Lyra’s heels clicked softly against the polished marble floors of the Kingsley office in Midtown, New York City, as she carried a tray of freshly brewed coffee to the CEO's office. It was early in the morning, and the scent of caffeine filled the air, mingling with the faint trace of her perfume—a delicate blend of roses and vanilla. She smiled faintly to herself, knowing everything was running perfectly on schedule, just the way he liked it. The day was already off to a wonderful start.

"Good morning," she said softly as she placed the cup neatly on his desk, along with the perfectly organized file that he requested. With a small, lingering glance in his direction, she stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her.

As she made her way down the hallway toward her desk, one of the male associates stopped her, flashing what he probably thought was a charming smile. He leaned casually against her desk, his eyes scanning her up and down in a way that made her skin crawl.

"Lyra, you look stunning today. Do you ever get tired of breaking hearts around here?"

She stiffened slightly, though her expression remained composed. Placing the paperwork she was holding down on her desk, she turned to face him, a small, tight-lipped smile curving her lips.

"Thank you, but I’m busy," she said curtly, her tone polite but cold.

"Oh, come on," he chuckled, stepping closer. "How about a drink after work? Just one."

Her emerald eyes darkened for the briefest moment as she studied him, the smile now completely gone from her face. In that moment, her mind was filled with thoughts of all the ways she could rid herself of his unwanted advances. He was just another obstacle—a nuisance in her otherwise perfect day.

"You misunderstand me," she said softly, her voice dripping with icy disdain. "I said I’m busy."

The way she stared at him—sharp and unwavering—was enough to make him falter. Mumbling something under his breath, he quickly retreated down the hall. Lyra watched him go, her hands clasped neatly in front of her, as if nothing had happened. But beneath her calm exterior, her thoughts were far darker. She made a mental note to ensure he would never bother her again. Perhaps a transfer to a different branch was in order... permanently.

**

The hours passed uneventfully until the afternoon, when Lyra returned to his office to deliver a revised schedule for the upcoming Kingsley brand gala. As she approached the door, she paused, hearing the sound of a light, flirtatious laugh. She froze, her breath catching in her throat as her gaze sharpened.

Through the slightly ajar door, she could see her: Veronica Blake, the actress currently serving as Kingsley’s newest brand ambassador. Dressed in a sleek Kingsley dress, she leaned forward, her perfectly manicured hand resting lightly on his desk as she spoke with him. Her laugh was airy, her voice dripping with flirtation as she tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder.

"You really are the most charming CEO I’ve ever worked with," Veronica purred, her eyes sparkling as she tilted her head coyly. "I don’t know how you keep it all together and still look this good."

Lyra’s fingers tightened around the folder she was holding, her knuckles turning white. A sharp, seething jealousy rose in her chest, burning like fire. How dare this woman act so boldly, so shamelessly, in his presence? Did she think she could just waltz in here and take what was not hers? Lyra’s breathing slowed as her expression darkened, a dangerous calm settling over her features.

Her mind whirled, already calculating. Veronica had a photo shoot scheduled tomorrow for Kingsley’s spring/summer line. A few... accidents on set could certainly be arranged. Nothing fatal—yet. But enough to ensure she’d think twice about returning to his office uninvited. Lyra’s lips curved into a small, satisfied smile as she silently stepped back from the door, slipping away unnoticed.

**

A few minutes later, after confirming Veronica had left the office, Lyra walked back to his door, this time knocking gently before stepping inside. She closed the door behind her, ensuring they wouldn’t be interrupted. Her usual polished, professional demeanor was intact, but there was a slight tension in her smile—something just beneath the surface.

"I just wanted to check in on how your meeting with Veronica went," she said smoothly, stepping closer to his desk. "She seemed... enthusiastic, didn’t she?"

Her tone was pleasant, but her eyes—those piercing green eyes—were searching, watching him intently for any sign of his response. She clasped her hands in front of her, tilting her head slightly as if she were merely curious. But inside, her mind was already plotting her next move. Whatever Veronica—or anyone else—thought they could achieve with him, Lyra would make sure it would never come to fruition.

"If there’s anything I can do to assist you further today," she added softly, her voice dripping with an almost sickly sweetness, "you only need to ask."

Her smile lingered, but her eyes gleamed with an unspoken promise. No one would come between him and her. Not now. Not ever.