Chapter 5 THE MORNING AFTER

Emily woke to the soft rays of morning sunlight streaming through her curtains, her head pounding with the remnants of the wine from the previous night. She shifted slightly, only to feel the warmth of another body beside her. Her breath caught as the memories of the blind date-and everything that followed-flooded her mind.

She turned cautiously, her heart pounding as she took in the sight of Roberto Harrington, her CEO, lying next to her. His face, usually so stoic and commanding, was now relaxed in sleep. For a brief moment, she let herself linger, marveling at how different he looked without his usual sharp edges.

But reality came crashing down like a tidal wave. What have I done? she thought, panic setting in. This wasn't just any man-it was her boss. A rude, powerful billionaire who probably saw this as nothing more than a fleeting distraction.

Emily slid out of bed as quietly as possible, grabbing her clothes and retreating to the bathroom. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she barely recognized the woman staring back at her. She felt equal parts shame, confusion, and something she couldn't quite name.

---

Roberto stirred awake, his brows furrowing as he took in his unfamiliar surroundings. The soft, pastel tones of Emily's bedroom were a stark contrast to his sleek, modern penthouse. And then, it hit him.

He sat up, running a hand through his disheveled hair. The events of the previous night played in his mind like a movie reel-the blind date, the unexpected connection, the kiss, and then...

The bathroom door creaked open, and Emily stepped out, dressed but visibly flustered. Her eyes darted to him and then away, as if she couldn't bear to hold his gaze.

"We need to talk," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Roberto nodded, his expression unreadable. "I agree."

They sat across from each other, the weight of the night pressing down on them. Emily fidgeted with the hem of her blouse, while Roberto leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees.

"I don't know what happened," she began, her voice trembling. "But I think we can both agree it was a mistake."

Roberto's jaw tightened. "A mistake?"

"Yes," she said firmly, though her resolve wavered under his intense gaze. "It can't happen again. I work for you, Roberto. This... this crosses so many lines."

His eyes darkened, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them. "So, you regret it?"

Emily hesitated, her cheeks flushing. "That's not what I said."

Roberto straightened, his tone turning cold. "You're right. It can't happen again. We'll leave it at that."

The words stung more than Emily expected. She nodded stiffly, refusing to let him see the hurt in her eyes.

---

Emily returned to the office the next day, determined to act as if nothing had happened. But as she stepped into the bustling halls of Harrington Enterprises, she couldn't shake the feeling that everyone knew.

Her coworkers, who had always been distant, now whispered behind her back. Their sideways glances and smug smiles made her stomach churn.

"Looks like someone's moving up in the world," one of them muttered as she passed by.

Emily bit her lip, keeping her head down. She didn't owe them an explanation, but their judgment weighed heavily on her.

Meanwhile, Roberto was colder than ever. He avoided her gaze during meetings, his tone clipped and formal whenever they had to speak. It was as if he'd built a wall between them overnight, and Emily couldn't decide if she was relieved or hurt.

---

Margaret Harrington, Roberto's sharp-eyed grandmother, called him that evening.

"So, how did it go with Emily?" she asked, her tone brimming with curiosity.

Roberto sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "It was fine."

"Just fine?" Margaret pressed. "She's a lovely girl, Roberto. You should consider taking her seriously."

Roberto paused, his grandmother's words catching him off guard. She was under the impression that Emily was the daughter of an influential family-a misunderstanding he hadn't corrected.

"She's... not who you think she is," he said carefully.

"Nonsense," Margaret replied. "She has poise, intelligence, and charm. What more could you ask for?"

Roberto didn't respond, his thoughts drifting back to Emily. Despite their complicated night, he couldn't deny that there was something about her-something that intrigued him more than he cared to admit.

---

Emily, meanwhile, struggled to reconcile her place in Roberto's world. Her modest background and humble beginnings were a far cry from the glitz and glamour of his lifestyle. The whispers in the office only served to deepen her insecurities, and she found herself questioning whether she belonged there at all.

One evening, as she sat in her small apartment, Emily's phone buzzed with a message from Margaret.

"Join us for dinner tomorrow. I insist," it read.

Emily stared at the message, her stomach twisting. She wanted to decline, but Margaret's kindness-and her insistence-made it impossible.