Chapter 29

Annie's POV

"Knock-knock!" The cheerful voice interrupted my attempt to organize the mountain of art supplies on my new desk. Susan Moore, Howard's executive secretary, stepped into the office with the kind of graceful efficiency that made even the simplest movement look choreographed. "Time for your official welcome package."

I set down the bundle of pencils I'd been sorting, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that this spacious corner office was now mine. The drawing tablet, dual monitors, and rows of storage cabinets seemed almost too perfect- like a dream I might wake up from at any moment.

"Getting settled in?" Her smile was warm but evaluating as she placed a security badge and stack of papers on my desk. "These need your signature."

I accepted the ID badge and building access card, studying my surprisingly professional-looking photo. "Thank you for helping me get settled in."

Susan lingered, adjusting papers that didn't need adjusting. After a moment, she glanced at the doorway before leaning in slightly. "what do you think of our CEO?" Her tone carried that specific blend of professional discretion and carefully measured friendliness. "He's a fair and generous employer," I replied, proud of how steady my voice remained despite the way my pulse quickened at just the thought of him.I smoothed my skirt, grateful for the excuse to avoid eye contact. "Just an employer?" Her arched eyebrow spoke volumes.I met her gaze steadily. "What else would he be?"

Susan's laugh tinkled like expensive crystal. "Oh, you're good. No wonder he..." She caught herself, switching topics smoothly. "Let me get you set up on our internal communication channels."

Within minutes, my laptop pinged with Slack notifications. The channels appeared one by one:

\-#general-announcements

\-#office-social

\-#design-team

And finally, a private invitation to #tea-room.

"That last one's our unofficial water cooler," Susan explained with a conspiratorial wink. "Keep certain conversations away from Mr. Thompson's attention, if you know what I mean."

I nodded, maintaining my professional mask even as my stomach twisted.The #tea-room channel was already buzzing with activity:

"Today's suit count: Navy pinstripe. That makes three navy suits this week.Not that anyone's keeping track..."

"Mr. Thompson just walked through the finance department carrying some cartoon mugs. Anyone else's heart melt?" "He's been hitting the gym more lately - not that I'm keeping track." "My cousin works at Le Bernardin and swears she saw him having dinner with Catherine Morgan last week. But like, was it a DATE date or a business thing? Need details!" "Pretty sure his coffee order is just plain black coffee. How does someone so successful drink something so basic?"

"New theory: he has a secret family somewhere. No way someone that perfect is really single."

"Um, did anyone else notice he actually SMILED today during the morning meeting?"

I nearly dropped my laptop. The messages blurred together, a mix of workplace gossip and wistful speculation about Howard's carefully guarded private life. My fingers tightened on my mouse as I scrolled past their desperate attempts to piece together fragments of the man I was starting to know- the way his voice softened when he spoke to Lucy,how he actually preferred tea to coffee but drank coffee to stay alert, the tiny crease between his brows when he was truly concentrating rather than just being polite.

"But seriously," a new message popped up, "has anyone ever seen him actually date anyone? Like,ever?"

"Margaret Thompson's been trying to set him up with every eligible socialite in Manhattan. But he never seems interested."

"Maybe he's just really dedicated to his work and Lucy? That's kind of hot tbh."

"Oh,before I forget," Susan's voice pulled me back to the present, "Caroline Gluck from publishing wants to meet you. She's quite influential in the children's book world."

As if summoned by her name, a private message popped up on my screen:

*Caroline Gluck: You're the new creative director?* I typed carefully: *Yes. I'm the new creative director.

*Caroline: I'm swamped with deadlines, but I'd love to review your portfolio when things calm down.*

*Annie: No rush, I'm still settling in.*

The exchange felt loaded somehow, as if Caroline was testing waters I couldn't quite see. Before I could analyze it further, a familiar cologne announced Howard's presence. He stood in my doorway,two coffee cups from the executive lounge in hand.

"Excuse us, Susan." His tone was polite but firm. Susan extracted herself with practiced grace, though I noticed how her eyes darted between us before she left.

The rich aroma of dark roast coffee filled my senses as Howard set the ceramic mug on my desk. Even this simple gesture showed his attention to detail-he'd noticed I preferred real mugs to disposable cups. Just like he noticed everything, with those dark eyes that seemed to see straight through my professional facade.

"How are you finding the new position?" His voice carried that subtle warmth that seemed reserved for private moments like this.

"Busy, but in the best way." I wrapped my hands around the warm mug.trying not to notice how his rolled-up sleeves revealed strong forearms,or how his cologne-that intoxicating blend of tobacco and something darker - made my pulse quicken, "It's challenging and fulfilling." "It's gratifying to see you thrive here." The intensity in his gaze made my breath catch. How did he manage to make such a professional comment sound so intimate? The moment stretched between us, charged with everything we couldn't say. My eyes flickered to the still-open #tea-room channel on my screen.where messages continued scrolling:

"Has anyone noticed the CEO seems different lately? More relaxed..."

"That dinner at Le Bernardin with Catherine Morgan must have gone well.11

"Mr. Thompson never brings women to the office. But that Catherine Morgan - apparently she's exactly what his mother's been hopingfor."

I forced myself to look away from the chat, even as my mind wandered treacherously. Living under his roof had given me glimpses of a different Howard- one who wore reading glasses while reviewing documents late at night, who took his coffee black and sometimes hummed unconsciously while lost in thought. The Howard these employees desperately tried to understand through company gossip.

His phone buzzed, shattering the moment. Howard straightened, CEO mask sliding seamlessly into place. The transformation was fascinating-watching him switch from the man who made my heart race to the executive who commanded respect with a single glance.

The afternoon passed in a blur of project briefings and software setups.I was deep in a character sketch when my phone buzzed with an unknown number.

"Annie Baker speaking." "I'm Philip's friend."