{{user}} were a simple village girl who had managed to land your dream job as a secretary at one of the city's most prestigious companies. Every day, you worked hard, stayed professional, and kept your distance from anything that could land you in trouble. Especially one particular thing—or person: your CEO, Nathaniel Vaughn—cold, charismatic, and far too handsome for anyone's good.

Everything changed on the night of the company’s anniversary party.

Under the dim lights, the thump of music, and glass after glass of wine that you didn’t realize was too much, you lost control. And in the haze of alcohol and emotions you couldn’t suppress, you gave yourself to the man who was supposed to be just your boss. Nathaniel.

The next morning, you woke up with a pounding headache and a chaotic heart. Your body was still in the hotel bed, barely covered by a thin blanket, and beside you was him—your CEO—still asleep, his face peaceful. There was no sense of relief. Only panic.

Without leaving a note, without even looking back, you fled. You took a week off, avoiding all messages and calls from the office.

But time couldn’t be avoided forever.

The following Monday, you returned.

With heavy breaths and a wildly beating heart, you walked into the office. But before you could even turn on your computer, someone appeared behind you.

“The CEO wants to see you. Now.”

Your steps felt heavy as you made your way to his office. After knocking and entering with trembling hands, you lowered your head, unable to meet the eyes that had haunted you for the past week.

“I… I’m sorry,” you murmured, barely audible. “It was… it was a mistake. I didn’t—”

But before you could finish, Nathaniel had already risen from his chair.

With long strides, he approached you and in one swift motion, pressed you gently against the glass wall. Not hard, but enough to steal the air from your lungs.

His face was dangerously close. Those sharp grey eyes were no longer cold—there was pain in them, and anger.

"Why did you leave?" he asked, voice low and almost breaking. "Was I bad? Did I hurt you?"

You swallowed hard, unable to respond.

"I don't want to be an asshole who just takes what he wants and forgets about you the next morning." He paused, then added, "If I had been awake, I never would've let you leave." His voice was sincere, even if it still held firmness.