Chapter Five

Cassia barely slept.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Harden standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, his gray eyes fixed on hers as he'd quietly told her to call him by his first name.

She had.

And somehow, that single word felt more intimate than it should have.

By the time she arrived at Blackwood Enterprises the next morning, she had made herself one promise.

No more awkward moments.

No more elevators.

No more lingering conversations.

No more getting flustered around the CEO.

She was here to build a career—not become the center of office gossip.

"Morning!"

Mia appeared beside her with a cup of coffee.

"You look exhausted."

"I didn't sleep well."

"Worried about your meeting with Mr. Blackwood?"

Cassia nearly choked.

"How do you know about that?"

Mia grinned.

"Victoria and I are friends."

Of course she is.

"I didn't tell her anything," Mia added quickly. "She only mentioned that the CEO personally reviewed your speech."

Cassia relaxed a little.

"That's all?"

"That's all."

They stepped into the elevator together, joined by several other employees.

The atmosphere was light until the elevator stopped on the executive floor.

The doors slid open.

Every person inside immediately straightened.

Harden Blackwood stepped in.

The entire elevator fell silent.

"Good morning, sir."

"Morning, Mr. Blackwood."

He acknowledged them with a brief nod.

Then his eyes landed on Cassia.

For just a moment.

"Miss Ashwood."

Her heart skipped.

"Good morning... Mr. Blackwood."

She almost said Harden.

Almost.

His expression remained unreadable, but she caught the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes.

The elevator continued its descent in complete silence.

No one dared speak.

When the doors opened on the Communications floor, Cassia hurried out with Mia.

The moment they reached the office, Mia grabbed her arm.

"The CEO knows your name."

Cassia sighed.

"I noticed."

"He greeted you."

"I noticed that too."

"He doesn't greet people."

"He literally greeted everyone."

"No." Mia shook her head. "He acknowledged everyone. He greeted you."

Cassia chose not to answer.

Because Mia was right.

—

Around noon, Olivia approached Cassia's desk.

"The CEO approved your speech."

Cassia looked up in surprise.

"He did?"

"Without changing a single word."

A smile spread across her face.

"Really?"

Olivia nodded.

"He wants you to accompany us to today's luncheon with the Blackwood Foundation."

Cassia's smile disappeared.

"...Me?"

"Congratulations."

"I don't think congratulations are appropriate."

Olivia laughed.

"Relax. You're only there in case he wants to make last-minute edits."

"Where is it?"

"The Blackwood Grand Hotel."

Cassia stared.

"The five-star one?"

"The only one."

Two hours later, a sleek black company car pulled up outside the hotel.

The marble lobby sparkled beneath crystal chandeliers, and employees in immaculate uniforms welcomed guests with practiced smiles.

Everything felt impossibly luxurious.

"This way," Olivia said.

They entered a private dining room overlooking the river.

Government officials, investors, and charity board members were already seated.

Cassia quietly slipped into the only empty chair she could find.

Then she froze.

It was beside Harden.

He glanced at the name card in front of her.

"Interesting."

"What?"

"My assistant arranged the seating."

Cassia looked around.

"So... this isn't random?"

"No."

Before she could ask another question, lunch was served.

Crystal glasses.

Silver cutlery.

Food that looked too beautiful to eat.

Cassia reached for her water at the same moment the waiter set another plate down.

Her elbow bumped the glass.

It tipped.

"Oh!"

Water spilled across the white tablecloth and straight toward Harden.

Without thinking, she grabbed her linen napkin and leaned toward him.

"I'm so sorry."

She dabbed the water from the sleeve of his dark suit jacket before her brain caught up with her hands.

Again.

She had touched him.

Again.

Cassia froze.

"...I did it again."

A few guests looked over.

The room fell strangely quiet.

Harden looked from the damp sleeve to the horrified expression on her face.

Then, to everyone's surprise...

He chuckled.

A low, quiet sound.

Real.

The people at the table stared at him as if they'd just witnessed a solar eclipse.

"It's only water," he said calmly.

Cassia blinked.

"I nearly ruined your jacket."

"It'll dry."

"I'm still embarrassed."

"I know."

His voice was gentle enough that only she could hear it.

"You seem to have a habit of taking care of my clothes."

Her cheeks turned scarlet.

"I swear I'm not doing this on purpose."

"I believe you."

Across the table, one of the board members cleared his throat.

"I don't think I've ever seen Mr. Blackwood laugh."

Neither had anyone else.

The meeting resumed, but whispers quietly spread around the room.

Who was the young woman sitting beside the CEO?

Why did he seem... different around her?

Cassia tried to ignore the curious glances.

She focused on her meal.

Halfway through lunch, Harden leaned slightly toward her.

His voice was low enough that only she could hear.

"You're uncomfortable."

"A little."

"Because of the attention?"

She nodded.

"I don't like being stared at."

His gaze swept briefly across the room before returning to hers.

"They'll stop."

"How?"

"They'll learn not to."

There was no threat in his tone.

No anger.

Just quiet certainty.

For the first time since she'd met him, Cassia understood why an entire corporation feared Harden Blackwood.

He didn't have to raise his voice.

Power followed him effortlessly.

As lunch came to an end, the guests stood and began mingling.

Cassia excused herself to get some fresh air on the terrace overlooking the river.

The breeze cooled her flushed cheeks.

She rested her hands on the stone railing.

"You disappear when you're overwhelmed."

Harden's deep voice came from behind her.

She smiled without turning around.

"I needed a minute."

He stepped beside her, leaving enough space to remain respectful.

Neither of them spoke for a while.

The city stretched out below, alive with traffic and sunlight.

Finally, Cassia broke the silence.

"Can I ask you something?"

"You can."

"Why me?"

He looked at her.

"What do you mean?"

"You've known me for less than two days."

She laughed softly.

"You've already trusted me with your speech, invited me to this luncheon, and somehow I keep ending up beside you."

She met his gaze.

"I don't understand."

Harden's expression grew thoughtful.

For a long moment, he said nothing.

Then, quietly, almost as if admitting it to himself, he answered.

"Because when you look at me..."

His eyes held hers.

"...you see a man before you see a billionaire."

Cassia's heartbeat slowed.

"I've spent years surrounded by people who measure every word they say to me."

A faint, almost sad smile crossed his face.

"You walked into an elevator and worried about my crooked tie."

Cassia couldn't help smiling.

"It really was crooked."

"It was."

For the first time in years, Harden found himself hoping that the next time she reached for his tie...

It wouldn't be because it needed fixing.

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