Seraphina barely slept.
Draven's voice echoed in her mind long after the charity gala ended: calm, commanding, unsettlingly intimate. By the time morning came, she had already replayed every glance, every brush of his hand, a dozen times.
She arrived to the office early, determined not to let emotions cloud her judgment.
The elevator doors opened on the executive floor, and before she could step out, a familiar voice stopped her.
"You're early."
Draven said as he stood just outside his office, dark suit, impeccable presence filling the hallway. His gaze lingered on her longer than necessary.
"So are you," she replied softly.
A corner of his mouth lifted. "I don't sleep much."
Neither do I anymore, she thought.
"Come in," he said, turning toward his office. "We need to talk."
⸻
The door closed behind them with a soft click that sounded far louder than it should have.
Draven moved to his desk but didn't sit. Instead, he folded his arms, studying her like she was a puzzle he hadn't decided how to solve.
"You handled the gala well," he said. "Better than I expected."
"Thank you," Seraphina replied. Praise from him felt… weird.
"There's a reason I chose you," he continued. "But attention follows opportunity. From now on, you'll be under scrutiny."
Her chest tightened as she said. "Because of the gala?"
"Because of me." He replied abruptly
The words landed heavy between them.
"You'll attend more meetings. Travel with me when necessary. And you'll keep your guard up, especially around certain people."
She didn't need him to say the name.
Veronica.
⸻
By midday, Seraphina felt the shift in the office. Conversations paused when she walked past. Eyes followed her movements. She knew they had gossip about her.
Veronica cornered her near the copy room.
"Enjoying your promotion?" she asked sweetly.
"I didn't get promoted," Seraphina replied calmly.
Veronica leaned closer. "Not officially. But don't confuse temporary favor with protection."
Before Seraphina could respond, Draven's voice cut through the tension.
"Is there a problem?"
Veronica straightened instantly. "Of course not, Mr. Crowe."
Draven's eyes were cold. "Good. Then return to work."
When Veronica left, Seraphina exhaled slowly.
"You didn't have to do that," she said.
"Yes," Draven replied, stepping closer, "But I did."
"People will test you," he said quietly. "They'll push boundaries. You must learn when to stand your ground… and when to let me handle it."
Her heart raced. "And what about your boundaries?"
His gaze dropped to her lips before lifting again.
"That," he said, voice low, "is where things get complicated."
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Draven stepped back abruptly, clearing his throat.
"You're dismissed."
Seraphina turned and left, pulse racing, knowing one truth with absolute certainty, whatever existed between her and Draven was no longer just professional but getting personal.
The line is starting to get blurry and once lines blur, there is no going back.