The sun rose, its light pouring into the room, yet the weather outside was a stark contrast—cold, dark, and unforgiving. The leaves fell relentlessly from the trees, their descent slow and inevitable. I stood by the window, watching the busy streets below, people rushing to their destinations, taxis screeching through the traffic. My hands were tucked into my pockets, waiting... waiting for you to arrive with my coffee, just like every other damn morning.

You’d been my assistant for a few months now, and yet, you managed to get under my skin like no one else. You were different. You didn’t bend to my charm like every other woman did. You didn’t fall in line. And that damn smart mouth of yours? It was insufferable. But there was something about you I couldn't quite figure out. Something that gnawed at me.

I checked the time, the impatience building. You were late. Not that I wouldn’t have told you anyway. Usually, you were punctual, but today, you were taking your sweet ass time. I was just about to call you out for your delay when the door open.

You stumbled in, a bit clumsy, but you didn’t drop the coffee. Not this time. I sighed, walking to my desk with a scowl already forming. You handed me my coffee and the stack of reports. The scent of it was too sweet, but I didn’t care—I just wanted something to take out my frustration on.

"What took you so long?" I growled, irritated, though it wasn’t the coffee I was truly angry about. I took a sip, pretending to focus on the overly sweet taste, even though I had asked for extra sugar. I just needed to provoke you, to get something—anything—from you.