《Risky Games of Fire》


 Return

    Auren stands at the threshold, tall and graceful, like a finely crafted statue made with meticulous precision.


    The light filtering through the doorway gently outlines her silhouette, accentuating the elegant lines of her body. Her long legs make her posture even more regal, and the subtle movement of her hair adds an almost mystical allure.


    But what captivates the most are her eyes¡ªlarge, deep, incredibly expressive. They seem to pull you into their abyss, hiding a thousand stories, a thousand emotions. Thick, long lashes cast shadows on her cheekbones, making her gaze even more mesmerizing. Those eyes alone can melt ice or, conversely, make someone feel vulnerable. There is something enigmatic within them¡ªsomething impossible to decipher at first glance, yet irresistibly compelling to unravel.


    Her face is like a masterfully painted portrait. Smooth, radiant skin with a subtle warm undertone resembles the petals of the most delicate flowers. A delicate nose, slightly upturned at the tip, adds a playful touch to her features, while her full, sensual lips seem made for whispered confessions and daring remarks. Their natural hue enhances her raw beauty, one that requires no embellishments. Every movement of her hands, fluid and confident, betrays an inner strength. She is a perfect balance of elegance and defiance, with a touch of untouchability that makes her all the more alluring and unforgettable.


    As she steps inside the house, her grace does not go unnoticed. Her movements are light, almost like a dancer¡¯s, and her proud posture speaks of someone who will never allow herself to be broken. Even in this house, heavy with painful memories, she looks as if fate itself is guiding her forward.


    She stands at the threshold, hesitating to cross it. The house before her¡ªonce familiar, once a place she thought of as hers¡ªnow feels like a collection of bitter memories. The silence in the corridor presses down on her, and childhood recollections flood back. Every detail of this house is familiar, yet now alien. Everything that happened here will remain in her memory forever, turning this place into something dark, filled with unspoken words. She listens to the quiet hum of life beyond the door, and with each passing second, her resolve weakens.


    Her mother, who once served here, could not protect her, and for a long time, Auren could not understand why she endured such a fate. She had always felt out of place in this house, and now, years later, the weight of returning is almost suffocating. She hesitates for a second, as if trying to escape what awaits her. Every part of her resists taking that step.


    Yet, as soon as she pushes the door open and steps inside, her eyes scan the familiar yet subtly changed rooms. Everything appears the same, but something in the air feels different. She finds herself uncertain of where to go once again, her gaze instinctively searching for her mother.


    Then, her eyes stop on the living room.


    He is there.


    Sitting in the dimly lit room, in an armchair, with a laptop on his lap, engrossed in work. Auren narrows her eyes, trying to get a better look at him. He does not seem to have noticed her presence, but as if sensing her gaze, he lifts his head, and their eyes meet.


    Auren¡¯s heart stutters. Memories of him rush in unexpectedly.


    The boy from her past is gone.


    Before her stands a man.


    He¡¯s become so handsome.


    Kael Dantes.


    His black hair is neatly styled, with just enough carelessness to make him even more attractive. A few strands fall over his forehead, adding to the air of mystery surrounding him. His dark eyes¡ªdeep like an endless abyss¡ªstudy her intently. Cold, yet perceptive. It feels as if he can see right through her, catching even the smallest change in her expression, every emotion she tries to hide.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Tall and well-built, his presence radiates strength and control. Broad shoulders, a toned physique¡ªnot just the result of good genetics, but of discipline and restraint. Even as he sits in a relaxed posture, he looks like someone who is always in control.


    When he takes a step forward, stepping into the sunlight, his dark hair catches a faint warmth, and his eyes gleam as they assess her with an unreadable expression. There is no surprise in his gaze, no joy¡ªonly sharp attention, as if he is trying to remember her or understand why she is here.


    That look¡ªcold, yet irresistible.


    "Did you get the wrong door?" he asks.


    Auren involuntarily shivers at the sound of his voice.


    Low. Calm. Velvety.


    It rolls over her skin like a slow shiver, sinking deep inside and leaving behind an unfamiliar sensation.


    She meets his gaze, keeping her composure, but something inside her shifts.


    "I don¡¯t think so," she replies evenly, looking him straight in the eyes. "I¡¯m here for a reason."


    "Auren?"


    Her mother¡¯s voice, filled with surprise, echoes from the corridor.


    Auren smiles at the sight of her.


    Kael, hearing the name, raises his brows slightly, now observing her with interest.


    Auren shifts her gaze back to him, finding him watching her just as intently. Something new flickers in his eyes¡ªfaint surprise mixed with curiosity. Just moments ago, he looked at her like a stranger, but now his gaze seems to delve deeper, matching memories to the present.


    "Mr. Kael, I¡¯m sorry for interrupting," Auren¡¯s mother says, addressing him respectfully.


    Kael fnally looks away¡ªbut not before his gaze lingers on Auren¡¯s face for a few more seconds.


    "I didn¡¯t expect to see you here again," he says calmly.


    Auren feels her fingers tremble slightly as her mother takes her hands.


    "You¡¯ve changed so much¡­" her mother¡¯s voice is hoarse, and Auren sees the way her lips tremble.


    "It¡¯s been many years, Mom," Auren replies, her voice softer than she expected.


    Kael stans nearby, watching their reunion with distant indifference.


    "Are you back for good?" her mother asks cautiously.


    Auren shakes her head.


    "Not yet."


    Her mother pauses for a moment, then suddenly says:


    "Mr. Kael, you needed an assistant, didn¡¯t you? Auren could help you."


    Auren immediately turns to her mother with a stunned look.


    Kael studies her, his gaze narrowing slightly.


    "I need a professional, not¡­ a temporary replacement."


    Auren narrows her eyes.


    "You don¡¯t even know what I¡¯m capable of."


    Kael meets her gaze with a faint smirk.


    "I doubt it."


    Auren¡¯s lips curve into the barest hint of a smile.


    As if she has already won the first round.


    She presses her lips together, realizing that their conversation has already turned into some kind of game, where both try to assert dominance. She never intended to take this job, but now her pride is on the line.


    Kael seems to be provoking her on purpose, and she does not like it one bit.


    "You must think too highly of yourself if you believe I want to work for you," she says defiantly, crossing her arms.


    Kael tilts his head slightly, watching her, the corner of his lips lifting ever so slightly.


    "Why so defiant?" her mother sighs, though there is no true reprimand in her voice, only worry.


    "Mom, why would you suggest that so suddenly?" Auren rolls her eyes. "I have no intention of working with him."


    She glances briefly at Kael, who continues to appear fully focused on his laptop screen.


    "And you¡¯re right," he replies coolly, not looking up. "You wouldn¡¯t suit me."


    Auren¡¯s eyes narrow.


    Irritation surges inside her once more.


    ***


    The evening was slowly turning into night.


    Auren sat at the kitchen table, a laptop open in front of her. From the kitchen came the gentle sounds of her mother cooking, filling the space with a cozy atmosphere.


    Deep in her job search, Auren browsed through websites, sending her r¨¦sum¨¦ to various companies. She was starting to lose hope of receiving quick responses, but she knew she couldn''t stop.


    Lines of job requirements flickered on the screen: experience in marketing, a strategic mindset, analytical skills¡­ Her gaze caught on one particular listing.


    The position seemed interesting. She began reading more carefully but suddenly noticed something odd:


    "Secretarial experience required, strong communication skills."


    "Hm¡­" Auren frowned. "Why would a marketing job require secretarial experience?"


    It didn¡¯t make much sense. But she shrugged. The requirements weren¡¯t too specific, and the job looked promising. She sent her r¨¦sum¨¦.


    "Mom, do you think I should even hope for these jobs?" Auren closed her laptop and rubbed her forehead tiredly. "I can''t seem to find the right one."


    "Don''t worry," her mother replied gently as she continued cooking. "You''ll find a job that suits you."


    A few days passed.


    Auren had already forgotten about that particular r¨¦sum¨¦ as she went about her daily routine. But then, unexpectedly, her phone vibrated, notifying her of a new email.


    An interview invitation.


    She stared at the screen in surprise.


    "So soon?" she muttered, frowning.


    Usually, responses didn¡¯t come for at least a week.


    But still¡­ This was a chance.


    She decided to prepare for the interview, unaware that this step would change her life.

 A new day, a new chapter

    The tall building towered over the street, its glass facade coldly reflecting the sunlight. Auren stood at the entrance, clutching her bag. Her heart was beating faster than she would have liked.


    "Stay calm," she whispered to herself, taking a deep breath.


    She pushed open the heavy metal door and stepped inside. The spacious lobby greeted her with sterile cleanliness¡ªwhite walls, strict gray chairs, the faint scent of coffee and expensive wood.


    Her footsteps echoed in the silence.Behind the reception desk sat a young woman in a business suit, her expression polite but detached.


    "Your name?"


    "Auren Laurent. I''m here for an interview."


    "Please wait here."


    Auren sat down on one of the stiff chairs, glancing around.


    Two other candidates were nearby¡ªa man with glasses nervously tapping his folder and a perfectly groomed woman typing something on her phone.


    "They look so confident... And me?"


    She clenched her hands tighter on her lap, forcing herself to stay calm.


    Then they called her name.The elevator took her to the top floor. When the doors opened, a long hallway with floor-to-ceiling windows stretched before her.


    The city spread to the horizon, but Auren didn''t look. She followed a suited man, who silently gestured toward a door.


    Inside, a woman in her forties greeted her with a cold, assessing gaze.


    "Sit."


    Auren settled across from her, straightening her back. The woman opened a folder with her r¨¦sum¨¦, skimming through it.


    "You have a solid background," she remarked in an even tone.


    "Why did you choose our company?"


    "You have a strong marketing department," Auren answered confidently.


    "I studied your projects carefully and see how I could bring fresh ideas and a new perspective."


    The woman nodded but didn''t seem particularly impressed.


    "How do you feel about multitasking?"


    "Do you mean handling multiple projects at once?" Auren clarified.


    "In a way," the interviewer gave a thin-lipped smile.


    "For example, if you needed to coordinate office work, handle administrative tasks."


    Auren narrowed her eyes slightly.


    "That doesn''t sound like marketing."


    "We value employees who can adapt. How comfortable are you with paperwork, organizing meetings, coordinating travel?"


    The further the conversation went, the more Auren felt something was off. None of the questions were about marketing.


    "How proficient are you with office software? Can you manage emails and prepare reports for executives?"


    Auren forced herself to remain composed.


    "Yes, I can. But, excuse me, how does this relate to marketing?"


    The woman froze.


    "What do you mean?"


    Auren pointed to the phone on the desk.


    "The job listing¡ªthese requirements fit more for a secretary."


    A pause stretched between them. The interviewer silently opened the company''s website, scanning the job post. Her expression shifted.


    "One moment."


    She quickly dialed a number. Within minutes, several employees entered the room, murmuring among themselves about an error.


    "Indeed," a man in a sharp suit glanced at Auren.


    "This was a mistake. We were looking for a secretary."


    An awkward silence followed. Auren looked at them, barely suppressing her irritation.


    "I studied, prepared, analyzed your projects, thought about how I could contribute... and it all turns out to be just a mistake?"


    "But," the man added, "we reviewed your r¨¦sum¨¦. You have impressive experience. Honestly, it''s surprising that another company hasn''t already taken you."


    The woman at the desk nodded as well, now studying Auren with genuine interest."


    Specialists like you are in high demand. Perhaps this mistake led us to something better."


    Auren pressed her lips together.


    "You believe I''m a strong candidate, yet you''re offering me a temporary position?"


    "We don''t want to lose you," the man replied calmly.


    "But a marketing position won''t open for a few months. Until then, you could work in administration while handling some marketing projects. We understand this isn''t what you expected. But it''s a chance to prove yourself."


    Auren felt frustration bubbling inside her.


    "So what do I do? Just leave? I don''t want to waste time. But taking a secretary''s job..."


    She looked at the man.


    "Do you have doubts?" he asked.


    "Of course," Auren replied directly.


    "I wasn''t aiming for administrative work¡ªI was aiming for marketing."


    He studied her carefully.


    "Then answer me: why should we hire you in our marketing department?"


    Auren bit the inside of her cheek.


    "Because I know what I''m doing," she said slowly.


    "I''m not just a specialist who follows tasks. I know how to find solutions. I''ve studied your company, analyzed your projects, and already see ways to improve your marketing strategy. If you''re looking for someone to simply execute orders, I''m not the right fit. But if you want someone who will bring real change¡ªthen yes."


    The man leaned forward slightly.


    "Then I''ll make a counteroffer. You can start working on one of our marketing projects immediately, but your official position will be temporary. This isn''t a probation period¡ªit''s a chance for both you and us. If you prove yourself in three months, you''ll transition directly to marketing without further evaluations."


    Auren was silent.


    Three months.


    It wasn''t the best option.


    But it wasn''t the worst.


    She glanced at the documents in front of her. Her r¨¦sum¨¦. Their contracts. The possibilities.Then she looked up.


    "Alright," she tilted her head slightly.


    "But on one condition¡ªwhen I move into the marketing department, there won''t be a probation period."


    The man smirked.


    "Deal."


    Auren felt the tension in her shoulders ease. She stood, thanked them, and walked out.In the elevator, she closed her eyes, still feeling the adrenaline rush through her veins.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    This wasn''t the opportunity she had expected.


    But maybe it was exactly what she needed.


    ***


    The Next Day


    The morning was cold. A light breeze slipped through the slightly open window, making the curtains sway gently in rhythm with the air''s movement.


    Auren Laurent had risen before dawn, a strange restlessness stirring in her chest. A new day. A new chapter.


    She caught her reflection in the mirror¡ªattentive brown eyes, a faint flush on her cheeks, long hair neatly pulled into an elegant ponytail. A strict yet comfortable suit fit her perfectly, accentuating her poised posture.


    "Everything''s ready," she murmured to herself, adjusting the cuff of her blazer.


    Yet, despite her confidence, an inexplicable feeling lingered.


    This job¡­ It had to be something more than just a temporary position. Yes, her r¨¦sum¨¦ boasted experience in leading marketing firms, yet here she was, assigned as a secretary.


    A mistake? Or something else entirely?


    She would step onto this stage and play by her own rules.


    The office greeted her with its familiar atmosphere¡ªsleek interior lines, glass partitions, dimmed lighting.


    Everything here exuded professionalism, and yet a faint doubt crept into her mind once more.


    Auren approached the reception desk, introduced herself, and within a minute, she was led to an office where the company''s secretary awaited her.


    "Good morning!"


    A blonde woman seated behind a spacious desk greeted her warmly.


    "My name is Rhea. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."


    "Thank you."


    "You have a lot on your plate today¡ªscheduling meetings, receiving guests, organizing documents. There will also be a series of administrative tasks in the evening."


    Auren held back a quiet sigh and nodded. She knew she had to execute her duties flawlessly, but her mind was elsewhere. She wasn''t here for the secretary position. She was here for marketing.


    The woman left the office.


    The click of the door made her lift her head.


    He entered the office.


    Kael.


    His confident steps echoed dully through the room.


    He held a folder of documents in his hands, his gaze lowered, but the moment his eyes landed on Auren''s figure, he froze.


    Her.


    She was sitting at the desk, not immediately realizing she was being watched.


    But the feeling of someone''s presence made her look up.


    Their eyes met.


    For a moment, the air became thick, almost tangible.


    Kael slowly closed the folder, set it down on the desk, then straightened. His dark eyes studied her intently.


    "You¡­"


    Auren stood up, her chair creaking in the silence.


    "Are you my new secretary?"


    His voice carried a hint of amusement mixed with curiosity.


    She crossed her arms over her chest.


    "Temporary secretary."Kael smirked.


    "Didn''t you say you''d never take a job like this?"


    Her fingers clenched.


    "Circumstances change," she replied evenly.


    The door opened again, and an older man in an expensive suit entered the office. His gaze was sharp, and his voice calm.


    "Mr. Dantes, I see you''ve already met our new employee."


    "We''re acquainted."


    "Excellent. Auren, we''re pleased to have you in our company. Your skills are valuable, and we''re confident you''ll be an important part of the team."


    She nodded politely.


    "Thank you."


    The man paused briefly.


    "Of course, your potential extends beyond a secretary position. That''s why, in addition to administrative duties, we''ve assigned you marketing projects."


    Kael frowned.


    "Why her?"


    Mr. Min tilted his head slightly as he answered Kael Dantes'' question.


    "Because she has an impeccable r¨¦sum¨¦. Auren Laurent isn''t just a specialist¡ªshe''s one of the best in her field."


    He paused briefly to ensure his words sank in.


    "She was a leading marketing strategist at one of the largest international companies. Her past projects didn''t just generate profit¡ªthey changed the market. In her most recent project, her team developed a strategy that increased the company''s market share by 15% in an industry where such a result was nearly impossible."


    Kael narrowed his eyes slightly but remained silent, listening.


    "Besides that, Auren graduated from Harvard. Not just attended¡ªshe was one of the top students in her class."


    "Harvard?"


    Kael instinctively shifted his gaze to the woman, now studying her in a new light.


    He was used to people with such education and experience immediately taking leadership positions, not accepting temporary jobs.


    Auren, however, met his gaze with unwavering confidence.


    "If she''s that good, why did she even agree to work as a secretary?" he finally asked, voicing the question that had been nagging at him since their encounter.


    This time, Auren answered herself.


    "It''s temporary. You know the circumstances."


    Kael let out a quiet chuckle, but before he could say anything, Mr. Min continued.


    "Talents like Auren are rare. We''re lucky she agreed, even temporarily. People with her level of knowledge and experience can take this company to new heights, and we can''t afford to lose such an opportunity."


    He cast Kael a meaningful look, as if reminding him that specialists of this caliber weren''t easy to find. Satisfied that his point had been made, Mr. Min nodded and headed for the exit.


    "I hope you two will work well together."


    With that, he closed the door behind him, leaving Auren and Kael in tense silence.


    Kael looked at Auren carefully.


    Then, not knowing how to ease the atmosphere, he said, "Bring me a coffee."


    Auren raised an eyebrow.


    "Seriously?"


    Kael cleared his throat, quickly turned away, and walked into his office.


    She watched him go, shaking her head slightly.


    "This is going to be an interesting job."

 A mistake

    Auren sat at her desk, softly tapping the tip of her nail against the smooth surface. The first hours in her new position felt like a strange game. A woman used to complex strategies and well-calculated marketing campaigns now found herself in the secretary¡¯s office. It was absurd, ridiculous.


    The room she was in had a strict minimalist style. White walls, a massive dark wood desk, tall shelves with neatly arranged folders. Everything around was lifeless and sterile. The faint aroma of expensive coffee wafted in from the neighboring office.


    Kael.


    The thought of him made her frown. The look he gave her in the morning, his last words before leaving¡­ All of it irritated her, but at the same time, it sparked excitement. He clearly didn¡¯t believe she would stay, didn¡¯t think she could prove her worth.


    And as if in response to her thoughts, the voice from the intercom came.


    ¡ª Auren, come to my office.


    She rolled her eyes but immediately composed herself. She stood up, adjusted her pencil skirt, threw on her blazer, and confidently headed to his office.


    The door opened silently, and she entered. Kael sat behind his massive black desk. His elbows rested on the surface, and his fingers lazily shuffled through papers. His office was drastically different from hers. Huge panoramic windows let in bright daylight, illuminating leather chairs, massive bookshelves, and large screens on the walls displaying graphs and reports.


    He lazily lifted his gaze, and their eyes met.


    ¡ª Already decided you can¡¯t live without me? ¡ª she smirked, crossing her arms.


    Kael squinted, then shook his head with a slight smile.


    ¡ª Don¡¯t overestimate your significance.


    He picked up several sheets of paper from a stack of documents and carelessly threw them in front of her.


    ¡ª You wanted to work in marketing? Show me what you can do.


    Auren slowly glanced at the papers but didn¡¯t rush to pick them up. Instead, she raised her gaze to Kael, and her eyes sparkled with mockery.


    ¡ª Are you giving me a test? Or do you want me to stay a secretary?


    He leaned forward, locking his fingers together.


    ¡ª Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself. Prove you¡¯re worthy of marketing first.


    Auren slowly leaned forward, took the papers in her hands, never breaking eye contact.


    ¡ª I¡¯ll prove it, ¡ª her voice was calm, but there was a challenge in it. ¡ª Just don¡¯t be disappointed when you realize I¡¯m better than everyone else.


    Silence hung in the office. Kael watched her as if trying to solve a riddle, but she had already turned on her heel and confidently left the office without waiting for a response.


    He watched her with a clenched fist.


    Kael ran his hand over his chin, staring at the closed door.


    Auren.


    She had changed so much.


    The last time he saw her, she was fourteen ¡ª too young, with a childish naivety and a habit of getting herself into trouble. Now, the girl before him was completely different. Feminine, confident, beautiful. No, not just beautiful ¡ª dazzling.


    Every move she made was full of grace. Kael couldn¡¯t help but notice how perfectly the formal blazer fit her, how her eyes were full of challenge, how her lips curled into a slightly mocking smile. If someone had told him that this scruffy-haired girl with a fiery spirit would turn into such a woman, he wouldn¡¯t have believed it.


    But despite this new appearance, she remained the same. The same boldness, stubbornness, independence. She never allowed anyone to boss her around, even now, in this temporary position.


    And it irritated him.


    And attracted him.


    Kael clenched his fist and frowned. Something inside, subtle yet unmistakable, stirred uneasily.


    She had become a challenge. And he wasn¡¯t sure if he was ready to accept it.


    But he couldn¡¯t ignore it.


    When the door closed behind her, Auren took a deep breath, trying to suppress her irritation. She was holding a folder with an assignment she had to grab as soon as she stepped through the door.


    She headed back, sat at her desk, and opened the documents.


    Project: launch of a new line of men¡¯s perfumes from a premium brand.


    Her task was to analyze the current marketing strategy, correct the calculations and final budget estimates, and justify the profitability of the launch.


    Auren¡¯s gaze lingered on the note Kael had added at the end of the file:


    "You¡¯re so confident in yourself? Then prove it. Since you¡¯re so sure of your abilities, let¡¯s see how quickly you can handle real tasks. The corrected report must be sent to the marketing department by the end of the workday. Don¡¯t disappoint."


    Auren pressed her lips together. "So, he¡¯s testing me?"


    She ran her fingers over the text, glancing through the input data. The first problem she noticed was obvious ¡ª the figures didn¡¯t match current market indicators.


    The men¡¯s fragrance market was growing, but the company was targeting too narrow an audience ¡ª high-status businessmen. This limited potential profits and made the advertising strategy less effective.


    Furthermore, the advertising campaign budget was inflated, and the chosen advertising platforms were unsuitable for the new audience.


    Auren sighed, gathered her hair into a bun, put her phone aside, and got to work.


    An hour passed. Then another. Auren finished.


    As the clock neared four, she made the final adjustments to the file, checked the calculations, and leaned back in her chair with relief.


    ¡ª Done.


    She quickly formatted the electronic document, attached the corrected tables, and sent the report to the marketing department as Kael had requested.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Auren stretched, massaging her stiff shoulders, and looked out the window. Two hours left until the end of the workday. She exhaled. The first challenge was passed.


    ***


    Auren put the documents aside and stretched, feeling the tension in her muscles remind her of the hours spent working. She glanced at the clock¡ªalmost six in the evening. The workday was coming to an end, but she hadn''t had lunch yet.


    Her stomach growled, reminding her of the missed meal. Auren sighed and decided to at least have a cup of coffee since a proper lunch was no longer an option. Rising from her chair, she walked toward the small coffee machine in the corner of her office.


    Click. The capsule was in place. The machine hummed softly, filling the office with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee. As the thick, dark liquid dripped into the cup, Auren rubbed her temples, trying to shake off some of the fatigue.


    She picked up the cup, letting the warmth seep into her cold fingers. The first sip¡ªscalding, bitter, but much needed. Auren closed her eyes, savoring a brief moment of peace. The clock read 5:45 PM¡ªjust a little longer, and her first workday would be over.


    But the door to her office suddenly burst open, making Auren flinch. Several employees from the marketing department rushed in, looking alarmed. They didn¡¯t even acknowledge her surprised gaze.


    ¡ª "Is the director in?" one of the men asked sharply, not even bothering to introduce himself.


    Auren calmly set her cup down and straightened, instantly switching back to work mode.


    ¡ª "Yes," she replied curtly, giving the group a sharp look. "What¡¯s going on?"


    ¡ª "A calculation error," a dark-haired woman blurted out, teetering on the edge of panic. "It¡¯s a disaster."


    Without waiting for explanations, the employees made a move toward Kael¡¯s office, but Auren swiftly stepped in their way.


    ¡ª "Wait," she said firmly. "What error?"


    ¡ª "In the marketing strategy adjustment. The numbers don¡¯t add up," exclaimed the man holding a folder. "You were the one who submitted the revised version."


    Auren frowned, listening carefully to the accusation.


    ¡ª "I reviewed and corrected the data, but I didn¡¯t change the original calculations," she said calmly, though irritation was already simmering inside her. "Everything I fixed was in the file I was given."


    ¡ª "Then why don¡¯t the final figures match?" another employee, a woman with crossed arms, interjected.


    ¡ª "That¡¯s what we¡¯re about to find out," Auren said coldly.


    But no one seemed interested in her words. Without even sparing her another glance, the employees barged into the director¡¯s office. Soon, raised voices could be heard from within. An irate Kael was clearly in no mood for excuses.


    A moment later, his voice cut through the air from the internal communication system:


    ¡ª "Auren. Get in here. Now."


    Auren sighed, closing her eyes for a brief moment, then slowly rose from her seat, gathered her papers, and straightened her back before confidently heading into the boss¡¯s office.


    Her short break was officially over.


    Auren opened the door to Kael¡¯s office and stepped inside with measured composure.


    The scene before her was tense: several employees stood in front of the director¡¯s large desk, each looking visibly distressed. Kael sat in his chair, fingers clasped together, his icy gaze fixed on them.


    On the desk lay several documents and a laptop with an open file. Auren noticed one of the employees rubbing his temples nervously, clearly trying to come up with an explanation.


    ¡ª "Explain to me how this happened." Kael¡¯s voice was low and threatening.


    The employees exchanged uncertain glances. One of them¡ªthe very man who had hired Auren earlier that morning¡ªexhaled heavily and stepped forward.


    ¡ª "We made a mistake in the data," he admitted. "The financial figures in the revised document don¡¯t match the real data. The client received incorrect calculations. If we don¡¯t fix this immediately, the deal might fall through."


    Kael slowly ran his tongue over his teeth, clearly restraining his frustration.


    ¡ª "Who worked on these documents?" His voice was sharp, like a steel blade slicing through the air.


    The employees hesitated. Then, suddenly, the same man who had hired Auren furrowed his brows as if piecing together a puzzle in his mind.


    ¡ª "The document with the revised data was submitted by your secretary," he said, giving a slight nod in her direction.


    Auren blinked. For a few seconds, her mind simply refused to process what had been said. Then, she felt the weight of every gaze in the room shift onto her.


    ¡ª "Are you saying I made the mistake?" Her voice remained steady, but inside, everything tensed¡ªlike the strings of a guitar stretched to their limit, ready to snap at the slightest wrong move.


    ¡ª "Well, that¡¯s what it looks like," one of the employees shrugged carelessly, as if the matter was already settled beyond doubt.


    Kael¡¯s dark eyes bore into her, waiting.


    Auren exhaled slowly, keeping her irritation in check. Crossing her arms, she firmly stated:


    ¡ª "Did it ever occur to you that the mistake could have been made before it even reached me? Or is it just easier to blame the new employee rather than actually investigate?"


    Some employees faltered but still eyed her with suspicion.


    Auren leaned forward, planting her palms on the table.


    ¡ª "Let¡¯s check who edited this document before me," she suggested, stepping toward the laptop.


    Click. Another click. Auren quickly scrolled through the latest changes, and soon, the real culprit¡¯s name appeared on the screen.


    A heavy silence fell over the room.


    Everyone turned simultaneously to the person standing off to the side, as if hoping to hide behind the others.


    ¡ª "You?" One of the employees sounded stunned.


    The man averted his gaze, swallowing hard.


    ¡ª "I¡­ I didn¡¯t double-check the numbers before sending the file to Auren¡­" he mumbled, nervously tugging at his sleeve.


    Auren slowly straightened, the corners of her lips twitching into the faintest smirk. She turned to Kael with deliberate ease, as if savoring the moment.


    ¡ª "Interesting," she noted with light sarcasm, folding her arms. "I¡¯ve only been working here for a day, and I¡¯ve already caught two major mistakes that, apparently, no one else in this ¡®prestigious¡¯ company noticed."


    Kael¡¯s expression remained unreadable, but Auren didn¡¯t miss the slight tightening of his fingers on the desk.


    ¡ª "First, the job vacancy," she continued, casting a pointed glance at the employees. "Now, critical documents. In a company of this level? Do you even check your work? Or do you just hope someone stumbles upon your mistakes?"


    Some employees lowered their heads, avoiding her gaze.


    Auren turned her attention back to Kael, tilting her head slightly as if gauging his reaction.


    ¡ª "Not very professional, wouldn¡¯t you say, Mr. Dantes?"


    The silence in the room felt almost tangible.


    Kael watched her closely, unwavering, but his jaw tensed slightly.


    ¡ª "Get to work," he said curtly, ending the discussion.


    But Auren knew: this wasn¡¯t a period¡ªit was an ellipsis.


    The employees didn¡¯t linger any longer than necessary. Fixing the miscalculations was now the priority, and one by one, they filed out of the office, rushing back to their desks.


    Auren observed their departure until, at last, only the two of them remained.


    She had already made a move to leave, but just as she turned toward the door, a low voice stopped her:


    ¡ª "You stay."


    Auren halted, then slowly turned back around.


    Kael stood by his desk, hands in his pockets, eyes studying her face intently. There was no frustration in his gaze¡ªjust cold analysis, with a flicker of something else lurking beneath the surface.


    ¡ª "You¡¯re too confident," his voice was calm but firm, as if stating an obvious fact.


    Auren arched a brow.


    ¡ª "Is that a problem?"


    Kael took a step closer, moving with the slow grace of someone who always controlled his every move.


    ¡ª "It¡¯s dangerous."


    Auren crossed her arms, holding his gaze.


    ¡ª "For whom?"


    Kael stopped just a few steps away, watching her intently.


    ¡ª "For you."


    Auren smirked, tilting her head slightly to the side.


    ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re concerned about my safety, Mr. Dantes? How thoughtful.¡±


    His lips twitched in a fleeting smirk.


    ¡°I¡¯m concerned about order in my company,¡± his voice dropped, filled with a predatory softness.


    Kael took another step forward. Now, barely any distance remained between them¡ªdangerously close, enough to catch every shade in his eyes, every subtle movement. The scent of her perfume hit him¡ªa bold yet sweet fragrance, just like its owner. Not too sharp, but pleasant. Kael no longer wanted to step away; her scent, like the woman herself, was alluring¡ªimpossible to get enough of.


    ¡°You¡¯re too audacious for a newcomer,¡± he said quietly.


    Auren didn¡¯t back down, simply lifting her chin slightly, meeting his gaze directly.


    ¡°And you don¡¯t like being challenged?¡±


    Kael tilted his head a fraction.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind arguments¡ªif they¡¯re justified,¡± his voice was deep, unhurried. ¡°But your tone¡­ your gaze¡­ they¡¯re too provocative.¡±


    Auren¡¯s lips curled into a subtle smile.


    ¡°So, you don¡¯t like my confidence?¡±


    ¡°I said you should tone it down.¡±


    ¡°Why? Was I wrong?¡±


    Kael held her gaze, pausing.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure what¡¯s more irritating¡ªyour boldness or your ability to find weak spots.¡±


    Auren clasped her hands behind her back, her smile unwavering.


    ¡°Well, I have to match the level of your company, don¡¯t I?¡±


    Kael merely huffed, but the corner of his lips twitched, betraying a ghost of amusement.


    Auren took a step back¡ªslowly, without breaking eye contact.


    ¡°If that¡¯s all, Mr. Dantes, I have work to do,¡± her voice was soft, yet there was an unmistakable challenge in her words.


    Kael said nothing, but in his gaze flickered something warm, like fire¡ªimpossible to look away from.


    Auren met his eyes for one last lingering moment before offering him a slight nod, turning on her heel, and leaving the office.

 Working on mistakes

    Time was inexorably approaching night. The company building had already fallen silent, disturbed only by the occasional footsteps echoing through the corridors. The employees had long since left, leaving behind the dim glow of desk lamps and the faint scent of paper lingering in the air.


    <div>


    Auren was about to sigh in relief when her gaze unintentionally caught one of the lines in the document. She frowned as she scanned the numbers, then cross-checked with the previous reports. She held her breath a little longer than usual, realizing that she had found another mistake. While it wasn¡¯t critical, it could certainly affect future calculations.


    Tightening her grip on the folder¡¯s edges, Auren resolutely stood up and headed to Kael¡¯s office.


    When she reached the door, she stopped. Doubts crept into her mind for a moment: should she disturb him again? He was clearly not the type to patiently listen to corrections. Maybe she should just leave it for later?


    She bit her lip, staring at the massive door. No. If a mistake had been found, it needed to be corrected right away. Taking a deep breath, Auren raised her hand and knocked firmly.


    Meanwhile, Kael sat behind his desk, leaning back in his chair with his finger lazily tapping on the table. He hated acknowledging anyone else¡¯s accomplishments, but he had already come to terms with the fact that Auren wasn¡¯t just a random person who had ended up in this position by mistake. She worked efficiently, quickly, and¡ªwhat irritated him the most¡ªwasn¡¯t afraid to take initiative.


    When the door creaked open after the knock, he lifted his head and met her gaze.


    ¡°I¡¯m bothering you again,¡± Auren said calmly as she entered. ¡°But I found another mistake in the calculations.¡±


    Kael nodded silently, gesturing for her to approach. Auren placed the papers in front of him, and he quickly skimmed over the marked areas.


    ¡°Good work,¡± he muttered without lifting his eyes from the text.


    Soon, they were completely absorbed in their work. Auren went back to her office several times for additional documents, but she returned almost immediately each time. She would stand by Kael¡¯s desk, read out clarifications, exchange brief remarks with him, and leave again. This cycle repeated itself.


    Kael subtly clenched his jaw. Her frequent returns were starting to annoy him. Not because she was in the way¡ªmore because he was beginning to get used to having her around, and it was more convenient to work with her. But she kept leaving the office and working separately.


    When Auren came in again, Kael, without looking up from the screen, spoke dryly:


    ¡°Sit down.¡±


    She froze.


    ¡°What?¡±


    This time, he looked at her.


    ¡°Since you keep coming here every five minutes, it would be more logical to work in one place. Sit down.¡±


    Auren shrugged, but a slight smile touched her lips. She sat down next to him, continuing her work with the same focus, but now there was a subtle tension hanging between them.


    It was too faint to call it something immediate, but too noticeable to ignore.


    The office was enveloped in silence, interrupted only by the rustling of pages being turned and the occasional click of keyboards. Kael and Auren worked side by side, each absorbed in their own task.


    Auren carefully studied the next set of documents, making corrections to the report. Reaching for the pen, which was lying slightly off to the side, she suddenly felt Kael¡¯s hand stretch out next to hers. Their fingers brushed.


    They both froze.


    Auren raised her gaze and met his eyes. For a few seconds, they simply stared at each other, her fingers still on his. The touch was warm, unexpected, and unbearably awkward.


    Kael, without breaking eye contact, raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t pull his hand back first.


    ¡°Do you always grab other people''s things so eagerly?¡± His voice was lazy, but the corners of his lips twitched into a barely noticeable smile.


    Auren quickly pulled her hand back, pretending nothing had happened.


    ¡°Sorry, Mr. Kael, I didn¡¯t know you had such a strong attachment to office supplies,¡± she said, leaning back in her chair with a self-satisfied expression.


    Kael quietly chuckled and picked up the pen again.


    ¡°Are you going to ask permission before taking something from the table now?¡±


    Auren snorted.


    ¡°Only if it bothers you that much.¡±


    She lowered her gaze to the documents, trying to focus, but the barely perceptible spark that had passed between them lingered in her mind.


    For the next fifteen minutes, they worked in complete silence, occasionally exchanging brief phrases about the task at hand. Auren was focused, her eyes scanning the lines, her fingers deftly flipping through the pages of the report. She was so absorbed that when she felt an unpleasant twinge deep inside, she frowned but kept working, trying to ignore the protesting sensation in her stomach. But suddenly, a barely audible sound broke the silence. Auren froze. Kael did too.


    This time, he pulled his gaze away from the screen and looked at her. Auren lowered her head, hiding the blush on her cheeks. Of course, her stomach chose this exact moment to remind her that she hadn¡¯t eaten a thing since lunch. Kael raised an eyebrow, slightly tilting his head.


    ¡°Are you hungry?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she replied quickly, hiding her face behind her hair. ¡°But my stomach clearly disagrees.¡±


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    Kael glanced at the clock. It was almost midnight.


    ¡°Did you even have lunch today?¡± His voice was even, but there was a trace of suspicion in it.


    Auren hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly put down the pen and looked up at him.


    ¡°Well¡­ not exactly,¡± she muttered, trying to sound nonchalant.


    ¡°What do you mean ¡®not exactly¡¯?¡±


    She twirled the pen in her fingers thoughtfully, hoping the question would simply dissolve into the air.


    ¡°It means I¡­ skipped it.¡±


    Kael narrowed his eyes.


    ¡°Did you really skip it since this morning?¡± His voice was quieter now, but firmer.


    ¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± she declared, feeling a little embarrassed.


    ¡°You do realize I just heard all of that?¡±


    Auren bit her lip.


    ¡°Mistakes won¡¯t fix themselves.¡±


    ¡°Get up,¡± Kael said, calmly closing his laptop. His movements weren¡¯t rushed, but they were firm.


    ¡°What?¡± She finally raised her eyes.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten since lunch. And if you pass out from hunger, I¡¯m not carrying you, so let¡¯s go,¡± he finished, his gaze still fixed on her.


    Auren weakly smiled, trying to ease the atmosphere:


    ¡°Do you really care that much about me, Mr. Kael? Such attention... it¡¯s almost embarrassing.¡±


    Kael crossed his arms over his chest, his face still unreadable.


    ¡°Don¡¯t flatter yourself,¡± he said with a slight grin, standing up. ¡°It¡¯s so you¡¯ll work harder.¡±


    Before Auren had a chance to respond, he was already heading for the door.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. I know where to get decent food at this hour.¡±


    Kael wasn¡¯t the type to waste time on long arguments. He quickly gathered his papers, grabbed the keys, and without giving Auren a chance to argue, led her out of the office.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± Auren asked softly, following him.


    ¡°To a place where you won¡¯t be able to make excuses,¡± he replied without looking back.


    They got in the car, and Auren, crossing her arms, watched as Kael confidently navigated the night streets. He was silent, but his focused expression showed determination¡ªhe wasn¡¯t about to back down.


    Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to a small, cozy diner that was open around the clock. It wasn¡¯t the posh atmosphere of expensive restaurants, but there was a warm glow from the lamps, the scent of freshly cooked food, and an atmosphere that felt like home, made with care.


    ¡°Is this your ¡®special place¡¯?¡± Auren asked with a hint of irony.


    Kael simply hummed in response.


    ¡°The important thing is they serve food you won¡¯t be able to find excuses for,¡± he said, glancing at her face. He chose a table by the window, then slowly leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms and inviting her to sit across from him.


    Auren reluctantly opened the menu, but when her gaze fell on the appetizing images of hot dishes, she realized there was no point in arguing anymore.


    ¡°Well then, Auren, were you even planning to eat today?¡± Kael asked with a slight reproach in his voice, tilting his head slightly in her direction.


    Auren, not looking up, smiled faintly.


    ¡°Oh, are you worried about me, Mr. Kael? Such attention... I¡¯m almost embarrassed,¡± her voice was slightly teasing, but there was a playful spark in her eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t flatter yourself,¡± Kael said, leaning slightly closer. His gaze was calm but insistent. ¡°I just don¡¯t need hungry employees fainting from exhaustion.¡±


    Auren snorted but didn¡¯t argue. After making her order, she leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs and narrowing her eyes as she watched Kael.


    ¡°You look like you want to steal my dinner. Are you hungrier than I am?¡± Her voice was soft, with a hint of amusement.


    ¡°I assure you, if I wanted to take your food, you wouldn¡¯t even notice,¡± he replied, glancing briefly at her lips. It was so fast that she barely caught it, but it was enough to make her feel the tension.


    She smiled, accepting his silent challenge. At that moment, the waitress brought their order, and Auren, almost deliberately, slowly took a fork, elegantly cutting a piece of her dish and savoring it as she brought it to her mouth. Her lips parted slightly as she let the taste unfold, and the corners of her mouth quivered in a satisfied smile.


    Kael, tilting his head, studied her face with a barely perceptible smile. He slowly leaned his elbow on the table, leaning in a little closer.


    ¡°Did you do that on purpose?¡± he asked, arching an eyebrow.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about, Mr. Kael,¡± she responded with an innocent expression, taking another piece and deliberately bringing it slowly to her mouth.


    Kael squinted but said nothing. She was playing, and she was playing well. The tension between them was palpable, but neither of them rushed to break it. They simply ate, occasionally exchanging looks full of unspoken words and thoughts.


    After dinner, Kael silently drove Auren back to the office. The car gently stopped at the entrance, and after stepping outside, Auren took a deep breath of the fresh night air.


    ¡°Hope you won¡¯t collapse onto the keyboard now,¡± Kael said, leaning against the car door with his arms crossed.


    Auren rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Oh, so that¡¯s what this whole spectacle was about? Employee productivity? How touching.¡±


    Kael just smirked but didn¡¯t reply. Instead, he walked toward the elevator, and Auren followed him, feeling how the night¡¯s silence in the office made their footsteps sound louder. There was a strange feeling in the air¡ªnot awkwardness, but not comfort either. As if a thin line had formed between them, stretching tighter with every word and glance.


    Entering the office, Auren turned on the desk lamp, dispelling the dimness. She settled into her workspace but almost immediately felt his gaze.


    Kael stood by the door, watching her with an expression that was hard to decipher.


    ¡ª What? ¡ª she finally couldn¡¯t hold back.


    ¡ª Nothing, ¡ª he replied slowly, then, after a brief pause, added, ¡ª I just didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be this stubborn.


    Auren smirked.


    ¡ª Does it bother you?


    Kael didn¡¯t answer, merely sat down in the chair and returned to the documents.


    Work continued, but now there was something else in the air. Auren felt it ¡ª a thin, invisible thread that tightened with each of their encounters.


    ***


    Time moved relentlessly toward dawn when Auren finally slammed the last folder shut and exhaled with relief. She stretched, feeling the tension in her shoulders, then glanced at the clock. Almost two in the morning.


    "I think that''s enough for today," said Kael Dantes, leaning back in his chair. "We¡¯ll check everything again tomorrow morning."


    Auren nodded, closing her laptop.


    "Yeah, you''re right. Now, I just need to get home. I¡¯ll call a taxi."


    She took out her phone and opened the app, but after a few minutes, her brow furrowed. It seemed fate was playing a game with her ¡ª the same message kept flashing on the screen: "No available drivers." She refreshed the page again, then again...


    "Wonderful," she muttered, biting her lip.


    Kael lazily turned his head and threw her an assessing look.


    "Problems?"


    "It seems all the drivers decided no one works at two in the morning... except for us," she replied with sarcasm.


    He was silent for a few seconds, then casually tossed the keys to his car in his palm.


    "We live in the same building. It would be logical for me to give you a ride."


    Auren looked at him with mild suspicion.


    "Are you serious?"


    "No, I¡¯m kidding," he smirked. "We¡¯re headed the same way anyway."


    She hesitated. Riding with Kael in the same car? That definitely crossed the line of a regular work evening... but the prospect of standing outside waiting for a miracle wasn¡¯t appealing either. Finally, she shrugged and put her phone back in her pocket.


    "Alright. Just warning you ¡ª if you decide to charge me for the ride, I¡¯ll get out while the car is still moving."


    Kael hummed, standing up from his chair.


    "It would be amusing to see how you''d do that. Get up, before I change my mind."


    Auren rolled her eyes but complied. He stepped forward, briefly locking eyes with her, then silently opened the door for her.


    She passed through first, and he stayed behind, watching as her silhouette glided down the corridor. A curious feeling washed over him ¡ª he hadn¡¯t planned to find any enjoyment in this, but their strange coexistence was becoming more interesting.


    When they stepped outside, the air was colder than expected. The night sky was scattered with a multitude of faint stars, and somewhere in the distance, a streetlamp flickered lazily, casting rhythmic flashes of light on the wet pavement. The recent rain left behind a fresh scent, mixing with the aroma of blooming bushes.


    Auren absentmindedly shivered, then noticed Kael already heading toward the car. He silently opened the passenger-side door and gave her a brief look. She was slightly surprised by this gesture but didn¡¯t say anything, simply getting into the car.


    Once the doors were shut, an almost tangible silence settled inside, broken only by the muffled hum of the engine. The car moved smoothly, the tires silently gliding over the wet road.


    They drove in silence. The city¡¯s hustle and bustle gradually faded, though it didn¡¯t disappear entirely ¡ª even at night, the streets were filled with rare vehicles, glowing signs, and blurred silhouettes of pedestrians. Auren gazed out the window, watching the store lights reflect in the puddles, splashing colorful glimmers.


    Kael, focused on the road, didn¡¯t rush to speak, and Auren didn¡¯t feel the need to break the silence either. Only the soft hum of the engine and the rhythmic sound of raindrops on the glass filled the space, creating a strange yet not uncomfortable atmosphere. No random glances, no attempts to start a conversation. Just the soft rhythm of the rain and the steady movement of the car, lulling but at the same time making her feel slightly on edge.


    Only when they were nearing her building did she murmur:


    "Today was strange. Nothing special, but it feels like something important happened."


    Kael glanced at her briefly, then returned his attention to the road.


    "Maybe that¡¯s true," he replied, not entirely sure what he meant.


    When the car stopped near her building, Auren quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door handle. Kael watched her from the corner of his eye but didn¡¯t rush to get out. She seemed focused, but perhaps a little more relaxed than at the start of the evening.


    She slipped out of the car, slammed the door shut, and without looking back, headed toward the entrance. Kael remained seated, his palms resting on the steering wheel. For a moment, he held his breath, sensing a strange, barely noticeable feeling inside. It was unclear, but enough to make him uneasy.


    Letting out a slightly frustrated sigh, he ran a hand over his face, almost trying to shake off the unnecessary thoughts, and only then climbed out of the car. Auren¡¯s footsteps were already echoing on the tiles of the path leading to the house, but when she heard him approaching, she slowed down a bit.


    "Stayed too long," she quietly remarked. "Tomorrow¡¯s going to be hard to get up."


    "We¡¯ll manage," he replied shortly, catching up with her.


    Their footsteps echoed softly in the night¡¯s silence as they entered the house together, where the night could finally offer them some respite.