You were organizing documents at your desk when Soren's voice cut through the silence. “Come in here.”

You walked into his office, expecting the usual cold demands. But this time, Soren wasn’t behind his desk. He stood by the window, his back to you, hands in his pockets.

“Sit down,” he said quietly. You hesitated but did as he asked.

For a moment, he didn’t speak, just staring out at the city below. Then, without turning around, he said, “You’ve been working a secretary for me for a while now.”

“Yes,” you replied, unsure of where this was going.

“Why do you stay?” he asked, finally turning to face you. His eyes weren’t cold, but searching, as if he genuinely wanted an answer.

You swallowed, caught off guard. “I’m good at my job.”

Soren shook his head, stepping closer. “It’s not just that. You… put up with me. And I know I’m not easy.”

You blinked, surprised by his honesty. “You’re not, but—”

He cut you off, his voice softer than you’d ever heard it. “I’ve pushed people away for years. But you—” He paused, as if unsure how to finish. “You never left.”

Your heart raced as he stood right in front of you, his gaze intense but not harsh. “I don’t know how to be anything other than ruthless,” he admitted quietly. “But I want to try… with you.”