7. MIXED SIGNALS: HOT THEN COLD

It had been two weeks.

Two whole weeks.

Selene had been adjusting, adapting, learning. She now knew where the files went, how Alaric preferred his coffee, how long the board meetings lasted, and a few important faces around the company.

The executive floor wasn’t as bad as she had thought it would be. 

Except for her boss, who seemed to have developed a talent for confusing her. One minute, he was perfectly civil. The next, he could freeze a room with a single look.

He’s weird, Nyx commented.

You’re only noticing now? Selene replied. 

He had a weird way he operated. A particular way he liked his things to be. 

Like his coffee, for example.

Americano. Medium. Two shots of espresso, just enough hot water to make it drinkable immediately. No sugar. No cream. No milk. No syrup. Nothing.

And, apparently, even the mug mattered. His coffee had to go in one particular cup, filled just right and placed on the right side of his desk because he was right-handed.

It had taken Selene three attempts to get it right. Three.

The “Executive Assistant Handbook” had technically covered his preferences, but somehow, reading Mr. Blackwood dislikes having to repeat his preferences. Please familiarize yourself with the following routine before your first day hadn't prepared her for the reality.

Is it really that serious? Nyx had asked the first time she'd read it.

Apparently, Selene had learned.

Flynn helped, though. Without him, Selene was sure she would have gone crazy. He had a way of lightening both the mood and her workload.

Another day brought another discovery.

Selene knocked on the door of her boss’s office. 

“Sir, it’s time for the board meeting,” she said, not waiting for a reply before opening the door.

“Hmm,” he replied without raising his head to acknowledge her.

That’s it? Just “hmm”? Does he think he’s some kind of god or something? Nyx was clearly irritated.

Shutting the door quietly behind her, Selene proceeded to get her tablet and the other necessary documents needed for the meeting from her desk. 

“Let’s go.”

The door to Alaric’s office closed behind him as he strode toward the boardroom, his long steps forcing Selene to hurry after him in her stilettos.

Flynn joined them on the way.

“Is there a reason for the rush?” he teased.

“Clearly!” Selene replied, rolling her eyes at Alaric, who was still hurrying ahead of them.

Alaric stepped into the boardroom, with Flynn and Selene right behind him.

The board room was already filled up, executives seated in their respective seats. Some came alongside their assistants, just like Selene. 

Well, I guess the rush here is justified. Nyx commented, seeing that Alaric was the last to get there. 

Conversations died almost instantly as the boardroom doors opened.

Chairs scraped softly against the polished floor as the executives rose in practiced unison.

Alaric entered without acknowledging the gesture. He walked to the head of the table, placed his tablet on the polished wood, and took his seat.

Only then did everyone else sit.

This was another thing Selene had found strange. Now, however, she understood. It was simply a show of respect for the man at the head of the table.

Everyone in the room was between forty-five and seventy, but that didn't change the fact that there was only one CEO—the man currently sitting at the head of the table, a cold, calculating look in his eyes.

What’s with rich people and their obsession with long tables? Nyx butted in. And suits. Very expensive suits.

Selene chose to ignore her, this meeting was very serious. She could not afford to mess it up. 

“Let’s begin,” Alaric’s voice bounced off the walls of the large room. 

“The Redwood acquisition is facing resistance,” Victor Ross, Chief Financial Officer of Blackwood Corps, said. “I believe postponing it would minimize our financial exposure.”

Alaric didn't even look up.

“No.”

Victor paused. “Would you care to elaborate?”

Alaric finally lifted his eyes.

“There’s nothing to elaborate on. We proceed as planned.”

“We’re simply suggesting caution,” Malcolm Sterling, the Chief Strategy Officer, added.

“I’m suggesting competence,” Alaric replied, his tone making it clear that there would be no further argument. “Anything else?”

The meeting continued, with the executives raising matters concerning the company while Alaric dismissed most of them with a few cutting words. Flynn occasionally added a remark that earned him a few suppressed smiles.

Selene sat quietly, taking notes 

and trying to keep up. 

The meeting went on. 

Then just as she was turning the page over to a new sheet, the stack of papers in Selene’s hand slipped, sending several sheets scattering across the floor.

Selene’s heart dropped.

The room was completely silent. 

With shaky hands, Selene immediately knelt down, trying to gather all the papers together. 

“I’m so sorry,” she said, over and over again. 

Every executive waited with bated breath, expecting the CEO to explode. 

Instead, he reached for a piece of paper beside him and handed it to her.

“Careful,” he said quietly.

“Thank you, sir,” Selene murmured.

Everyone froze.

Flynn nearly choked.

Whispers spread around the boardroom, shock evident on several executives’ faces.

Even Eleanor Ashcroft, Director of Corporate Affairs, one of the few people who was not intimidated by Alaric, was surprised. 

Alaric, noticing what just happened, cleared his throat as a way to call everyone to order. 

“I think we’re done here,” Alaric said, about to get up from his seat. 

“Actually, there’s one last matter we need to discuss,” Victor said.

Alaric’s expression hardened.

Dominic leaned forward. “With Blackwood International continuing to expand, it’s only prudent that we begin discussing long-term stability and future leadership.”

Alaric knew exactly where this was going.

Marriage.

An heir.

Bianca.

“We’re not discussing that today.”

“Then when?” Dominic pressed.

Alaric’s gaze sharpened.

“I said we’re not discussing it.”

The room falls silent.

Selene simply writes in her notebook:

Agenda item postponed.

The room remained silent for a moment after those words. Alaric closed the file before him with a quiet snap.

The subject had been hanging over him for months.

Marriage.

The Luna position.

An heir.

And now, with his mate sitting quietly at the table, the pressure had become even more complicated.

Then, without looking at anyone else, his gaze settled on Selene.

“Miss Hart.”

She immediately straightened.

“Yes, sir?”

“The incident during today’s meeting.”

Her stomach tightened. “I’m sorry. It was an accident.”

“I know.” His tone remained calm. “But you’re on the executive floor now. Mistakes like that attract attention.”

Selene lowered her gaze. “I understand.”

“Good.” He gathered the files before him. “Be more careful next time.”

“Yes, Mr. Blackwood.”

He rose from his seat.

“The meeting is adjourned.”

Everyone stands.

As they left, Eleanor leaned toward Victor.

“He’s hiding something.”

Victor glanced toward Selene.

“You noticed too.”

Eleanor's gaze lingered on Selene.

“Watch that girl.”

Then they exited the room.

Selene, on the other hand, was left confused.

One minute, he was helping her. The next, he was correcting her in front of everyone.

Even I can’t keep up with him. Nyx butted in.

Maybe helping me was a mistake. Selene sighed, settling back into her desk. 

Inside the office, Flynn wasn't letting Alaric off so easily.

“That was unnecessary.”

Alaric didn't look up.

“You embarrassed her.”

“I corrected her.”

“You corrected her in front of half the board.”

Silence.

Alaric walked toward the window.

“People were watching.”

Flynn scoffed. “So? She’s your assistant, not theirs.”

“You know what would happen if this gets back to my father.”

Flynn's expression sobered.

“He’ll get suspicious.”

“He’ll start investigating.”

“So you thought the best way to handle that was to make her think she’d done something wrong?”

Alaric said nothing.

“Brilliant strategy,” Flynn muttered. “I’m sure she’ll fall madly in love with your personality.”

Shaking his head, Flynn moves to take a seat just as a knock is heard on the door. 

Clank clank. 

The sound of heels approaching pulled Selene from her thoughts.

A woman appeared at the end of the hallway, walking with the kind of confidence that made people move aside without being asked.

She wore a fitted red dress and carried herself like she already owned the floor. Her beauty was almost intimidating—polished, effortless and deliberate.

She stopped in front of Selene’s desk.

“Is Alaric in?” she asked, her voice calm like a gentle breeze. 

“Yes, ma’am. Let me inform him–“

“No need.” 

Just before entering, the woman paused.

“You’re the new assistant, aren’t you?”

Selene nodded. “Yes.”

A faint smile touched the woman’s lips.

“Bianca Ashford.”

Then she walked into Alaric’s office without knocking.

Selene stared at the closed door.

She hadn’t knocked.

And somehow, neither Alaric nor Flynn had stopped her.

Who exactly was Bianca Ashford?

AUTHOR’S NOTE:

🎧 SPEAK UP! Be honest… would YOU survive working for Alaric? 😭😂

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