Chapter 4

Lena’s POV

Signed and sealed.

I couldn’t believe it had come to this. Sitting there in the courtroom, listening to the judge call my name, hearing the words finalizing the divorce… it felt unreal. Cold. Freeing. Terrifying. But necessary. Absolutely necessary.

I took a deep breath and handed over the papers, watching Xander shift in his seat. His expression was unreadable, a mix of annoyance and maybe, just maybe, regret. But I didn’t care. Every word, every lie, every betrayal had led me here. I couldn’t undo the pain he’d caused, but I could reclaim my life.

When the judge pronounced it final, I felt a weight lift off my chest, a strange mix of relief and lingering sorrow.

I stood up, smoothing my dress, trying to hold my composure. Xander didn’t even look at me as I walked past him. I felt nothing—not anger, not sadness—just clarity.

Out in the hallway, I inhaled deeply. The sunlight felt warmer somehow, the air sharper, fresher. I booked a hotel for the night, wanting a place away from memories, away from him, away from everything that tied me to pain.

For the first time in months, I felt like I could breathe. This was my life now. My freedom. My choice.

And I was ready to start over.

****

Monday hit differently. I had woken up that morning with a nervous buzz in my chest, not entirely unpleasant. Today was my first real day as Lucian Valentino’s Personal Assistant. Not just a temp. Not just a hopeful applicant. His PA. I got a job. The thought still felt surreal.

I arrived at Harrington Industries early, dressed sharp and professional. A fitted blazer over a neutral blouse, trousers that emphasized my long legs without being flashy. He might not notice the details. But I would.

The receptionist nodded at me. “He’s expecting you. Go ahead.”

I nodded back and walked down the polished hallway, trying to straighten my back with every step. When I pushed open the office door, there he was. Lucian. My chest caught like it always did.

He was leaning casually against his desk, one hand tucked into his pocket, the other holding a tablet. Dark hair slightly messy, a faint crease between his brows, eyes that could make any rational thought evaporate. He looked at me, and I swear the air in the room shifted.

“Good morning, Elena,” he said, that British-accented drawl sliding off his tongue like silk. “Sit. We have a busy day ahead.”

“Good morning, Sir,” I said, attempting calm. My voice was steadier than my heartbeat, but just barely.

“First things first,” he continued, flipping a page on the tablet. “I need you to retrieve the HGR files from the archives. They’re labeled by project code, and you’ll need to deliver them to me by 11 AM.”

“Understood,” I replied, reaching for my notepad to jot it down.

“And Elena…” His voice dropped slightly, making me look up. “Tomorrow we’ll have a full meeting. Harrington is partnering with a major conglomerate. I want you prepped. Everyone will be in attendance. The last thing I need is a misplaced file or a mismanaged schedule. Are we clear?”

“Yes, Sir. I’ll have everything ready.”

He nodded, but I noticed the small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. That smirk. The one that made me forget half the things I was supposed to do.

By the time I made it to the archives, my hands were slightly shaky. Not just nerves. Excitement. Something about working for him made even the simplest tasks feel monumental.

The files were heavy, stacked neatly on a rolling cart. I grabbed them, checked each one twice. As I pushed the cart down the hallway, I rehearsed how I would deliver them: calm, composed, professional. No fluster. No staring.

But of course, I wasn’t prepared for what happened next.

Lucian’s voice called from the end of the hallway. “Elena.”

I froze mid-step.

“Don’t look so stressed,” he said, walking toward me with that effortless glide he had. “You’re handling the files beautifully. Just… watch your posture.”

I swallowed hard, feeling heat creep into my cheeks. “Thank you, Sir.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Call me Mr Lucian, remember?”

I nodded, embarrassed that he noticed every tiny detail about me. Every flinch, every hesitation. How did he do that?

The rest of the morning passed in a blur. Delivering files, taking notes, coordinating schedules. And yet, every time he leaned over to explain something, brushed past me in the office, or even glanced in my direction with that sharp, assessing look, I felt my pulse spike.

At 11:00, I stood in front of his desk, the files stacked neatly in my arms.

“Perfect,” he said, looking through them quickly. “Exactly how I like it.” He tapped the top file. “I don’t say this often, Elena. But you’re efficient. Focused. I appreciate that.”

My lips curved into a small smile. “Thank you. I… I want to make sure everything runs smoothly.”

“You’re doing more than that,” he said, leaning back slightly. That smirk again. “You’re making my life easier. And that, in my line of work, is worth more than a thousand assistants who can’t think for themselves.”

I felt my stomach twist. His praise was professional. But the way he said it… with that subtle intensity… I had to look away.

Later, as I was organizing his schedule for the meeting tomorrow, he called me over.

“Sit.”

I obeyed, though my heart was thundering.

“Tomorrow,” he said, sliding a folder across the desk toward me. “Everyone will be watching. I want the prep to be perfect. Notes concise, introductions brief, and files accessible. The board members, partners, associates—don’t let me down.”

“Yes, Sir. I’ll have everything ready.”

His eyes softened ever so slightly. “I know you will. That’s why I chose you.”

I blinked. “Choose me?”

“Yes,” he said, standing and walking around the desk again. He stopped beside me, close enough that I could feel the faint heat radiating off him. “I don’t settle for incompetence. You impress me, Elena. But don’t get too comfortable. This isn’t just a desk job. This is an opportunity. And I expect excellence.”

“Yes, Sir,” I whispered. My voice is barely audible.

He smirked, stepping back. “Good. You’ll learn fast. Or you’ll be replaced just as quickly.”

And just like that, the tension snapped, leaving me dizzy. Excited. Nervous. And strangely… flustered.

The rest of the afternoon was a whirlwind. Phones, emails, scheduling conflicts, and meetings I had to sit in and observe. Every time Lucian spoke, I noticed the way people leaned in, the way he commanded respect without shouting. I couldn’t help but admire him—not just for the way he ran his company, but for the way he carried himself, so confident, so magnetic.

At one point, he asked me to fetch coffee for a meeting with some investors. I followed him down the hall, fumbling with the tray, my hands trembling slightly.

“Careful,” he said, not unkindly, his hand brushing against mine as he adjusted the tray. The electricity that shot through me made me jump slightly.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, trying to regain control.

“Relax,” he said softly, leaning closer. “Focus. You’re doing fine.”

I nodded, heart hammering, every instinct telling me to act calm. But my brain refused to cooperate. He noticed everything. Every glance, every hesitation, every subtle reaction.

By the time the investors arrived, I was standing behind him, notes in hand, files organized, ready for whatever he needed. Lucian glanced at me once, his eyes briefly softening, before he turned to the guests and lit up the room with that perfectly charismatic smile.

I couldn’t help but stare. He was dangerous. Dreamy. Infuriating. Professional yet somehow personal, in the way that made me acutely aware of every detail about myself I had never noticed before.

As the meeting concluded, he turned to me. “Tomorrow, more of the same. Big day. Don’t disappoint.”

“I won’t,” I said, voice steady, though my mind raced.

“Good,” he said, smirking. “And Elena… don’t forget. Eyes forward. Professional. But don’t think I haven’t noticed you.”

I swallowed, heat rushing to my cheeks. “I… understand, Sir.”

He nodded once, then returned to his work, leaving me with a pounding heart and the realization that surviving this job—this man—was going to be far more challenging than I imagined.

But somehow, amidst the stress, the tension, the flustered moments, I felt a spark of something I hadn’t felt in a long time. Excitement. Challenge. And yes… maybe even a little thrill.

Tomorrow was going to be bigger. Harder. More nerve-wracking. And I was already counting the minutes.