Monday mornings at Rivera Group always carried a certain intensity.
The lobby filled quickly with employees returning from the weekend, conversations overlapping as elevators moved up and down the building. The scent of coffee drifted through the air while assistants hurried toward their desks with tablets and folders.
For Sofia Mirano, the start of the week had become almost routine.
She stepped out of the elevator with calm confidence, walking toward her desk while reviewing the schedule on her tablet. The soft sound of heels tapping against the polished floor blended with the quiet hum of office activity.
Sofia placed her bag neatly beside her desk and glanced through the day's agenda.
Leo had several meetings as usual, but something new appeared at the bottom of the schedule.
Executive Announcement – 10:00 AM
Sofia frowned slightly.
That was unusual.
Leo rarely scheduled general announcements unless something important was happening.
Her phone buzzed.
Lucy.
Sofia smiled slightly before opening the message.
Lucy:
Good morning.
Lucy:
Did your mysterious CEO behave this weekend?
Sofia rolled her eyes while typing.
Sofia:
Lucy…
Lucy:
I'm serious.
Lucy:
You didn't tell me if the marketing guy asked you out again.
Sofia glanced toward Leo's office before replying.
Sofia:
He tried.
Lucy responded instantly.
Lucy:
And what did Mr. CEO do?
Sofia paused.
She thought about Friday evening. The way Leo had interrupted the conversation without raising his voice. The way his expression had hardened slightly.
Sofia:
Nothing.
Lucy sent a message almost immediately.
Lucy:
I don't believe you.
Sofia smiled faintly but locked her phone.
At that moment, Leo's office door opened.
He stepped out wearing a dark navy suit, his posture straight and composed as always. The quiet authority he carried seemed to change the atmosphere of the office instantly.
His eyes moved across the workspace before settling on Sofia.
"Good morning, Sofia."
"Good morning, Mr. Rivera."
She stood and walked into his office with his coffee.
Black.
No sugar.
No cream.
Leo accepted the cup and took a sip while Sofia placed the schedule on his desk.
"You scheduled an announcement this morning," she said.
Leo nodded slightly.
"Yes."
Sofia waited.
He looked up at her.
"It concerns the company's anniversary."
Sofia blinked slightly.
"Anniversary?"
"Rivera Group was founded twenty years ago this month."
"Oh."
Leo closed the folder in front of him.
"We're hosting a company event."
Sofia nodded slowly.
"That sounds nice."
Leo studied her expression for a moment.
"It's formal."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"A formal event?"
"Yes."
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"All departments will attend."
Sofia felt a small wave of nervous curiosity.
"Will I need to prepare anything?"
Leo paused briefly.
"You'll attend with me."
Sofia blinked.
"With you?"
"Yes."
He said it calmly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"You're my assistant. It makes sense."
Sofia nodded slowly.
"Of course."
But the moment she left his office and sat back at her desk, she grabbed her phone.
Sofia:
Lucy.
Lucy replied immediately.
Lucy:
Yes?
Sofia:
There's a company party.
Lucy paused.
Then three messages appeared.
Lucy:
WHAT
Lucy:
A PARTY
Lucy:
WITH YOUR CEO
Sofia sighed.
Sofia:
Lucy…
Lucy sent another message.
Lucy:
You need a dress.
Sofia rubbed her forehead.
"I knew you'd say that," she murmured quietly.
At ten o'clock sharp, employees gathered in the large conference hall.
The room filled with quiet chatter as managers and assistants took their seats.
Sofia stood near the back with her tablet while Leo walked to the front of the room.
The moment he began speaking, the entire room fell silent.
"As many of you know," Leo said calmly, "Rivera Group was founded twenty years ago."
He paused briefly.
"To celebrate this milestone, we will host a formal anniversary event at the end of the month."
A small wave of murmurs moved through the crowd.
Leo continued.
"It will be an opportunity for every department to celebrate the company's achievements."
Employees nodded and exchanged excited glances.
Company events rarely happened.
Leo finished the announcement quickly and stepped away from the podium.
As people began discussing the news, Sofia noticed something.
Several employees were already whispering about the event.
But one pair of eyes seemed particularly focused on her.
Vanessa Clarke.
The marketing director stood near the front of the room, watching Sofia thoughtfully.
Then she walked over.
"Well," Vanessa said with a polite smile, "this event should be interesting."
Sofia nodded politely.
"Yes."
Vanessa tilted her head slightly.
"You'll be attending with Mr. Rivera, I assume."
Sofia hesitated.
"Yes."
Vanessa's smile widened slightly.
"That must be quite an experience."
Sofia wasn't sure how to respond.
Luckily, Leo called her name from across the room.
"Sofia."
She turned immediately.
"Yes?"
"Bring the presentation files."
Sofia nodded quickly and followed him out of the room.
By the time the workday ended, Sofia's mind was still full of thoughts about the company party.
She stepped out of the building that evening and immediately called Lucy.
Lucy answered on the first ring.
"So?"
Sofia laughed.
"You're impatient."
Lucy ignored that.
"Tell me about the party."
"It's for the company anniversary."
Lucy gasped dramatically.
"Which means everyone will be there."
"Yes."
"And you're going with your CEO."
"Yes."
Lucy paused for a moment.
Then her voice softened slightly.
"You know what this means, right?"
Sofia frowned.
"What?"
Lucy grinned through the phone.
"I'm designing your dress."
Sofia laughed.
"I knew it."
Lucy sounded delighted.
"This will be my best design yet."
Sofia smiled as she walked down the street.
Because somehow…
Even the idea of the party felt exciting.
Across the city, Leo Rivera sat alone in his office reviewing the final documents of the day.
But his thoughts drifted briefly to the announcement earlier.
To the moment he had told Sofia she would attend with him.
It had seemed logical.
Practical.
But something about the thought of her standing beside him at the event felt unexpectedly… appealing.
Leo leaned back slightly in his chair.
Because the truth was becoming harder to ignore.
Sofia Mirano was no longer just his secretary.
And the upcoming company party…
Might make that realization impossible to hide.