Page 7 of Surrendering to the Obsession

The elevator doors opened on the next floor. Janet nearly bolted, rushing out the moment she could escape. A few others exited as well, leaving the elevator quieter and far less crowded.

Alexander stepped even closer to Mia. His head dipped again, eyes closing for a moment as he breathed her in.

‘She smells like the flowers I used to give her when we were young… No wonder I searched for that scent in perfumes for years and never found it. It was never a flower. It was always her.’

A faint smile pulled at his lips.

Then his eyes shifted to the phone in her hand. Mia was holding her phone, typing a message. Smiling at whatever she read.

His smile faded. His brows drew together slowly.

‘Who is she talking to? A friend?… or someone else?’

His gaze subtly lowered, trying to glimpse the screen. His chest tightened.

‘It couldn’t be James… I removed him from her life. So why does he still keep trying to find her?’

His eyes darkened, a cold shadow passing through them.

The elevator opened again.

Mia stepped out. She turned her head to look back at him—just as the doors slid shut and cut her off from his view.

***

It was around midday when Allen knocked twice on the glass door before stepping inside Alexander’s office. The room wasquiet—just the soft hum of the AC and the faint clicking of the wall clock.

Alexander leaned back in his chair, one elbow resting on the armrest, fingers drumming lightly against his chin as his eyes scanned the contract before him. His posture was relaxed, almost lazy—but there was an edge to it, a quiet control that made the room feel smaller. He didn’t look up immediately.

“Mr. Graves… you asked for me?” Allen’s voice was respectful, hands clasped neatly in front of him as he waited.

At last, Alexander lifted his gaze. “Where is Mia working?”

Allen straightened. “Mrs. Graves is at the Managers Department, sir. I have already made sure that she is settled in nicely.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened, his fingers tapped once against the table—sharp, controlled, irritated. His eyes narrowed slightly as if he didn’t like the answer. The silence in the room thickened, almost suffocating.

Then, he straightened in his chair. “Transfer her to the secretary division. Make her my personal secretary.”

For a split second, Allen’s eyes widened—then he quickly masked it with a nod, beginning to turn.

Alexander’s voice cut through again, darker, more commanding. “If she refuses… convince her.”

Then his eyes lifted directly at Allen and he added. “Your salary will be doubled.”

This time, the shock was unmistakable. Allen’s back straightened instantly, a grin spreading across his face.

“Yes, Mr. Graves! I’ll take care of it immediately,” he said, almost bowing, his steps hurried, a little too eager—like a man who had just won the lottery.

***

Allen stepped onto the Managers Floor. The atmosphere was busy—papers moving, keyboards clicking, quiet work conversations here and there.

Mia was sitting at one of the desks, shoulders slightly hunched forward as she focused on the computer screen.

Her hair fell over one side of her shoulder, her fingers typing slowly but neatly. She looked calm, almost small in the big workspace.

Allen approached and stopped in front of her.