Chapter 49: The Deal

“So, do we have a deal?” Harper asked in a challenging tone of voice. Oliver’s jaw worked silently for a long moment, the weight of her challenge settling between them like a physical presence. His blue eyes searching hers intensely, gauging whether this was truly a game she was willing to play– one that carried serious consequences if discovered. “We have a deal,” he finally said, his voice low and firm with finality. “But if you back out or change your mind, I swear to God, I will tie you to my chair myself.” He stepped back reluctantly, adjusting his suit jacket with deliberate movements that belied the turmoil inside. The CEO mask snapped back into place with practiced ease, though his cheeks remained flushed and his breathing slightly uneven. “Get back to your desk,” he commanded gruffly, pointing toward his office door. “Act normal. Pretend we didn’t just negotiate oral sex in my office while I prepare for Andrew.”

“First, Mrs. Felix,” Harper reminded him. As if on cue, there was a light knock on Oliver’s office door. Oliver’s expression shifted instantly to professional CEO mode, his features smoothing over as he moved toward the door with purposeful strides. The transformation was almost unsettling in its perfection– from possessive lover seconds ago to composed businessman in an instant. “Come in, Mrs. Felix,” he called out smoothly, reaching for the door and unlocking it while shooting Harper a glance that conveyed both warning and promise. The sales manager entered with her usual brisk energy, laptop bag slung over one shoulder and tablet clutched in her other hand. “Apologies for the delay Mr. Williams– traffic was a nightmare downtown.” Mrs. Felix appeared to be in her late forties, with fair skin and striking, voluminous red hair styled in soft waves that frame her face and fall over her shoulders. She was wearing a tailored brown pinstripe suit with a pale blue collared shirt and a structured blazer.

Harper greeted quickly, “Mrs felix.” And then brushed past her to get to her desk. Oliver’s blue eyes followed Harpers movements until she sat down and then he followed suit, circling his polished mahogany desk and sitting down. He subtly adjusted his trousers beneath his desk as he gestured toward one of the visitor chairs. “No worries, Alice. Take a seat and tell me what challenges your team faced this month.” Mrs. Felix or Alice, moved to sit down in the chair, placing her laptop bag besides the chair on the floor and opening up the tablet in her hands. As their meeting proceeded, Harper sat nervously at her desk. Her heart was beating so loudly in her chest. “What the hell was I thinking? A blow job?” she thought to herself, slightly panicked. She glanced towards Oliver’s office briefly and imagined giving him a blow job in his office. Then she shook her head and turned her attention back to her monitor. “No new emails. Day is almost done,” she though to herself. Then a message came through on her phone, from Evan.

Evan: “Hey, if you change your mind let me know.”

The message was accompanied by a picture of Evan’s cock; the sight made her take a deep breath and look around nervously. She turned her phone off and opened her day planner.

After his meeting with Mrs. Felix, Marius entered Oliver’s office casually. “Ah, Olie. Got a moment?” he asked casually with his hands in his pockets. Marius was wearing a black three-piece suit, that consisted of a fitted blazer with smooth, matte finish and clean, structured lines; a matching double-breasted vest underneath, featuring two parallel rows of buttons and a pair of tailor black trousers that align seamlessly with the rest of the suit. Under his waistcoat, he wore a black dress shirt, paired with a black tie, creating a fully monochromatic look. Oliver’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly at the interruption, his patience wearing thin after the back-to-back meetings. Marius’ casual entrance grated on his negotiations with Harper, who was still sitting at her desk. “Marius,” Oliver Acknowledged coolly, gesturing toward the empty chair opposite his desk. “Make it quick– I have another meeting in fifteen minutes.” His blue eyes flickered toward Harper’s desk briefly before returning to focus on his Advertising director. The professional mask remained firmly in place, but tension coiled tightly beneath the surface as he waited for whatever request Marius had brought. “What do you need?” Oliver asked bluntly, leaning back in his leather chair with practiced nonchalance despite the fact that every cell in his body was acutely ware of Harper’s presence just feet away.

“So, I heard your secretary is transferring over to my department,” Marius said and glanced toward Harpers sitting at her desk. Oliver’s spine stiffened, his hands gripping the arms of his chair so tightly his knuckles turned white. The casual way Marius mentioned the transfer sent a fresh wave of possessive fury through him– as if transferring her to Advertising was somehow Marius’ decision to make. “That is correct,” Oliver’s voice came out sharper than intended. “HR approved the transfer this afternoon.” He stood abruptly, circling around his desk to approach Marius with deliberate steps. The movement put him between the Advertising director and Harper’s direct line of sight. “Any other questions about personnel changer?” he asked pointedly crossing his arms over his chest. “Because unless it pertains to budget allocations or quarterly projections, I don’t have time for idle gossip.”

“Chill out Olie, just wanted to check if everything was cool. I thought you liked the girl,” Marius said, then he cleared his throat and added, “I mean I thought you liked her work.” Oliver’s shoulders visibly relaxed at the clarification, though his guard remained cautiously lowered. The reminder that Marius viewed her primarily as an employee rather than competition helped diffuse some of the territorial rage simmering beneath his professional exterior. “I do appreciate her work ethic,” he admitted grudgingly, moving back toward his desk. “But transfers require proper channels and approval processes. You don’t just announce them casually.” His tone softened slightly as he resumed his seat, though his gaze remained fixed on Marius with calculating intensity. “So yes, everything is ‘cool’. Provided you keep your personal opinions about staffing decisions to yourself.”