Claire pretended not to hear. But inside, her nerves knotted tighter each day. She wasn't naïve. She knew exactly what people assumed and she wasn't even sure they were wrong.
Because when Brad's gaze lingered on her across the table, when his voice softened as he asked for her opinion, when his hand brushed hers as they reached for the same file... she felt something no promotion could explain.
And it scared her.
Office Heat
On Thursday evening, the office was nearly empty, but Brad remained in his glass tower, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened. Claire sat across from him, typing notes as he dictated revisions to a proposal.
"Delete section three," he said, his voice low, deliberate. "Replace it with the revenue forecast."
Her fingers flew across the keyboard.
Brad leaned back, watching her. "You're efficient."
Claire looked up, surprised by the sudden softness in his tone. "Isn't that what you wanted?"
"It's more than that." He tilted his head slightly. "You're... refreshing. Everyone else around me just says what I want to hear. You don't. You tell me what you think."
She felt heat rise to her cheeks. "Maybe I haven't been here long enough to be scared of you."
Brad chuckled, the sound warm and unexpected. He leaned forward, his storm-gray eyes locking onto hers. "Don't ever be scared of me, Claire. If anything... I should be the one afraid of you."
Her breath caught. For a heartbeat, the office air thickened, the city lights glowing around them like silent witnesses.
Then the sharp buzz of the intercom shattered the moment.
"Mr. Nelson," the receptionist's voice crackled. "You have an unscheduled visitor."
Brad's brows drew together. "Who?"
The pause on the other end seemed awkward. "She says her name is... Rachael."
Rachael's Entrance
Before Brad could respond, the doors opened. And there she was.
Rachael Smith.
Her blonde curls spilled over her shoulders, her crimson dress clinging to every curve, high heels clicking against the marble floor like a dare. She moved with the kind of confidence that silenced rooms, her lips painted a dangerous red.
"Brad," she purred, ignoring Claire completely as she strode across the office. "I missed you."
Claire stiffened in her seat, heart thudding.
Brad's jaw tightened, but he didn't send her away. "Rachael, this isn't the place."
"Why not?" She leaned against his desk, bending close enough for her perfume to flood the air. "We didn't exactly meet in 'appropriate' places, did we?"
Her voice was velvet and poison all at once.
Claire's stomach twisted. She didn't need context to understand. This woman wasn't just a fling, she was something more dangerous.
"Rachael," Brad said firmly, glancing toward Claire. "We're in the middle of work."
Finally, Rachael turned, her eyes sliding over Claire with mocking amusement.
"And who's this? Your secretary?"
"Claire Anderson," Brad said quickly. "My new executive assistant."
Rachael's smile widened, wicked. "Of course. Pretty little thing." She extended a hand, nails sharp and red. "Careful, sweetheart. Men like Brad... they burn brighter than the sun. But if you get too close, you'll be ashes."
Claire met her hand with steady eyes, refusing to flinch. "I'll take my chances."
The challenge hung between them like a live wire.
Brad cut in sharply. "Enough. Rachael, I'll call you tomorrow. Claire, that's all for tonight. Go home."
Claire gathered her things silently, but her mind was anything but calm.
As she walked past Rachael, the other woman leaned close and whispered just loud enough: "He'll never choose you, darling. You're just... convenient."
Claire's hand tightened around her folder, but she didn't look back.
Aftermath
Once Claire left, Rachael perched herself on Brad's desk like she belonged there.
"You didn't tell me you had a new toy," she teased, tracing a finger over his papers. "She's cute. Fresh. But Brad, you and I both know she can't give you what I can."
Brad sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Rachael, why are you here?"
"Because you can't stay away from me," she replied smoothly. "And you know it."
Her words were dangerous because they were true.
The Friend in the Shadows
Downstairs in the lobby, Claire hurried across the marble floor, eager to escape before her thoughts betrayed her. But as she stepped out into the cool night air, a familiar figure leaned against the wall, cigarette glowing in the dark.
JK.
"Evening, sunshine," he drawled, flicking the cigarette away. "Rough night?"
Claire's eyes narrowed. "Were you waiting for me?"
"Maybe. Or maybe I just like watching storms form." His grin was sharp. "Rachael Smith. She's not the type to play nice. And if you think Brad Nelson is a prize worth fighting for..." He leaned in closer, voice dropping. "...then I hope you like scars."
Claire kept her chin up while swallowing. "I appreciate the warning. However, I'm not easily frightened."
JK laughed, his eyes sparkling. "I like that about you. But be careful Claire, I play this game too."
Claire's thoughts were jumbled and her heart was pounding as he disappeared into the night.
Back upstairs, Brad's office erupted in sensual, sly laughter from Rachael. Brad's jaw tightened in frustration as he rubbed a hand across his face.
Additionally, he failed to notice the elevator doors down the hall opening once more. A woman with diamonds gleaming in her silk dress stepped out.
As she got closer to the office door, her heels clicked softly. Tatiana Miller. She stopped when she heard Rachael's laughter reverberating through the hallway.
Her mouth formed a slow, calculating smile.
"Well," she murmured to herself. "This is going to be interesting."
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The Billionaire's dilemma 
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