The CEO'S secretary
Elias Rourke was more than a billionaire he was a tempest in a custom-fitted suit. As the CEO of Rourke Enterprises a bachelor, he was known for his icy effectiveness, merciless transactions, and total absence of emotion. Everyone referred to him as “Ice King” when he wasn't around.
Up until her.
Chloe Hart had worked as his secretary for slightly more than two weeks. Timid, kind-hearted, and excessively courteous, she was the type of woman who kept track of birthdays, tended to plants, and uttered "please" to the coffee maker. Elias hardly paid attention to her,until the morning she entered his office unannounced.
“I apologize for the interruption,” she said, her voice shaking, “but you haven’t had anything to eat today.” "It's nearly four."
He looked at her, irritated. “That’s none of your business.”
“I prepared a sandwich for you.”
She places it on his desk and walks away before he has a chance to reply to her.
Even with how rude he is to her, she brings him homemade meals everyday and lavender tea after tough meetings.
He started to notice little details about her, the way she played with her necklace when anxious, she shows no emotions even when he yells at her. One day, he sees himself approaching her desk not to order her around, but to ask her about her well being.
When a scandal almost destroys Elias’s empire. She stays by his side, not out of obligation, but because she trusted him.
He looked at her and whispered, “You are the gentleness in my whole existence." "I don't know how to show emotions, but I will learn just for you."
Chloe smiled, looking at him and said "Steel is capable of melting, Elias." "Even kings can experience love."
Baca
Chapter: EPILOGUE Three Years LaterThe morning sunlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow across the apartment. Chloe stood at the counter, stirring coffee, her hair tied loosely, a comfortable t-shirt paired with soft jeans. The smell of fresh bread lingered from the breakfast she’d made.Elias appeared behind her, warm and steady, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders. She leaned back into him instinctively, smiling without looking up.“You made pancakes again,” he said softly, his voice low and familiar.“I know you like them,” she murmured, tilting her head to press a quick kiss to his cheek.He chuckled, the sound full of contentment. “And I still love that you remember. Every little thing about me.”Chloe finally turned, catching his gaze. The years had softened some of the edges around him, the intensity tempered by laughter, late-night talks, and quiet mornings like this. But the depth, the care, the way he looked at her, remained exactly the same.“Three
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-12-07
Chapter: Chapter 100CHLOE’S POV The sound of a car pulling up outside made my stomach flutter.I paused in front of the mirror one last time, smoothing my hair, straightening the dress I had carefully chosen. Not too fancy. Not too casual. Just… right. My heart was racing, hammering like it had a rhythm of its own.I took a deep breath, running my fingers lightly along the necklace I had put on a small ritual, grounding me. Tonight wasn’t just any night. Tonight was the night I was finally giving myself permission to be with him. To be honest with my heart.A soft knock pulled me from my thoughts. I opened the door, and there he was: Elias.No suit tonight. Just him. Calm, steady, the same presence that had haunted my days and dreams for weeks, yet somehow warmer, more open.“Chloe,” he said, voice low, certain. “ You look so beautiful”I couldn't hold back my smile. “ And you look good too” I responded He looked at me with assurance “Before we go… I need to say something.”My stomach fluttered harder
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-12-07
Chapter: Chapter 99CHLOE'S POV After I returned to my office, Nina burst into my office right after lunch, her eyes wild like she already sensed something.“Talk,” she demanded. “Your aura has been doing backflips all day.”I blinked.She put both hands on her hips.“Chloe. Spill. Now.”I sighed, closing my laptop.She didn’t even sit, she dragged the chair across from me like she was preparing for war.“I chose,” I said quietly.Nina froze.Her mouth opened… closed… opened again.“You…. WHAT? Who?!”“Elias,” I said softly.She screamed.Actually screamed.Then slapped a hand over her mouth because the office was not soundproof.“Explain,” she whispered violently.I did.Everything.The confusion.The guilt.The dream I couldn’t shake.How Gavin told me to stop running.How Elias looked at me like he was afraid to breathe until I said the words.How I sat at the yard downstairs and thought of everything after the little scene at the bread room.By the time I finished, Nina’s eyes were glassy.“Chloe,”
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-12-07
Chapter: Chapter 98CHLOE’S POV I didn’t go far.Just down the stairs, through the glass doors, and into the small courtyard behind the building the one with two benches, a few potted plants, and a fountain that never seemed to work.It was quiet enough.I sat on the edge of one bench, hands clasped between my knees, breathing in the cool air. It felt steadier out here. Less charged. Like the world had softened just enough for me to stop pretending.For a moment, I just sat there.Listening. Breathing. Trying not to feel everything at once.But of course, that was impossible.Because the moment I let my guard drop, the emotions I’d been holding back all morning came rushing forward…. not violently, not painfully, just… honestly.Like a tide I’d been standing against for too long.I rested my elbows on my thighs and lowered my head, eyes stinging just a little.Not from sadness.From relief.From finally letting myself admit even just in silence that I wasn’t okay.That I was overwhelmed. That I was con
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-12-07
Chapter: Chapter 97CHLOE’S POV The sunlight felt too bright when I woke up.Not harsh. Just… honest.Like it was trying to illuminate things I wasn’t ready to see.I rolled onto my back, blinking at the faint glow leaking through the curtains. My throat felt dry, my head heavy, and the memory of the dream…. that dream…. clung to my skin like warmth that refused to fade.Elias’s voice still echoed faintly in my mind.“I’ll wait… just me, here, when you’re ready.”I pressed a hand to my chest, willing my heartbeat to calm.It didn’t.I showered, dressed slowly, and left my apartment with a fragile steadiness. On the outside, I looked fine …. hair brushed, clothes neat, eyes awake.Inside?I was still standing in that dream hallway, forehead against his.I hugged his sweater to my chest on the way out the door, telling myself it was just because I needed to return it.But in truth…I just didn’t want to let go of how it made me feel.The drive to the office was quiet, familiar, but every stoplight made my
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-12-07
Chapter: Chapter 96ELIAS’S POV The house felt too still.Too silent.Like the walls were holding their breath, waiting for me to do something I wasn’t allowed to do.I sat on the edge of my bed, elbows on my knees, hands clasped so tightly the tension radiated up my arms.She made it home. She texted. She was safe.That should’ve been enough.It wasn’t.I stared at my phone for a long time after her message came in.> I’m home. Thank you for earlier.Just that.No extra words. No emotion between the lines. Nothing to read into.But it still settled somewhere deep inside my chest, quieting everything and tightening everything at the same time.I set the phone down.I tried to breathe.I tried to sleep.Failed at both.Eventually, I pushed up from the bed and walked toward the window, pulling the curtains open just enough to see the city lights flickering below.I didn’t know why I did that. Maybe I hoped the night air would calm me. Maybe I wanted a distraction.Or maybe…I just wanted something to look
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-12-07
Masuk
