Chapter 3 Building Tension

Alexis sat at her desk, watching the digital clock tick slowly toward 5:30 p.m. Another long day. Her fingers hovered above the keyboard, but her mind wasn't on the tasks in front of her. It was on the man she could no longer ignore. Sebastian Steele. The air between them had shifted over the past few weeks. At first, it had been purely professional, his commanding tone, his sharp commands, his coldness. But now, every encounter felt like something more. She couldn't explain it, but Sebastian's gaze that constant weight that seemed to follow her had changed.

He no longer seemed completely indifferent. He watched her more intently, observed her every move, as if he were trying to understand something about her, something that neither of them was willing to acknowledge.Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his voice, as deep and commanding as always, calling her into his office.

"Alexis, I need that report. Now."

The urgency in his voice made her heart race. Sebastian Steele was never one to make requests; everything was an order, and everything had to be done immediately.

She stood from her desk, smoothing the fabric of her skirt and walking toward his office, as always, trying to appear calm despite the whirlwind in her mind. She couldn't explain why his words held such weight over her. Maybe it was the expectation in his voice, or the fact that he never showed weakness, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something between them was starting to evolve.

The door was slightly ajar, and she knocked once before stepping in.

Sebastian was sitting at his desk, his back straight, looking every bit the powerful CEO he was. But today, there was something different in his posture, something almost vulnerable, though he was doing everything in his power to hide it.

Alexis placed the report on his desk, trying to keep her composure.

"Here's the final draft, Mr. Steele. Everything's in order," she said, her voice even, but internally, she was fighting the way her heart fluttered in his presence.

Sebastian looked up at her then, his intense gaze locking with hers. For a moment, she saw it-a flash of something that wasn't usually there. Vulnerability.

But it was gone in an instant, replaced by his usual cold exterior. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, his eyes not leaving hers. "I'll look through this. But I expect more from you, Alexis."

Her stomach tightened. She had worked so hard on this report. She knew it was perfect. And yet, he seemed disappointed.

"Of course," she replied quickly, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'll make any necessary revisions if needed."

He didn't respond right away, his eyes still fixed on her. There was a lingering silence between them, one that felt heavier than before.

There was something about the way he was looking at her now. It wasn't just the usual cold scrutiny no, this was different. He wasn't looking at her like an employee. He was looking at her like he was trying to decipher her, to understand her every move. And it unsettled her.

Sebastian finally broke the silence. His voice was softer than usual, though it still carried his trademark authority.

"You're good at this, Alexis. Better than I expected."

The words took her by surprise. She had never heard him compliment anyone epecially not her. She swallowed hard, trying to hide the effect his words had on her.

"Thank you," she replied, unable to keep the surprise from her voice.

He didn't seem to notice, or maybe he did. Either way, his expression remained unreadable.

"You've got potential," he said, almost as if to himself. "But you're holding back. You could do more, be more. Don't get comfortable."

She blinked at him, unsure how to respond. The words stung, but they also left a strange kind of warmth in their wake. He saw something in her, something more than just an assistant, something worth pushing for.

She took a breath, forcing herself to stay composed. "I'm not holding back, Mr. Steele," she said, her voice firm. "I'll keep pushing."

He nodded once, seemingly satisfied with her answer. But before she could leave, he spoke again, his voice softer this time.

"Alexis," he said, his tone different now, almost... gentler. "Don't work yourself to the point of exhaustion. I know you want to prove yourself, but burning out won't get you anywhere."

Her heart skipped a beat at his words. This was the first time she had heard him sound anything but demanding. It was almost like he was caring? No. That couldn't be it. Sebastian Steele didn't care. Not about her, not about anyone.

"I'll keep that in mind," she said, her voice steady, even though her mind was racing with the weight of his words.

As she turned to leave, she felt a strange pull, an unnerving desire to turn around and ask him what he meant. But she didn't. She couldn't. She had to maintain the professional distance she had worked so hard to establish.

It was late in the evening when Alexis was gathering her things to leave, just as she had done for the past few days. She had stayed late again-burning the midnight oil to get everything just right for the upcoming pitch. But tonight felt different. There was a slight unease in the air, an unsettling feeling that she couldn't quite shake.

As she zipped her bag, she turned to find Sebastian standing in the doorway of her office. His tall frame filled the doorway, and once again, his presence had the same magnetic pull. "Still working?" he asked, his voice quiet, but no less authoritative.

"I'm almost finished," Alexis replied, her voice steady, though she was acutely aware of how the room felt smaller with him standing there.

Sebastian didn't answer right away. He stepped into the room, walking toward her with that purposeful stride of his. Every step he took felt deliberate, measured.

He stopped just a few feet away, and Alexis couldn't help but feel the tension between them. It was electric, undeniable, and it left her wondering if she was reading too much into it.

"You really do work hard, don't you?" he said after a moment, his eyes scanning the documents on her desk.She nodded, unsure where this was going. "It's part of the job, Mr. Steele. I'm just doing what's expected."

He raised an eyebrow at her response. "No, it's not just that. You're more driven than most. That's why I hired you."

Alexis felt the heat rise in her cheeks. She had never expected to hear something like that from him, and yet here he was, acknowledging her efforts in a way that was almost... personal.

She didn't know what to say. This was Sebastian Steele, after all the man who demanded perfection, who had no patience for mediocrity. Why was he suddenly showing this side of himself?

"I won't disappoint you," she managed, though it was more of a reassurance to herself than to him.

Sebastian nodded, his eyes lingering on her for a fraction longer than usual. He opened his mouth to speak, but just as he did, his phone rang. He glanced at it and then back at her, his expression unreadable.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Alexis," he said, his voice returning to its usual firmness.

As Alexis watched him leave, she couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions well up inside her. What had just happened? Why did it feel like the world had tilted on its axis just a little when he stood so close?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the buzzing of her phone. A quick glance revealed a message from her sister, reminding her about dinner tomorrow.

But her mind wasn't on dinner. It was on Sebastian Steele.

She had felt the pull between them, but she had no idea what it meant. Was it just her imagination? Or was he beginning to see something in her that he hadn't before?