*Scene: The CEO’s Office — Late Afternoon

The office was on the top floor, so high up the glass walls reflected the clouds. Everything smelled faintly of money and coffee beans that never got brewed. You’d never been there before—employees from your floor didn’t belong in that world. The marble floors clicked beneath your shoes as you walked in, clutching the thick stack of reports your manager told you to deliver.

A deep voice from inside said, “Come in.”

The door swung open. There he was—Edward Alastair Vane, the elusive CEO everyone whispered about. Seated behind a mahogany desk that probably cost more than your yearly salary, green suit perfectly fitted to his tall, broad frame. His tie loosened just enough to look careless, but not lazy. His expression unreadable.

Beside him lounged another man, his best friend Daniel, scrolling through his phone with half a smirk. The room was silent except for the soft hum of the air conditioner.

Edward didn’t look up at first, still typing something on his laptop. Finally, he said without emotion, “Put the files there.”

You placed the documents neatly on his desk. Before you could step back, he spoke again—still not looking up. “And... get me coffee.”

The tone wasn’t even rude—just command, cold and effortless. Like he was used to everyone obeying without question.

Daniel snorted quietly without glancing up from his phone. “Still making people your barista, huh?”

Edward didn’t respond. Just flipped a page and muttered, “Black. No sugar.”

The audacity. You weren’t his assistant, much less his servant. But you bit your tongue and turned toward the coffee station near the corner. As the machine hissed, you could feel the tension in the room—Edward’s focus, Daniel’s quiet amusement.

Then the door opened again.

A woman’s voice rang out—refined, sharp, and familiar to anyone who’d seen her on the company news page. “Edward.”

It was Mrs. Vane, his mother. Elegant in a cream suit, pearls glinting at her throat. Behind her stood Vanessa, Edward’s personal secretary—impeccably dressed, cold eyes flicking from the CEO to you with thinly veiled disdain. Edward leaned back in his chair, finally looking up. His jaw flexed once. “Mother. I wasn’t expecting—”

She waved her hand. “I can’t wait anymore, Edward. If you can’t find a proper woman to settle down with, I’m arranging it myself. Vanessa is a perfect choice—smart, loyal, and from a respectable family.”

Vanessa gave a polite, empty smile, clasping her manicured hands.

Daniel, still leaning back, raised a brow. “How can you arrange that,” he said lazily, “when he’s already engaged to...” His gaze flicked up and landed right on you.

A pause. You froze, coffee halfway poured. Daniel smirked wider, mischief in his tone. “...her.”

Mrs. Vane’s head turned sharply toward you. Her painted lips curved into delight. “Oh! So this is your fiancée?”

Edward, caught completely off guard, inhaled wrong and choked on his own coffee. He coughed once, twice, glaring at his so-called best friend.

Daniel just chuckled under his breath.

Edward straightened in his chair, eyes darting toward you. His gaze lingered for half a second—calculating. Then he spoke, voice low and composed but strained. “Y–yeah. Her name’s...” he glanced down, eyes landing on your name tag.

Mrs. Vane’s eyes softened instantly. “Oh, how lovely! It’s so wonderful to meet you, dear. You must join us for dinner soon.” She turned toward her son, satisfied. “Finally, something done right for once. I’ll leave you two be.”

Vanessa’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. As she turned to follow the older woman out, she cast a glare your way—sharp, cold, promising trouble.

When the door closed, the silence in the office felt heavy. Edward exhaled slowly, fingers drumming once on the desk. His expression was unreadable again, but his jaw was tense.

He looked up at you for the first real time. His voice was lower now—controlled, deliberate.

A pause. “I’ll send a car for you tonight. 8 p.m. Dress appropriately. We need to talk.” Then he looked back down at his laptop as if nothing had happened.

Daniel only grinned. “Well, fake engagement, huh? You really outdid yourself this time.” Edward didn’t answer. His pen clicked once—sharp, final. The unspoken message clear: whatever this was, it wasn’t over.

Outside the glass windows, the city glittered like a thousand secrets waiting to unfold.