The sound of car horns filled the air, blending into the relentless hum of the bustling city. Skyscrapers loomed overhead, their gleaming glass facades reflecting the sunlight. As a child, Audrey Liu had often marveled at how the buildings seemed to touch the sky, but now they were just part of the backdrop of her daily life.

Gu Group, the city’s most prestigious and powerful company, stood proudly among the tallest buildings, a symbol of wealth and success. Audrey had been working there for three years, and though it was an impressive feat to many, it had become her norm.

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself,” she thought as she snapped out of her reverie. “My name is Audrey Liu, I’m 28 years old, and one day, I hope to travel the world.”

“Quick, hurry!” A voice broke her train of thought.

Audrey looked up from her desk as several women scrambled toward the bathroom. “The president is here!” one of them hissed.

Audrey’s friend Mia nudged her, her eyes wide with urgency. “Audrey, aren’t you going to the bathroom?”

Audrey blinked, confused. “Why would I?”

Mia sighed in exasperation. “You’ll see. Just wait.”

Moments later, a flurry of excitement swept through the office. “Here comes the president!” someone whispered loudly.

Audrey barely glanced up, engrossed in the portfolio she was preparing. Around her, gasps and murmurs rippled through the room.

“Oh my gosh, he’s so handsome!” one of the women gushed.

“He looks like an actor from a movie!” another added, swooning.

“Audrey, did you see him?” Mia nudged her again, her voice brimming with excitement.

“See who?” Audrey asked, not looking up.

Mia groaned. “The president! He’s tall, handsome, and so young! I wish I could marry him… but too bad, I can’t.”

Audrey chuckled softly. “I didn’t see anything, Mia. You’re being dramatic.”

Mia threw her hands up in mock despair. “Audrey, you miss everything important!”

Mia had been the first person to befriend Audrey when she started at Gu Group. She was like a big sister, always looking out for her and standing by her side when things got tough.

Later that evening, as the office emptied, Mia waved goodbye. “Audrey, don’t work too hard! You need rest and proper meals.”

Audrey smiled. “I’ll be fine, Mia. See you tomorrow!”

By the time Audrey finished her tasks, the building was silent, and exhaustion weighed heavily on her. Stifling a yawn, she gathered her belongings and headed home, her thoughts already drifting to sleep.

The next morning, the shrill beeping of her alarm jolted Audrey awake.

“Oh no, what time is it?” she muttered groggily, glancing at the clock.

Her eyes widened in panic. “9:00 AM?! I’m late for work!”

Springing into action, she splashed water on her face, brushed her teeth in record time, and threw on her coat and shoes. Bursting out the door, she sprinted toward the bus stop.

“I can make it,” she panted, her heart racing. But as she rounded the corner, the bus pulled away without her.

“No, no, no!” She smacked her forehead in frustration. “Guess I’ll take a taxi.”

Crossing the street in her haste, she forgot to look both ways.

A car screeched to a halt inches from her.

“What’s going on now? Did we hit someone?” a voice inside the car demanded.

“No, sir,” replied the chauffeur. “I think she’s fine. I’ll check.”

Audrey winced, rubbing her arm where she’d stumbled. “Ouch… Don’t people look where they’re going?”

The chauffeur approached her, looking exasperated. “Miss, if you’re fine, get out of the road.”

The car door opened, and a tall, impeccably dressed man stepped out, his sharp features radiating authority. He glanced at Audrey with mild irritation. “If she’s hurt, just give her some money,” he said dismissively. “Low-class people…”

Audrey’s blood boiled. She struggled to her feet, glaring at him. “Hey, you! I don’t need your filthy money! And yes, I’m low-class—so what? I’m still a human being!”

She snatched the bills from the chauffeur and threw them back at the man, her eyes blazing.

The man raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard by her outburst.

Audrey stormed off without another word, her head held high despite the ache in her knees.

Behind her, the man watched her retreating figure with a faint smirk. “Interesting,” he murmured to himself.

Mia’s voice greeted Audrey the moment she stepped into the office, flustered and out of breath.

“Audrey! What happened? You’re late! You’re never late!”

Audrey sighed, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “My alarm didn’t go off. The electricity went out at my apartment.”

Mia gasped. “Oh no! That rainstorm last night must’ve caused it. It was pouring so hard!”

Before Audrey could respond, a shout echoed through the office. “Everyone! The president is here!”

Audrey froze, her heart skipping a beat as the memory of that morning replayed in her mind. She stood to catch a glimpse of the commotion, and her stomach dropped.

“That’s him…” she murmured. “Oh my gosh, it’s him. He’s the guy who almost ran me over this morning!”

The man, tall and composed, scanned the room briefly. His sharp eyes landed on her, and she felt a chill run down her spine.

“So,” he said softly to himself, a faint smirk tugging at his lips, “she works here. Interesting.”

Audrey quickly sat back down, trying to compose herself.

Mia leaned in, whispering, “Wait… do you know him?”

Audrey shook her head vehemently. “No! Well… sort of. Never mind.”

“That’s Arthur Gu,” Mia continued. “He’s the president. The chairman’s grandson. Word is, he’s taking over the company soon since the chairman’s been ill.”

“Ah… I see,” Audrey said, still avoiding Arthur’s gaze.

Mia smirked. “What, are you interested in him?”

Audrey nearly choked. “What?! No way!”

Mia laughed. “Relax, I’m just teasing you.”

When lunchtime rolled around, Mia tugged on Audrey’s sleeve. “Come on, it’s lunch time!”

“You go ahead,” Audrey said, her focus still on her screen. “I’m not that hungry.”

“Oh, come on, Audrey. You’re already too skinny. Stop working and come eat!”

Audrey smiled faintly. “I’ll finish this first. I promise I’ll join you.”

“You better, or I’ll drag you there myself!” Mia threatened playfully before leaving.

Audrey sighed, focusing on the last few lines of her report. Suddenly, movement caught her eye. Arthur was walking past her desk, his presence commanding even in silence.

She kept her head down, determined not to make eye contact.

“Everyone’s already gone,” came his voice.

Audrey looked up, startled to see Arthur standing nearby, watching her.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” he asked, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Yes! I was just about to…” she stammered, grabbing her things in a hurry.

As soon as she left the room, she exhaled sharply. “Oh my god. I can’t stay in there any longer. He probably doesn’t even remember me. To him, I’m just… low class.”

Later that evening, Audrey was the last one at her desk, finishing up her tasks. She yawned as she finally packed up to leave.

“Audrey, the president’s looking for you,” a colleague called out.

Her eyes widened. “What? Me? But why?”

Moments later, she was standing in Arthur’s office.

“You were looking for me, Mr. President?”

Arthur glanced up from his desk. “Yes. I reviewed your portfolio. It’s… horrible. Do it again.”

Her jaw dropped. “Horrible? But I spent five weeks on it!”

“It didn’t catch my eye,” he replied simply.

Audrey clenched her fists. “What exactly was wrong with it?”

“Nothing. It’s just boring.”

“Boring?! I stayed late for weeks working on that!”

Arthur’s expression softened slightly. “Call me Arthur.”

Audrey blinked, confused. “Huh?”

“My name,” he said with a slight smirk. “Call me Arthur.”

By the time Audrey left the building, rain was pouring down. She stood at the entrance, groaning at the weather.

“Need a ride?” Arthur’s voice broke through the rain.

Audrey turned to see him holding an umbrella.

“Oh no, I’m fine. I’ll just take the bus.”

Arthur frowned. “It’s raining. I’ll take you home. Where do you live?”

“No, really, it’s okay!” Audrey insisted.

Arthur handed her the umbrella instead. “At least take this.”

Audrey hesitated before accepting. “Um… thank you.”

Nearby, a female colleague watched the exchange, her expression darkening with jealousy.

The next morning, whispers filled the office.

“Did you hear? Audrey was with the president last night.”

“They say she’s trying to seduce him.”

Audrey walked in, oblivious to the stares. “Why is everyone so quiet today?” she whispered to Mia.

Mia pulled her aside. “Someone saw you with the president. They’re saying you’re… seducing him.”

Audrey’s mouth fell open. “What?! That’s ridiculous!”

During lunch, as Audrey and Mia carried their trays, a woman bumped into Audrey, spilling her food onto the floor.

“Oops,” the woman said, smirking. “Didn’t see you there.”

Mia glared. “Hey! Apologize!”

Audrey shook her head. “Let it go, Mia.”

Mia helped clean up the mess as Arthur walked in, his gaze immediately landing on Audrey.

“What happened?” he asked.

Mia replied quickly. “Someone bumped into her.”

Arthur frowned. “Are you okay?”

“Uh… yes,” Audrey stammered.

“I’ll buy you lunch,” he said.

Audrey waved her hands. “No, really, it’s fine!”

Ignoring her protests, Arthur returned with a sandwich and a drink. The cafeteria fell silent as everyone watched.

“Thank you… Mr. Pres— I mean, Arthur,” she said quietly.

Arthur gave her a small smile. “Good. Now eat.”

The room buzzed with whispers, and the jealousy in the air was palpable.

Ayla, the woman who had bumped Audrey earlier, stood fuming. Arthur had poured orange juice on her head, dismissed her with disdain, and turned his full attention back to Audrey.

And so, the office drama deepened.