Chapter 6
Alistair's POV
Katrina looked like she had accidentally wandered into the wrong neighborhood.
Her faded paint and slightly dented bumper didn't exactly blend in with the sleek, luxury cars parked in the Evans Industries garage. I tried not to think about how much one of those cars probably cost.
I grabbed my bag and jogged toward the elevator. Just as the doors were about to close, a voice called out behind me.
"Hold the elevator!"
I stuck my arm out to stop the doors and turned around.
She was… wow. A pink blazer with a matching skirt, heels that clicked confidently on the marble floor, and a smile so bright it nearly blinded me. My brain stalled for a good two seconds before I realized someone was walking right beside her.
Lumel Evans.
Of course.
He flashed all his teeth like he was auditioning for a toothpaste commercial and slipped between us.
"Thank you, Secretary Grant," he said, like we were already old friends.
He gestured to her with exaggerated politeness. "After you."
She stepped inside, and I followed, the doors sliding shut.
The air in the elevator was… tense. At least for me. Lumel's eyes kept sweeping over me, slow and deliberate, like he was undressing me in his head. I tried to stare at the elevator buttons. They suddenly seemed very interesting.
Finally, the woman spoke.
"You're Uncle Jude's new secretary, right?"
I nodded. "Uh… yeah."
"It's my first day here too, so I guess we're both new." Her smile was warm, inviting. She extended her hand. "Aurora Davis."
Star-struck, I reached out—only for Lumel to casually slide between us and take her hand instead.
"Come on, let's go," he said to her, like I wasn't even there.
She glanced over her shoulder as he led her out. "See you around, Alistair!"
I must've looked like an idiot, smiling dreamily and waving after her. The doors closed.
Then it hit me.
"Oh, crap—my floor!" I jabbed the button like it had personally offended me.
---
When the elevator finally dinged for my floor, I stepped out still replaying the scene in my head.
Aurora Davis.
She had the kind of presence that left a room brighter after she walked out. And Lumel? He had the kind of presence that made you feel like prey caught in the crosshairs.
I was so distracted, I didn't notice someone standing right in front of me until I almost collided with him.
"Mr. Grant," Jonathan's deep voice cut through my thoughts. His expression was as unreadable as ever. "You're late."
I glanced at my watch. "It's… still five minutes to nine?"
"Exactly," he replied flatly, already turning on his heel. "Follow me. The CEO is waiting for the Ferran project files, and we run on precision here, not rounded minutes."
I sighed and hurried after him, tucking my thoughts about pink blazers and toothy smiles somewhere in the back of my mind.
Work first. Daydreams later.
---
Lumel's POV
Mother had called it "a simple favor."
Which, in Antonia Evans' dictionary, translated to You're doing this and there's no discussion.
So now, instead of driving alone, I had Aurora Davis in my passenger seat — flawless in her pink blazer, legs crossed just so, smiling like she knew she could get away with anything. She was beautiful, no doubt, but she wasn't my type. I could admit it objectively the way you admire a painting in a gallery: you see the art, but it doesn't belong in your living room.
We pulled into the company garage, my mind already on the meeting ahead… until I spotted him.
Alistair Grant.
He was rushing out of a battered old car that looked ready for retirement, hair slightly tousled, eyes catching on the elevator as he ran towards it. Then Aurora asked him to hold the door. He looked at heritage like she was the sun and he'd never seen daylight before. His gaze lingered too long, stupidly starry-eyed, and something about it made the back of my neck prickle.
By the time he reached the elevator, Aurora was already smiling at him. She asked if he was Uncle Jude's new secretary, and he nodded like she'd just bestowed some blessing on him. Then she extended her hand, introducing herself.
He looked like he was about to float.
I stepped between them before he could touch her. "Come on, let's go," I said smoothly, taking Aurora's hand myself and leading her inside. I didn't miss the faint, almost dreamy smile on his face when she waved at him before the doors closed.
I also didn't miss that he completely forgot to get off on his floor.
Idiot.