Chapter 5 Meeting Him

SUSAN'S POV

By the time I finished scrubbing the kitchen counters and folding the last of the laundry, my arms ached. But I still set about preparing my father's favorite meal-pan-seared fish with lemon butter sauce, just the way he liked it. It was noon when I carried the tray into his room.

I froze in the doorway for a moment, relief flooding me. He was awake. Breathing. Alive.

"Good morning, Father," I said softly, setting the tray on the table beside his bed. "Ready for breakfast?"

"Yes, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice hoarse but warmer than yesterday. "I'm feeling much better now."

I watched him eat slowly, propped up against pillows. My mind was a storm. Isla had stepped in, thank God, and the surgery had gone through without a hitch. If it weren't for her, I don't know what might have happened.

And still... I couldn't shake the question-why had my stepmother treated him so cruelly? He was still her husband. Yet she'd drained his account without a flicker of remorse.

I pushed the thought aside. I had my news to cling to: a job offer. Tomorrow I will start as a personal assistant.

The next morning, I rose before dawn, determined to make a good impression. I chose a simple fitted gown that skimmed my curves without being too revealing. My makeup was minimal-a touch of mascara, a sweep of blush-and I pulled my hair back neatly. When I looked in the mirror, I saw a woman ready for a new chapter.

I left early, my appointment set for eight o'clock sharp. The taxi pulled up in front of the Towers in Lexington half an hour ahead of schedule. The building loomed above me like a monument to ambition, all glass and steel. Inside, polished marble floors reflected golden light, and the air hummed with quiet efficiency.

The receptionist greeted me with a professional smile. "Good morning, ma'am. How may I help you?"

"Good morning. My name is Susan Brooks," I replied. "I'm here to start as a personal assistant."

She checked her screen and nodded. "Fifth floor, please. Someone will show you to your office."

On the fifth floor, a middle-aged man in a tailored suit stepped forward. "Good morning, ma'am. This way."

He led me into a sleek office with panoramic city views. The décor was modern, understated, and impossibly expensive.

"Are you pleased with your new space?" he asked.

"Yes," I said, smiling faintly. "It's... beautiful."

He provided me with a detailed overview of the CEO's schedule and the responsibilities I had to oversee and emphasised his strict stance against tardiness.

"I'll give it my best," I promised, shaking his hand before he left.

I had barely settled into the leather chair when the phone on my desk rang. "The CEO would like to see you," came the voice on the line.

I knocked before entering. "Good morning, sir-"

My breath caught.

It was him.

He was the man from that one unforgettable night.

A thousand emotions crashed through me at once. My heart hammered. He stood behind his desk, watching me like he was memorizing every inch of my face.

"I'm your new personal assistant," I managed, my voice steadier than I felt. "Susan Brooks."

He came around the desk, close enough that the air seemed to thicken between us. "David Lexington," he said, extending his hand.

The moment our palms touched, the spark was back. That same magnetic pull and heat that had previously undone me returned.

"What can I do for you, sir?" I asked, trying to sound professional.

"First," he said, "you'll call me David. Second-forget everything they told you about your job." His gaze pinned mine. "Your real role is to be with me. Always. You'll attend my meetings, my events, and my dinners. You'll be at my side."

My throat was dry. "Yes... David."

He stepped closer, close enough for me to feel the warmth radiating from him. My pulse skittered. His eyes never left mine, and then-without warning-his mouth was on mine.

The kiss was exactly as I remembered: soft lips, the faint taste of something sweet, and a rush of sensation that stole my breath. My body responded instantly, traitorously.

He pulled back first, his voice low. "Lunch is at two."

I blinked, trying to regroup. "David, we're not... dating," I said, almost to myself.

"That night-" He stopped me with a look.

I returned to my desk, my mind a jumble. The office's gold-and-diamond accents gleamed under the light, luxurious yet refined. Everything about him screamed power. The tabloids hadn't exaggerated-David Lexington was untouchable.

Sometime later, I must have drifted off in my chair. When I opened my eyes, he was there beside me, close enough for me to see the flecks of gold in his eyes.

"Having you here makes me happy," he said. "I'll protect you. You're mine."

I swallowed hard, unable to speak.

"I found you through CCTV footage," he added, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Susan Brooks, I love you. Meeting you was a fairytale I would rather not end."

Tears blurred my vision. I could only hug him tightly in response.

He kissed my forehead. "Let's eat."

The restaurant was as elegant as the man himself. Silverware gleamed, crystal glasses sparkled, and the table was heavy with dishes. Every bite was exquisite, but I barely tasted the food-his gaze kept pulling mine away.

"Do you like it?" he asked.

"I adore it," I admitted. "It's... unforgettable."

On the drive home, he was relaxed, almost playful. He already knew my address-of course he did.

"It wasn't a coincidence you got hired," I said slowly.

"No," he replied without hesitation. "I made sure of it. I told HR to send your offer the moment I heard you were seeking employment. Warned other companies off. My woman doesn't need to work for anyone else."

Heat rose in my cheeks.

"Tomorrow," he said, "you'll dress up. I'm taking you shopping."

When we arrived, he dismissed the driver and cupped my face in his hands. His kiss was fiercer this time, hungry, leaving me breathless.

"I love you," he murmured against my ear. "I meant every word. See you tomorrow."

I kissed him back, lingering for a heartbeat before stepping out. As I watched his limousine disappear down the street, I realized my life had just shifted in a way I couldn't have imagined.

And I wasn't sure whether to be terrified-or thrilled.