His Son’s New Rule

By eight-thirty the next morning, Seraphina had already learned three things about working for Caelric Veyron.

He expected perfection.

He hated unnecessary conversation.

And his five-year-old son had apparently appointed himself her supervisor.

“Too much coffee.”

Seraphina looked over her shoulder.

Zephyr stood beside her desk with his arms folded.

She glanced at the cup in her hand.

“I haven't even tasted it.”

“My daddy likes it stronger.”

Seraphina stared at him.

“You've been monitoring my coffee?”

Zephyr nodded.

“It's important.”

“Why?”

“So Daddy doesn't become grumpy.”

She laughed.

“Your father is already grumpy.”

The office door opened.

Caelric stepped out.

“I'm standing right here.”

Seraphina immediately straightened.

“Good morning, Mr. Veyron.”

“Good morning.”

Zephyr pointed at her coffee.

“She made it wrong.”

Caelric looked at the cup.

Then at Seraphina.

“I didn't ask for coffee.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you making it?”

“Because your son told me you need it.”

Caelric looked down at Zephyr.

“Did you?”

“Yes.”

“You don't run my office.”

Zephyr smiled.

“I know.”

Caelric turned toward Seraphina.

“You don't have to listen to him.”

“I've noticed that ignoring him is surprisingly difficult.”

The corner of Caelric's mouth moved.

Again.

That tiny almost-smile.

Seraphina caught it.

“You're smiling.”

His expression immediately returned to normal.

“No, I'm not.”

“You were.”

“I wasn't.”

Zephyr looked between them.

“You both lie badly.”

Seraphina laughed.

Caelric gave his son a warning look.

“Breakfast.”

Zephyr sighed.

“I already ate.”

“You ate three pieces of chocolate.”

“That counts.”

“It doesn't.”

Caelric reached for his son's hand.

“Come.”

Zephyr refused to move.

“I want Seraphina to come.”

Caelric looked at him.

“She has work.”

“She can work after breakfast.”

“She has a schedule.”

“So do you.”

Caelric stared at his son.

Seraphina covered her smile.

Zephyr folded his arms.

“Daddy.”

“What?”

“You said family eats together.”

The words changed something.

Caelric's expression softened.

He looked at Seraphina.

She immediately shook her head.

“I don't want to intrude.”

“You wouldn't.”

She hesitated.

“Are you sure?”

Caelric nodded.

“Yes.”

Zephyr immediately grabbed her hand.

“Come on.”

Seraphina glanced at Caelric.

“Your son is very persuasive.”

“He gets that from his mother.”

The moment the words left his mouth, Caelric's expression became distant.

Seraphina noticed.

She hadn't asked about Zephyr's mother.

She wasn't going to.

Instead, she allowed Zephyr to pull her toward the private dining room.

The breakfast was surprisingly peaceful.

Zephyr talked constantly.

Caelric mostly listened.

Seraphina found herself watching them.

There was a softness in Caelric when he looked at his son that didn't exist anywhere else.

The ruthless billionaire everyone described simply disappeared around the boy.

Halfway through breakfast, Zephyr looked at Seraphina.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

Seraphina nearly dropped her fork.

Caelric immediately looked at his son.

“Zephyr.”

“What?”

“That isn't an appropriate question.”

“Why?”

“Because it's personal.”

Zephyr frowned.

“I want to know.”

Seraphina glanced at Caelric.

Then she smiled.

“No.”

Zephyr's eyes widened.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Caelric slowly put down his cup.

“Why is that good?”

“Because Daddy doesn't have a girlfriend either.”

Seraphina suddenly became fascinated by her plate.

Caelric stared at his son.

“Eat.”

“But—”

“Eat.”

Zephyr grinned.

Seraphina tried not to laugh.

After breakfast, she returned to her desk.

A few minutes later, Caelric stepped out of his office.

“Seraphina.”

“Yes?”

“I need the investor files on my desk before ten.”

“They're already there.”

He stopped.

“Already?”

“I reviewed them last night.”

“You worked last night?”

“I wanted to understand the accounts before today.”

He studied her.

“You're not required to work after hours.”

“I know.”

“Then don't make a habit of it.”

Seraphina nodded.

“Understood.”

He turned away.

Then stopped.

“You did well.”

She looked up.

“Was that praise?”

“Don't get used to it.”

She smiled.

“I'll treasure the moment.”

Caelric walked back into his office.

Zephyr appeared from nowhere.

“He likes you.”

Seraphina sighed.

“You've said that already.”

“I know.”

“And you're wrong.”

“No.”

“Zephyr.”

“He doesn't praise people.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I hear him.”

She smiled.

“You listen to everything, don't you?”

“Yes.”

“That could get you into trouble.”

He leaned closer.

“Daddy likes you more than he likes his coffee.”

Seraphina laughed.

“That is impossible.”

“It isn't.”

Before she could answer, Caelric's voice came from inside the office.

“I can hear both of you.”

Zephyr whispered, “See?”

Seraphina laughed again.

The day passed quickly.

By late afternoon, Caelric had three meetings scheduled.

Seraphina reorganized his calendar, moved two calls, prepared documents, and somehow managed to keep Zephyr entertained between everything else.

At six, she finally gathered her things.

She had barely stood when Caelric appeared.

“You're leaving?”

“Yes.”

“You're usually here until seven.”

“Your meetings are finished.”

He looked at his watch.

“You're right.”

Seraphina smiled.

“Good evening, Mr. Veyron.”

“Good evening.”

She took two steps.

Then Zephyr came running down the hallway.

“Seraphina!”

She turned.

He stopped in front of her.

“Don't go.”

She crouched.

“Why?”

“Because Daddy is going to be lonely.”

Caelric appeared behind him.

“Zephyr.”

“What?”

“I'll be fine.”

“No, you won't.”

Seraphina laughed.

Caelric looked at her.

“You don't have to listen to him.”

“I know.”

Zephyr took her hand.

“Please stay for dinner.”

Seraphina looked at Caelric.

He seemed about to refuse.

Instead, he said quietly,

“You can stay.”

Her heart gave an unexpected flutter.

“Okay.”

Zephyr cheered.

Caelric shook his head.

“You realize you're encouraging him.”

Seraphina smiled.

“Maybe.”

The three of them walked toward the private dining room.

Halfway there, Zephyr suddenly released Seraphina's hand.

He ran ahead.

Caelric and Seraphina were left walking side by side.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then Caelric said, “You don't have to stay because of him.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you staying?”

Seraphina looked at him.

“Because I want to.”

Caelric's steps slowed.

Their eyes met.

Something unspoken passed between them.

Then Zephyr's voice echoed from ahead.

“Daddy!”

Caelric looked away.

“Coming.”

Seraphina smiled.

She had only been Caelric Veyron's secretary for two days.

Yet somehow, she was already becoming part of a routine she hadn't planned to enter.

And the most dangerous part wasn't Zephyr's matchmaking.

It was the growing realization that she didn't mind being chosen.