“Are you done?” Alexander’s stern voice cut through the conversation.
His steel-grey eyes settled on me for a brief moment before moving to the other three men, one by one.
“If your formal introductions are over, we need to get back to work.” It sounded less like a suggestion and more like a command.
The playful atmosphere disappeared almost instantly.
Julian gave a small shrug before returning to his desk.
Damian followed without a word, already reaching for the files waiting for him.
Adrian offered me one last polite smile before heading to his workstation.
Within seconds, the four men were back at their desks, absorbed in their respective work as though my arrival had barely interrupted their morning.
I stood there awkwardly for a moment, clutching the strap of my handbag.
“Ms.
Meave, submit your documents on my desk,” Alexander said without looking up from his screen.
“Yes,” I replied quickly.
I hurried over to his desk and unzipped my bag, pulling out the neatly arranged stack of documents I had brought with me.
I placed them carefully on his desk.
Alexander opened one of the drawers beside him and began rummaging through several thick files.
After a moment, he pulled out a few folders and placed them beside my documents.
I glanced at the files, then back at him.
“Are these—” “Your work,” he said, cutting me off.
I blinked.
“My work?” He finally looked up at me, his expression as serious as ever.
“You’re here to work, Ms.
Calloway.
Not observe.” I immediately straightened.
“Yes, sir.” He nodded toward the files.
“Take these to your desk.
Read them carefully and prepare an analysis report on the results from the past year.” He gestured toward a small desk positioned beside Adrian’s workstation.
“That will be your place of work.” I looked at the desk and then back at the thick stack of files in my hands.
“You have the entire day,” he continued, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“So make sure the report is on my desk before you leave.” I nodded quickly.
“Yes, sir.” I carried the files toward my assigned desk, trying not to let my nervousness show.
I placed the files on my desk and pulled out my notebook.
Well, there was no point standing around.
I had work to do.
Adrian, sitting beside my desk, leaned slightly toward me.
“If you have any doubts or questions, feel free to ask,” he said with a warm smile.
I could feel my face burning again.
He was probably the nicest person I had met since stepping into Westbridge.
Maybe Paige and Alden were wrong.
Maybe my internship wouldn’t be as bad as I had imagined after all.
I smiled back at him.
“Thank you, Adrian.
I might actually take you up on that offer.” I wasn’t even halfway through my report when a tap on my desk pulled my attention away from the screen.
I looked up to find Julian standing beside me, wearing that familiar, mischievous smile.
I had been doing my best to avoid him ever since our first interaction, but apparently, he had other plans.
“It’s already lunchtime,” he said casually.
I glanced at my watch.
He was right.
I hadn’t even noticed how quickly the morning had passed.
“Oh.” I closed the file in front of me.
“Then I’ll go have my lunch.” I gave him a polite smile, hoping that would be enough to dismiss him.
It wasn’t.
Julian simply continued standing there, his smile growing wider.
“Are you coming with us?” I was about to refuse Julian’s offer when Adrian appeared behind him.
“Why don’t you join us for lunch, Meave?” he asked in that same warm, melodic voice.
My heart instantly melted.
How was I supposed to refuse someone who asked so sweetly?
“Sure,” I replied before I could think twice.
The three of us started making our way toward the cafeteria.
As we walked, I pulled out my phone and was surprised to see several missed calls and messages from Paige and Alden.
Oh no.
I had been so absorbed in my work that I had completely forgotten about them.
I quickly opened Paige’s chat and typed a message.
I’m heading to the cafeteria for lunch.
I’ll call you later.
I slipped my phone into the pocket of my skirt and stepped into the elevator with the julian and adrian.
The doors closed behind us, leaving the three of us standing in the confined space.
Julian glanced at me with a mischievous smile.
“Was that your boyfriend?” Before I could answer, Adrian immediately intervened.
“Stop prying into her personal life.” Julian raised both hands innocently.
“I was just trying to make casual conversation.” “Then keep it casual,” Adrian replied.
“Don’t ask personal stuff.” My heart instantly did a couple of ridiculous little jumps.
He defended me.
I tried my best to hide the blush creeping onto my cheeks and stared at the elevator doors.
“It was my sister,” I finally answered Julian.
“Is she beautiful like you?” Julian asked, his mischievous grin returning.
I could practically feel Adrian’s burning gaze on him.
“She already has a boyfriend,” I replied, hoping that would finally satisfy his curiosity.
Julian looked slightly disappointed.
“Oh, what a shame.” “Don’t mind him, Meave,” Adrian said, shaking his head.
I couldn’t help it—I stifled a small laugh.
Julian placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
“I’m only being friendly.” “Your definition of friendly needs serious revision,” Adrian muttered.
The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out.
Without another word, we headed straight toward the cafeteria, with Julian still wearing that shameless grin and Adrian looking like he was already regretting bringing him along.
The moment I stepped into the cafeteria, I stopped.
I had expected a company cafeteria to look like a glorified canteen.
Apparently, Westbridge had other ideas.
The enormous space stretched almost the entire width of the floor, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city.
Sunlight poured through the glass, illuminating the polished stone floors and warm wooden tables scattered throughout the room.
Green plants hung from several partitions, softening the otherwise sophisticated interior.
Long communal tables occupied the center, while smaller tables and comfortable booths lined the windows.
At the far end stood an elegant café counter, followed by several food stations serving everything from freshly prepared meals and salads to sandwiches and desserts.
This is a cafeteria?
I stared at the coffee bar in disbelief.
My college canteen suddenly feels like a crime scene.
Then I noticed something that made me wish I hadn’t looked around.
Half the cafeteria was staring at someone.
No.
Not someone.
Me.
I blinked, glancing behind me to make sure there wasn’t someone more interesting standing there.
There wasn’t.
Everywhere I looked, people were sneaking glances in my direction.
Some whispered to their colleagues, while others openly stared before quickly looking away when I caught them.
My steps slowed.
Why is everyone staring at me?
I instinctively glanced at my clothes, checking whether I’d somehow walked into the cafeteria with my skirt tucked into my blouse.
Nothing.
Everything was perfectly normal.
I looked at Julian, confused.
He simply smiled and said “welcome to the cafeteria”.
And somehow, that smile told me he knew exactly what was happening.