THE BOSS' MISTRESS

ANNA HAD JUST REACHED the glass doors, ready to breathe fresh air and finally calm her racing heart, when the receptionist called out sharply behind her.

"You. "

The woman didn't even bother to look up fully from her screen. "The CEO wants to see you. Now."

Her tone was clipped, irritated, like Anna had personally ruined her entire morning. Anna blinked, confused.

"Sorry... the C–CEO?" she asked.

The receptionist rolled her eyes dramatically, leaning back in her seat with exaggerated impatience. "Yes. The CEO. Or do you need me to spell it for you? Take the elevator to the top floor. They said you should come immediately."

Anna swallowed the irritation burning in her chest. This woman again. But she kept her mouth shut, nodded politely, and made her way to the elevator. Her palms were sweating by the time the doors opened into a quiet, expensive-looking hallway.

Then she saw his name on the frosted glass door.

Blake Harrington – CEO

Her breath caught.

She knocked once.

"Come in," his voice answered, smooth and calm.

She stepped inside. He was standing by the window, tall, composed, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his forearms. When he turned to face her, his expression softened-barely-but she caught it.

"Anna," he said, gesturing to the chair opposite his desk. "Please, sit."

But she stayed standing.

Blake raised a brow. "You did incredibly well today. Better than I even predicted. I was... amused. Impressed, actually."

Anna's jaw tightened. "Thank you, sir."

He noticed the edge in her voice. "You're angry."

"I'm not angry," she lied.

He stepped closer, studying her carefully. "Do you know why I kept attacking you with questions in there? Why I pushed you harder than every other candidate?"

Anna's eyes flicked away. "Because... we were strangers, right? That's what you were acting like."

Blake stared at her, confused. "Strangers?" He paused. "You're going to pretend we didn't share a night?"

Her breath hitched before she forced her calm back into place.

Blake's eyes dropped briefly to what she was wearing-his shirt, his trousers, tucked and styled neatly on her frame. A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. "You look good. Better than I expected in my clothes."

Anna exhaled, embarrassed. "I'm sorry for taking them. Truly. And... thank you. For giving me another chance after I-after everything." She swallowed. "But I'd appreciate it if you treat me like an ordinary worker. Not like... your one-night mistress."

Blake froze.

His eyes flickered with something unreadable-hurt? Surprise? Regret?-then he looked away.

A long, heavy silence fell between them.

Finally he nodded once. "You're right. I got too familiar. I apologize."

Anna stayed still, her heartbeat finally slowing as the power in the room shifted back in her favour.

She cleared her throat gently. "If that's all, sir... I'd like to go."

Blake's jaw flexed, but he quietly said, "That's all."

Anna turned, walked out of his office, and closed the door behind her-leaving Blake standing in the middle of the room, suddenly too aware of the space she had just left behind.