This was Lia's first time inside Ravencroft Group. She had passed by the building before and caught a glimpse of its impressive exterior, but today felt different—more real.
"Are you there already?" Cassius asked as he set aside the documents he was reviewing.
"Yes, Cassius. I'm downstairs. I'll wait for you here," Lia responded, arriving earlier than the scheduled time as she always did, preferring not to make anyone wait for her.
"Go to the front desk. Someone will escort you up," Cassius instructed without missing a beat, sending a quick message to Kyle to make arrangements.
"Do you want me to come up?" Lia hesitated, thinking it might not be appropriate.
"You're starting work here in a few days as my secretary. It's better if you get familiar with the environment now," Cassius reassured her.
"Oh, okay." Lia's doubts faded as she followed his instructions.
After ending the call, she stepped into the bright, modern lobby of Ravencroft Group and approached the reception desk.
"Hello, my name is Lia. I have an appointment with Mr. Cassius," she said politely.
"Miss Lia? Yes, of course. Please follow me," the receptionist said eagerly. There was a buzz of curiosity among the front desk staff as they observed Lia, dressed simply in a T-shirt, ponytail, and with a fresh face devoid of makeup. She looked like a student, far from the typical polished visitors they were used to seeing. Yet, they had received multiple calls from Kyle emphasizing her importance, which only deepened their intrigue.
"Thank you," Lia replied, giving a polite nod as she followed the staff member toward the elevator.
Once she was out of sight, the receptionists burst into a low but excited chatter.
"She looks like a college student, don't you think?" one receptionist whispered.
"I wonder what her connection to the boss is?" another pondered, eyebrows raised.
"Maybe she's his sister. I heard he has a sister," one ventured, only to be immediately contradicted.
"No way. I have seen his sister." someone else argued.
"Then maybe..." They all exchanged glances before saying in unison, "Girlfriend?"
"No, that can't be. Our boss isn't the type to get close to women," a skeptic pointed out. "He's barely interacted with anyone since coming back."
Their conversation was abruptly cut off when the office manager walked by, and they quickly resumed their professional facades.
Meanwhile, inside the elevator, Lia watched the numbers climb as she approached the top floors. This building, Ravencroft Group's headquarters, represented a world she never imagined she'd be a part of. She never expected to leave the Valen family behind or to find herself working in such a prestigious place. But it was her reality now, and she promised herself she would do her best to navigate it with integrity.
*Ding—* The soft chime signaled her arrival, pulling her from her thoughts.
"Miss Lia, I'm Cassius's assistant, Kyle. Welcome," he greeted her as soon as the elevator doors opened.
Lia gave a professional smile. "Hello, Mr. Kyle."
"Please, follow me," he said, motioning down a hallway.
Lia followed him through a sleek, quiet floor. They passed the empty secretary department—it was past six, and most of the staff had already left for the day.
"Miss Lia, this is the manager's office," Kyle said, gesturing to a large door at the end of the hallway.
"Thank you," she said politely before Kyle turned and left her standing in front of the door. Taking a deep breath, she knocked lightly.
"Come in," came Cassius's voice.
Lia stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "Boss," she greeted.
Cassius looked up from his desk, a smile already forming on his face. "Come here," he said.
Lia hesitated for just a moment, then walked over to him.
"What's the event tomorrow? I'd like to make sure everything matches," she asked, ever the professional.
He set down his pen and, with a swift motion, pulled her toward him so she ended up sitting on his lap. Lia's eyes widened in surprise.
"Cassius!" she exclaimed, flustered by the suddenness.
"I thought you'd always call me that," he said with a teasing smile.
"In the company, we should keep things professional," she replied, trying to sound stern.
"There's no one else here," he said, clearly unconcerned.
Lia lowered her gaze, feeling her face heat up. It was strange—she had always seen him as strictly business, yet here he was, holding her in his arms with that self-assured calm she couldn't quite understand.
He played with a lock of her hair absentmindedly. "What do you think of the place? The offices? The environment?" he asked.
"It's... very nice," she said awkwardly.
"You start next Monday," he reminded her.
"Yes," she replied automatically.
Cassius raised an eyebrow. "Do you know any words besides 'yes' or 'good'?" he teased, squeezing her waist lightly.
Lia shifted nervously, her movement causing her to brush up against his. His eyes darkened slightly, and she froze.
"Don't," she whispered, embarrassed.
"Ah, now there's a 'don't'," he said, clearly amused. Her flustered reaction seemed to delight him. Why is she so cute? Cassius just likes to see her blushing and shy.
"Cassius, this is your office," she said, hoping to remind him of the setting.
"Do you know why I asked you to come after hours?" he said, ignoring her point.
She had assumed it was to avoid prying eyes, but it seemed there was more to it.
"I heard that offices can be quite... passionate," he said, his tone light and teasing. "Would you be interested?"
She stiffened. "Cassius, don't you want to buy a tie?"
He chuckled at her attempt to change the subject. "Yes, let's go," he said, but not before pressing a quick kiss to her lips, his expression softening as he watched her blush deepen.
"Why do you do everything I say without question?" he asked, his lips brushing against her neck as he spoke.
"Because it's what you want," she said quietly, staring at the floor.
His hold on her waist tightened. "Lia, can you really give me whatever I want?" he asked, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"As long as it's not illegal," she answered honestly.
"Then... give me your heart," he said with a half-smile, his tone playful.
She froze, looking up at him in surprise. "My heart?" she echoed, unsure of what to make of his words.
He chuckled, lightly tapping her nose. "Is it too much to ask?" he said, his gaze searching hers.
She hesitated, then replied honestly, "My heart is the one thing I have to protect. I can't give it away easily."
His eyes clouded over for a moment, and he nodded slowly. "Protect it, then," he said, his voice suddenly serious.
Something about his expression tugged at her, and before she could stop herself, she asked, "What about your heart, Cassius? Have you protected it, too?"
He didn't answer right away, instead leaning forward to rest his forehead against hers. "My heart was lost a long time ago," he whispered.
Lia felt a strange pang in her chest, but she didn't have the words to respond.