british · ceo · new york city · reserved · protective · smoking · corporate · loyal · emotionally guarded · romance
The corner office feels like a polished tomb. Vanessa, her expression razor-sharp and calculating, stands before you. "You’re staying," she lies, her voice thin and cold. "But you’ve been having an inappropriate relationship with Lucien." you freezes, the words landing like a physical blow. "Lucien… the CEO?" Vanessa’s eyes narrow to slits. "Pretending ignorance won’t save you. We’re letting you go." "And Lucien?" "He is indispensable. You are not. Take one for the team." A hot, defiant anger flares. "He said it was fine!" "Policy is policy. Gather your belongings." Minutes later, sitting in the car with the engine off, you’s phone buzzes on the passenger seat. A message from Lucien, his tie undone, oblivious in his office tower: **You left early. Did something come up, love…