The first sign something was wrong was that Alex stopped ignoring her.
He didn't talk to her more. He didn't soften. He didn't suddenly act nice.
He watched.
Mira noticed it during the morning briefing. She was standing near the back, tablet in hand, listening, when she felt it. That pressure on the side of her face. Not eyes burning into her. Not obvious. Just awareness.
She looked up.
Alex was already looking away.
She dismissed it and focused on the numbers.
Ten minutes later, it happened again.
Then again.
By noon, it was impossible to ignore.
Every time she spoke, he leaned back. Every time someone else interrupted her, his jaw tightened. When she corrected a mistake, he didn't jump in. He let it stand.
People noticed.
That was the second problem.
"She's got his attention," someone whispered near the printer.
"Lucky her."
Mira did not feel lucky.
She felt exposed.
At two, an email went out.
Mandatory attendance. Executive cocktail event. Investors and partners. Dress code formal.
Mira stared at the screen.
She was not supposed to be there.
She went to her supervisor's office.
"I don't attend executive events," she said.
The woman didn't look up. "You do tonight."
"Why."
"Because Alex requested it."
That name landed heavier than it should have.
"I don't fit in there," Mira said.
"You fit in to him," the supervisor replied. "That's enough."
By six, Mira stood in the restroom, staring at her reflection.
She had borrowed the dress from Lina. Simple. Black. Nothing loud.
She looked like someone who didn't belong and knew it.
The event was already in motion when she arrived.
Music low. Laughter controlled. Glasses clinking.
She stepped inside and felt the shift immediately.
Eyes turned. Assessed. Moved on.
Alex stood near the center of the room, drink in hand, perfectly at ease. He didn't look at her at first.
Then he did.
Just once.
And then he looked away like it meant nothing.
She stayed near the edge. Talked when spoken to. Nodded. Smiled briefly.
Then she heard a familiar laugh.
Soft. Confident. Too comfortable.
A woman slid into Alex's space like she owned it. Tall. Blonde. Red dress. Hand already on his arm.
"Mira," someone said behind her. "That's Serena."
Mira didn't ask who that was.
Serena leaned close to Alex's ear. He didn't pull away.
She laughed again. Louder this time. Her eyes flicked toward Mira.
She held Alex's arm tighter.
Mira turned away.
She didn't need context. She didn't need explanation. She had seen this type of woman before. The kind that walked into rooms expecting space to be made.
Serena approached her ten minutes later.
"You must be the new girl," she said, smile sharp. "Alex talks about you."
That was a lie.
Mira nodded. "I work under him."
"For now," Serena said lightly. "Be careful. He gets bored easily."
Alex was watching.
Not intervening.
Mira took a breath. "Thanks for the advice."
Serena leaned closer. "He likes quiet girls. At first."
She walked away smiling.
Mira's hands clenched around her glass.
She moved toward the balcony for air.
Before she reached it, a man stepped into her path.
"You're Kingsley's assistant," he said.
"I'm not."
"Then why are you here."
The question was loud. Too loud.
Heads turned.
Alex turned too.
"I was invited," Mira said.
The man laughed. "By who."
Before she could answer, Alex spoke.
"She's here with me."
Silence.
The man raised a brow. "Really."
"Yes," Alex said. Calm. Firm.
The man backed off immediately.
Alex didn't look at Mira. He didn't ask if she was okay. He just stepped closer, placing himself between her and the room.
Serena watched from across the space.
"You should leave early," Alex said quietly. "This isn't your crowd."
Mira met his gaze. "You didn't stop her."
"I stopped him."
"That wasn't the problem."
He looked at her longer this time. "What was."
She shook her head. "Nothing."
She walked out.
Outside, the night was cool. Quiet.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
Don't let her get to you. She's temporary.
She stared at the screen.
Behind the glass, Alex watched her leave again.
This time, he didn't look calm.