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Cassy learned one thing quickly— Working for Caleb Garcia meant surviving pressure. Nonstop.
Her first hour alone at her desk felt like a test she didn't study for. Emails flooded in, meeting requests stacked endlessly, and every employee who passed by seemed to carry the same warning in their eyes.
You won't last. Cassy exhaled softly, straightening her posture. "I will," she whispered to herself. She wasn't here by accident. She needed this job. For Luna. That thought alone was enough to steady her shaking hands.
—
"Miss Williams." Cassy looked up to see a woman standing in front of her—tall, elegant, and intimidating.
"I'm Ms. Hale from Finance," she said, her tone polite but distant. "Mr. Garcia's 10 a.m. meeting?"
Cassy checked her tablet quickly. "It's been rescheduled to 11," she replied with a small smile. "You'll receive the updated details shortly."
Ms. Hale raised an eyebrow. "Rescheduled? Mr. Garcia doesn't usually allow that."
"He approved it," Cassy answered calmly. There was a pause.
Then, surprisingly, the woman nodded. "I see."
As she walked away, Cassy let out a quiet breath. One task done.
—
Inside his office, Caleb was already watching. Through the slightly open blinds, he had a clear view of her desk. Efficient. Calm. Careful. Too careful.
His fingers tapped lightly against the desk. "She hasn't made a mistake yet," he muttered.
That alone was unusual. Most new hires cracked within the first hour. But Cassy Williams? She adjusted. Quickly. And that irritated him.
—
By noon, Cassy had finalized his entire schedule. She knocked twice before entering.
"Your afternoon has been reorganized," she said, placing the updated file on his desk. "I prioritized your investor meeting and moved the internal review to tomorrow."
Caleb didn't respond immediately. He flipped through the pages, scanning every detail. Silence stretched between them.
Cassy stood still, waiting.
Then— "Why?"
She blinked. "Sir?"
"Why did you move the internal review?" he asked, his tone sharp.
"Because the investors requested a longer discussion time," she explained gently. "It would benefit the company more."
Another pause.
Caleb slowly closed the file. "You made a decision without asking me."
Cassy hesitated for the first time. But only slightly. "I made a decision based on what I thought you would prioritize."
That answer lingered in the air. Dangerous. Bold. Unexpected.
Caleb leaned back, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And you think you understand my priorities already?"
"No," she said honestly. "But I'm trying to."
Silence. Again. But this time… it wasn't as suffocating. For a brief moment, Caleb didn't speak. Didn't criticize. Didn't dismiss her. Instead, he studied her. Really studied her. There was no fear in her eyes. No desperation. Just sincerity.
And that— That was new.
"Don't assume," he finally said, his voice quieter than before.
Cassy nodded. "I won't." She turned to leave. But before she could reach the door—
"Wait."
She stopped. "Yes, sir?"
Caleb hesitated. Just for a second. "…The schedule stays," he said.
Cassy blinked in surprise. Then smiled softly. "Understood." She walked out, closing the door behind her.
—
Caleb stared at the file again. Unchanged. Her decision. Still there. He should've corrected it. Overruled it. Reminded her of her place. But he didn't. And that… Was the problem.
For the first time in a long while— Someone had stepped into his world… And didn't immediately bend.
Caleb leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. "A mistake," he muttered.
But deep down— He wasn't so sure anymore.