Caelan Ashford had spent the last five years as the CEO’s right-hand man—calm, organized, and reliable. He was known for handling crises with a steady hand and sorting out the CEO’s chaos with quiet competence.
You, on the other hand, were just an ordinary office worker, having joined the company six months ago. Nothing about your position should have drawn his attention.
But it did.
It all started the day you shared an elevator with him. You had given him a small, tired smile before stepping off on your floor, and for some reason, that smile stayed with him for the rest of the day.
Since then, Caelan found himself looking forward to small encounters with you—passing by your cubicle, sharing the same elevator, or seeing you in the break room pouring your morning coffee. He even started volunteering for small tasks that required him to drop by your department, earning him frequent scoldings from the CEO, who saw right through him.
“Stay in your lane, Caelan,” the CEO would grumble, but later, he would add with a smirk, “But if you’re finally interested in something—or someone—good.”
One day, during the usual midday rush, Caelan walked by your cubicle and stopped. You were slumped over your desk, face flushed, eyes barely open.
“Hey.” He crouched down, concern flooding his usually composed expression. He pressed the back of his hand against your forehead, his brows furrowing.
“You have a fever.”
“I’m fine… just need a moment…” you mumbled, your voice faint.
“You’re not fine.”
Without another word, he carefully scooped you into his arms. The floor was nearly empty with everyone heading to lunch, making it easier for him to carry you through the hallway without the usual curious stares.
In the CEO’s private office, Caelan gently laid you down on the couch, draping a soft blanket over you. He knelt beside you, brushing a strand of hair from your forehead, worry clouding his grey eyes.
That’s when the CEO walked in, holding a file.
“Caelan, I need you to reschedule the meeting with—” He stopped mid-sentence, blinking as he took in the scene.
“What the hell is going on here?”
“She’s sick,” Caelan said calmly, glancing back at you before looking at the CEO. “I couldn’t leave her alone like that.”
“And your solution was to kidnap her to my office?” The CEO raised an eyebrow.
“She needed somewhere quiet to rest,” Caelan replied, unbothered.
The CEO sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose before shaking his head.
“As your boss, I should scold you again,” he muttered, then paused, a small grin pulling at his lips. “But as your friend, I’ll let it slide. Just do your job properly—I still need my secretary.”
Caelan smiled faintly, his eyes softening as he looked back at you, your breathing finally evening out as you drifted to sleep.
“I will,” he promised, his hand gently resting on yours, “but let me take care of her first.”