The Billionaire I Rejected Is My Boss のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

I shouldn’t have been there. That was the first thought that crossed my mind the moment I stepped into the grand hall. Everything about the place screamed money. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling like they had never known dust, soft golden light spilling over polished marble floors. The air smelled expensive—like perfume I couldn’t afford and power I didn’t belong around. This wasn’t my world. And I knew it. “Relax,” Lila murmured beside me, nudging my arm lightly. “You look like you’re about to run.” “I am thinking about it,” I muttered under my breath, adjusting the simple black dress I had spent too long choosing. It suddenly felt too plain. Too small. “Don’t you dare,” she said, grabbing my wrist before I could even consider turning back. “You got invited. That means you deserve to be here.” I let out a quiet breath. Invited. That word still felt strange. This event was filled with people who owned companies, built empires, controlled rooms without saying a wo

For a moment, I couldn’t move. Couldn’t think. Couldn’t even breathe properly. Ethan Blackwood sat behind the desk like he had always belonged there, like this—me standing in front of him, caught off guard—was exactly how he planned it. Because of course it was. Men like him didn’t deal in coincidence. They dealt in control. And right now— I had none. “You’re late.” His voice was calm. Smooth. Controlled. Like yesterday never happened. Like he hadn’t looked at me with that same intensity just hours ago. I blinked, forcing myself to recover. “I was told to come up.” “You were expected earlier.” That subtle pressure again. Not loud. Not aggressive. But enough to make you feel like you were already behind. I straightened slightly. “Then someone should have communicated that better.” A pause. Small. But noticeable. Most people would have apologized. Adjusted. Folded. I didn’t. Something flickered in his eyes. Not irritation. Interest. Again. “You’re confiden

Staying late was not part of my plan.But apparently, I didn’t get to have one anymore.The office had slowly emptied over the past hour, the constant movement and low conversations fading into silence. Now, it was just the quiet hum of the building and the occasional sound of footsteps in the distance.I sat at my desk, staring at the screen, trying to focus on the report in front of me.Trying—and failing.Because my mind kept drifting back to one thing.Him.“This is ridiculous,” I muttered under my breath, pushing the thought away again.I had work to do.Important work.Work that actually mattered.Not… whatever this situation was.Still, something felt off.Too quiet.Too controlled.Like I was waiting for something to happen.And that was the problem.I didn’t like waiting.A soft knock on my door pulled me out of my thoughts.“Come in,” I said.Adrian stepped inside, his expression as unreadable as ever.“You’re still here,” he noted.“You told me to stay.”“I told you he told

I told myself I was in control. That nothing had changed. That this was still just a job. But by the third day, I knew that wasn’t true. Because control wasn’t just about what you did. It was about what you felt. And lately— I was feeling too much. “You’re quiet today.” I looked up from my screen. Adrian stood by my desk, watching me with that same calm, observant expression. “I’m working,” I said. “You were working yesterday too.” “And?” “And you weren’t this distracted.” I frowned slightly. “I’m not distracted.” He didn’t respond immediately. Just held my gaze for a second longer than necessary. Then, “He’s noticing.” My chest tightened. “I don’t know what you mean.” “You do.” I looked away, focusing back on my screen. “If this is about work, I’m meeting expectations.” “You are.” “Then there’s no issue.” “There isn’t,” Adrian said. “Not yet.” That didn’t sound reassuring. I exhaled quietly. “If you have something to say, just say it.” A brief pause. Then

By the end of the week, I noticed it. Not something obvious. Not something anyone else would point out. But it was there. In the pauses. In the looks. In the way people reacted when he walked into a room. Ethan Blackwood controlled everything. And everyone. Except— Me. And that was the problem. Because the more I held my ground— The more attention it brought. “You’re being watched.” I didn’t even look up this time. Adrian. Again. “I’m working,” I said calmly. “That’s not what I meant.” I stopped typing. Slowly looked up. “Then what do you mean?” A brief pause. Then— “You’re different.” I almost sighed. “Is everyone going to keep saying that?” “Yes.” “That’s not helpful.” “It’s not meant to be.” Of course it wasn’t. I leaned back slightly. “Then say something useful.” Adrian studied me for a second. Then— “He doesn’t ignore things he doesn’t understand.” My chest tightened slightly. “And?” “And right now… that’s you.” I held his gaze. “And what e