Chapter 5

I got home, but my head wouldn’t stop spinning. What the hell just happened back there? What does he mean by he wants to marry me instead? Who does this man think he is?

After a long, hot shower, I tied my hair up, threw on a big T-shirt, and dragged myself to the kitchen to make cereal. I had just poured the milk when the door opened. Ivy strolled in, all smiles and glowing like she just won the lottery.

“I’m in loveee…” she sang, twirling toward the couch.

I rolled my eyes. “Good for you. Meanwhile, your supposed groom just called off the wedding and said he wants to marry me instead.”

That wiped the smile off her face. She froze mid-step, tossed her bag on the sofa, and blinked. “Wait, hold up, he agreed to call it off?”

“Yep,” I said, leaning against the counter. “He figured out I wasn’t you. And then he decided to act like some billionaire god who can say whatever he wants.”

Ivy frowned. “What did he say exactly?”

I stared at her. “So you only heard the part where he called it off, but you didn’t catch the part where he asked me to marry him instead?”

Her jaw dropped. “He asked you to marry him? Are you kidding me? Why?”

I groaned. “I don’t know, he said something about me being ‘interesting.’ I told him I am not interested and walked out.”

Ivy smirked and flopped onto the couch. “Good. The wedding’s off, you won’t ever see him again, and I get to move on. Problem solved.”

“Yeah,” I muttered, grabbing my cereal bowl and joining her. “Let’s hope so.”

I looked at her, still smiling like a lovesick teenager. “So, Miss Lover Girl, how was your date?”

Her cheeks turned pink instantly. She sank into the couch, eyes dreamy. “It was amazing. He bought me flowers and called me mama.”

I groaned. “You’re gone.”

“I can’t help it,” she said, clutching a pillow to her chest. “I just love being around him. I think I’ve fallen hard, Rosie.”

I laughed and nudged her. “I’m actually happy for you. My best friend finally found someone who can keep her out of the streets. My little whore is reformed.”

She smacked my shoulder, laughing. “I was never a whore. I only slept with, like, three guys a week.”

I nearly choked on my cereal. “You just confessed it yourself.”

We both burst out laughing, the sound filling the room.

By Monday morning, I woke up to my phone buzzing like it owed me money. I groaned, grabbed it from the nightstand, and squinted at the screen. It was an email.

Subject: New Company Announcement.

I sat up immediately. My sleepy brain started working when I read the first line — “A new CEO has officially bought the company. All employees are expected to report early for a mandatory meeting. Latecomers will face disciplinary action.”

My heart dropped. “Oh, great,” I muttered, throwing the blanket off. “A control freak CEO.”

I jumped out of bed and rushed through my morning routine, a quick shower and whatever outfit didn’t need ironing. I grabbed my bag and dashed out the door, cereal bar between my teeth.

By the time I got to the office, everyone looked like they were auditioning for a reality show called Survival of the Employees. People were running around with files, printers were jamming, and the receptionist looked one panic attack away from quitting.

I headed straight for the elevator, pressing the button repeatedly like it would move faster.

Just before the doors closed, a hand stopped them.

Louis. Of course.

He stepped in, the smell of his cologne instantly irritating. He looked annoyingly confident in his new suit.

“The CEO’s been asking for his secretary,” he said without looking at me. His tone was clipped and professional, but I caught the edge in it.

I kept my voice steady. “And?”

“And that would be you,” he said. “You might want to hurry before you piss him off too.”

I gave a stiff nod. No time and energy. When the elevator opened, I stepped out before he could say another word.

I ran straight to the CEO’s office, heels clicking against the marble floor. I didn’t even bother knocking, I just pushed the door open.

The office smelled of fresh leather and expensive cologne. A tall man stood by the window, back turned, hands tucked neatly in his pockets.

“Good morning, sir,” I said, a bit breathless. “I’m your new secretary—”

Then he turned around.

My breath caught.

Braxton.

My stomach dropped and my legs almost gave out.

This same man?

First a one-night stand, then my best friend’s supposed groom, and now my new boss?

His eyes were locked on mine, with that same smirk curling on his lips as if the universe was playing his favorite joke.

“Well,” he said in that deep, teasing tone, “we meet again, Rosie.”

For a few seconds, I couldn’t say a word. My mind was spinning, trying to catch up with reality.

He started walking toward me, slow and deliberate, every step making my pulse jump. I moved back instinctively until my back hit the wall.

He stopped right in front of me, close enough for me to smell that same faint scent of whiskey and something darker that immediately made me weak.

“What a coincidence,” he murmured, his voice low, smooth, and annoyingly calm.

I swallowed hard and forced myself to glare at him. “Stay away from me,” I snapped, but when I tried to push him back, his hand caught my wrist with a firm hold.

“Don’t push me away, sweetheart,” he said quietly, eyes holding mine.

My chest tightened with anger. Who the hell does he think he is? He might be my boss now, but he had no right to corner me like this. My heart was pounding so loud I could barely think straight.

“What the hell are you doing? Get away from me!” I hissed, pushing him harder this time.

Then the door suddenly swung open.

“I brought the doc—” Louis froze, eyes flicking between us. The air was so thick with tension.

Braxton didn’t even look at him, his eyes were still on me. “Gather the workers in the conference room for a meeting,” he said coolly.

Louis hesitated for a second, then muttered, “Okay,” before walking out, stealing one last look at me.

I glared at Braxton, my blood boiling. “Asshole,” I muttered under my breath and stormed out of the office.

As I walked down the hall, my thoughts wouldn’t stop racing.

Of all people, it had to be him. The same man I wanted to erase from my memory is now my new boss.

How the hell was I supposed to survive this?