Chapter 1

My name was Natasha Stark, and I was an ordinary administrative associate in the Starhelm Group's administration department. There was just one problem: I had severe face blindness.

During my second week on the job, I mistook the head of the neighboring department for a courier when he came by to drop off some documents.

"Just leave them at the front desk," I told him.

His expression soured instantly.

After that incident, I learned to identify people by their badges, voices, and hairstyles instead.

Starhelm had recently undergone a restructuring, and the company group chat had only announced the new CEO's name, Benedict Carrington, without a photo.

Madison Lynch, the head of administration, took an unusual interest in the new CEO's arrival. She revised the gala reception plan three times and instructed Tina Knowles to reserve a seat beside him.

Madison smiled knowingly. "The new CEO is an outsider. He hasn't established his own circle yet. Whoever gets close to him first will become the person he trusts most."

Then she glanced at me. "Natasha, you'd better stay away from the executive reception at the gala. If you mistake someone for someone else, you'll embarrass the entire department."

I didn't argue. After all, I genuinely couldn't tell people apart.

…

A few days later, a man with a temporary visitor badge walked into our department. His jacket obscured most of the badge, and I could only make out the letters "Ben." There was no job title visible.

Without a second thought, I called out, "Benny, right? Give me a hand with this box of supplies. It needs to go up to the third floor."

He studied me for two seconds but didn't correct me. Instead, he bent down and picked up the box.

And just like that, I acquired a remarkably capable "intern."

He handled printing, storeroom errands, and document binding with practiced efficiency. He even took it upon himself to reorganize the reimbursement files.

One day, he flipped through a stack of receipts and remarked, "These aren't organized by project number."

"You're just an intern. Focus on your own work," I said.

He didn't argue. He simply went ahead and reorganized the reimbursement forms.

The next day, he brought me coffee and even reheated the cold meal I'd left on my desk.

On another occasion, I nearly dragged a male coworker with a similar haircut into a meeting room by mistake.

Benny caught my wrist from behind. As he stepped closer, I caught a faint scent of fir wood.

"Wrong person," he murmured, his voice low enough that only I could hear.

I quickly retreated behind him. "Thank goodness you were here."

He kept hold of my wrist. "From now on, listen for my voice first. That way, even if I'm far away, I can still warn you."

"That won't help. I'll probably make the same mistake next time," I argued.

"That's fine. I'll just keep reminding you."

…

Three days before the gala, everyone in the administration department was working overtime.

When Tina spotted Benny bringing me dinner, she burst out laughing. "Natasha, what are you doing? Training yourself an obedient little boyfriend?"

My ears burned with embarrassment. I turned to Benny and told him to stop bringing me things before people started gossiping.

He merely smiled. "You're not my boss. You're just the person who orders me around the most."

I was speechless. In the end, I could only accept the lunch box from him.

…

At the end of the month, after we wrapped up the project, I dragged Benny out for a late-night meal to thank him.

He stopped in his tracks when he saw the barbecue joint.

"Don't be so picky. The food here is amazing." I tugged him over to a worn-out chair and made him sit down.

His dark jacket looked utterly out of place beside the greasy table. Even on that worn-out chair stool, he stood out.

After a few beers, I started making grand promises. "Benny, you might not talk much, but you sure know how to get things done. You've got real potential! Once your internship is over, I'll personally speak to the supervisor. I'll fight tooth and nail to get you hired full-time."

He set down his rib and wiped his mouth. "And what exactly do I get out of becoming a full-time employee?"

"I'll have your back at the company! Anyone who dares give you trouble will have to go through me first," I declared.

He regarded me for a long moment before letting out a soft laugh and nodding. "All right. I'll look forward to having you in my corner. Just don't forget who I am by then."

I raised my beer glass and clinked it against his. "Don't worry! I might not remember your face, but I can recognize your voice and the way you work."

He didn't take a sip. He simply watched me with a smile.

…

On the day of the gala, I was backstage sorting the sign-in sheets.

Benny had just finished carrying in the last batch of materials when he approached me. "There's something I need to tell you after this is over."

I told him to stop being so mysterious and get back to work.

Before long, the emcee stepped onto the stage. "Please welcome the Starhelm Group's new CEO, Mr. Benedict Carrington!"

The entire room rose to its feet and erupted in applause.

A man in a dark suit strode onto the stage.

Something about his build struck me as strangely familiar. So did the way his right foot landed just a touch heavier than his left with every step.

Suddenly, the coworker beside me grabbed my arm. "Natasha! Isn't that Benny, the guy you boss around every single day? That's our CEO, Mr. Benedict Carrington!"

At that very moment, a photo of Benny and me together appeared in the company group chat.

The caption read: [So, did she actually know who he was this whole month or not?]