Chapter 1 Cold boss

Chapter 1

The sleek, silver doors of the high-rise office building slid open, revealing the opulent interior of Redwood Industries. The hum of computers and muted conversations filled the air as employees bustled about, their eyes fixed on their tasks. At the heart of this bustling hub sat Alexander Blackwood, CEO of Redwood Industries, behind his massive mahogany desk. His piercing blue eyes scanned the room with an air of superiority, his chiseled features seeming carved from granite. His sharp jawline and cold gaze made him almost intimidating.

"Good morning, Mr. Redwood," his secretary, Emily, said as she walked in with a stack of files, her eyes cast downward. "Here are the documents you requested."

Alexander's voice was low and detached. "Place them on the desk, Emily. And, Emily, I need you to book a flight to New York for me today. I have a meeting tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Mr. Redwood," Emily replied, her hands moving efficiently as she arranged the files. "Shall I book the usual hotel for you as well?"

"Yes, the Plaza," Alexander responded, his gaze lingering on the financial reports in front of him. "And make sure the car service is aware I'll need a ride to the meeting."

Emily nodded, jotting down the details on her notepad. "I'll take care of it right away, Mr. Redwood."

As Emily turned to leave, Alexander's voice stopped her. "Emily, don't be late tomorrow. I expect punctuality."

Emily's smile was polite, but her eyes flashed with a hint of annoyance. "Yes, Mr. Redwood. I'll make sure to be on time."

The door closed behind Emily, and Alexander's gaze followed her departure before refocusing on the documents. His assistant, Rachel, entered the room a moment later, a cup of steaming coffee in hand.

"Good morning, Alexander," Rachel said, setting the coffee on his desk. "I brought your usual. You're going to need it to get through these reports."

Alexander's expression softened slightly as he looked up at Rachel. "Thanks, Rach. You're a lifesaver."

Rachel smiled warmly. "Anytime, Alex. You know I'd do anything to keep you going around here."

Their banter was brief, but it revealed a rare glimpse of Alexander's softer side. Rachel had been his assistant for over five years and was one of the few people who could claim to know him beyond his icy exterior.

The morning wore on, with Alexander immersed in meetings and strategy sessions. Emily worked efficiently, ensuring everything ran smoothly despite the chaos that often accompanied Alexander's demanding schedule.

At lunchtime, Alexander stepped out of his office, his eyes scanning the floor before landing on Emily, who was typing away on her computer. "Emily, let's grab lunch," he said, his tone commanding.

Emily looked up, surprised. "Of course, Mr. Redwood."

They walked to the elevator in silence, their footsteps echoing off the polished floors. The restaurant Alexander favored was just a block away, offering a view of the city's bustling streets.

Over lunch, Alexander discussed business strategies and upcoming deals, his focus unwavering. Emily listened attentively, taking notes and asking insightful questions.

As they finished their meal and prepared to leave, Alexander's phone buzzed with an incoming call. He answered, his expression darkening as he listened to the person on the other end.

"I don't pay you to think, Jenkins," Alexander's voice was cold and detached. "I pay you to get the job done. Fix it."

Emily watched as Alexander's gaze turned icy, his jaw clenched in frustration. For a moment, she felt a pang of sympathy for the person on the receiving end of his anger.

The walk back to the office was tense, Alexander's silence a stark contrast to the lively chatter of the city's streets. As they stepped back into the office, Emily spoke up, "Mr. Redwood, your schedule for the rest of the day is clear. Shall I head home?"

Alexander's gaze snapped to hers, his expression unreadable. "You're free to go, Emily. Thank you for your work today."

Emily nodded, gathering her belongings. "Thank you, Mr. Redwood. Have a good evening."

As Emily left, Alexander's eyes lingered on her retreating form before he turned back to his office, the weight of his responsibilities already pressing down on him.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings and paperwork. Alexander left the office late, his mind still racing with the challenges ahead. The city lights twinkled like stars as he stepped out into the cool evening air, the sound of his driver, Thomas, greeting him a welcome respite.

"Home, sir?" Thomas asked, opening the car door.

Alexander nodded, settling into the leather seat. "Yes, Thomas. Home."

As the car glided through the city streets, Alexander's thoughts drifted back to the day's events. He couldn't help but notice the way Emily's eyes sparkled when she was working on a project she was passionate about. It was a fleeting glimpse of warmth, quickly suppressed beneath her professional demeanor.

The car pulled up to Alexander's penthouse apartment, the doorman greeting him with a nod. "Good evening, Mr. Redwood."

Alexander's expression softened slightly as he stepped out of the car. "Good evening, Jenkins. How's the family?"

Jenkins smiled, a rare sight. "They're doing well, sir. My daughter's starting college next semester."

Alexander's smile was genuine. "That's wonderful. Congratulations to her."

As he entered his apartment, Alexander felt a sense of relief wash over him. The penthouse was his sanctuary, a place where he could escape the pressures of his job. He poured himself a glass of scotch, the amber liquid glowing in the dim light.

He walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing out at the city skyline. The lights twinkled like stars, and for a moment, Alexander felt a sense of peace. But it was short-lived.

His phone buzzed, and he sighed, answering the call. It was his business partner, Richard. "Alex, we need to talk about the merger. There are some complications."

Alexander's expression turned cold, his voice firm. "I'll deal with it, Richard. Don't worry about it."

As he hung up the phone, Alexander's gaze fell on a photo on his mantle. It was an old picture of him and his family, taken before his parents' death. He remembered the laughter, the warmth, the love.

For a moment, Alexander's mask slipped, and he felt the weight of his past bearing down on him. But he pushed it aside, focusing on the present. He had a business to run, and he wouldn't let his emotions get in the way.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of work and solitude. Alexander's thoughts turned to Emily, wondering what she was doing, if she was enjoying her evening. He pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand.

As the night wore on, Alexander's exhaustion began to catch up with him. He poured himself another glass of scotch, the liquid burning down his throat. He sat down on the couch, his eyes drifting shut.

The city lights twinkled outside, but Alexander's world was dark, his heart frozen in ice. Little did he know, his life was about to change in ways he never thought possible.

The next morning, Alexander woke up to the sound of his alarm blaring in his ear. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, feeling a bit more refreshed after a good night's sleep. He got dressed and headed to the office, ready to tackle the day's challenges.

As he stepped into the office, Emily greeted him with a smile. "Good morning, Mr. Redwood. Your coffee is ready."

Alexander's gaze lingered on her smile, and for a moment, he felt a spark of... something. He wasn't sure what it was, but it was enough to make him pause.

"Good morning, Emily," he replied, his voice a little softer than usual. "Thank you for the coffee."

The day passed in a flurry of meetings and paperwork, but Alexander couldn't shake off the feeling that something was different. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he felt a sense of anticipation, a sense that his life was about to change in ways he couldn't imagine.

And as he looked at Emily, he wondered if she might be the key to unlocking the ice that had frozen his heart for so long.