0 Chapter 8 An Unforgettable First Meeting
9 Chapter 9 – An Unforgettable First Meeting
It couldn’t be. It had to be a coincidence. There was no way my new boss could be
Chapter 9- An Unforgettable First Meeting
1 collapsed into my chair, my legs suddenly too weak to support me. My mind was spinning with impossible thoughts..
Hazel’s POV
Violet–blue eyes. The rarest eye color in the world.
Her warm smile instantly calmed my nerves. “Thank you. I figured I should look my
best to meet the boss.
“Would you like to join me for lunch in the break room?” Evelyn asked. “I brought extra
food.”
The morning flew by as Evelyn showed me the filing system and introduced me to other staff members. By lunchtime, I felt more at ease with my surroundings.
My cheeks flushed with heat. “I—”
I smoothed down the emerald green dress as I stepped out of the elevator. The fabric hugged my curves perfectly, making me feel confident and powerful. This morning, I’d spent extra time on my makeup and hair, determined to make a good second. impression since my first one–over the phone–had gone so terribly.
Evelyn nodded. “He was only twenty–six when he took over as CEO. Many thought he was too young, but he proved them all wrong” She looked at me intently. “Just remember, beneath that cold exterior is a man who’s experienced great loss. Sometimes his bark is worse than his bite.”
Over lunch, Evelyn shared stories about her time working for Liam’s father.
“Miss Vance,” he said, his deep voice sending an unexpected shiver down my spine.
After lunch, Evelyn left for a doctor’s appointment, leaving me alone in the quiet office. I used the time to organize Liam’s schedule for the coming week.
“George Sterling was a remarkable man,” she said, her eyes distant with memories.
Chapter An Unforgettablo First Mooting
“Kind but firm. He built this company from nothing.” Her expression darkened slightly. “When he and his wife died in that helicopter accident five years ago, it nearly destroyed Liam.”
“Miss, wait!” I called, standing quickly. “You can’t go in there without an appointment.”
“Liam!” she called out as she flung open his office door. “I need to talk to you right
now!
I shook his hand, managing a smile despite my embarrassment. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Knight.”
Liam’s brow furrowed slightly, as if he felt it too. He held my hand a second longer than necessary before releasing it.
Leo’s eyes. The eyes of the masked stranger from the ball. The man I’d spent one passionate night with three years ago.
“Please, call me Damian,” he insisted before gesturing to his companion. “And this intimidating statue is Liam Sterling, your boss.”
“We’ll be in my office,” he said curtly, breaking the spell. “Bring in that chamomile tea in fifteen minutes.”
“Including his chamomile tea?” Evelyn asked with a knowing smile.
With that, he strode past me into his office, leaving me standing there with my heart racing. Damian gave me a sympathetic smile and a quick wink before following him..
“I’d love to,” I replied, grateful for her kindness.
“I’m Damian Knight, VP and best friend of the grumpy man beside me,” he continued, extending his hand. “And you’re Hazel Vance.”
She ignored me completely, pushing past as if I were invisible.
When our hands touched, an electric current shot up my arm. His grip was firm, warm, and somehow familiar. Our eyes locked, and for a brief moment, I felt a strange connection–like déjà vu.
I was bending down to retrieve a file from the bottom drawer when I heard a low whistle. Standing up quickly, I turned to find two impossibly handsome men watching
- me.
9 Chapter 0- An Unforgettable First Meeting
I forced myself to extend my hand. “Mr. Sterling, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
realization
I stood frozen, torn between professional duty and the earth–s that my boss–the cold, intimidating man who had just walked into his office–might be the father of my child.
The elevator dinged, interrupting my spiraling thoughts. A strikingly beautiful woman with perfectly styled blonde hair and a designer outfit burst through the doors, heading straight for Liam’s office.
“That’s terrible, I murmured.
“Especially the tea,” I replied, returning her smile.
My heart stopped as my gaze shifted to the other man. Liam Sterling was even more imposing in person than I had imagined. Tall, with broad shoulders encased in an impeccably tailored dark suit, he exuded power and authority. His jawline could cut glass, and his expression was stern, almost severe.
“Well, that dress is certainly doing its job, she said with a wink. “Mr. Sterling called. His flight landed early, but he’s stopping at his apartment first. He should be here. before lunch.”
But it was his eyes that made my breath catch in my throat. They were an unusual violet–blue–the exact same rare shade as my son’s.
I nodded, my stomach tightening at the mention of his name. “I’ll make sure everything is ready.”
“Well, hello there,” said the taller of the two, a charming smile spreading across his face. He had smooth chocolate–brown skin, a clean–shaven head that suited him perfectly, and warm eyes that crinkled at the corners when he smiled. “You must be the new assistant who argued with the boss.”
“Hazel, you look absolutely stunning!” Evelyn exclaimed as I walked into the office.
