Chapter 2

Alone with My Boss Again! My Heart's Racing!

Saturday afternoon, I rushed into the downtown Starbucks, dying to tell Bella about what happened. Alexander driving me home last night had kept me up all night.

"You look terrible," Bella said, already sitting by the window with her usual caramel macchiato.

"Worse than terrible," I slumped into the seat, gripping my vanilla latte. "Bella, I think I'm going crazy."

"Your mysterious boss again?" She smirked. "What did he do this time?"

I took a deep breath. "Yesterday he had me working until 11 PM, and get this—he actually drove me home! Said it wasn't safe that late."

Bella rolled her eyes. "Sounds like a control freak. Total workaholic type. I bet he drives everyone nuts."

I was so caught up in my own thoughts I barely heard her. "And this morning was even worse—he remembered I like vanilla syrup and brought me coffee himself! Bella, what do you think that means?"

"Maybe he's just being nice?" Bella's smile looked a little weird. "Though most CEOs are pretty heartless. I know this one guy who only cares about work, never even visits family. Sometimes I think he's basically a robot."

"Exactly!" I got so excited I almost knocked over my coffee. "My boss is just like that! Ice cold most of the time, but then he does something sweet and I have no idea what to think."

Bella stirred her drink. "Maybe he's one of those guys who acts tough but is actually soft inside? You know, the mysterious type."

My face went red. "Don't be ridiculous! I'm trying to be professional here. Besides, office relationships..."

"Professional? You've been working there for like three days," Bella laughed. "If you really like him, why not go for it?"

"Because..." I bit my lip. "Because what if I'm reading too much into it? What if he's just being a decent boss? If I make a move and I'm wrong, I'll die of embarrassment."

"Claire, think about it," Bella leaned forward. "Would a CEO personally buy coffee for his assistant? Would he drive some random employee home? That's definitely special treatment."

Her words made my heart speed up. Maybe I wasn't just imagining things?

"But he's so hot and cold," I said. "Sometimes he's so sweet I can barely think straight, and other times he acts like I don't exist. I can't figure him out."

"Guys," Bella shrugged, "especially successful ones, are complicated. This guy I know is exactly like that—acts like he doesn't care when he actually cares way too much."

We spent two hours analyzing every little thing Alexander had done, talking about how I should act, what I should wear, how to stay professional. Bella gave me so much advice I felt excited and terrified about Monday.

By the time I got home it was already seven. I'd just gotten out of the shower when my phone buzzed with an email.

Seeing Alexander's name made my heart jump.

"Claire, please come to the office tomorrow at 9 AM. I need help organizing some important partnership documents. This project is confidential and may require overtime. Let me know if you have any questions. — Alexander"

I stared at the screen, my heart pounding. Alone with him again! And a confidential project—does that mean he's starting to trust me?

I couldn't help texting Bella: "My boss wants me in tomorrow for some confidential project. Overtime again. Who knows what'll happen this time.😆😆😆"

A few minutes later she replied: "Ooh! Sounds promising! Go get him, Claire! Maybe something will finally happen between you two! Just be confident—you're amazing.👍❤️"

Lying in bed, I kept imagining what might happen tomorrow. Maybe we'd actually talk more? Maybe he'd be sweet again? Maybe...

I rolled over and hugged my pillow, grinning like an idiot.

God, when did I turn into such a mess?

But I couldn't deny that Alexander had completely messed with my head. This whole excited-but-nervous feeling was like being back in high school with a crush on the hot senior.

Except this time it was a grown man. A powerful, mysterious man who could make my heart race with just one look.

Staring at the ceiling, I wondered if I'd be able to keep it together tomorrow.

When those intense blue eyes looked at me again, would I be able to pretend nothing was happening?

Probably not.

I was falling for him, hard.

And the scary part was that I didn't even want to stop.