as he disappeared, the office atmosphere eased a little, but Lily's mind couldn't calm down.
Hours passed, and things gradually returned to normal. But her thoughts were far from settled. Throughout the morning, Sarah and a few other female coworkers couldn't stop whispering about how "gorgeous" and "powerful" the new CEO was, and each comment made Lily's pulse race.
"I mean, did you see his jawline? And those eyes," Sarah said dreamily, flipping through some papers. "He's like a model or something."
Lily forced a laugh. "Yeah, definitely good-looking," she muttered, trying to seem casual, though her heart beat faster with every word.
Just then, the CEO's assistant appeared at the door of their department, clipboard in hand. "Lillian Adams?"
Lily's head snapped up, her blood turning cold. The assistant's tone was professional but carried an edge of finality that made her throat dry.
"Yes?" she said, trying to hide her nervousness.
"The CEO would like to see you in his office."
Her heart stuttered in her chest. Of course, he wants to see me. She had feared this moment from the second he walked in. Taking a deep breath, she followed the assistant through the halls until they reached Alex's new office—spacious, modern, and cold.
When the door opened, Alex was seated behind a large mahogany desk, his eyes already on her as she stepped inside. The assistant closed the door behind her, leaving them alone.
For a moment, there was only silence. The air between them felt heavy, thick with unspoken words.
"Lily," he finally said, his voice smooth but carrying an underlying tension. He gestured to the chair across from him. "Sit."
Lily swallowed her nerves and sat down, forcing herself to meet his gaze. Don't act weak. Don't let him know you're afraid. But it was hard not to feel a rush of anxiety under the weight of his stare.
Alex leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled together as he studied her. "You must be wondering why I asked you here."
Lily gave a small, hesitant nod. "Yeah, I was… curious."
"Well," he said, a small smile playing on his lips, "I've been reviewing the company structure since I arrived, and I realized I need someone reliable in a certain position. Someone who understands the daily operations and can manage tasks directly for me. Someone who can… keep up."
Lily's heart thudded painfully in her chest. Keep up? With him? The unease gnawed at her, but she forced herself to keep calm. "What are you suggesting?"
Alex's eyes darkened, and his smile widened, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm offering you a promotion, Lily. I want you to be my personal assistant."
Her breath caught in her throat. Personal assistant? The offer felt like a trap, but she couldn't deny the opportunity. It would mean more money, more influence… but it also meant being close to him. Too close.
"I… I'm not sure I'm the right person for the job," she said cautiously, trying to buy herself some time to think. "There are others with more experience, maybe someone from the executive team."
Alex's expression didn't change, but the air between them grew more intense. "You're perfect for the job, Lily," he said smoothly. "You know the company well, and you'll have direct access to me. Consider it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
His words were laced with a sense of finality, and Lily could feel her defenses crumbling. She knew she couldn't turn down an offer like this. The money alone would be life-changing, not to mention the career growth. But the thought of working so closely with Alex, after everything that had happened… It made her pulse race for all the wrong reasons.
"I… I'll accept the offer," she said, her voice quieter than she intended.
"Good." Alex's smile widened, this time with more satisfaction, as if he had been expecting her answer all along. "You'll start immediately. Your duties will be typical for a personal assistant—managing my schedule, handling confidential communications, attending meetings with me, and coordinating with other departments. It will be crucial to keep everything running smoothly, especially during this transition."
Lily nodded, her mind racing. "Okay, I can handle that."
His gaze held hers, and for a brief moment, the world outside seemed to fade away. "You'll also be responsible for keeping me organized, so I'll rely on you to remind me of important deadlines and help prioritize tasks. I need someone I can trust."
Trust. The word echoed in her mind, a sharp reminder of the history they shared—or rather, the history she had tried to forget. Could she really be trusted?
"Of course," she replied, her voice steadier now. "I'll do my best to ensure everything runs smoothly."
Alex leaned forward, his expression serious. "Lily, I want you to understand that this isn't just a job for me. This company is my life, and I expect dedication from everyone on my team. That includes you."
His intensity was almost overwhelming. She could feel her cheeks flush under his gaze, a mix of fear and something else—something that both excited and terrified her. "I understand," she said softly, trying to maintain her composure.
"Good. I'll need you in my office for most of the day, but if you need to step away for a moment, that's fine. Just remember, we're in this together." He paused, and the warmth of his gaze made her heart race. "And I expect you to be upfront with me about everything—ideas, issues, whatever comes up."
"Absolutely," she agreed, though her thoughts were still tangled with the memories of how she had treated him back in high school. How could he possibly want her around after that?
"Now," he continued, breaking the tension a bit, "do you have any questions?"
Lily took a deep breath, trying to find her voice. "Just… one. Why did you choose me? There are plenty of people here who would be more qualified."
He smiled, a playful glint in his eyes. "Because I remember how you were back then, and I believe people can change. You've grown, haven't you?"
His words felt like a double-edged sword. He remembers. He hasn't forgotten. "I've tried to," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I'm not the same person I was back in high school."
"Neither am I," he replied, the gravity in his voice sending a shiver down her spine. "And I believe everyone deserves a second chance."
She felt a flicker of hope, but the weight of her past loomed over her like a dark cloud. "I appreciate that," she said cautiously. "But I just want to make sure I don't disappoint you."
"You won't," he said confidently. "Just be yourself. And if I ever push too hard, let me know. Communication is key."
With those words, Lily felt a slight easing of the tension in her chest. Perhaps this could work. Perhaps she could make a difference in his life—or at least, in her own.
"Thank you for this opportunity," she said, her sincerity evident in her tone. "I won't let you down."
Alex nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary, and her heart raced. "Welcome aboard, Lily. We have a lot to accomplish, starting today."
As she stood to leave his office, she felt a mix of excitement and dread wash over her. This was a new chapter, both terrifying and thrilling. Just as she reached for the door, she hesitated, turning back to him. "Alex…"
He looked up, eyebrows raised. "Yes?"
"About last night… I'm really sorry for how I treated you in high school. I've regretted it for years. I didn't recognize you, and I was…" She faltered, unsure of how to finish. "I was a different person then."
His expression softened slightly, and he nodded, as if understanding. "I know. We all make mistakes. What matters is how we move forward from them."
With that, she nodded and left his office, feeling a strange mixture of relief and anticipation. As she stepped back into the bustling office environment, her heart raced. She was officially Alex Lawson's personal assistant. But more importantly, she was about to work closely with the very man whose presence haunted her thoughts, stirring feelings she couldn't quite define.
This could change everything.