The first Monday of any new month was typically routine at Cross Publishing, the latest titles fresh off the press, early meetings filling the halls with hurried footsteps and clicking heels. But this particular Monday, there was a certain energy buzzing around the office, whispers and stolen glances that rippled through the team.
"Did you hear? The new secretary starts today. And he's... a guy," someone whispered, as others chuckled or rolled their eyes. After all, it was Liam Cross—the CEO and resident heartbreaker—who was about to get his first male secretary. Cross Publishing had been thriving under his vision, and though he was known as a brilliant businessman, Liam was equally infamous for his casual attitude toward romance. Handsome, charming, and with a magnetism that seemed to demand attention, he'd left a trail of broken hearts, mostly from staff who should have known better.
Liam entered the building as usual that morning, looking polished and confident, his dark suit cut perfectly to his lean frame. He flashed his signature smirk at the receptionist, who blushed as she handed him his schedule for the day. He strolled down the hall, ready for another busy morning, only vaguely aware that his new assistant was supposed to arrive today.
When Liam opened the door to his office, he was greeted by a figure standing by his desk, hands neatly clasped in front of him. The young man turned to face him, and Liam had to admit he was caught a bit off guard.
"Good morning, Mr. Cross. I'm Noah Rivers, your new assistant," he said, his tone warm yet formal.
Liam felt a momentary pause as he took Noah in—he was younger than he expected, with a slim build, soft brown eyes, and a quiet strength in his posture. He looked professional but approachable, his gaze calm and steady.
"Ah, yes. Noah. Nice to meet you," Liam replied, quickly recovering his usual demeanor, flashing a quick smile. "Let's get started. I'll show you the ropes."
As they moved through the morning, Liam explained the routine, surprised by how quickly Noah seemed to grasp everything. Noah listened intently, asking questions that showed he was not just competent but genuinely interested. Liam noticed the way Noah's eyes focused on him when he spoke, a quiet intensity that most people in the office lacked.
After hours of back-to-back meetings, it was finally lunchtime, and Liam asked Noah to join him in the nearby cafe. They grabbed a table by the window, where sunlight spilled in, illuminating the soft, open expression on Noah's face.
"So, Noah, what made you apply for this position?" Liam asked, casually leaning back in his chair.
Noah shrugged. "I've always been interested in publishing, and this job seemed like a great opportunity to get closer to the industry."
Liam raised an eyebrow. "Do you know much about Cross Publishing?"
Noah gave a small smile. "I know enough to respect what you've built. And to know you don't usually hire secretaries without experience."
Liam chuckled, intrigued. "Well, you seemed like you had potential. I like to take a chance now and then."
Noah held his gaze, and for a moment, Liam felt like Noah was seeing right through him—a rare feeling that left him somewhat unsettled. He cleared his throat and took a sip of his coffee.
After they returned to the office, Liam watched Noah settle into his desk just outside the CEO's office, diving into work with a quiet focus that impressed Liam. By late afternoon, Liam had almost forgotten that Noah was new. He was a natural, blending in seamlessly with the fast-paced atmosphere.
As the day neared its end, Liam was on a call with an important client, going over final details for an upcoming book launch. His phone buzzed—a text from his previous assistant, who had left abruptly a month ago without warning. He frowned and dismissed it, focusing on his call. But when he hung up, curiosity got the better of him. He opened the message and read:
"Watch out for the new assistant. Not everything is as it seems."
Liam blinked, rereading the text. His former assistant had always been dependable, but leaving abruptly had raised some questions. And now this message—it was cryptic, but something about it gnawed at him.
He glanced at Noah, who was still working intently, completely unaware of Liam's scrutiny. It felt like an odd warning, but one that left him with a sense of unease.
Just as he was about to ask Noah to come in, the phone on his desk rang, and he answered it, instinctively putting on his businesslike tone.
"Mr. Cross, we've found a few discrepancies in the financial reports. We'll need you to review them immediately."
Liam glanced at his watch; it was already after six. "Fine, send them over."
The line went dead, and just as he was about to call Noah into his office, the lights flickered. A low hum filled the room, and suddenly, the office was plunged into darkness.
He could hear Noah's voice from outside, a bit nervous. "Mr. Cross, are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine," he called out, straining to see in the darkness. But something about the sudden blackout felt unsettling, almost intentional.
Just then, a small glow from Noah's phone illuminated his face as he walked cautiously toward Liam's office. Noah's expression was focused, maybe a little too calm. Liam's pulse quickened, a strange feeling creeping over him as he remembered the warning text.
"Noah," he began, choosing his words carefully. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about this power outage, would you?"
Noah stopped in his tracks, the phone's dim glow highlighting the faintest of smirks.
"Now, Mr. Cross," Noah replied, his voice steady, "Why would I know anything about that?"