Ophelia’s POV The morning started like any other. I arrived at Donovan Corporation precisely fifteen minutes before the official start of the workday, armed with a stack of documents and a cup of coffee I barely had the energy to finish. The receptionist offered me a tight-lipped smile, which I returned before stepping into the elevator. Aaron Donovan—Mr. Donovan, I reminded myself—was already in his office. I could tell by the way his shadow moved across the frosted glass. Even when I arrived early, he was always earlier, his dedication unmatched and, frankly, exhausting. Walking into his office was like stepping into a war zone. Papers cluttered the desk, his phone buzzed incessantly, and there was a tension in the air that seemed to hum whenever he was deep in thought. He sat at his desk, his jaw set in a way that told me the day had already thrown him a curveball. “Good morning, Mr. Donovan,” I greeted, setting the coffee on his desk and organizing the papers without waiting
Ophelia’s POV Each day with Mr. Donovan was a study in contrasts. He was efficient yet exasperating, brilliant yet brooding. And then there was me: determined to keep my composure, even when he managed to push all the wrong buttons. The morning began as it always did, with me juggling a barrage of tasks before I’d even had my second cup of coffee. By the time I entered his office, I was already mentally preparing for whatever fresh challenge he’d throw my way. “Miss Lewis, you’re late,” he said without looking up from his tablet. I glanced at the clock on his wall. “It’s 7:58, Mr. Donovan. Technically, I’m early.” He raised an eyebrow, still not looking at me. “Early isn’t early enough when we’re working on the Crestline merger. I need you in here before I arrive.” Because that’s reasonable, I thought, biting my tongue. Instead, I set the files I’d prepared on his desk. “The final revisions for the merger presentation. I’ve also cross-checked the legal notes with the external te
Ophelia’s POV My life had become a juggling act of maintaining my composure under Aaron Donovan’s demanding scrutiny while trying to keep my motives concealed. Every day brought a new challenge, and every moment tested my resolve. Today was no different. As I stepped into the office, the atmosphere was already tense. Aaron’s schedule was packed with high-stakes meetings, and it was my job to make sure everything ran smoothly. The familiar scent of his cologne hung in the air as I approached his office, balancing two steaming cups of coffee on a tray. “Miss Lewis,” Aaron’s voice called from behind his desk before I could knock. He never missed an opportunity to remind me that he knew every move I made, even when I thought I was invisible.“You’re late.” He spilled out.“It’s 8:59,” I replied, setting his coffee on the desk. “Your meeting starts at nine sharp. I wouldn’t call that late.” He raised an eyebrow, taking a deliberate sip of his coffee. “Punctuality isn’t just about tim
Ophelia’s POV Each passing day in Aaron Donovan’s orbit felt like an uphill battle, a tug-of-war between his relentless demands and my quiet determination to stay the course. He was as cold and calculated as ever, his tone sharp and his commands precise. Yet, there were moments—fleeting and rare—when his humanity peeked through, and those moments unsettled me more than I cared to admit. I had learned to navigate the storm that was Aaron, finding small victories in every task I accomplished without complaint. Today would be no different—or so I thought. The morning began with the usual frenzy. Aaron’s first meeting had been moved up by an hour, throwing the rest of his schedule into chaos. It was my job to fix it. “Miss Lewis,” he called as soon as I entered his office with my tablet in hand, ready to deliver updates. His tone was clipped his focus already on the files spread across his desk. “What’s the status of the Peterson contract?” “Finalized as of last night,” I replied, ke
Ophelia’s POV If working for Aaron Donovan was a battle, today felt like a war. I’d braced myself for his sharp tone and relentless demands, but his mood had somehow soured even further overnight. It was as though he’d taken every frustration in his life and channeled it into a laser-focused determination to make my day miserable. “Miss Lewis,” his voice crackled through the intercom for the fourth time that morning, sharp and commanding, “where’s the research file for the Harris project?” “It’s on your desk, Mr. Donovan,” I replied, keeping my tone as neutral as possible. “Not in the right spot,” he muttered, and I heard the faint shuffling of papers on his end. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “I’ll be there in a moment.” Walking into his office felt like stepping onto a battlefield. Aaron sat at his desk, his dark hair slightly disheveled—a rare sign that something was truly bothering him. Despite his usual composure, there was a tension in the air that was hard to ignor
Ophelia’s POV Every morning in the Donovan Corporation felt like stepping into the lion’s den, but today, the tension was palpable even before Aaron walked in. As I arranged files on my desk, I could feel the ripple effect of his presence. The staff around me shuffled nervously, their whispers cutting through the air like knives. Aaron Donovan had a way of making everyone feel as though the entire corporation’s success depended on each passing second. “Miss Lewis,” his sharp voice cut through the quiet hum of the office, making me snap to attention. “Yes, Mr. Donovan?” I replied, meeting his gaze. “My schedule for the day?” he asked without so much as a greeting, already striding past me toward his office. I followed him quickly, the itinerary in hand. “You have a meeting with the legal team at ten regarding the Braxton merger. At noon, a conference call with our international branch heads. Then at three, there’s a client dinner to discuss the acquisition in Singapore.” He gave
Ophelia’s POV The morning light filtered through the tall windows of the Donovan Corporation office, casting long shadows across the polished marble floor. I sat at my desk, sipping my coffee, trying to gather my thoughts. The past week had been a whirlwind of meetings, phone calls, and endless demands from Aaron. It seemed like no matter how hard I worked to stay ahead of everything, he was always one step ahead, pushing me further than I ever thought I could go. But that was Aaron Donovan, wasn’t it? A ruthless businessman who knew exactly how to push people to their limits. And somehow, he had me wrapped around his finger. The thought unsettled me, yet there was no denying that I was constantly drawn to him, even if I tried to deny it. I glanced at the clock. It was almost time for Aaron’s morning briefing, a ritual I had become all too familiar with. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, preparing the final set of documents he requested. Every time I felt like I had the hang o
Ophelia’s POV The day started like any other, yet there was an undercurrent of tension I couldn’t ignore. I had already spent two hours running through Aaron’s latest demands—revisions to contracts, proposals for upcoming projects, and scheduling meetings with high-profile clients. The usual. I was used to the grind by now, though I could feel a small knot of unease tightening in my stomach. I couldn’t quite place what was bothering me, but something was off. As I sat at my desk, my fingers absently tapping against the surface, I stole a glance at the clock. It was nearly time for Aaron’s next briefing. I didn’t know why, but the thought of it made my heart race a little faster than usual. Maybe it was the pressure of always being under his scrutiny, or maybe it was because the more time I spent with him, the harder it became to ignore the pull I felt whenever he was near. The door to Aaron’s office swung open suddenly, and I looked up to see him standing in the doorway, his sharp
Aaron’s POV The office was unusually quiet tonight. Even the constant hum of the city outside seemed to have dimmed, as if it understood the weight pressing down on my shoulders. My work had always been my escape, my sanctuary. But lately, that sanctuary felt less like a fortress and more like a cage. And it was all because of her. Ophelia Lewis. From the moment she walked into my office, she disrupted everything I’d carefully built. At first, I thought it was her insolence, her knack for challenging me in ways no one else dared. But it was more than that. She was unpredictable, and that unpredictability was both maddening and intoxicating. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. It was infuriating. Leaning back in my chair, I stared at the city skyline, the lights glittering like scattered diamonds. My reflection stared back at me from the glass, a reminder of the man I’d become: cold, detached, ruthless. There was no room in my life for distractions, least of all one that came wit
Ophelia’s POV It had been a week since Aaron’s near-apology, and life at Donovan Corporation continued at its relentless pace. Aaron maintained his usual cold, calculated demeanor during the day, and I worked tirelessly to ensure everything flowed smoothly. Still, there were cracks in his fortress, moments where the man behind the ruthless businessman slipped through, and I couldn’t stop myself from noticing. Even if I wanted to, which I didn’t. Aaron Donovan occupied my mind far more than I was comfortable admitting. Each day, I told myself I’d keep my distance, focus solely on my goals, and avoid personal entanglements. Each day, I failed. It was late one evening when my carefully constructed wall began to crumble. I was still in my office, organizing files for Aaron’s upcoming meeting, when the intercom buzzed. “Miss Lewis,” came his familiar voice, sharp yet laced with something I couldn’t quite place. “Yes, Mr. Donovan?” “My office. Now.” I sighed, brushing a stray strand o
Ophelia’s POV The office felt quieter than usual the next morning, but I knew it wasn’t because of a lack of activity. Aaron Donovan’s mood dictated the atmosphere, and today, it seemed… restrained. Not the cold indifference he usually exuded, but a focused quiet that unnerved me. I avoided his office for as long as I could, burying myself in emails and reports, yet my mind kept drifting back to dinner last night. It wasn’t just the unexpected invitation—it was the Aaron I saw beneath the ruthless exterior. For the first time, he had let me see his humanity, even if only for a moment. By noon, I couldn’t avoid him any longer. He’d summoned me to his office with a one-word email: Now. When I stepped inside, he was seated behind his desk, eyes fixed on his laptop screen. “Mr. Donovan,” I said, keeping my tone professional. “Close the door,” he said without looking up. I did as he asked, stepping forward hesitantly. He finally looked up, his piercing eyes locking onto mine. “Sit.” I
Ophelia’s POV The next few days passed in a blur of reports, meetings, and Aaron’s relentless demands. He was back to his usual self: curt, exacting, and impossible to please. Yet, there was something different—a crack in his veneer that revealed itself in fleeting moments. A brush of his hand as he handed me a document, a lingering glance during a meeting, or a subtle softness in his voice when he addressed me directly. But he never overstepped. Aaron Donovan was a man who thrived on control, and it was clear he wasn’t ready to relinquish any part of it—not even his feelings. That morning, I found myself in the middle of a particularly hectic schedule. Aaron had tasked me with organizing a last-minute meeting with international partners while also preparing a detailed analysis of competitor strategies. My desk was a minefield of sticky notes, files, and my half-drunk coffee. “Miss Lewis,” Aaron’s voice called from his office. I sighed, setting down the highlighter I’d been usin
Ophelia’s POV The next few days passed in a blur of reports, meetings, and Aaron’s relentless demands. He was back to his usual self: curt, exacting, and impossible to please. Yet, there was something different—a crack in his veneer that revealed itself in fleeting moments. A brush of his hand as he handed me a document, a lingering glance during a meeting, or a subtle softness in his voice when he addressed me directly. But he never overstepped. Aaron Donovan was a man who thrived on control, and it was clear he wasn’t ready to relinquish any part of it—not even his feelings. That morning, I found myself in the middle of a particularly hectic schedule. Aaron had tasked me with organizing a last-minute meeting with international partners while also preparing a detailed analysis of competitor strategies. My desk was a minefield of sticky notes, files, and my half-drunk coffee. “Miss Lewis,” Aaron’s voice called from his office. I sighed, setting down the highlighter I’d been usin
Ophelia’s POV The tension between Aaron and me had reached an unspoken truce, though the dynamics of our relationship were far from simple. Each day in his office was a chess match of emotions and professionalism, neither of us willing to make the first move. Aaron remained as sharp and demanding as ever, yet there were cracks in his icy demeanor—moments that felt too intimate for the boundaries we claimed to maintain. That morning, I was deep in the throes of a particularly frustrating task. Aaron had requested a detailed analysis of prospective mergers, and the data was a labyrinth of numbers and trends. I stared at my screen, rubbing my temples as the words blurred together. “You look like you’re about to throw that laptop out the window.” His voice startled me, and I looked up to see Aaron standing in my doorway, arms crossed, an amused glint in his eye. “Not out the window,” I muttered. “But maybe into the coffee machine.” He stepped into my office, glancing at the jumble o
Ophelia’s POV The tension between Aaron and me was becoming unbearable. Each passing day felt like a tightrope walk. We kept our interactions strictly professional, but there was an undercurrent—a simmering attraction neither of us acknowledged. I was drowning myself in work, hoping it would numb the confusing emotions that surfaced whenever Aaron was near. The merger had turned into a whirlwind of meetings, legal reviews, and negotiations. My calendar was packed from dawn till dusk, leaving little room for anything else. But the busier I stayed, the more aware I became of Aaron’s presence. It wasn’t just his commanding tone or his sharp intellect. It was the subtle things: the way his eyes crinkled slightly when he was deep in thought, the quiet moments when I’d catch him watching me, and the rare times when his icy exterior softened. One particularly chaotic morning, I found myself rushing through the office corridors with a stack of documents balanced precariously in my arms.
Ophelia’s POV Working closely with Aaron Donovan was beginning to feel like playing a dangerous game. The man had a way of peeling back my defenses without even trying, making me question everything I thought I knew about him—and myself. The day started as most did, with Aaron’s sharp tone barking instructions the moment I stepped into his office. “Miss Lewis, I need the quarterly reports from division heads by noon,” he said without looking up from his laptop. “Of course, Mr. Donovan,” I replied. “And schedule a meeting with the marketing team this afternoon,” he added, his fingers flying over the keyboard. “Understood,” I said, already jotting down notes. His demands weren’t new, but there was a tension in the air that felt different. Over the past few weeks, Aaron’s demeanor toward me had softened in small, almost imperceptible ways. He wasn’t outright kind—he was still the same demanding, no-nonsense boss—but there were moments when his gaze lingered too long or his voice di
Ophelia’s POV Working for Aaron Donovan was like trying to navigate a storm in the middle of the ocean—unpredictable, intense, and always teetering on the edge of chaos. Despite the exhaustion that came with the long hours and relentless pace, there was something invigorating about it. I thrived on the challenge, but Aaron… was a force unto himself. One moment, he was cold and calculating, barking orders like a drill sergeant. The next, he’d show glimpses of humanity so fleeting they left me questioning if I’d imagined them. Today was no different. “Miss Lewis,” his deep voice snapped me out of my thoughts as I stepped into his office. “Yes, Mr. Donovan?” “I need the revised merger documents on my desk in twenty minutes,” he said, not bothering to look up from his laptop. “Of course,” I replied, already turning on my heel. “Oh, and Miss Lewis,” he called after me. I paused, glancing over my shoulder. “Double-check the legal clauses this time. I don’t have the patience for amate