LOGINAnnie was still standing when the door finally opened.Jeremy walked in, and a sudden chill ran down her spine at the sight of him.He didn't acknowledge her immediately. He walked straight to his desk, placed a folder he was holding beside his computer and settled into his chair. He loosened his wrist slightly before checking his watch, as though he had somewhere else to be.Annie remained standing.After a moment, he lifted his head and turned his attention to her.His eyes travelled slowly from her face to the rest of her appearance, taking in every detail. He studied her with an unusual intensity, his expression giving nothing away.Annie adjusted her posture, suddenly conscious of how she was standing.She couldn't understand what he was looking for. His gaze moved over her face again, lingering for a few seconds before travelling downwards.It wasn't the first time she had been in his presence, but something about the way he was looking at her made this encounter different.She
Jeremy said nothing.He simply stood behind his desk, his expression giving Annie nothing to work with. His eyes moved from the scattered documents to her face. There was no visible anger or irritation. Somehow, that made the situation worse.Mr. Andrew, the visitor in his late twenties, leaned back in his chair with an amused smile.“Your secretary is quite a lot,” he remarked, glancing at Annie. “How do you manage?”The other visitor said nothing, offering a small, knowing smile as he watched the exchange quietly unfold.Jeremy did not respond.Annie wished he would. Even a sharp reprimand would have been easier to handle than the silence settling around the room. She lowered her eyes and concentrated on gathering the papers, careful not to let her hands shake any more than they already were.She picked up the last sheet, straightened the papers against the folder, and checked that nothing had been left behind. Then she stepped towards the table.“I'll put these here, sir,” she said
Jeremy walked ahead, with Annie following a few feet behind him, carrying his tablet, phone and a leather folder.They arrived at a set of double doors, and one of the security personnel immediately opened them.Inside was a private reception reserved for important guests and high-level business meetings.The space was beautifully designed, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the city. Elegant leather sofas, marble-topped tables and contemporary furniture gave the room a sophisticated urban feel. Warm lighting complemented the neutral interiors, while a modern art piece added character to one of the walls.Everything about the place spoke of understated luxury.Two men were already seated in the reception area, with glasses of water and coffee arranged neatly on the table before them.One appeared to be in his late twenties, while the other was in his mid-thirties.Both were impeccably dressed.The younger man wore a well-fitted olive-green suit over a black shirt, paired
Annie stepped into the office, and the door clicked shut behind her.Her heart beat hard against her ribs. Jeremy Whitmore sat behind his desk, studying a document. He did not acknowledge her immediately, and the silence made her nerves worse.When he finally raised his eyes, his gaze settled on her.Something about her face seemed familiar. He was certain he had seen her somewhere, but the memory would not come. He studied her for another second, then set the document aside.Her appearance was strikingly different from the two occasions she had served him at the Velvet Room. There, attendants wore heavier makeup and seductive outfits as part of the establishment's standard. Here, Annie's hair was neatly pulled back, her makeup was light, and her cream blouse and black trousers gave her a polished, professional look.Even dressed simply, she was stunningly beautiful.Annie stood in front of his desk, hands clasped together to keep them still. Jeremy's attention made her increasingly c
Ray walked a few steps ahead of Jeremy as they returned to the executive office. He opened the door and stepped aside, allowing Jeremy to enter first.Jeremy crossed the spacious room, loosened his tie and removed his suit jacket before settling behind his desk. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered an impressive view of the city, while dark wooden furnishings, leather chairs and carefully selected artwork gave the office an understated elegance.Ray remained standing near the entrance, waiting for his usual dismissal.However, Jeremy seemed distracted.He leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed somewhere beyond his desk. His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest as his thoughts returned to the same question.Where had he seen that woman?Annie Williams.Her face was familiar. He was certain of it, yet he couldn't remember where their paths had crossed.It shouldn't have mattered. She was simply an employee he had encountered during his tour.But uncertainty had a way of getting
Jeremy had barely disappeared around the corner when Sophie pushed her chair back.She crossed the aisle and stopped beside Annie's desk, one hand on her hip."Have you completely lost your mind?"Annie flinched. "Good morning.""Don't good-morning me." Sophie leaned closer, lowering her voice without lowering her excitement. "You fell asleep. At your desk. In front of the chief executive.""I know, Sophie.""Do you?" Sophie widened her eyes. "You looked like a company liability."Annie fought a smile, pulled her chair in, and returned to the unfinished document."I'm working now. Please."Sophie glanced towards the corridor. "Can we discuss the important part?""There is a more important part?""Jeremy Whitmore."Annie's fingers paused above the keyboard.Sophie clasped her hands beneath her chin. "Oh, my God. Did you see his eyes?"Annie slowly turned her head. "I was standing right in front of him. It would've been difficult not to.""Those eyes. And that face. He's so cute. It's a







