Chapter 4 First Day on the Job

LEXI'S POV

I stood outside Verity Holdings Tower at 6:45 AM, watching early commuters hurry through the drizzle that seemed to be Millbrook City's permanent weather condition. My reflection in the glass doors showed a woman in a charcoal gray suit, hair pulled back in a professional chignon, carrying a leather portfolio that had cost more than I usually spent on groceries in a month. Alexandra Sterling looked ready for her first day as executive assistant to one of the most powerful men in the Pacific Northwest.

Inside, I felt like I was about to walk into enemy territory armed with nothing but lies and good intentions.

The lobby was impressive in that understated way that screamed expensive-marble floors, soaring ceiling, abstract art that probably cost more than most people's cars. A security guard directed me to the executive elevator bank, where I used the key card HR had provided during Friday's orientation session.

The forty-fourth floor buzzed with early-morning energy. Employees clutched coffee cups and tablets, moving with the focused purpose of people who worked for a demanding boss. My desk-Elena Vasquez's former domain-sat adjacent to Gabriel's office, separated by glass walls that would give me a clear view of his every meeting and phone call.

Perfect for surveillance. Terrifying for maintaining my cover.

"You must be Alexandra." A woman approached with a warm smile and an armload of files. "I'm Jennifer Walsh, from executive services. I've been covering some of Gabriel's administrative needs while he searched for Elena's replacement."

"Nice to meet you," I said, setting my portfolio on the pristine desk surface. "I appreciate you helping with the transition."

"Oh, it's been an adventure." Jennifer lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Gabriel Verity is brilliant, but he has very specific ways of doing things. Elena knew all his preferences, his routines, even what he was thinking before he said it. You'll have some catching up to do."

She spent the next hour walking me through Gabriel's systems-how he liked his calendar organized, which calls to interrupt him for, how to prioritize the constant stream of emails and meeting requests. Elena had left detailed notes in a leather-bound planner, written in precise handwriting that revealed an almost obsessive attention to detail.

-GV prefers morning meetings when possible-sharpest focus before 10 AM

-Always have backup plans for travel-he hates delays

-Coffee: black, no sugar, replacement every two hours during long meetings

-Never schedule lunch meetings on Fridays-he visits Riverside Community Center

That last note made me pause. What was Gabriel Verity doing at a community center every Friday? It wasn't mentioned in any of the press coverage I'd studied.

"What's the community center visit about?" I asked Jennifer.

Her expression grew thoughtful. "I'm not sure, actually. Elena always blocked out Friday afternoons, said it was personal time. But she never explained what it was for."

Another mystery to file away. I was beginning to understand that Gabriel Verity had layers beneath his public image, secrets that even his long-term assistant had kept carefully guarded.

"Alexandra?" A familiar voice made me look up. Gabriel stood in his office doorway, and my pulse immediately accelerated. He looked impossibly commanding in a navy suit that fit him like it had been designed specifically for his tall, athletic frame. "Good morning. I see Jennifer's getting you oriented."

"Good morning, Mr. Verity," I said, hoping my voice sounded steadier than I felt. "I'm excited to get started."

"Excellent." His gray eyes studied my face with that same unsettling intensity I remembered from the interview. "Jennifer, thank you for covering the transition. I'll take it from here."

As Jennifer gathered her files and wished me luck, Gabriel gestured for me to follow him into his office. The space was exactly as I'd imagined from news photos-floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic city views, minimalist black furniture, a conference table that could seat twelve people. But being inside it, seeing it from Gabriel's perspective, made the scope of his influence feel overwhelming.

"Coffee?" he asked, moving toward a high-end espresso machine in the corner.

"Please. Black is fine."

He made two cups with practiced efficiency, and I found myself watching his hands-long fingers, callused palms that spoke of his construction background, no wedding ring. When he handed me the coffee, our fingers brushed briefly, and I felt a jolt of awareness that had nothing to do with caffeine.

"Let's start with today's schedule," he said, settling behind his desk. "I have a board call at eight-thirty, department head meeting at ten, lunch with the mayor at noon, and a conference call with our London office at four. Between those, I need to review the Henderson contract revisions and approve next quarter's budget allocations."

I pulled out Elena's planner and began taking notes, grateful to have something to focus on besides the way his shirt stretched across his broad shoulders. "Should I prepare briefing materials for the mayor's lunch?"

"The city's considering several infrastructure projects that could impact our operations. I'll want current data on our local employment numbers and community investment totals." He paused, studying me. "Elena used to anticipate those kinds of needs without being asked."

"I'll get there," I said, meeting his gaze directly. "But it might take some time to learn your patterns."

"Fair enough." There was something that might have been approval in his expression. "What else do you need to know?"

Before I could answer, his office door opened and a woman strode in without knocking. Diana Thornfield, VP of Operations, looked exactly like her corporate headshot-silver hair pulled back severely, expensive suit, the kind of confidence that came from years of commanding boardrooms.

"Gabriel, we need to discuss the Morrison Industries proposal-" She stopped when she noticed me. "Oh. The new assistant."

"Diana, meet Alexandra Sterling. Alexandra, Diana Thornfield, our VP of Operations."

Diana's smile was professionally polite and completely cold. "Welcome to Verity Holdings, Alexandra. I hope you'll find the work... educational."

Something in her tone made me think she meant that as a warning rather than encouragement. "Thank you. I'm looking forward to learning about the company's operations."

"I'm sure you are." Diana turned back to Gabriel. "About Morrison Industries-their counteroffer came in this morning. Twenty percent above our initial bid, but they're demanding exclusivity clauses that could complicate our other partnerships."

Gabriel frowned. "Send me the details. I'll review them before the ten o'clock meeting."

"I already forwarded everything to your secure email." Diana's eyes flicked to me briefly. "Along with some other sensitive documents that require your immediate attention."

The emphasis on "sensitive" was clearly intended to remind me of my place in the hierarchy. I was the new employee, not yet trusted with important information.

After Diana left, Gabriel shook his head. "Diana's territorial about information flow. Don't take it personally."

"Noted," I said, though I suspected Diana's reaction had been personal. She'd assessed me as potential competition for Gabriel's attention, which was both flattering and dangerous.

The morning flew by in a blur of phone calls, scheduling conflicts, and urgent requests that required immediate responses. Gabriel worked with the kind of focused intensity I'd only seen in emergency rooms-completely present in each conversation, able to shift seamlessly between complex topics without losing track of details.

But it was the small moments between meetings that revealed glimpses of the man beneath the CEO facade. The way he thanked the cleaning staff by name. How he insisted on personally calling an employee whose father had been hospitalized. The fact that he kept a photo on his desk of what looked like a youth soccer team, though he'd never mentioned having children.

"That's from the Riverside Community Center," he said when he caught me looking at the photo. "I sponsor their recreational programs."

"They look like they're having fun."

"Most of them have never had the chance to just be kids," he said quietly. "Too busy worrying about things no child should have to worry about."

The comment revealed more about Gabriel Verity than any magazine profile I'd read. This wasn't just charitable tax deduction-this was personal investment in children who reminded him of his own difficult childhood.

My phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number: *How's the first day going? Remember what I said about being careful who you trust.*

My anonymous source, still watching. I quickly deleted the message, hoping Gabriel hadn't noticed my moment of distraction.

"Problem?" he asked.

"Just my uncle checking in," I said, hating how easily the lie came. "He wanted to know how the new job was going."

"Tell Dr. Sterling I said thank you for the excellent recommendation."

The casual mention of my fake uncle sent a chill through me. Gabriel's background check had been thorough enough to verify my employment history, but had it been thorough enough to uncover the fabrication? Dr. Sterling had assured me his documentation was bulletproof, but sitting across from Gabriel Verity, I felt exposed in ways that had nothing to do with my investigation.

Lunch brought my first real test. Gabriel's meeting with Mayor Patricia Hendricks was scheduled to take place at The Cascade Club, an exclusive business establishment where I wouldn't be able to accompany him. But as his assistant, I'd be expected to brief him beforehand and debrief him afterward.

"The mayor's particularly interested in our job creation numbers," I said as he prepared to leave. "I've prepared a summary of our local hiring initiatives and community investment programs."

Gabriel reviewed the documents I'd compiled, nodding approvingly. "This is exactly what I need. How did you know to include the small business partnership data?"

Because I'd spent hours researching Verity Holdings' impact on local businesses, looking for evidence that you'd deliberately destroyed companies like my father's. But I couldn't say that.

"It seemed like the kind of information a mayor would want when considering infrastructure investments," I said instead.

"Good instincts." He gathered the files and headed for the elevator. "I should be back by two. If anything urgent comes up, you have my cell number."

As soon as he was gone, I began my real work. With Gabriel's computer locked and his filing cabinets secured, I couldn't access sensitive documents directly. But I could observe, listen, and gather the kind of intelligence that only came from being inside the organization.

Marcus Webb stopped by twenty minutes after Gabriel left, ostensibly to drop off budget reports but clearly curious about the new assistant.

"How's your first day going?" he asked, settling into one of the chairs facing my desk. Up close, he was even more polished than his corporate photos suggested-expensive suit, perfect teeth, the kind of smile that belonged on campaign posters.

"Learning curve," I said. "But Gabriel's been very patient."

"He's a good boss if you earn his trust. Demanding, but fair." Marcus leaned back in his chair. "Elena loved working for him. We were all surprised when she decided to leave."

"Do you know why she left?"

Something flickered across Marcus's expression, too quick to interpret. "Family priorities, I think. She had a teenage daughter who needed more attention."

That didn't match what I'd read in Elena's personnel file. Her daughter Sofia was twelve, hardly an age that would require her mother to quit a well-paying job. But before I could ask follow-up questions, Marcus was already changing the subject.

"Gabriel mentioned you worked for Dr. Richard Sterling. Brilliant man-I've read several of his papers on organizational psychology."

"He's taught me a lot about understanding workplace dynamics," I said carefully.

"I'm sure. Well, welcome to the team, Alexandra. I'm looking forward to working with you."

After Marcus left, I made notes about the interaction. He'd been charming and seemingly open, but something about his interest in Elena's departure had felt rehearsed, like he'd prepared answers for questions he expected me to ask.

The afternoon brought a steady stream of visitors, each offering their own version of welcome and subtle interrogation. James Morrison, Head of Security, was particularly thorough in his questions about my background and experience. He had the kind of watchful eyes that missed nothing, and I had the distinct impression he was cataloging every detail of our conversation for future reference.

By four o'clock, when Gabriel's London call began, I felt like I'd been through a series of job interviews rather than just doing my job. Everyone wanted to know about the new person who would have access to Gabriel's schedule, his communications, his private thoughts during unguarded moments.

I was organizing tomorrow's calendar when Diana Thornfield returned, this time with a stack of contracts that needed Gabriel's signature.

"I'll take these to him," she said, reaching for the documents.

"I can handle it," I replied. "Part of my job is managing document flow."

Diana's smile grew colder. "These are highly sensitive contracts, Alexandra. I'm not sure you have the appropriate clearance level yet."

It was a power play, pure and simple. Diana was establishing that she outranked me in the information hierarchy, that she could bypass me when she chose to. But I'd watched Gabriel's interactions with his department heads all day, and I'd noticed that he preferred direct communication rather than having people circumvent his systems.

"Let me check with Gabriel about his preference for handling sensitive documents," I said politely.

Diana's eyes narrowed. "That won't be necessary. I'll speak with him directly."

She swept past my desk and knocked on Gabriel's office door, entering when he gestured her inside. Through the glass walls, I could see her presenting the contracts while shooting meaningful looks in my direction.

Gabriel listened, signed the documents, and said something that made Diana's expression tighten. Whatever he'd told her, she clearly hadn't liked it.

When she emerged from his office, her professional mask had slipped slightly. "Gabriel asked me to leave the contracts with you for filing," she said, her voice carefully controlled.

"Of course," I said, accepting the signed documents. "I'll make sure they're processed according to his instructions."

After Diana left, Gabriel appeared in his doorway. "Diana's protective of information flow," he said. "But part of your job is learning to handle sensitive documents. I'd rather have one person I trust managing that process than multiple people with different agendas."

The comment about trust hit me like a physical blow. Gabriel was already beginning to rely on me, to see me as someone he could depend on. And I was lying to him about everything-my name, my background, my reasons for being there.

"I understand," I said. "I'll be very careful with confidential materials."

"I know you will." His gray eyes studied my face. "How was your first day? Overwhelming?"

"Challenging, but good challenging." I meant it, despite everything. Working for Gabriel Verity was intellectually stimulating in ways I hadn't expected. "Thank you for being patient while I learn your systems."

"Elena took months to reach full efficiency. Don't pressure yourself to replace eight years of experience in one day."

As he returned to his office to finish the London call, I filed Diana's contracts and tried to process everything I'd learned. Gabriel wasn't the cold, calculating businessman I'd expected. He was demanding but fair, private but not secretive, powerful but not arrogant.

And I was already falling for him in ways that could destroy both of us.

GABE'S POV

I ended the London call at five-thirty, feeling more optimistic about Alexandra Sterling's first day than I'd expected. She'd handled the constant interruptions and competing demands with grace, anticipated several needs without being told, and managed to stand her ground with Diana without being confrontational.

Most importantly, she hadn't seemed intimidated by the pace or complexity of the work. Elena had thrived on the challenge of supporting a demanding executive, and I was beginning to think Alexandra might have similar instincts.

"Alexandra?" I stepped out of my office to find her organizing files with the kind of methodical precision that spoke of genuine administrative skills rather than just going through motions.

"Yes, Mr. Verity?"

"How do you feel about staying late occasionally? I know it wasn't explicitly discussed during the interview, but there are times when projects require extended hours."

"That's fine," she said without hesitation. "I don't have family obligations that would conflict with work demands."

Something about the way she said it made me curious. Most people her age had at least some social commitments that competed with professional responsibilities. But Alexandra seemed almost deliberately unattached, focused entirely on the job.

"Good to know." I checked my watch. "I'm heading out shortly, but I wanted to get your read on today's interactions. Any concerns or questions about the people you met?"

She considered the question thoughtfully. "Everyone was welcoming, though I got the impression that some people were more curious about me than others."

"Such as?"

"Diana seemed... protective of her access to you. And James Morrison asked very detailed questions about my background." She paused. "Is there something I should know about office politics?"

Direct questions, intelligent observations. I appreciated that she was trying to understand the dynamics rather than just accepting them.

"Diana's ambitious and sometimes sees new people as potential threats to her position. James is naturally suspicious-it's what makes him good at his job. Neither of them mean any harm, but they both have strong personalities."

"And Marcus?"

"Marcus is my oldest friend here. He's genuinely welcoming to new team members." I studied her expression. "Did he say something that concerned you?"

"Not exactly. He mentioned Elena's departure, said it was for family reasons. But he seemed... prepared for that question, if that makes sense."

It made perfect sense, and the observation impressed me. Marcus had indeed been fielding questions about Elena's departure for weeks, from employees who missed her efficiency and outsiders who were curious about changes in my inner circle.

"Elena's departure was unexpected," I said carefully. "People are naturally curious about sudden changes, especially when they affect someone as visible as my executive assistant."

Alexandra nodded, but I could see her filing away the information for further consideration. She was intelligent enough to recognize that Elena's departure was more complicated than anyone was admitting, and observant enough to notice inconsistencies in the explanations people offered.

That level of perceptiveness would make her excellent at her job, but it also meant I'd need to be careful about what information she had access to until I was certain of her discretion.

"One more thing," I said. "Tomorrow's schedule includes a site visit to our manufacturing facility. It's about an hour outside the city, so we'll be leaving early. Are you comfortable with off-site meetings?"

"Of course. Should I arrange transportation?"

"I'll drive. But you should know that facility visits can be long days. We'll likely be there from eight AM to four PM, walking through production areas, meeting with supervisors, reviewing safety protocols. It's not typical administrative work."

"I'd like to learn about all aspects of the company's operations," she said. "The more I understand about Verity Holdings, the better I can support your work."

Again, exactly the right answer. Elena had shared that same curiosity about the broader organization, the same desire to understand context beyond just managing my calendar.

"Excellent. We'll leave from here at seven-fifteen."

As I gathered my files and prepared to leave, I found myself watching Alexandra organize her workspace for tomorrow. She moved efficiently, creating systems that would help her manage the complex flow of information and requests that came with supporting a CEO.

But there was something else, a carefulness in how she handled documents, as if she were memorizing details rather than just processing them. It could be thoroughness, the sign of someone who took her responsibilities seriously. Or it could be something else entirely.

I shook off the paranoid thought. James Morrison's background check had been comprehensive, and Alexandra's credentials were impeccable. My suspicion was probably just the residual caution that came with hiring someone new for such a sensitive position.

"Alexandra?" I paused at the elevator. "Thank you for a good first day. I think this is going to work out well."

Her smile was genuinely pleased, lighting up her green eyes in a way that made her look younger and somehow more vulnerable. "Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Verity. I'm excited about tomorrow's site visit."

As the elevator descended toward the parking garage, I reflected on the day's interactions. Alexandra Sterling was professional, intelligent, and seemingly committed to doing excellent work. She'd handled Diana's territorial behavior and James's scrutiny with grace, asked thoughtful questions, and showed genuine interest in understanding the company's operations.

She was also beautiful in a way that had nothing to do with professional qualifications, and I'd found myself noticing things that had no bearing on her ability to manage my schedule-the way she tucked a strand of auburn hair behind her ear when she was concentrating, the graceful efficiency of her movements, the intelligence that sparked in her green eyes when she was processing complex information.

That attraction was problematic for several reasons, not least of which was the power dynamic inherent in our working relationship. But beyond that, getting personally involved with someone who had access to my most sensitive business information would be catastrophically poor judgment.

I'd built Verity Holdings by making smart decisions about whom to trust and how much. Allowing my attraction to my new assistant to cloud that judgment could destroy everything I'd worked to create.

But as I drove through the evening traffic toward home, I couldn't stop thinking about those green eyes and the way Alexandra had looked when she'd smiled. Tomorrow's facility visit would give me a better sense of who she really was, whether the competence she'd shown today was genuine or carefully constructed performance.

Either way, working with Alexandra Sterling was going to be more complicated than I'd anticipated. And despite all my careful risk management, I found myself looking forward to that complexity more than I should have.

The rain had started again, turning the city streets into rivers of reflected light. Somewhere in that maze of traffic and streetlights, Alexandra Sterling was driving home, probably reviewing her first day and planning for tomorrow's challenges.

I wondered what she really thought of me, of the job, of the people she'd met. But more than that, I wondered why I cared so much about her opinion.

Tomorrow would bring new tests and new opportunities to understand who Alexandra Sterling really was. And despite my best intentions to keep things strictly professional, I was more interested in those answers than any CEO should be about his assistant.

This was dangerous territory, but for the first time in years, I was looking forward to being in danger.