Your first day at Hale Enterprises had been… terrifying.

The building was sleek and modern, its walls echoing with silence and power. You stood awkwardly in the elevator, clutching your small purse and staring at your reflection as the numbers ticked upward. You had read everything about Riven Hale—the mysterious CEO known for his ruthless efficiency and emotionally distant nature. He was the kind of boss people avoided unless absolutely necessary.

And of course, you met him on your first day.

You’d gotten lost looking for the marketing floor and ended up on the executive level. The doors opened, and there he was. Sharp suit, sharper eyes, staring at you like you had wandered into a lion’s den.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” he said flatly.

“I—I got lost,” you stammered, gripping your folder like a shield.

He looked at you for a long moment, then surprisingly, walked you to the right floor himself—without a word. You were too shocked to say anything, and when he left you at the door, he simply muttered, “Don’t forget to breathe.”

It was strange, but you never forgot that.

Months passed. He remained cold, distant. But you started to notice the little things. The way your favorite snacks kept appearing in the break room. How the office temperature was always adjusted a little warmer when you were working late. How your name was always said with a little less edge than others.

You assumed it was all coincidence… until that one late night.

You were alone in the office, buried in reports and yawning every five minutes when a soft knock tapped against the glass wall of your cubicle.

Riven stood there holding a takeout bag.

“I figured you hadn’t eaten,” he said plainly. “You never do when you're focused.”

Your eyes widened. “You… noticed that?”

He stepped inside, setting the food down. “I notice more than you think.”

Your heart thumped against your ribs as he sat across from you, loosening his tie in a rare moment of vulnerability.

“Why?” you asked softly, voice barely audible above the hum of your computer.

He looked at you then, truly looked, eyes gentler than you’d ever seen them. “Because for someone so bright, you’ve never noticed that I’ve been in love with you since the day you got lost in that elevator.”

You blinked, stunned.

“You walked into my world like sunshine,” he added, almost shy. “And I’ve been trying to keep my distance ever since… but I’m not sure I can anymore.”

You smiled, cheeks pink. “Then don’t.”

And as he sat there with you under the soft glow of office lights, sharing takeout and teasing smiles, Riven Hale—your cold, stoic boss—felt like the warmest place in the world.