Chapter 3: Office Rules and Hidden Tension

Emily's second day at Steele Empire began much earlier than expected.

She arrived nearly forty minutes before office hours, determined to prove that hiring her had been the right decision.

The executive floor was almost empty.

Only the cleaning staff and a few early employees had arrived.

She placed a fresh notebook on her desk, organized Dominic's schedule, and reviewed every appointment for the day.

"Good morning, Miss Hart," Marcus greeted as he walked past.

"You're here early."

"I wanted everything ready before Mr. Steele arrives," Emily replied.

Marcus smiled.

"That's exactly why he hired you."

"I hope so."

A few minutes later, the elevator doors opened.

Dominic stepped out carrying a black leather briefcase.

He immediately noticed Emily already working.

"Good morning, Miss Hart."

"Good morning, Mr. Steele."

He glanced at the organized documents on her desk.

"You've prepared today's files?"

"Yes, sir."

"Your meeting schedule, financial reports, travel itinerary, and presentation notes are already inside your office."

Dominic looked mildly impressed.

"Efficient."

"Thank you."

Without another word, he entered his office.

Emily smiled to herself.

Getting a compliment from Dominic Steele seemed harder than winning an award.

Around nine o'clock, the executive floor became busy.

Employees hurried through the hallways carrying reports and laptops.

Emily answered phone calls one after another while coordinating Dominic's appointments.

Everything was running smoothly until a woman wearing an expensive designer suit approached her desk.

"So you're the new secretary," the woman said, looking Emily up and down.

"Yes."

"I'm Victoria Lang."

"Head of Corporate Communications."

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Lang."

Victoria forced a polite smile.

"Mr. Steele changes secretaries quite often."

"Hopefully you'll last longer than the others."

Emily noticed the subtle insult but remained calm.

"I'll do my best."

"See that you do."

Victoria walked away with a confident smile.

Marcus quietly approached Emily afterward.

"Don't take it personally."

"She isn't exactly friendly with anyone."

"I noticed."

"You'll get used to her."

Before Emily could respond, Dominic opened his office door.

"Conference room in five minutes."

"Everything is ready, sir," Emily answered.

The morning strategy meeting lasted nearly two hours.

Emily took notes while Dominic discussed expansion plans with senior executives.

She admired how focused he remained even during difficult negotiations.

He never raised his voice.

He simply expected excellence from everyone around him.

After the meeting ended, Dominic called Emily into his office.

"Close the door."

Emily did as instructed.

"Is something wrong, sir?"

"No."

"Actually, there's something I wanted to clarify."

Emily became nervous.

"About work?"

"About us."

She looked down for a moment.

"I thought we agreed to leave the past behind."

"We did."

"And I intend to honor that."

"Good."

"However," Dominic continued, "if anyone ever makes you uncomfortable because of your position here, I expect you to tell me immediately."

Emily looked surprised.

"I can handle myself."

"I don't doubt that."

"But you're part of my executive team now."

"Your reputation matters."

She smiled softly.

"Thank you."

"Now," Dominic said, returning to his usual business tone, "we have a client dinner tomorrow evening."

"You'll accompany me."

"Me?"

"You're my secretary."

"You'll be taking notes during negotiations."

"Of course."

Emily added the dinner to her calendar.

"Anything else?"

"That's all."

As she reached the door, Dominic spoke again.

"Miss Hart."

"Yes?"

"Blue suits you."

Emily blinked.

"Sir?"

"Your outfit."

"Very professional."

Before she could respond, he returned to reading his documents.

She quietly left the office, trying not to smile.

Outside, Marcus raised an eyebrow.

"Everything alright?"

"Perfectly fine."

"Interesting."

"What is?" Emily asked.

"I've worked with Dominic for ten years."

"He's never complimented anyone's outfit."

Emily suddenly felt warm.

"I'm sure he was just being polite."

Marcus laughed but didn't answer.

Later that afternoon, Emily received a bouquet of white lilies.

There was no card.

"Who sent these?" she asked the receptionist.

"They were delivered anonymously."

Emily frowned.

"That's strange."

Victoria happened to walk by and noticed the flowers.

"Looks like someone already has an admirer."

"I don't know who sent them," Emily replied honestly.

Victoria smirked.

"Be careful."

"People talk in this company."

Emily suddenly realized how quickly rumors could spread.

Without hesitation, she carried the flowers into Dominic's office.

"Sir?"

"Come in."

"These were delivered to my desk anonymously."

"I don't think it's appropriate to keep them here."

Dominic looked at the bouquet.

His expression became unreadable.

"Leave them."

"I'll have security review the delivery records."

"You don't have to do that."

"I insist."

"Your safety comes first."

"Thank you."

After Emily left, Dominic pressed the intercom.

"Marcus."

"Yes?"

"Find out who sent those flowers."

"Immediately."

"Already on it."

That evening, Emily gathered her belongings before heading home.

The elevator doors opened just as Dominic stepped out of his office.

"Leaving?" he asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Good work today."

"Thank you."

For a brief second, they stood alone in the executive hallway.

No employees.

No meetings.

No interruptions.

Only silence.

"Tomorrow's dinner starts at seven," Dominic reminded her.

"Don't be late."

"I won't."

Their eyes met again.

The attraction between them remained impossible to ignore.

Neither of them crossed the line.

But both silently wondered how long they could continue pretending that one unforgettable night had never happened.