Chapter 1 001

Elena's POV

I have always had a secret crush on my boss, Andrew Blake from the first day I started working as his secretary.

Andrew Blake isn't just the president and heir of B and E innovation group, a billion dollar tech empire. He is also one of the hottest, most sexy men I've met and also every woman's dream man. Tall, handsome with an athletic build and eyes that could melt any sane woman.

But he had never really noticed me. I had worked for him for six months and I always felt like I wasn't even with him. To him, I was nothing more than his secretary, practically invisible and I wasn't surprised. With models, heiresses and women who clawed each other apart just to get a piece of him, what chance did I have?

One afternoon, I sat behind my desk, my eyes fixed on the glow of my laptop screen but my mind was somewhere else. Somewhere far.

In my fantasy, the office was empty and silent as moonlight slipped through the blinds, pulling silver across his desk.

Andrew leaned forward, his tie loose and his shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal the lines of his muscular chest. His eyes caught mine and he murmured in a voice so low and rough.

"Come here baby."

I walked slowly to his desk, unbuttoning my blouse and the fabric slipped off my shoulder, revealing my bare skin. I sat on his lap and straddled him slowly, feeling the hard bulge in his pants.

His hand clamped on my hips as his mouth claimed mine in a heated kiss. He reached for my bra hook and unflap it. Then, my bra fell between us.

I moaned as his mouth closed around my nipple, teasing and circling with his tongue.

His hand trailed up my leg slowly until he reached the heat between my thighs and I gasped as he shifted my underwear and his fingers gently rubbed my folds.

Just then, the sharp ring of the office phone shattered the fantasy.

I blinked, heart hammering, my cheeks hot and my thighs pressed together under my desk.

"Damn," I muttered under my breath before snatching up the receiver.

"Hello?" I managed to steady my voice.

"Mis Reagan. My office. Now." His voice, smooth, and commanding, made my stomach flip.

"Yes, sir."

I set my phone down and leaned back on my chair, taking in a deep breath to wrestle back control of the ache still simmering inside me. Once I could trust my legs, I stood and smoothed my skirt, then walked down the hall to his office.

I knocked softly before I pushed the door open. Then, I walked in like a robot in a straight line until I got to his desk.

"Good afternoon, sir."

He didn't even look up at me. His eyes stayed locked on the screen in front of him, fingers tapping against the keys like someone who had a deadline to meet.

Sometimes, the way his eyes skimmed past me like I was air, stung. I wanted him to see me more than his secretary. But who was I to complain?

"The flight to San Francisco, for the investor meeting. When is it?"

Oh, hell. I'd nearly forgotten to remind him about it.

"Today, sir. 4 P.M"

He leaned back in his chair, eyes still fixed on his laptop as though he were calculating a billion dollar deal in his head.

Then, he said flatly. "Go home. Pack light and meet me at the airport."

"Yes sir." I replied and turned to leave, a part of me wishing he'd at least take one glance at me. But even as I walked out, he didn't and it didn't bother me at all. I was already used to it.

I closed the door behind me and exhaled hard before going to my office to grab my things.

I ordered an Uber and by the time I got to my apartment, I was surprised to see Hannah's slip-on outside the door. So she was home already. But why? She was never home this early.

Hannah was my room mate and childhood best friend. We had been living together since we graduated from college because I needed to escape from my parents who never saw me as the adult I was.

I pushed the door open and froze.

Hannah was kissing Matthew, my ex boyfriend on the couch. Her hand buried beneath his trousers, straddling his cock like I once did. So he was the reason why she was home so early.

The second they saw me, Hannah jerked back, breathless.

"Shit." She blurted.

Matthew just turned, meeting my eyes with that maddening calm, as if none of this was wrong. Maybe it wasn't but out of all the girls in the world....he had to choose my best friend.

Matthew was my first boyfriend. The guy who took my virginity. I met him in college, and at first it felt like real love. But with time, the cracks started to show. Sometimes he would hit me. Other times, he would force himself on me when I didn't want it and fuck me until I was barely conscious. Then he'd apologize, only to do it again.

When I couldn't take it anymore, I finally did what I should have done a long time ago. I left him.

Hannah was the one who encouraged me to break up with him, reminding me over and over how toxic he was. And yet, here she was now... with him.

I forced a smile, even though it burned. "Sorry. Did I interrupt?"

Hannah's eyes darted to mine, like she could feel what I wasn't saying. I walked past them, heading straight for my things. My hands shook as I folded clothes into my carry-on, pretending she wasn't standing there in the doorway.

"Going somewhere?" she asked after a stretch of silence.

"Yes. On a business trip. With my boss," I answered flatly, my voice giving nothing away.

She stepped inside, moving closer. "Look, Elena..." her voice wavered with guilt, "I'm sorry, okay? I know you're upset and-"

"No. I'm not upset," I cut her off, finally turning to face her. My tone was sharp, but underneath was something else. "I just feel sorry for you. Matthew will use you and toss you aside. That's who he is."

She held my gaze, her expression unreadable, until her tone suddenly shifted. "Are you... jealous?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "Jealous? No. Never. But do you remember those were the exact words you told me when you begged me to leave him. Was that just so you could have him for yourself?"

"No, Elena," she insisted quickly. "It's not like that. He was there for me when I needed someone to talk to... and we fell in love."

I shook my head, stunned she could even say that. "you know him very well, Hannah. He's not going to go easy on you."

"Elena, please, calm down." She reached for my hand, but I pulled away, staring at her like I was seeing someone I didn't know anymore.

"Is there a problem?" Matthew's voice cut in as he leaned casually against the doorframe, hands stuffed in his pockets.

"No," I answered coldly before Hannah could speak. My glare shifted to him, sharp enough to slice. I wasn't jealous. Just disgusted. He was the type of man who'd hand you the world and then set fire to it with you inside. Hannah had no idea what she was in for.

"The delivery guy's here," he told her. She gave me one last glance before whispering, "I'll be back," and moved toward the door. Before she could pass, he caught her by the waist and kissed her. She shoved him off quickly, muttering something as she went to answer the knock.

He stayed behind, watching me pack.

"Elena-"

"Don't say my name with that filthy mouth," I snapped, refusing to even look at him.

I knew he was smirking. He always smirked. Probably proud of himself for ruining me twice. I couldn't stay another second.

I grabbed my suitcase and walked toward the door. Hannah stood waiting in the hall. For a moment, I just looked at her, then pulled her into a hug. She stiffened, then slowly hugged me back. I felt her exhale against my shoulder, and I whispered, "Be careful with him, okay? You know I'll always want the best for you."

Her arms tightened around me. "Okay," she murmured.

"I'll call when I'm free," I said, letting go. Then I turned away without looking back, though I knew she was still standing there, watching me leave.

I hauled my suitcase downstairs and hailed a taxi straight to the airport.

In the backseat, I couldn't stop thinking about Hannah-about the way she'd end up broken, the way Matthew always left people broken. But I reminded myself: she made her choice. She wanted him.

All I could do now was wish her luck.

When I got to the airport, I spotted him sitting there, clearly waiting for me. He was casually dressed, but God, he looked too sexy to ignore. Women's eyes lingered on him as they passed, yet he didn't even notice. His attention was glued to his phone, calm and collected, like he owned the space.

I rolled my suitcase toward him, my heart thudding louder with every step. Then he looked up, and our eyes met. For a moment, it felt like electricity surged through me, sharp and undeniable.

"You're earlier than I expected," he said. A faint smile tugged at his lips, his gaze locked on mine. Unlike before, he didn't look away, didn't even blink.

Heat curled through me under that stare. He really had no idea what he was doing to me.

"Uh... yes," I stammered. "No-yes. I mean... it's important I came on time."

He didn't answer. Just gave a small nod and rose, turning toward the boarding gate without another word.

I trailed close behind him, still reeling. He had never spoken to me like that before, never smiled at me that way. And somehow, deep down, I knew this trip was going to be different.