Chapter 200
Madison
+25 BONUS
I stepped out of the elevator, smoothing down my pencil skirt one last time. The familiar hum of the office greeted me as I made my way across the polished floor toward my desk.
A few early birds were already at their desks, engrossed in work and barely glancing up as I passed. Most of the cubicles, however, remained empty and silent at this early hour.
My desk sat pristine and waiting, Alexander’s office door firmly closed behind it. I set my purse down and booted up my computer, stealing glances at his door every few seconds.
No sign of him yet. Good.
I needed time to gather my thoughts after last night’s hasty exit. The name “Katherine” had been bouncing around my head all night, disrupting my sleep and leaving me with more questions than answers. Who was she? Why had Alexander called me by her name that night? And what had they discussed after I left?
My fingers drummed against the desk as I waited for my computer to load. I would ask him directly when he arrived. No dancing around the subject. Just a simple, professional question about who Katherine was.
Simple. Professional. Right.
I was rehearsing potential conversation starters when the elevator dinged. My head snapped up, but it was just Janet from accounting.
“Morning, Madison,” she chirped, coffee in hand.
“Morning,” I replied, forcing a smile that felt too tight.
Two more elevators arrived with various employees, but no Alexander. I checked my watch. He was usually here by now.
The clock ticked past eight–thirty, then eight forty–five. The office came alive around me: phones ringing, keyboards clicking, the copier humming in the background. Still no sign of Alexander.
As I reached for the phone to call him, the elevator doors slid open, and there he was. Alexander Knight, in all his glory, striding across the office floor like he owned the place – which, of course, he did. His custom suit fit him perfectly, highlighting broad shoulders and a trim waist. His hair was styled impeccably, and his jaw was freshly shaved.
No signs of a hangover. No indication that last night had affected him at all.
My stomach tightened as our eyes met briefly before he looked away, nodding at a few employees as
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he passed.
“Good morning, Mr. Knight,” I said, rising from my chair as he approached.
“Ms. Harper.” His voice was cool and professional. “My office, now.”
I grabbed my tablet and followed him, keeping a respectful distance as we entered his spacious office. The floor–to–ceiling windows offered a stunning Manhattan skyline view, but I wasn’t here for the scenery.
“I’ll prepare your coffee.”
“Thank you.” He settled behind his massive desk.
I busied myself with the coffee machine. The familiar routine steadied my nerves: measure the grounds, add water, and wait for it to brew–simple steps to follow while I gathered my thoughts.
When the coffee was ready, I carried the steaming mug to his desk and set it down on the coaster.
“Here you are, Mr. Knight.”
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“Sit down, Ms. Harper.” He gestured to the chair across from him.
I perched on the edge of the seat, hands folded in my lap, waiting. The silence stretched between us,
thick with unspoken tension.
“Why did you leave last night?” he finally asked, his voice deceptively casual as he took a sip of coffee.
I met his gaze steadily. “I didn’t want to stay, so I left.”
Alexander leaned back in his chair, his expression hardening. “I thought we would continue where we left off after they were gone.”
“But you didn’t stop me,” I pointed out, straightening my spine. “You let me walk right out the door.
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“I told you to stay for drinks,” he countered, his voice low and controlled. “You declined.”
I let out a short laugh. “Why did you even open the door? If you’d waited five minutes, they might have left.”
“Excuse me?” His eyebrows shot up.
“They rang three times, Mr. Knight. You could have pretended not to be home.”
“You haven’t given that idea last night,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “If I recall correctly, you were too busy scrambling for your clothes.”
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Heat rushed to my cheeks. “You’re the CEO here. I’m just your PA. You didn’t come up with that idea either, and now you’re blaming me for not suggesting it?”
Alexander set his coffee mug down with a sharp clink. “It’s already happened. Discussing it further is
pointless.”
“Fine.” I stood up, tablet clutched to my chest like a shield. “Is there anything else you need from me this morning, Mr. Knight?”
He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. “Sit down, Ms. Harper. We’re not finished.”
I reluctantly lowered myself back into the chair, keeping my posture rigid. My mind raced with possibilities. What could he possibly want to discuss now? Was it about last night? About Katherine? Or something else entirely?
Alexander studied me with those piercing eyes, his expression unreadable. The silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken tension.
“Ms. Harper,” he finally said, his voice low and controlled, “do you understand what happens when you disobey me?”
I blinked, caught off guard by the question. “Disobey you?”
“Leaving last night without permission.” His fingers drummed once against his desk. “That requires punishment.”
My pulse quickened. “Punishment? For leaving your place when your friends showed up unexpectedly?”
“I asked you to stay.”
“You didn’t stop me from leaving either,” I pointed out, trying to keep my voice steady.
His lips curved into a small, dangerous smile. “That’s not how this works, and you know it.”
“What exactly is my punishment, Mr. Knight?” I asked, meeting his gaze directly.
He leaned back in his chair, studying me for a long moment. The morning sunlight streaming through the windows cast shadows across his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw.
“I had several ideas in mind,” he said, his voice dropping to that velvet tone that sent shivers down my spine. “But I’m feeling generous today.”
“How fortunate for me,” I murmured.
His eyes narrowed slightly. “Don’t push your luck, Ms. Harper. My generosity has limits.”
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“So, no punishment?” I clarified.
“Not today.” He set his empty coffee mug aside. “Besides, I have some news for you.”
My stomach tightened. “News?”
“Yes.” He stood abruptly, buttoning his suit jacket with practiced ease. “But not here.”
I rose to my feet, confusion written across my face. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” He moved toward the door, pausing to look back at me. “Coming?”
“Now?”
“The work can wait.” He gestured impatiently. “Let’s go.”
+25 BONUS
I grabbed my tablet and purse, hurrying to keep up with his long strides as we crossed the office floor. Curious eyes followed our departure, but Alexander paid them no mind.
In the elevator, I stood a careful distance from him, my mind spinning with possibilities. What news could he possibly have that required leaving the office? Was it about Katherine? The name had haunted me all night, popping into my thoughts at the most inconvenient moments.
What if she was coming back? What if Alexander’s mysterious ex–girlfriend was returning to claim her position in his life? Maybe they were giving their relationship a second chance. Or worse–what if he wanted to end our arrangement? Had he found someone new, someone who didn’t come with the complications I brought?
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
