Ethan's POV
Morning traffic crawled, but I didn't mind. It gave me time to think. My hands rested lightly on the steering wheel as the car moved in smooth intervals, stop, move, stop again. Routine. Controlled.
Until I saw her.
Up ahead by the roadside, fidgeting.
My eyes narrowed slightly as I slowed down. She stood there with her bag clutched to her side, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. In her other hand was something wrapped—poorly. Food. She kept adjusting it like she didn't know whether to hide it or hold it properly.
I pulled the car to a stop beside her.
She didn't notice immediately.
Of course she didn't.
I tapped the horn once.
Soft.
Her head snapped up. She saw the car. Then me. And just like that—she froze.
For a second, she looked like she wasn't sure if she should come closer or pretend she hadn't seen me at all.
I lowered the window slightly. "Get in."
Simple. Direct.
She moved immediately.
The door opened, and she got in carefully, like she was stepping into something she didn't fully understand.
"Seatbelt."
"Oh—yes, sir."
She fumbled with it for a second before it clicked into place. Then she sat there, too still, too aware, clutching both her bag and the wrapped food like they mattered more than they should.
I leaned back slightly, one hand still on the wheel. "Little cat."
She turned to me immediately. "Yes, sir?"
I nodded toward what she was holding. "What is that?"
She hesitated. "…nothing, sir."
I looked at her, then at the obvious something in her hands. "Doesn't look like nothing."
A small pause. Then she sighed quietly. "My breakfast."
I hummed. "You were going to eat that on the road?"
"Yes, sir."
"You made it?"
A nod.
I extended my hand slightly. "Let me see."
She blinked. "Sir?"
"The food."
Reluctantly, she unwrapped it a little. Simple. But the smell—fresh. Homemade.
I tilted my head. "Doesn't look terrible."
Her brows pulled together. "…thank you?"
"Give me a piece."
That caught her off guard, but she broke off a small part and handed it to me carefully, like I might judge her for it.
I took it, tasted it, chewed. She watched me the entire time, waiting.
I swallowed. "You're lucky."
She frowned slightly. "Sir?"
"It's edible."
A beat. "…that's not a compliment."
"It is coming from me."
She looked away quickly, but I saw it—the small reaction she tried to hide.
The rest of the drive was quieter. Not comfortable. Just less tense.
When we pulled up in front of the company, I stepped out first. She followed. And right on cue, the whispers started.
"She came in his car…"
"Is that not the new girl?"
"That was fast…"
I ignored it completely. It didn't matter.
But she didn't. I could tell without looking directly at her. The way her steps shifted. The way her grip on her bag tightened again.
I glanced at her briefly. Composed, but not unaffected.
"Walk properly," I said under my breath.
She straightened immediately.
"Don't let them see you shrink." A pause, then quieter, "You chose this, little cat.
Eve's POV
Walking in beside him didn't change anything.
He didn't slow down. Didn't check if I was following. Just kept moving like the rest of the building adjusted around him instead of the other way.
I followed at a steady pace, bag in hand, expression neutral.
At the main corridor, he turned without a word.
I continued straight.
That was it.
No drama. No attention from him. Just movement.
But the moment he was out of sight, I could feel it again, the eyes.
People pretending not to look, but looking anyway.
"Ms. Voss."
I stopped and turned.
A woman stood a few steps away.
Composed. Well put together. Sharp presence without trying too hard.
"I'm Vanessa. Head of Communications."
I nodded once. "Good morning."
Her gaze moved over me briefly, like she was placing me somewhere in her mind.
"So you're the new PA."
"I am."
A small pause.
"You came in with the boss."
"Yes."
No explanation. No extra words.
That made her look at me a little longer.
"People here usually understand structure quickly," she said.
"I understand my role," I replied.
That was it.
No tension in my tone. No attempt to prove anything.
Just fact.
Vanessa held my gaze a second longer.
Then she nodded slightly.
"Good. Then you'll be fine."
"Excuse me."
I didn't wait for anything else and continued walking.
No point staying in that conversation longer than necessary.
---
Ethan's POV
I saw Vanessa talking to her from the corridor.
Of course she did.
She doesn't miss things like that.
But Eve didn't linger. Didn't overthink it in front of her. She responded and moved on.
No performance.
Just control.
Good.
I turned and continued toward my office.
---
A few minutes later, she walked in behind me and closed the door.
"Stand properly."
She did.
Straight posture. Focused. No unnecessary movement.
Better than most I've had in that position.
"You attract attention too easily," I said.
"I'm aware," she replied.
No emotion. No defense.
Just acknowledgment.
I studied her for a moment.
She wasn't fragile.
That was clear now.
Just new to the environment.
"In two weeks," I continued, "you'll be at an event with me. High-level room. Constant attention. You don't react to every glance or comment."
"I understand."
"Do you?"
"Yes."
I nodded once.
"Good."
I picked up a file.
"You'll be briefed before then. Appearance. Conduct. Expectations."
A pause.
"And what not to respond to."
"I'll handle it."
That was enough.
I closed the file.
"You can go."
She turned and left without hesitation.
---
I stood there for a moment after the door closed.
Then....
"Not bad…"
---
Vanessa's POV
I watched her leave his office.
No hesitation. No visible shift in behavior after being called in.
That was interesting.
Most new assistants either overreact or overcompensate.
She didn't do either.
I leaned lightly against my desk in Communications, arms crossed, replaying the moment in my head.
She wasn't intimidated.
That didn't fit the usual pattern.
My phone vibrated in my hand.
I didn't check it immediately.
I watched the corridor once more.
Then finally picked it up.
A new message window.
No saved contact.
Just a number I knew well.
I typed slowly.
I stared at it for a second.
Then sent it.