Chapter 7

Harper’s POV

Mondays were already a nightmare, but this was definitely a horror movie. After the spectacle' of the conference where the new CEO hadn’t even bothered to show up, the entire office was still buzzing with gossip.

Actually, come to think of it, the only thing worse than an intimidating boss was a mysterious one. Except for the fact that almost everyone seemed to be getting off on having a CEO who stuck around as nothing more than an urban legend, and I was drowning under a pile of work my manager hadn’t even apologized about yet.

“Harper, I need these reports reviewed and summarized by noon,” he had said before vanishing like a ghost.

That was two hours ago. I was still only halfway through.

I sighed, stretching my arms before standing up. I needed coffee. Badly. I picked up my coffee mug and headed down the hall to the break room, hoping that the caffeine would help with both of the above.

The break room was mercifully empty when I arrived. I poured myself a cup of coffee, leaning on an empty counter as I tried to let my mind wander for a few seconds.

That peace lasted all of thirty seconds before the door opened and in walked a man in a sharp suit.

I straightened immediately, recognizing him from the conference. The assistant—David, I reminded myself.

He nodded in acknowledgment before heading to the coffee machine. There was something about his presence that made the room feel smaller. He was reserved, but he carried himself with an ease that suggested he was always watching, always assessing.

“Long morning?” he asked as he grabbed a cup.

I blinked, surprised that he was making conversation.

“You could say that,” I replied, trying to sound casual.

He hummed in response, his expression unreadable as he stirred his coffee.

“You handled the conference well,” I offered, trying to fill the silence.

He glanced at me, seemingly amused. “Did I?”

“I mean, considering the circumstances,” I said, sipping my coffee. “It’s not every day the CEO decides to introduce himself by not introducing himself.”

David smirked slightly but didn’t comment. Instead, he checked his watch and took a final sip before leaning slightly against the counter.

“You’ve been working here long?” he asked, his tone casual but still unreadable.

I shrugged. “A little over two years. It pays the bills.”

“That the only reason you stay?”

“That, and my deep, unwavering love for corporate chaos,” I said dryly.

To my surprise, he chuckled. “That explains a lot.”

I grinned. “And you? How long have you been dealing with the mysteries of the unknown CEO?”

David gave a noncommittal tilt of his head. “Long enough to know he enjoys keeping people guessing.”

Before I could respond, his phone buzzed. He glanced at it, then pushed away from the counter.

“It was nice talking, Harper,” he said, offering a small nod before heading for the door.

I blinked. When had I told him my name?

The rest of the day I managed to avoid any further screw ups. By the time early afternoon hit I was thinking my way out the door again when my manager suddenly called me over.

“Harper, take these up to the executive floor,” he said, shoving a folder into my hands.

I stared at him. “Why me?”

“Because everyone else is busy,” he said impatiently.

Fantastic.

With no other choice, I grabbed the files and made my way to the top floor, silently praying I could drop them off and disappear before anyone important noticed me.

The executive floor was eerily quiet as I stepped off the elevator. Unlike the chaos of the lower levels, everything up here was sleek, modern, and a little too pristine. It felt like a completely different world.

I followed the signs toward the CEO’s office, hoping to hand the files to a secretary and be on my way. But when I reached the main doors, no one was there.

Just my luck.

I hesitated before stepping inside, peeking around to see if anyone was around.

That was my mistake.

Because the moment I took another step forward, I collided with something solid.

No, not something. Someone.

The impact sent my files flying, and before I could stop myself, I stumbled backward. Strong hands caught my arms before I could completely wipe out.

“Are you alright?” a deep voice asked.

I looked up.

And my brain slowly began connecting dots I didn’t want to connect.

There was something about him—the posture, the tone, the air of cool authority. My stomach twisted as I took in his face. Sharp jawline. Cold, assessing eyes. Familiar—but not quite right.

Then, my gaze flickered to his mouth.

Oh. Oh no.

Recognition hit me like a train. It was him.

The man from my blind date.

The same man I had tried to terrify into never speaking to me again.

The same man I had spent an entire evening embarrassing myself in front of.

My brain malfunctioned at the realization of what was occurring.

I had managed to humiliate' myself in front of my new boss, and I mean humiliate.

And he had no idea.

Ethan’s POV

The girl in front of me looked like she wanted the earth to swallow her whole.

“You good?” I asked, stepping back as she frantically gathered her papers.

“Yes! Fine! "Totally fine!” she said in a voice too high to be sincere. I raised an eyebrow.

She seemed kind of familiar, but I wasn’t sure. Maybe she worked in our building?

Just then, David walked up and smiled at me, clearly amused by what he was seeing.

“Everything alright?” he asked.

“Yes!” Harper said again, standing abruptly. “I was just leaving!”

Before I could say anything else, she practically bolted toward the exit, nearly tripping over her own feet in the process.

David watched her go before glancing at me.

“What was that about?” he asked.

I had no answer.

But for some reason, I felt that I had just missed something important.

Harper’s POV

I staggered into the elevator and hit my floor button like I was firing a gun at a target.

My heart was still racing. My mind was a mess.

My boss. My new CEO.

I had gone on a blind date with my boss.

And he had no idea.

Oh. Crap.