Chapter 4

The GlowMira Corporation was buzzing with anticipation. The new CEO was set to start this week, and everyone seemed to be in a frenzy getting the office in tip-top shape. While I was trying to focus on the endless pile of tasks at my desk, everyone else was scrambling around, perfecting every tiny detail. Jean and Marco balanced on chairs, struggling to hang a massive “Welcome, GlowMira’s Newest CEO!” banner across the lobby entrance.

“Stop complaining and just get it done!” Connor hollered as he passed by, giving Sasha an exasperated look while she grumbled, pushing a mop across the polished floor.

“But why are we here on a Saturday?” Sasha pouted, scowling as she scrubbed harder. Rumors were already circulating that the new CEO was a bit of a neat freak, insisting everything be meticulously organized.

Jean shuffled past, barely able to keep his eyes open. “Just here for the overtime…”

But then my phone buzzed on my desk and I had to stop myself from doing a little happy dance as I glanced down at the call display on the screen. “Hello!” I said, trying not to sound too excited. Harper!” Eric called after me. “Are you free for lunch? There’s something important I want to tell you!”

A flutter of hope rose in my chest. “Yeah, sounds good!” My pulse quickened with anticipation. I scanned the room, making sure no one was watching, before quietly slipping towards the exit.

But somebody caught me by the shoulder.

“Harper Adams,” my senior colleague Mike’s voice was firm, his brows knitted together in frustration. “Where are you sneaking off to? It’s the weekend, yes, but we’re all here preparing for the new CEO’s arrival. You can’t just leave—none of us are taking lunch!”

I forced a laugh, bowing my head with a pleading smile. “I know, I know… but it’s really, really important. Please just let me go this once!”

“No can do.” He shook his head, folding his arms. “The department head could walk in any moment, and he’s already on edge. Word has it, the new CEO has a strict reputation from his time running the LA. branch. We’re all on deck today, Harper.”

I sighed, fighting a pang of disappointment. “I get it, I really do, but… Kill me later! I’ll be back soon!” Before he could protest, I bolted, ignoring his shouts as I dashed toward the elevators.

“Harper! Get back here!” Mike’s voice echoed behind me, but I was already out the door.

Stepping out into the sun, I couldn’t contain my excitement. At last! How long had I waited for this! My thoughts went back to a week ago in a jewelry store with Eric. We’d just been casually window shopping when I had pointed to a ring.

“This one is beautiful!” I nudged him, pointing at the sparkling band behind the glass.

“Do women still like getting rings when they’re proposed to?” he’d asked with a grin, making my heart skip a beat. Could he be planning something? Was he finally going to confess?

“Of course!” I stammered, trying to sound casual, though I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

“A proposal is best as a surprise, though, right?” he laughed, rubbing the back of his neck.

The word “surprise” clung to me as I made my way toward the café. The elevator doors opened, and I continued fantasizing about his confession, unable to hold back my own giddy smile.

“I love you… finally!” I muttered under my breath, imagining his words. “It’s about time!” I barely noticed the elevator doors open again until I spotted Eric waiting at the entrance, casually dressed in his usual green shirt and looking as handsome as ever.

“Eric!” I called, hurrying over to him. He turned, his teal eyes lighting up as he saw me.

“Oh, Harper! I hope I didn’t keep you waiting,” he greeted, giving me a quick side hug before gesturing beside him. “Actually, Harper, I want you to meet someone.”

I followed his gaze, my excitement fizzling out as I noticed a petite blonde woman smiling at me.

“This is my girlfriend, Historia. We made it official yesterday.”

The words knocked the air out of me. My heart dropped, the dull ache in my chest spreading as the moment settled.

“Historia, this is my best friend, Harper,” Eric continued, beaming proudly.

Historia extended her hand, her smile as sweet as the flowers printed on her sundress. “Hi! It’s so nice to finally meet you—I’ve heard so much about you from Eric!” I forced myself to smile back, glancing down as my eyes caught the glint of a ring on her finger—the same one I had pointed out to Eric just days before.

My mind was racing and I couldn’t keep my shit together. They brought me to a restaurant near by, and I couldn’t even read the fucking menu.

“So, what do you feel like eating?” Eric asked Historia, his gaze softening as he looked at her.

“Maybe pasta and pizza?” she replied shyly. “Is that too much?”

“Nah, we’ll just share,” Eric answered, his focus entirely on her.

I felt a hot surge of jealousy and bitterness bubbling up. ‘There are three people here,’ I thought sourly, forcing a strained smile. Just then, Eric turned to me. “And you, Harper?”

“Oh, me?” I forced a laugh, hiding behind the menu. ‘What am I even doing here?’

My phone buzzed, and I glanced at the screen, reading the caller ID: “Crazy Mike.” ‘Wait… Crazy?!’

“Oh, that’s… weird,” I chuckled awkwardly, holding up my phone. “It’s my boss calling! Must be something urgent.”

“Hello?”

“Harper Adams! Where the hell are you?” Mike’s voice bellowed through the phone, loud enough for Eric and Historia to overhear. Their eyes widened, and I could feel their stares as I shrank down in my seat.

“Uh, listen, Mike—” I tried to hush him.

“Everyone else is starving, setting up for the CEO, and you’re out having lunch?! Do you have a death wish?”

I covered the microphone, laughing nervously at Eren and Historia. “Sorry, it’s been a bit busy at the office. We’ve all been working weekends, and my boss is, well, going through a ‘midlife crisis,’ you know?”

I took a deep breath, raising the phone back to my ear. “Yes, of course! I’ll be there ASAP!” I stood up abruptly. “Sorry, guys! I have to go…”

Eric frowned as he watched me leave. “Is she going to be okay?” I overheard Historia ask as I walked out the door.

“It’s fine. Harper can handle it,” he replied confidently.

Back at the office, Mike didn’t even wait for me to put my bag down before slamming a mountain of files onto my desk. “You’re on thin ice, Harper,” he said, his expression a mix of exhaustion and frustration. “Everyone’s bending over backward to impress this new CEO, and you’re out sneaking lunches?”

I groaned, pulling the stack of papers closer. “I get it, okay? I’m the worst. I’ll handle it.”

“Damn right you will,” he muttered, walking off with a parting glare.

The hours dragged on as I drowned in an endless stream of menial tasks. Filing documents, organizing supply closets, fetching coffee, it felt like everyone in the office had decided to take out their stress on me and by the time I finally sat down to catch my breath, my phone buzzed on the desk. It was a text from my landlord.

“Rent is due by Monday, Harper. No excuses this time”.

I stared at the screen, my frustration bubbling dangerously close to the surface, I will never understand why life continues to kick you a few extra brutal times when you are already down and out. Rent, a loan that NEEDED payed on time, and the terrible lunch earlier with Eric today all combined, it felt like the universe had conspired to ruin my life.

And at the center of it all? The CEO.

I hadn’t even seen his face, but his presence loomed over everything. His reputation alone had turned the office into a war zone, and I was the one left picking up the pieces. My boss was on edge, my coworkers were frantic, and my job had never felt more unbearable. It was all because of him.

I stood, grabbing my bag and casting one last glare at the banner in the lobby. “I don’t even know you,” I muttered under my breath, “but I already hate you.”

Jean walked past, catching my muttered complaint. “What’s that?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly, forcing a tight smile. “Just… excited to meet our new boss.”

Jean laughed. “Yeah, sure. Can’t wait to see how many of us survive the first month.”