Chapter Two.

His Secretary.

The elevator dinged softly as it opened to the top floor of Callahan Enterprises. Elsie stepped out, heart pounding in her chest like a drum too big for its cage.

The office smelled like glass and ambition. Everything gleamed black floors, minimalist white walls, silver details. No clutter. No softness. Just the silent kind of money that didn’t have to prove itself.

A sharply dressed woman at the front desk barely glanced up. “Mr. Callahan’s in. You’re expected. That way.”

Elsie nodded, palms sweating as she clutched the strap of her bag. Every step toward the frosted glass door felt like she was walking deeper into a trap she set herself.She knocked once. A voice called from inside firm, deep, smooth.

“Come in.”

She stepped through the door.

Loe Callahan didn’t look up right away. He was seated behind a dark mahogany desk, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a pen in one hand, signature mid-flow. The room was bright, spacious, but somehow heavy. Like it borrowed its weight from him.

He glanced up briefly, eyes scanning her once quickly, professionally before returning to the paper.

“You’re the new secretary?”

“Yes. Elsie Ray.”

"All right have a sit.”

She did. Carefully. Perching on the edge of the chair like someone who wasn’t sure they were supposed to be there at all.

“I don’t like unnecessary chatter,” he said, still not looking at her. “I expect punctuality, precision, and absolute discretion. This role is more than answering phones and scheduling meetings. You will be the filter between me and the world. Understood?”

“Yes,” she said quickly. “Understood.”

He signed one last paper and finally leaned back in his chair, eyes settling on her fully now. And for the first time, Elsie saw what Aria had described.

He was striking, in that dangerous, contained kind of way. Sharp jawline, hair slightly tousled but intentional. His expression was unreadable, but there was something about his gaze direct, intelligent, smart.

“Educational background?” he asked, folding his arms.

Elsie tried not to panic. “I… studied business admin. At Eastfield College.”

His brows lifted slightly. “That’s not a very prestigious school.”

“I know. It’s small,” she admitted. “I worked while attending. Part-time at a printing press, then at a real estate firm. I… couldn’t afford more.”

He tilted his head slightly, but said nothing.

“I learned a lot from those jobs,” she added quickly. “Time management, multitasking. I handled client files, even prepared reports.”

He leaned back, tapping his pen thoughtfully. “And why did you leave?”

She hesitated.

Because your wife offered me a million to ruin you.She said in her mind.

She forced a small smile. “I was looking for something more long-term. Something that challenged me.”

He didn’t smile back. Just looked at her for a long moment.

Elsie felt the weight of it. Not flirtation. Not warmth. Just scrutiny. Like he was measuring her, peeling back layers she didn’t even know she was wearing.

“You were recommended by a board member,” he said after a beat. “That’s unusual for this position.”

She nodded. “Yes. I… didn’t ask questions. I was grateful.”

He paused again, then reached for his drawer and pulled out a small file.

“You’ll find my calendar, important contacts, and company codes in here,” he said, sliding it toward her. “Start with reviewing all meeting schedules for the week and prepare notes for the board review Thursday morning.”

She took the folder with careful hands. “I will.”

“Don’t waste my time, Miss Ray,” he added. “And don’t try to impress me. Just do the work.”

“Yes, sir.”

Their eyes met again. For a moment, something flickered in his gaze. Then he turned back to his screen.

“You can go. You’ll find the assistant’s desk right outside. Grace will brief you on the software.”

Elsie stood, clutching the file. “Thank you, Mr. Callahan.”

He didn’t reply.

As she stepped out, her breath finally escaped her chest.

She didn’t know what she had expected, but it wasn’t this. Loe wasn’t charming, flirtatious, or easy. He was everything Aria had warned her about, and nothing like she imagined.

And yet, even now, as she sat behind her new desk and opened the file, she could still feel the heat of his gaze calculated, quiet, dangerous.The man was going to be harder to break than she thought.