“Me? Specifically me?” Mia blinked. “Why would he ask for me? How does he even know me?”
“I don’t know,” Erica said honestly, shaking her head. “But when he arrived, the boss called me immediately and said he’s a very important client. And then the moment he walked in, he asked for you. By name.”
Before Mia could respond, Layla—who worked in business management—rushed toward them with wide, star-struck eyes. She leaned in, voice full of dramatic excitement.
“You’re not going to be disappointed,” she breathed out. “You’re about to have a full conversation with the hottest man I have ever seen in my entire life.”
She looked genuinely winded. “Seriously. If he asks you for anything—anything at all—just call me. I’ll be there in one second.”
Mia gave a small, polite smile. “Alright… I’ll let you know.”
But as she stepped away and walked down the hallway toward her office, something felt wrong. The lights seemed dimmer. The air felt tighter. With every step, her heartbeat grew louder, harder—as if pounding against her ribs in warning.
Her palms turned cold. Her fingers felt numb. A heavy, uneasy pressure settled deep in her chest.
By the time she reached her office door, her pulse was thundering so violently she could hear it in her ears.
She took a shaky breath, curled her fingers around the handle, pushed the door open, and stepped inside.
And then, she froze.
Her whole body went still.
Her heart slammed so hard against her ribs that her breath caught. The air left her lungs in one sharp, silent gasp.
Sitting in the chair, waiting for her…
was Alexander Graves.
Chapter 2 Just Dinner
His presence filled the small office instantly. Sunlight from the window fell across his shoulders, outlining his tall frame, his dark suit, the cold intensity of his eyes.
Mia’s fingers trembled around her bag strap. Her throat tightened. For a moment she couldn’t even blink.
The door closed behind her with a loud, echoing thud—trapping her inside the room with him.
Her hand clenched around her bag as confusion, and shock flashed across her face. Without thinking, she turned around instantly, desperate to leave.
But a hand shot out, grabbed her wrist, and yanked her back.
Her breath stumbled.
The next second, her hips hit the edge of the meeting table—hard enough to make her gasp. Alexander moved closer, stepping into her space and trapping her completely. His arms came down on either side of her, caging her in. His body blocked every possible escape.
The room felt smaller instantly, his scent closing in around her.
“Mrs. Graves,” Alexander said in a calm, professional tone, as if they were two strangers discussing a contract. “We are here to discuss work. Are you going to act unprofessional and walk out before saying a word?”
“Yes, I am.” Her voice was firm, clipped.
Mia pushed at him stubbornly, palms flat against his chest, trying to wedge even an inch of space between them. But Alexander didn’t move. Instead, he stepped in closer—so close she felt the warm brush of his breath against her cheek. The air between them vanished completely.
“You can’t do that,” he said, voice low, eyes steady on hers. “You’re an employee. You have to follow your boss’s orders, don’t you?”
Mia’s annoyed expression sharpened into a hard glare. She lifted her chin slightly, refusing to look away.
Alexander only smiled. A slow, controlled curve of his lips that never touched his eyes. He leaned back just enough to slip one hand into his pocket, posture loosening as if he hadn’t pinned her against a table seconds ago.
