Chapter 1
981words
But years later, when she finally tracks him down, heart full of expectations,
Not only has he forgotten her entirely, but there's already another woman by his side.
As fate would have it, I am that woman.
CRASH
The sound cut through the cafeteria chatter, and everyone fell silent.
Across the room, the new intern Lily was emptying a cup of steaming coffee all over Luke's suit.
His Italian custom-made suit immediately bloomed with a dark stain across the chest.
God, what a cliché opening.
Lily's cherubic face drained of color instantly.
"S-sorry, Mr. Evans!" she stammered. "I didn't mean to!"
She frantically blurted out apologies, her strawberry cream pheromones suddenly flooding the air—sickeningly sweet—attempting to overwhelm Luke's crisp cedar scent.
Several young Alphas nearby gulped audibly, their Adam's apples bobbing.
Luke glanced down at his ruined suit once, his brows furrowing into a glacial expression.
"Mr. Evans, please let me help clean that up!"
Lily frantically pulled out tissues, practically throwing herself against him.
Those dewy eyes couldn't hide her true intentions—she was desperate to sink her claws into my man.
I stood nearby, coffee cup in hand, completely still.
A hint of amusement played at my lips as I waited to see how he'd handle this "strawberry treat" that had practically gift-wrapped herself.
The moment Lily leaned in, Luke stepped back sharply, establishing a clear boundary between them.
His voice fell like ice on concrete.
"Don't. Touch. Me."
Those three words left her hand suspended in mid-air.
Her eyes instantly welled with tears, her pheromones shifting to a pitiful fragrance—the classic Omega trick to soften an angry Alpha.
"Mr. Evans, I just—"
Luke wasn't having any of it.
His face showed nothing but annoyance at being disturbed—not a hint of chivalry to be found.
The office vultures had already formed a circle, whispering among themselves.
"Oh my god, isn't this straight out of a rom-com?"
"Right? Clumsy girl meets ice-cold CEO. Next thing you know, he'll be head over heels!"
"Damn, look at that jawline though. Gorgeous but frigid as hell."
A colleague nudged me. "Maggie, you went to school with Evans. Think they have a shot?"
Another leaned in. "Lily's cute and all, but I'm team Maggie-Evans. Power couple for the win!"
I just smiled and took a slow sip of my coffee.
The show was still going strong.
After being shut down, Lily—surprisingly—didn't retreat. Instead, she bit her lip, playing the stubborn innocent.
"Mr. Evans, please at least let me have your contact info. I'll save up to pay for the suit!"
She produced paper and pen, offering them with both hands in an exaggerated display of humility.
Luke actually took them.
For a split second, my heart clenched.
I watched him lower his gaze and start writing.
Lily's cheeks flushed pink, her eyes gleaming with poorly concealed triumph.
The entire cafeteria held its breath, waiting for what would happen next.
Her eyes sparkled as she snatched the note, unfolding it eagerly.
In an instant, all color drained from her face.
Luke spoke quietly, but in the dead silence, every word carried:
"That's my bank account number."
"This suit—Italian handmade, limited edition—three hundred seventy thousand dollars. Transfer it to that account."
He paused, then added coldly:
"And make sure there isn't a next time."
Lily clutched the paper, those digits suddenly weighing a thousand pounds.
Publicly humiliated, tears streamed down her face like a wilting flower in a downpour.
Luke didn't spare her another glance. He simply turned and walked away, cold as winter steel.
"Show's over. Back to work."
At Luke's command, the spectators scattered like startled pigeons.
The cafeteria that had been buzzing with excitement seconds ago fell into eerie silence.
Once the crowd dispersed, he turned and his eyes found mine instantly across the room.
"Maggie."
He called my name, his voice back to its professional cadence.
"My office. I need to review yesterday's proposal details."
"Right away."
I set my cup on the counter and fell into step behind him.
My heels clicked rhythmically against the polished floor.
He walked ahead, spine ramrod straight, while I followed at the perfect professional distance.
The elevator doors slid shut, sealing us off from the world.
In that enclosed space, it was just the two of us.
His crisp cedar scent enveloped me, carrying a hidden warmth only I could detect.
On the way from the lobby to the top floor office, he walked ahead, occasionally turning his head to glance at me.
In the elevator, there were only the two of us. The cedar scent wrapped around me, carrying a gentleness that only I could detect.
"Your proposal was exceptional," he said softly.
"Of course," I met his intense gaze. "I developed three models for the profit projections, all backed by precise data."
Ding
The elevator doors parted.
The moment Luke stepped out, his demeanor instantly shifted back to the untouchable Mr. Evans.
He strode out first, back straight as a blade.
Just before reaching his office, I caught the faintest curve at the corner of his usually stern mouth.
He pushed open the heavy oak door and stepped aside to let me enter first.
As we brushed past each other, heat radiated from him through the fabric of his suit.
I stepped inside.
I pulled the door shut behind me and, without hesitation, turned the lock.
With a soft click, the world disappeared.
The moment the lock engaged, a warm chest pressed against my back.
Luke's strong arms wrapped around my waist, his chin settling in the crook of my neck.
His warm breath tickled my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
His chest rumbled with a low laugh.
"Well, Director Maggie, quite a show out there."
"Think you can drop the 'Mr. Evans' act now?"
