THE OFFICE WHISPERS BEGIN
By noon, Emilia had already learned three things:
1. Alexander Blackwood walked like a man allergic to noise.
2. His employees reacted to him like he carried a sword.
3. Everyone knew she was the new secretary—and everyone assumed she wouldn't last.
When she carried a stack of files to the copy room, two female employees stood near the door, whispering loudly enough for her to hear… but pretending they weren't.
"That's her," one of them said.
"The girl who ran into the CEO on her first day."
"What? Seriously?" the other whispered.
"No wonder he looked pissed this morning."
Emilia pretended not to hear. She held her files tighter and walked past them, but their voices followed.
"She won't last a week."
"Three days, max."
"She looks too soft."
Her chest tightened.
She didn't want to care.
She needed the job.
She couldn't afford to give up because of gossip.
But the words still stung.
Inside the copy room, she set the files down and exhaled softly.
Ignore them. Focus. Just work.
She turned on the machine and began copying the documents. After a few minutes, she finally felt her breathing steady.
Until—
"Miss Grace."
She almost dropped the papers.
Alexander stood at the doorway.
How someone that tall and intimidating moved so quietly was a mystery she would never solve.
"S-Sir," she stuttered.
He stepped into the room, his presence filling the small space far too easily.
"Are those the contracts for the afternoon meeting?"
"Yes, sir."
"Bring them to my office once you're done."
He didn't look angry.
He didn't look impatient.
He didn't look anything.
But his next words surprised her.
"You're shaking."
Her breath caught.
She glanced at her hands—and he was right. Her fingers trembled slightly.
"I—I'm fine," she said quickly. "Just… a bit nervous."
"Nervous."
He repeated the word like it was unfamiliar to him.
"Yes, sir. It's my first day and I just want to do everything right."
He watched her for a second.
Then another.
Then he said, in a voice softer than she expected:
"You're doing your job. That is enough."
Emilia blinked.
Did he… just reassure her?
Alexander Blackwood?
Before she could respond, he turned toward the door.
But then he paused.
Slowly, he glanced back at her.
"If any employee bothers you," he said quietly, "come to me. Directly."
Her eyes widened.
"I—um—thank you, sir."
He gave a small nod, then walked out.
The door closed behind him.
For a long moment, Emilia just stood there, stunned.
Why would he say that?
Why would he care?
But she couldn't dwell on it. The copier beeped, and she hurried to finish the documents.
As she returned to her desk, Maya rushed over, eyes wide.
"WHAT did he say to you just now?"
Emilia blinked. "Nothing. Just work instructions."
Maya squinted at her.
"You're lying."
"I'm not!"
"I saw his face," Maya whispered dramatically. "He didn't look annoyed. He looked like he was… observing you."
"What does that even mean?"
Maya grinned.
"Oh honey… I think the iceberg has noticed you."
Emilia nearly choked.
"Maya, please—don't say things like that. He doesn't even like me."
"Maybe not," Maya said, wiggling her eyebrows. "But he's looking."
Emilia shook her head quickly, trying to dismiss the thought.
No. Impossible.
Alexander Blackwood didn't look at people.
But when she walked past his office later, delivering the contracts, she caught it again—
that brief, sharp glance.
A look that wasn't cold.
A look that wasn't annoyed.
A look that felt like… interest.
If only for a second.