Chapter 5 Alexander -------cute No way!!

Meanwhile on Emma's first day at the Cross Enterprise she came across someone known as Sophie, the executive assistant of CFO (chief financial officer).

And she could still remember their conversation.

Sophie: (cheerfully) "Oh, you must be the new hire! Emma Clarke, right?"

Emma blinked in surprise at the petite woman with bright hazel eyes and a mischievous grin. Sophie held out a hand, her enthusiasm cutting through Emma's nerves.

Emma: (cautiously shaking her hand) "Uh, yes. And you are...?"

Sophie: "Sophie Bennett, executive assistant to the CFO. But really, I'm the unofficial survival guide for anyone who joins this place."

Before Emma could respond, Sophie grabbed her by the arm and started walking her down the corridor.

Sophie: (lowering her voice conspiratorially) "Rule number one: never get on Mr. Cross's bad side. He's terrifying, but weirdly, also the kind of boss who knows the name of the barista who makes his coffee. Go figure."

Emma: (hesitant laugh) "Thanks for the warning."

Sophie: "Rule number two: never use the copier on the third floor. It eats paper and souls."

Emma couldn't help but smile. Sophie's playful chatter eased her nerves as they reached her desk. Over the next few weeks, Sophie continued to pop up at just the right moments, offering advice, sharing inside jokes, and making Emma feel like she wasn't entirely alone.

It had been a month since Emma started working at Cross Enterprises. By now, Sophie had become her confidant, a rare source of levity in Emma's tense double life. They were having lunch together in the breakroom, a quiet corner away from the chaos of the office.

Sophie: (eyeing Emma's salad skeptically) "You know, for someone who spends most of her day with a man who probably dines on gold-plated steaks, your lunch is... underwhelming."

Emma: (smirking) "Not all of us can survive on vending machine snacks like you."

Sophie: "Touché. But seriously, how's it going with Mr. Cross? He hasn't fired you yet, so that's a good sign."

Emma: (shrugging) "It's fine. He's... intense, but manageable."

Sophie leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, a knowing glint in her eyes.

Sophie: "'Manageable'? Girl, that man looks at you like you're the only person in the room during meetings. Spill."

Emma: (frowning) "He doesn't look at me like anything."

Sophie: "Oh, please. You should see the way he watches you when you're presenting something. It's like he's trying to decide whether to praise you or devour you."

Emma's cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked down at her plate, stabbing a piece of lettuce with unnecessary force.

Emma: "You're imagining things."

Sophie: (grinning) "Am I? I mean, don't get me wrong, the whole brooding CEO thing is hot, but also... be careful, okay? Guys like him aren't exactly known for their happily-ever-afters."

Emma hesitated, Sophie's words striking a nerve. She couldn't deny the magnetic pull she felt toward Alexander, but she reminded herself why she was really here. Still, she couldn't shake the warmth of having Sophie in her corner.

-----

The conference room was suffused with a tense energy as Alexander Cross strode in, his presence commanding the attention of everyone seated around the long mahogany table. Emma sat to his right, her pen poised over her notebook, observing him carefully. Despite herself, she found her gaze lingering on him longer than she should have, his sharp suit, the way his cufflinks glinted under the light, the way his voice cut through the room like a blade.

The team presented their updates one by one, each person more nervous than the last. Alexander's reputation for exacting standards made every meeting a high-stakes event. Finally, it was Kevin's turn, the junior associate whose ideas had been dismissed in previous meetings.

Kevin: (clearing his throat nervously) "Thank you, Mr. Cross. I-I've been analyzing the supply chain data, and I believe there's an opportunity to reduce costs by five percent if we consolidate our vendors and renegotiate terms. I've outlined the key areas of savings in this report."

Kevin placed a folder on the table, his hands trembling slightly. He glanced at Emma, who gave him a subtle nod of encouragement. Alexander picked up the folder, flipping through the pages in silence. The room seemed to hold its breath as he skimmed the report, his expression unreadable.

Alexander: (finally speaking) "Kevin."

Kevin's face paled, and he fidgeted with his tie.

Kevin: "Y-Yes, sir?"

Alexander: (placing the folder down and looking directly at him) "This is solid work."

The entire room turned to Alexander in surprise, and Kevin's mouth fell open in disbelief.

Alexander: "Streamlining the supply chain has been on our radar for months, but no one has presented a plan this detailed. Implement it. I want the projections on my desk by tomorrow morning."

Kevin: (stammering) "T-Thank you, Mr. Cross. I won't let you down."

The room remained silent, stunned by Alexander's unexpected praise. Emma watched him closely, noting the faint flicker of satisfaction in his otherwise stoic expression. It was a rare moment of warmth, one that seemed to shift the atmosphere in the room.

After the meeting, Emma lingered in the conference room, pretending to organize her notes. Alexander stayed as well, gathering his files. She couldn't resist commenting on what she'd just witnessed.

Emma: (softly, almost teasing) "That was... surprising."

Alexander: (glancing at her, one brow raised) "What was surprising?"

Emma: "You, giving praise. I think you made Kevin's year."

Alexander: (shrugging slightly) "Credit where it's due. I don't reward mediocrity, but I do recognize effort."

Emma: (smiling faintly) "It's just... not something I see often from you."

Alexander: (his voice dropping slightly, his gaze locking onto hers) "You assume you've seen everything there is to know about me?"

Emma froze under his intense gaze, her heart skipping a beat. The room felt suddenly smaller, the space between them charged with an unspoken tension. She broke eye contact, focusing on her notebook.

Emma: "I didn't mean it that way. I just... it was nice to see."

Alexander: (stepping closer, his voice soft but commanding) "If I surprise you, Emma, maybe you should stop underestimating me."

Her breath hitched as he brushed past her, his presence leaving her unsettled yet undeniably drawn to him. In that moment, Emma realized that Alexander Cross wasn't just a puzzle she was trying to solve, he was someone who could just as easily unravel her.