**CHAPTER EIGHT: CHLOE** The sharp sound of my stomach growling echoes in the silence of my office, drawing my attention to the door that Roman vanished through after our last meeting. He had ordered me to dive into his schedule for the upcoming week, fingering conflicts and potential issues with a cool, impassive gaze that had left me feeling both intimidated and intrigued. Now, as the clock ticks ever closer to three o'clock, I find myself fretting over my impending return to the office tomorrow, unsure of his decisions. With a tight grip on his emails, I’ve marked the urgent ones and made a meticulous list of meeting requests, yet that gnawing hunger keeps gnawing at me like a restless beast. Glancing at the schedule, I note that Roman is supposed to be off indulging in a late business lunch with his brothers, but he left no mention of when I should take my own meal. Should I leave a status message and sneak away for a bite? Or remain tethered to my desk, awaiting his command? Nibbles of anxiety nibble at me, and I glance toward Sophie’s desk further down the corridor. She’s checked on me a few times today, her presence a warm contrast to the cold professionalism radiating from Roman's office. Her bright smile has been a beacon of encouragement. The last time she stopped by, she’d practically insisted we grab lunch together, and I desperately want to accept that offer. Suddenly fed up with my own hesitance, I push my chair away and stand, the nerves bubbling beneath my skin. I smooth my damp palms against my skirt one last time and stride toward Roman's office, ready to knock on the imposing door. But as I lift my hand, it swings open, and Roman strides out, his presence commanding as ever. I step back, startled, my heel catching on the plush carpet and sending me teetering. Before I can plummet to the ground in an embarrassing heap, his strong hands wrap around my arms, pulling me back to a vertical stance. The jolt of his body against mine rattles my senses, and I inhale sharply, engulfed in his intoxicating scent—an allure of expensive soap, invigorating citrus cologne, and a trace of rugged masculinity that both thrills and unsettles me. As I peer up into his wolf-gray eyes, I find myself lost in their depths. The silver flecks dancing within those piercing orbs reveal a tortured beauty, complemented by the fine lines at their corners that only enhance his appeal. My gaze wanders to his lips—full, firm, yet somehow inviting. A thought flits through my brain, shocking and disorienting: What if he leaned down and captured my lips with his? The moment is electric, but before I can entertain the thought further, he lets me go, and I wobble as the distance between us grows. I carefully regain my balance, but the air between us is charged with unspoken tension. “Is there something you want from me, Miss Callahan?” The rasp in his voice sends delightful shivers down my spine. I blink, my heart racing. Does he know I was just daydreaming about kissing him? His frown seems to imply he’s more aware than he lets on. “You were about to knock on my door,” he states, his tone firm. A warm flush creeps over my cheeks as I duck my head, feeling like a schoolgirl caught in a moment of folly. “Uh, yes. I was wondering if you needed anything from me right now or if it’s alright for me to grab some lunch.” His brow furrows slightly as he checks his watch. “That’s fine.” And with that, he strides off, leaving me breathless and, surprisingly, a little relieved that I can finally break away from my desk. I hasten down the corridor to Sophie’s desk outside Tate’s office. She looks up as I approach, her face breaking into a bright grin. “You’ve been released?” “Looks that way,” I laugh, excitement bubbling in my chest. “Great! I’m starving.” She pops up from her seat and leads me toward the elevator as I quickly fill her in on the morning’s events. As we descend toward the fortieth floor, I catch Sophie’s expression—her brow furrowed in thought. “Roman’s always been the most serious of the three brothers. It makes sense since he’s the eldest and the CEO. But he’s never struck me as unreasonable. Lena wouldn’t have hired you if she didn’t think you were up to the task.” “I guess I should feel grateful for the chance,” I reply, though frustration brews beneath the surface. “Still, it’s disheartening to think I might lose this job and have no idea why. It can’t be just my age, can it?” Before she can answer, the elevator doors slide open, revealing the most luxurious cafeteria I’ve ever laid eyes on. Marble floors glisten underfoot, and various food stations boasting Italian, Greek, Japanese, along with classic burgers and fries, spread around the perimeter. Natural light spills in through expansive windows, and the warm buzz of humankind fills the air, soothing my nerves. “Meals are subsidized,” Sophie informs me as we glance at the surprisingly reasonable prices. It’s another reason to keep this job close to my heart. No matter how cold Roman may appear, the generous salary and perks will be a lifeline in caring for my father. We opt for sushi, selecting our plates and bottles of water, then settle into a cozy two-person table by the window. I take a moment to admire the stunningly different view of Manhattan before indulging in a hefty bite of a fresh California roll. “Okay,” Sophie says, her eyes locking onto mine as she wipes her mouth with a napkin. “Tell me your story.” I chuckle softly. “Honestly? My story’s not that interesting.” “Don’t be silly,” she retorts with a head tilt. “Everyone has an interesting story. You just can’t see it because you’ve lived it—because it’s your normal.” Her optimism makes me smile. “I guess so. Well, for the last few years, I’ve worked at a small real estate development company, but they recently got bought out and restructured. My boss didn’t fight to keep my position since he would have access to an admin pool anyway, coupled with the fact that I spurned his advances a few months before the restructuring. I can’t prove it, of course, but it certainly feels that way.” Sophie scrunches her nose. “What a jerk.” I nod, taking another bite of sushi. “He really was. I’m not sad to be rid of him. Luckily, a friend put me in touch with a great recruitment agency, which led me here.” “Are you single? In a relationship? Any kids?” Her bright eyes glimmer with curiosity. I wonder if she often meets new employees working on the executive floor. “Single, no kids…” I hesitate before deciding to share more about my situation. “Actually, I live with my dad. He’s battling a chronic disease, and he needs assistance.” Her expression shifts to one of genuine sympathy. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Is your mom…?” I take a sip of my water, a pang of old hurt clawing at my heart. “Mom left when I was fourteen. I guess being an artist’s wife and a teenager’s mom wasn’t her thing. Since then, it’s just been Dad and me.” Sophie reaches across the table, her hand enveloping mine in a surprisingly tender gesture. It’s a sweet comfort that I didn’t expect, and I squeeze back, offering her a smile. “It’s okay. It was a long time ago.” “Still, that’s sad,” she murmurs, but thankfully she quickly shifts the topic. “So your dad is an artist?” “Yeah. He paints these incredible pictures of New York City. He used to sell them out of a small shopfront, and online too. But now he struggles with holding a brush, so…” The lump forms in my throat unexpectedly, choking my voice. “So now you’re looking after him.” “Exactly. A well-paying job like this one will help with his medical bills.” “I get it,” she replies, her hazel eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “We’ll just have to make sure Roman understands everything by the end of the day. If there’s any work I can help with, just pass it on. We’ll dazzle him with your productivity.” “Thank you,” I reply, grateful for her support. “But I really want to prove to him that I can handle my responsibilities on my own. Otherwise, he might be right to think I can’t manage the job.” Her reluctance is evident as she nods. “Fair enough.” As we finish our California rolls, I wipe my fingers clean and finally voice the question that’s been nagging at me all morning. “What can you tell me about Roman? I did a little digging before the interview, but I didn’t find many personal details about him compared to his brothers.” “Hmm,” Sophie muses, pinching a piece of rice between her fingers before popping it into her mouth. “He’s definitely the tall, dark, and enigmatic type. A complete workaholic. He’s been that way for years, even before he became CEO.” “Did you know his dad?” Her nose wrinkles at the question. “Unfortunately, yes. Let’s just say he wasn’t the kindest human being.” “Clearly, if the insider trading allegations are anything to go by.” During my research, I come across stories that detailed the previous CEO's arrest and eight-year prison sentence. “It wasn’t just that,” Sophie whispers, scanning the surroundings as if to ensure we’re not overheard. She leans in closer to me. “He was a notorious womanizer.” My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Really?” “Rumor has it,” she says, her voice low, “that one of the prerequisites for working for him was that you had to look like a model.” I grimace. “Charming.” “Right? He was a real creep. I think we were all relieved when he went down.” Doubt blossoms in my chest like a dark flower. “His sons aren’t like that, are they?” “Definitely not. Well…” She bites her bottom lip thoughtfully. “Cole and Tate were definitely linked to a number of gorgeous women before settling down with their partners, but it was never in a gross way like their dad’s.” Though I know indulging in gossip isn’t exactly professional, I can’t help but feel a twinge of curiosity. After my experience with Geoff, I want to be prepared for anything. “What’s Roman like in that regard?” Sophie squints, pondering. “I don’t think so. Lena wouldn’t have put up with being hit on in the workplace, and I’ve never heard rumors about him being involved with a lot of women. He’s so aloof that he almost comes across more like a monk than a playboy. Then again, he did marry an employee, so I guess that shows he’s not against workplace relationships.” My mind spins. “He’s married?” That detail had completely escaped me in my research. I swear I saw no mention of a wife, nor a ring on his finger this morning. “It happened years ago, before I joined the company. Apparently, they divorced after only six months,” she reveals. Her lips press together thoughtfully. “I met her once when she visited for some reason, and honestly? I have no idea what he saw in her. She was gorgeous, sure, but she seemed like quite the piece of work.” My heart sinks. Six months? What could have caused the unraveling of their marriage so swiftly? Did he cheat on her? Or marry her solely for her beauty and become bored later? The disheartening notion that he might value appearances above all else nudges at my gut. Still, I barely know him. Yet, the feelings emanating from him say something different. As long as he doesn’t turn out to be like Geoff, I can handle it—at least, I hope I can. “She wasn’t his assistant, was she?” Sophie shakes her head, and relief washes over me. “No, she worked for his father.” **END OF CHAPTER EIGHT**