IN LOVE WITH THE BOSS

Leila Baker hadn't set foot in New York in three years. She had left with the certainty of never returning, yet here she was, sitting stiffly at the back of her car, She stared out the window, the city had changed since she had last been there. The car came to an abrupt stop in front of Julius & Myres consulting company.A company that once belonged to someone she used to know. Someone who had once mattered. Someone she had vowed to forget.

The place looked so different from what she remembered. It was her revenge that fueled her to return and she was going to do all it take.

She was lost in thought until a voice interrupted.

"Miss Leila, should I drop you off here". Her driver politely asked.

"Yes, thank you. Take the car to the parking lot and meet me here in forty five minutes, I won't be long"

Leila stepped out of the car and stepped into the building, her stiletto heels clicking against the pavement as she smoothed down the crisp lines of her tailored black dress. As she went through the reception down to the elevator, nobody noticed her. That was her super power, one she had managed to gain over the years, the power of invisibility.

She made her way to the elevator, pressed the button for the top floor, and waited. She stepped out and opened the mahogany door that led to the Conference room. Executives sat in neatly arranged chairs, the far end of the room, a chair awaited her, one labeled with her name.

Without a word, Leila made her way to it, removing her gloves but keeping her sunglasses on. "Sorry for keeping you all waiting! We can start now" She said.

A man to her left cleared his throat before speaking "Alright Miss Baker, We organized this meeting to discuss with you about the sudden takeover of this company. We know you're capable but right now, the company needs to focus on other things and definitely not rebranding. I'm not sure if you understand what I mean ma'am"

She recognized the man that spoke as Armstrong. Leila had to bite her lips to keep her from giggling. Armstrong was her former boss and it was sweet now that the tables had turned. He genuinely looked scared of her. But they had every reason to be scared, it was not a secret that she has been taking over companies and even the business news mentioned her name often. LEILA BAKER TAKES ANOTHER COMPANY, BUSINESS MOGUL: LEILA BAKER HAS STRUCK AGAIN. The headlines were different everytime, the recently published one was; LEILA BAKER IS BACK IN NEW YORK AGAIN: ANOTHER TAKEOVER?.

She cleared her throat. She scanned the room with her eyes, Gavin was nowhere to be found. Gavin, Gavin Hasters. The only man that managed to make her weak and vulnerable. That was her past and nothing was going to stop her from making his life miserable, starting with his company. That was all that mattered to him anyways

"Ma'am?" Armstrong gently called. That was enough to bring her back to reality.

Leila removed her sunglasses and set it on the conference table. "I did not come here today to negotiate. I came here to finalize and I noticed the president of the company is not present at this meeting. I'm not a wicked person. I'll be coming frequently and doing check-in. I'm not here to ruin things. I'm a major shareholder in this company and I have the power to make decisions. I'm not a rash person so we can reschedule a meeting. One with the president present"

A deep voice spoke up from the distance. "No need, I'm here. Let's start" Leila's breath hitched as she looked at him. He was still perfect, That's when she realized the bitter truth. She was nowhere close to forgetting Gavin Hasters.

Leila Baker let out a deep breath as soon as Gavin Hasters walked out of the office. The air around her still held the faint trace of his cologne, a deep, musky fragrance that spoke of sophistication and wealth. She realized her hands were trembling slightly, and she clasped them together to steady herself.

It wasn't just his looks, it was more of the way his perfect eyes stood out in their blue shade, and the way he kept touching his jaw unconsciously and the way he licked his lips like three times while he was in the office and the way his perfectly chiseled chest looked in the clothes he wore. The list could go on and on. Although she could not deny how stunning he was, it was the commanding presence he exuded. Her cheeks felt hot all of a sudden and she had to pinch herself to bring her back to reality. How could she have a crush on her boss. She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to process her first encounter with her boss. "Get it together, Leila," she muttered to herself. Frank returned minutes later, balancing a pizza box and a coffee in one hand, his phone in the other. "You okay? You look like you've just seen a ghost." Frank was her closest work mate in the entire building of the company ranging with more than 500 workers in each field. She was on the top floor since she was the secretary to the president of the company. Frank was the secretary to the vice- president, Armstrong Stone in the floor below. Rumor has it that he was gay and currently hitting it off with the vice president and that was how he got the job but she didn't read too much into the whole thing. It wasn't really her business. And besides, a rumor is just baseless information. Leila straightened in her chair and forced a smile. "The boss was here." Frank raised an eyebrow, setting the pizza down on his desk. "Already? Didn't expect him till later. So, what's he like?" Leila hesitated, struggling to find the right words. "Intimidating but... polite. And ridiculously good-looking." Frank let out a low whistle. "Ah, so you've met and experienced the famous Gavin Hasters charm. Don't let it fool you, though. He's all business when it counts." Leila nodded and turned back to her computer, refocusing on her task. But no matter how much she tried, her thoughts kept drifting back to Gavin, she could not just get him off her mind, the way his voice seemed to linger in the air, and the faint smile that had curved his lips as he left. Later that afternoon, Leila finished organizing Gavin's schedule and sent him a polite message with the details. She reread it twice to make sure it was professional but not overly stiff, then hit send. The reply came almost immediately. Gavin: Thanks. Looks good. Let's discuss tomorrow morning at 9. Leila couldn't help but smile at how quickly he responded. Despite Frank's warnings, Gavin didn't seem so bad. If anything, he came across as efficient and straightforward. He seemed like the perfect boss. The day passed uneventfully until just before 5 p.m., when Frank leaned over her desk, grinning mischievously. "Hey, guess what?" he said, waving his phone. Leila glanced at him warily. "What now?" "I just saw something on social media that might interest you. Our dear boss Gavin Hasters is trending." Her stomach flipped. "Trending? Why?" Frank pulled up a photo on his phone and slid it over to her. It was a glossy picture of Gavin standing arm-in-arm with a stunning brunette at what appeared to be an upscale event. The headline beneath it read: "Power Couple Alert! Gavin Hasters and Socialite Adele Cooper Announce Their Engagement." Leila froze, her eyes glued to the screen. "Engaged?" she whispered. "Yep," Frank said, taking back his phone. "Happened while he was on vacation, apparently. Adele Cooper, she's some big-shot philanthropist and fashion mogul. They've been dating for a while, but I didn't think he'd actually pop the question." Leila leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. It wasn't like she had any claim to Gavin. Heck, she'd just met the man, after all but something about the news unsettled her. Maybe it was how casual and charismatic he'd been with her earlier, or the way his presence calmed her amidst the storm raging internally. Now, knowing he was engaged, it felt like a sharp reminder that he was completely out of reach. "You okay?" Frank asked, his tone softer now. Leila plastered on a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's not like it's any of my business." Frank shrugged. "True. Just don't let it get to you. Gavin's personal life doesn't affect us. He's a socialite and we're just commoners. You get want I mean?" Leila forced a laugh and returned to her work, but she couldn't push the image of Adele and Gavin off her mind. That evening, as she prepared to leave, Leila found herself lingering in the office longer than usual. The building was quiet now, with most of her coworkers already gone. She glanced at her phone, debating whether to Google more about Gavin and his fiancée. "No," she muttered to herself, shaking her head. "Bad idea." Still, curiosity tugged at her. It wasn't just about him being her boss, she could not just place the whole thing about the man. He was strikingly handsome, and now, apparently, engaged to one of the most glamorous women in the city. She was jealous As she stepped out of the office, she resolved to keep things strictly professional. Gavin Hasters was her boss and nothing more. Whatever thing she was feeling for her boss had to be stopped.

"Crap, I'm late!". Leila screamed to no one in particular. She had an important meeting with Mr. Hasters this morning by 9am and she just waking up by 8:50am. There was no way she would dress up and make it to the office in ten minutes. She was cooked! Leila stepped into the office and the mood in there was close to make her panic. Scrap that, she panicked!.She opened the door to the adjoining office and Gavin Hasters was seated, his face buried in his tablet. She broke the silence "I'm very sorry sir. I had a family emergency this morning. It won't happen again".

She said in a low voice. "Miss Baker, this is your first strike. We had an important meeting in order to go over and seal our deal with the Bancrofts". "Is there anything I can do to make this up sir." Leila had already decided to do anything to make this right Gavin Hasters set his tablet down slowly, his piercing blue eyes locking onto Leila as she stood awkwardly near the door. "You want to make this up?" he said. "The Bancrofts are attending a charity gala tonight. I'll need someone by my side who understands the terms of the deal we're proposing. Can you handle that?" A gala? She wasn't exactly prepared for something like that. She had never even been in that kind of setting before, But she couldn't afford to mess this up any further. "Of course, sir. I'll be there." "Good." His voice was cold, dismissive. "Be ready by seven. And dress appropriately." Leila nodded quickly, excused herself, and practically ran back to her desk. She texted Frank in a panic. Leila: I need a gown for tonight. Urgently. Something that screams "I'm not a complete disaster." Frank: What happened? Leila: Long story. Just help me, please By 6:30 p.m., Leila was standing in front of her mirror. Frank had come through with a sleek, black floor-length dress that hugged her figure in all the right places. Her hair was swept into an elegant bun, and a pair of silver earrings added complimented her high face and long neck. She barely even recognized herself. Her phone buzzed with a message from Gavin's driver, informing her that the car was waiting downstairs. With a deep breath, she grabbed her clutch and headed out. The gala was held at one of the city's most luxurious venue, a ballroom adorned with glittering chandeliers and known for important events. The moment she stepped inside, Leila felt completely out of place. This was not her kind of gathering at all. The room was filled with executives, celebrities, and socialites, all dressed to the nines. She wondered why her boss did not invite his fiancée. Gavin was already there, standing near the bar with a glass of whiskey in hand, looking devastatingly handsome in a tailored black tuxedo. When he saw her, his gaze swept over her from head to toe, lingering just long enough to make her cheeks flush. "You clean up well, Miss Baker," he said, handing her a glass of champagne. "Thank you," she said, trying not to sound too happy. The night was a blur of introductions, small talk, and negotiations. Leila was surprised at how Gavin moved through the crowd, charming everyone he spoke to. She did her best to keep up, chiming in when necessary and making mental notes of everything she observed. When the event officially ended, Gavin turned to her, "There's an afterparty upstairs," he said, his voice low. "Care to join me?" Leila hesitated. She should probably go home and call it a night, but there was something about the way he was looking at her that made her pulse race. "Sure," she said, her voice barely audible. The afterparty was a more intimate affair, held in a private suite. The crowd was smaller. "You're full of surprises, Miss Baker," Gavin said, his voice smooth. "How so?" she asked, sipping her drink. "You handled yourself well tonight," he said, his eyes locked on hers. "I'm impressed" "Is that a compliment?" she teased, the alcohol giving her a boost of courage. "It is." His gaze dropped to her lips, lingering for a fraction of a second. "Don't let it go to your head." She opened her mouth to respond, but the words never came. Gavin leaned in, his hand brushing against her cheek as he closed the distance between them. The kiss was slow at first, testing, but it quickly deepened. Leila's head was spinning and she wasn't sure if it was the champagne or the way Gavin was pulling her closer, his hand settling on the small of her back. Everything in her was screaming for her to stop but she couldn't. She was too addicted to the way he was kissing her. "Let's get out of here," he murmured against her lips. Her heart pounded as she nodded, unable to find her voice. Gavin stood, taking her hand and leading her out of the suite. The hallway was quiet, their footsteps the only sound as they made their way to the elevator. When the elevator doors closed, Gavin wasted no time. He pressed her against the wall, his lips crashing onto hers with a hunger that made her knees weak. She clung to him, her fingers tangling in his hair as the world outside the elevator ceased to exist. They barely made it to the hotel room. The second the door clicked shut, Gavin had her pinned against it, his hands exploring her as if he couldn't get enough. Clothes were discarded in a blur, and when they finally reached the bed, Leila was lost in him-his touch, his scent, the way he whispered her name like it was the only thing that mattered. Each thrust made her feel like it was only both of them that mattered. When Leila woke up the next morning, the sun was peeking through the curtains, Her head pounded, and for a moment, she wasn't sure where she was. Then the events of the night before came rushing back. She turned her head to find Gavin lying beside her, his expression peaceful in sleep. Her heart raced as reality set in. What had she done? Quietly, she slipped out of bed, gathering her clothes and dressing as quickly as she could. She couldn't face him, not now, not like this. As she reached for the door, Gavin's voice stopped her. "Running away, Miss Baker?" Her breath caught, and she turned to see him propped up on one elbow"I-" She struggled to find the words, "I don't know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "This... this was a mistake." He stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "Was it?" Leila swallowed hard, the intensity of his stare making her feel as though he could see straight into her soul. "I-" Before she could finish, her phone buzzed in her bag. She pulled it out, grateful for the distraction, but her blood ran cold when she saw the message from Frank. Frank: You're all over the news. Call me ASAP. "What is it?" Gavin asked, his expression darkening. Leila turned the phone toward him, her hand trembling. On the screen was a headline accompanied by a blurry photo of the two of them leaving the party together: "CEO Gavin Hasters Spotted With Mystery Woman After Gala-Is He Cheating On Adele Cooper?" Her heart sank. This wasn't just a mistake. This was a disaster.