Chapter3:His eyes,his hands and office

One beautiful morning when I was cleaning the reception area when Vivian walked in, her heels clasped like warnings. “There’s still dust there,” she said. I looked but it was spotless. But she didn’t care. She deliberately knocked over a flower vase when no one was watching and said coldly, “Clean it again.” Over and over, she found “dirt” that didn’t exist. I could see the satisfaction on her face each time she made me redo my work. My back ached, but I held my head high. Just when I thought I could finally clean Dylan’s office, I heard the staff whisper He’s here.

The billionaire CEO. Dylan Hart was the kind of man who commanded attention the moment he stepped into a room. Tall, nicely dressed in tailored suits that fit his broad shoulders, with strong intense eyes that held secrets, only a few could read, he was every woman’s dream and every man’s silent competition.

As the CEO of Silver Palm Hotels, Dylan wasn't just powerful he was admired, envied, and desired. He was the type who didn’t have to try too hard. His presence alone was enough. Whether at board meetings or business events, women leaned in a little closer, hoping to catch his attention. Men straightened their ties in his presence, hoping to impress him.

Rumors say”s, He is cold.“He is mysterious. He doesn’t date anyone from work.” Yet, that only added to the allegations. Many had tried to catch his eyes, but none had succeeded. He moved with quiet confidence, spoke with measured calm, and had a stare that could silence a room. Though he kept his distance emotionally, Dylan had a soft spot buried beneath the layers of leadership and control, but only a few would ever see it.

Dylan walked past reception and straight into his office. Moments later, his voice boomed from inside.“Vivian! Why is my office not cleaned yet?

Vivian gave me a smug look. “Your turn."With a racing heart, I knocked. Come in, he said. He sat behind his massive desk, eyes scanning papers. Make it quick he said 

I nodded silently and began to clean. But as I moved around, one of his documents slipped off the desk. I bent quickly to pick it up, just as he did too. Our hands touched. The room froze, His warm fingers lingered a moment too long. When he looked up, our eyes locked. Time slowed. His gaze was sharp but deep like he was seeing through me.

And I coughed nervously. He snapped out of it and quickly pulled his hand back. Thank you, he said, taking the file.

He hesitated, then asked, What should I call you? Riley,I replied softly. “Okay. You can leave if you’re done. I grabbed my supplies and went out, with a racing heart.

That night at home, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. His voice. His eyes. The way his hand felt. Was I going crazy? Why did that moment feel important? I laughed to myself, Maybe I needed a doctor. Or maybe something inside me had just started to awaken.

The next morning, I walked into work with a little smile on my face. I didn’t know why, but thinking of Dylan, his eyes, his voice, that brief touch warmed something inside me. But my peace didn’t last long. Vivian had made it her mission to break me.

While I was cleaning the CEO’s office, she walked in with fire in her eyes. Then, without warning, she grabbed the elegant, glass jar on Dylan’s desk, the one everyone knew he adored, and smashed it hard on the floor. The sound was so loud, Then she turned to me and screamed, Why are you so clumsy, Riley? This is the most expensive jar here. The boss cherishes this. Before I could even respond, Dylan came in, saw his office was a mess, and then he asked What’s going on here? Vivian didn’t hesitate. She broke it, sir. She is careless. I keep saying she doesn’t deserve to work here.

Dylan looked at me angrily, His voice turned cold. “Riley, I have been patient. Why are you so clumsy today? He said I froze. I could not say a word. The truth caught in my throat. “I’m sorry that's all I managed to say ,Clean it up. And leave, he said, turning away. My hands shook as I gathered the shards. I felt the sting of tears but refused to let them fall not in front of her. I gathered all the mess then went outside to trash them, Vivian met me there and faked a smile at me, she came closer and whispered to me I will kick you out , just watch. I didn’t say a word to her . She walked off, proud of her victory.

Later that afternoon, it was time to clean the CEO’s private restroom. I approached and knocked gently. No response. Assuming the room was empty, I slowly opened the door.What I saw made me gasp and spin around in panic. Dylan was inside, shirtless, wiping off a spill on his shirt. I didn’t know he was wearing earbuds and didn’t hear me knock. I am so sorry, sir! I said, eyes tightly shut. “I didn’t see anything! I swear! I knocked,

Before I could finish, he crossed the room and gently grabbed my arm, turning me to face him. Riley he called I opened them slowly, nervously and my eyes met his. His gaze wasn’t angry. It was an intense search. His face inched closer. His lips almost touched mine, My heart raced, Just when I felt myself leaning in, I snapped out of it. I am sorry sir I said, but he held my eyes.

No, he said softly. I should be the one apologizing. For what happened this morning. I knew you didn’t break that jar on purpose, we make mistakes at times and I'm so sorry for being rude. His hand reached up and brushed my hair gently behind my ear. The warmth of his fingers lingered. Then, without another word, he stepped away and left. I stood frozen. And that night, I couldn't sleep not because of fear or pain, but because the memory of his touch wouldn’t leave me. Even with my eyes closed, I felt his hand on my head.

Vivian got home before me. When I got home, I heard laughter coming from the living room. Vivian was making a mockery of me, talking about what happened at work. I tried peeking in and saw my dad there, but he didn’t say anything. He just sat there focused on his laptop. My heart sank. I opened the door and greeted them. My dad simply said, “Welcome,” and I quietly went inside.