UNDER THE SAME ROOF
Alexander barely slept; his mind kept wandering.
The rain had stopped during the night, but his mind hadn't. He kept seeing her face.
Not because she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He had attended socialite gatherings, galas filled with models and actresses, socialites trained to smile perfectly for powerful men.
But Maya hadn't smiled for advantage. She hadn't looked impressed or moved. And that made him quite unsettled.
By 6:15 a.m, he was already dressed. He had a Dark navy suit with a Crisp white shirt on. No tie today.
His reflection in the mirror looked the same as always..composed, controlled, unreadable. He was the only one who knew how close he was to losing his mind the previous night, at least no one could read that on his forehead.
He picked up the cream-colored scarf from his dresser. He didn't know why he brought it with him. He just did.
Venn Holdings towered over the financial district like a declaration of power. Built with Glass, Steel, and Precision.
When Alexander entered the lobby, conversations lowered automatically. At the office, employees straightened immediately when he walked in.
"Good morning, sir."
"Morning, Mr. Venn."
He acknowledged their greetings with a small nod. His presence always changed the air. He was the kind of man who didn't waste words. Tall, Focused, Confident.
Mark followed closely behind him.
"Sir, about last night…"
"Find her."
Mark blinked. "We don't have her details."
"Check the security cameras," Alexander replied calmly. "Traffic footage. Building entrance. She drove my car. She's somewhere on camera."
Mark nodded. "Yes, sir."
Alexander walked into his office, but he didn't sit.
He stood by the window instead. No rain today, the sky was clear. Still, his chest felt unsettled.
Meanwhile, on the 18th floor, Maya Bennett was trying to pretend she hadn't rescued her boss the night before.
She wore the company's plain grey cleaning uniform. Her hair was tied neatly into a low ponytail. She had no makeup on, just lip balm.
She pushed her cleaning cart down the hallway quietly.
Most executives didn't notice cleaners. They usually walked past without eye contact. She preferred it that way though.
Her phone buzzed. It was her mother.
"Did you reach home safely last night?" her mother asked.
"Yes, Mama."
"You sound tired."
"I'm fine."
She didn't mention Alexander Venn. She didn't mention the panic in his eyes. She felt that was private.
She kept her phone back in her pocket and entered one of the executive corridors. This floor was usually quiet during the early hours. Most senior staff arrived later.
She was wiping down the glass wall near the conference room when she heard firm footsteps behind her. She didn't turn immediately. Until the air changed.
You can tell when someone important walks into a space. She turned and froze.
Alexander Venn stood a few feet away.
In daylight, he looked even more intimidating.
His Broad shoulders filled out his suit perfectly, Hair styled neatly, Grey eyes sharp and focused. He appeared completely different from the man trembling in the car last night.
"Sir," she said automatically.
He didn't respond right away. He just looked at her. Properly, this time.
She looked smaller in the oversized cleaning uniform, but her posture wasn't small.
"You work here," he said finally.
"Yes."
"As what?"
She gestured lightly toward the cart. "Cleaner."
His eyes flicked briefly to the cart. Then back to her.
"You didn't mention that last night."
She shrugged slightly. "It didn't seem necessary."
His jaw tightened slightly, not in anger, but in thought.
"I've been looking for you."
Her heart skipped. "For what?"
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the scarf.
"You left this." She hadn't even realized she had.
"Oh."
She stepped forward to take it. Their fingers brushed. It was brief but noticeable.
She pulled her hand back quickly.
"Thank you, sir."
"Alexander." She blinked.
"Sir?"
"My name."
She hesitated. "That wouldn't be appropriate."
One corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"You had no issue ordering me out of the driver's seat."
"That…that was different." She stuttered
"How?"
"You were not okay."
He studied her carefully. "You think I'm okay now?"
The question caught her off guard.
She looked at him honestly.
"You look fine."
"That's not what I asked."
Silence settled between them.
Before she could answer, another voice interrupted.
"Well, this is interesting."
Both of them turned.
Daniel stood at the end of the hallway.
If Alexander looked sharp and intimidating, Daniel looked charming and polished.
He was slightly shorter, had Softer features and an Easier smile. But his eyes were calculating.
"Brother," Daniel said casually. "What are you doing? Inspecting cleaning standards personally?"
Alexander's expression hardened immediately.
"Go to your meeting."
Daniel's gaze shifted to Maya.
He looked her up and down slowly. Of course, not respectfully or kindly.
"A cleaner," he said lightly. "You have good timing."
Maya lowered her eyes, uncomfortable.
Daniel smirked and walked away. The hallway felt tense after he left.
"I should get back to work," Maya said quickly.
"Come to my office at noon," Alexander said.
Her head snapped up.
"Why?"
"We need to talk."
"About what?"
"Last night."
Her stomach tightened. "I…I'm working."
"That's an instruction." The CEO's tone was back. Firm and Final.
She swallowed. "Yes, sir."
He held her gaze for a second longer before turning and walking away.
Maya stood there for a moment after he had left,Her hands were slightly shaky now, not because of the rain but because this was dangerous.
Getting noticed by someone like him never ended well for someone like her and she had worked too hard to build stability.
Upstairs, Alexander entered his office. Mark followed, tablet ready in hand.
"We confirmed," Mark said. "Maya Bennett. Twenty-three. Employed here for eleven months. No disciplinary issues. Excellent performance reviews."
"Her Background?" Alexander asked.
"Clean. She lives with her mother and works multiple part-time jobs."
Alexander moved toward the window.
"What did she study?"
"Well, she's applying to law school next year."
That caught his attention.
"Ambitious," Mark added.
Alexander was quiet for a moment.
"Prepare a new contract."
Mark blinked. "For her?"
"Yes."
"What position?"
"Personal assistant."
Mark nearly dropped his tablet. "Sir, that's.."
"Temporary," Alexander cut in smoothly. "Six-month internal transfer."
"And if she refuses?"
Alexander's eyes returned to the city skyline.
"She won't."
But as he said it, something unsettled him a bit. For some reason, he wasn't completely sure. Because the girl who looked him in the eye in the rain did not seem like someone who could be easily moved.
And for the first time in a long time..That intrigued him.