THE PROBLEM FIXER

The Problem fixer, is what I was. When everyone’s brain failed them, they relied on mine.

“Sophia, Miss Catherine Brooks asked me to call you to the Conference Room. She said she needs your help a bit.” An intern said.

I sighed. 

Catherine was just such a pest and brain picker.

I picked up my laptop and headed to the conference room.

When I entered, the atmosphere was tensed.

I cleared my throat. “What’s going on?”

The senior VP looked like he was about to lose his mind. 

Catherine gestured for me to come sit beside her. “Our major client pulled out. They’re offering a better deal elsewhere. We’re losing everything. They’ll ask for my input. I want you here to speak so it seems like I was prepared for this type of event.”

I glanced at Lucas. His face was stoic. He watched everyone as they tried to offer a solution.

I took a deep breath and asked Catherine: “How much of a loss are we talking about?”

“One hundred million,” she said, voice shaking. “Maybe more. If we don’t fix this—”

“Well, we can start by—“

“I’ll fix it,” lucas cut me off, his voice firm. “This isn’t something unfixable” He turned to me, his eyes dark with something unreadable. “Sophia, get your ideas on how to solve this together and bring them to me”

I swallowed, “okay…” I said, a tad bit confused.

He leaned back in his chair,. “You’ll learn how to work with me on this issue. Two of us will solve it.”

I glanced around the room at the nervous executives. No one dared to speak up. No one. But I could hear the whispers.

“Everyone, get back to work,” he said, his voice brokering no argument. “And keep the doors locked. No one gets in or out until we resolve this.”

As the others scrambled to obey, I remained where I sat, watching him, my heart hammering in my chest. How could he act like everything was just business as usual as if he did not just tell me how much he wanted me some hours ago.

He stood up and walked to the door, not sparing me another glance. “Come with me, Sophia. We’re leaving.”

I barely had time to process anything. Lucas led me down the hallway. I tried to keep pace. He didn’t stop until we reached the elevator. When the doors slid open, he stepped inside and motioned for me to follow.

“Where are we going? It’s not like I can solve the issue magically.” I asked, crossing my arms defensively.

“We’ll find out soon enough.”

The elevator doors closed, I tried to keep my expression neutral.

He didn’t say anything and it felt like the silence suffocated me more.

The elevator dinged, and the doors opened i rushed out and took my first real gulp of air.

We entered his office. It was cold as usual, this man never liked to sweat I see.

“Lucas… I don’t think…” I trailed off, my voice quieter than I intended.

“You don’t think you should be in my office?” he said, cutting me off as he placed a glass of drink in front of me. 

“Drink this, I want us to work inside. Here’s easily accessible and we’ll be distracted.” 

I sputtered my drink everywhere “what—?” 

“I mean, I want us to work in my private office.” He repeated as he smoothly brought out his handkerchief to wipe the mess I made.

Inside was his personal office, but it wasn’t just any office. It was a private wing. Not even he’s secretary and PA was allowed in there except he called them in.

“I prefer to stay here.” I insisted.

He walked around his desk sans sat with a casual grace. Then he asked the most surprising question: “You think you’re untouchable, don’t you?”

What the hell???!

“I am untouchable,” I answered , 

“You aren’t. Because I’ve already had you once and I will again.”

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. “What’s your endgame here, Lucas?”

He looked at me like I was the most interesting thing in the room. “My endgame is simple. You’re going to work with me and you’re going to be mine..”

And just like that, I realized: I was already in way too deep.

***

A week went by after that horrible event in his office. Yes, we did solve the issue, of Lucas mostly did the work while I watched. Yes, we got our biggest client back but Ever since, things had been spiraling, my emotions torn between hate, and an insane amount of attraction.

Today I coincidentally needed to do a presentation in Lucas’s office. How convenient! What happened to the conference room? I knew this was him trying to show me the insane amount if power he had. 

I knocked, even though I didn’t need to. Lucas’s voice came through, commanding and unyielding. “Enter.”

I took a deep breath before I stepped inside, my stomach flipping. He was sitting at his desk, fingers steepled. He glanced up at me, that familiar smirk creeping onto his face.

“You’re late,” he said, his voice deep and teasing. He didn’t even bother to stand up, he was too comfortable with the power imbalance between us.

“I’m sorry... i got caught up in a task I forgot to check the time,” I replied, trying to sound confident, but I could feel my hands trembling at my sides.

“What task?” he asked, eyes narrowing.

I swallowed, my throat tight. “Catherine and some senior partners had me helping them out with something.”

He didn’t look convinced. “Are you lying to me so that I don’t penalize you? Or do you just love doing other people’s work because you’re a pushover?”

I bristled, trying to push back the rising frustration. “I just love to help others.”

“Of course you do,” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. He picked up his phone suddenly, walking around his desk until he was standing just a few feet away from me. The air between us seemed to crackle with tension. “Pass a memo, everyone should do their work by themselves. Seniors shouldn’t pass all their workloads to the junior staff.” He said to whoever was on the other side of the phone.

I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. My mind raced to whay people will think.

“You should have done that ” I said, trying to remain calm, but my heart pounded in my chest.

He stepped closer, so close I could feel the heat radiating off his body. “And why shouldn’t I?,” he said softly, his voice dropping into a low murmur. 

I stood frozen, unable to look away from him. “Because it will look like I reported to you ” My voice came out weaker than I wanted. “Everyone can see how often I work with you.”

He reached out, his hand brushing against my arm as he leaned in. The touch was light, but it sent a shock of heat through me, making me feel exposed. “You think I didn’t notice that you’re the only Junior staff who is overworked. I did that to lift up the he weight off your back.”

My breath caught in my throat. “You know that?” I repeated, voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, his eyes darkening with something dangerous. “I watch you closely, Sophia and from now one anyone who treats you like a made in this establishment will be fired.”

I backed away, my heart racing. “Thank you…” I felt lighter.