apter 98
Rex’s expression turned distinctly guilty. “No, no–nothing like that! Liam handles the cleaning. We just make his coffee, steam his suits, occasionally wake him from naps…
“Wait, what?” Charlotte’s hand shot up, her smile vanishing “Wake him up? Unless I’m on a business trip, my hours are nine to five. I didn’t sign up to manage his personal life.
Rex squirmed. “The CEO enjoys his afternoon power naps.
Charlotte stared at him for several heats. “Rex, we need to clarify our roles here. You’re his executive assistant. I’m his secretary. Traditionally, I handle company matters while you handle his personal needs. You’re his confidant. I’ll gladly make office coffee, but waking him up crosses into personal territory.. that falls under your job description.”
She added pointedly, “You must have it down to a science by now.”
Rex was internally screaming: I absolutely do NOT have it down!
The CEO had the morning temperament of a bear with a toothache.
He’d specifically say “wake me in an hour,” but when Rex tried, he either couldn’t be roused or woke up radiating hostility.
If Rex just let him sleep, he’d later snap “what exactly am I paying you for?”
Too early was wrong. Too late was wrong. Nothing was ever right and the boss seemed blissfully unaware of the impossible standard.
“Let’s not get caught up in technicalities,” Rex said, backing toward the door like someone fleeing a wild animal. “We’re all on Team Weasley here. We help each other out–whoever’s free handles whatever comes up. Gotta run!”
He disappeared before she could respond.
Charlotte:
Talk about dodging responsibility!
No way. She could bend on many things, but the wake–up service was staying firmly in his court!
She’d circle back to this conversation when Rex least expected it.
She closed her door, settled at her desk, arranged her personal items, and set up her computer with a secure
password.
Five minutes later, Rex sent over the day’s schedule.
Charlotte quickly scanned through it.
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the clearing the Forbidden Past
Another notification chimed.
Rex had sent a follow up message.
She expected meeting materials for the 10:30 session, but instead found… an elaborate manual on the CEO’S preferences.
Her eyebrow arched skeptically.
She opened the document with growing dread
It detailed Zarek’s coffee and tea preferences–down to an obsessive level.
or post nap
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The exact beans for his first morning coffee, precise water temperature… specific tea leaves for refreshment…
Requirements for ice water when working past midnight…
She skimmed through, eyes widening.
The document continued with even more preferences beyond beverages.
Clearly, Rex intended to transfer these sacred duties to her.
Charlotte suddenly froze, spotting a critical line–first coffee delivered before 9:30 AM.
She checked the time: 9:48 AM!
She quickly flipped back to review his morning coffee specifications.
Of course it had to be hand–ground pour–over.
She rushed to the break room in her heels, hunting down beans, kettle, grinder… As her arm began to cramp from manually grinding beans, she couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity.
She hadn’t expected royal treatment at Dominex, but Rex’s smooth handoff of these tasks left her feeling like she’d been shanghai’d into service.
Charlotte prepared the coffee as quickly as possible and carried it carefully to the CEO’s office.
After a steadying breath, she knocked.
“Come in,” his cool voice responded.
Charlotte entered to find Zarek completely absorbed in his documents.
She approached quietly and placed the coffee on his right side.
He flicked his eyes up briefly, then returned to his work.
Taking the hint, she turned to leave.
“Ms. Whitmore.”
Zarek’s voice stopped her mid step.
She turned back. “Need something else?”
Zarek looked at her, then pointedly tapped his own cheek.
Charlotte maintained her professional smile while her mind raced.
What was he trying to communicate?
Was something wrong with his face?
Seeing her confusion, he beckoned her closer.
Charlotte approached cautiously.
Without warning, he rose from his chair. His tall frame suddenly loomed over her, blocking the light, his presence seeming to compress the air around them.
His long, elegant hand reached toward her face.
His fingertip brushed against her cheek, sending an electric jolt through her system. Goosebumps cascaded from her face down to her neck
“What are you-” Her eyes widened as she instinctively stepped back.
“You had something on your face.”
His voice was deep yet unexpectedly gentle as he showed her his fingertip, now marked with a small smudge of coffee grounds.
Charlotte stared at him: “…”
Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Thanks, but next time just tell me.”
Zarek settled back into his chair. “I did. You didn’t catch on.”
Charlotte:“…
Tapping his own cheek counted as telling her?
Why not try that communication style with his father and then call him dense!
She left the office fuming. In the restroom mirror, she discovered her cheeks glowing as though she’d knocked back several shots of tequila.
How incredibly petty could Zarek be?
All because of one accidental text that made him think she was messing with him, he needed multiple revenge
moments to feel satisfied?
For the 10:30 meeting. Charlotte only handled the minutes.
Rex had managed department notifications and executive briefing materials.
He’d reasoned that with it being Charlotte’s first day, the tight timeline, and her unfamiliarity with the coffee duty made more sense.
His intentions were actually good.
At noon, they had a business lunch.
Pcontent.-
A real estate magnate had requested the meeting. Dominex had substantial real estate holdings, and the two companies were jointly developing a luxury resort.
The project had been signed before Zarek took over.
The man was an old friend of his father’s–practically family–so Zarek had readily agreed.
They’d originally scheduled it earlier, but his injury forced a postponement.
Zarek arrived with Charlotte and Rex in tow.
Upon entering the private dining room, they discovered not only Leif Hara and his secretary, but also Steven Cullen, Dominex’s Vice President, and… Issac Wood and Jayden Grantham!
Well. This was unexpected.
So Hara was playing peacemaker today.
Zarek took his seat with perfect composure.
Charlotte tensed at the sight of Issac, bracing for a potential scene.
Issac’s eyes locked onto her like targeting lasers. So she was already openly accompanying Zarek everywhere?
The others exchanged subtle glances that spoke volumes.
Charlotte knew exactly what assumptions were being made.
But remembering Zarek’s advice–when you’ve done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear–she dismissed their judgment.
She wouldn’t embarrass Zarek with a reaction.
Charlotte and Rex took their places at the table..
Rex had warned her beforehand that Hara was notorious for pushing drinks on people, and they might need to run interference.
“Till Mr. Weasley’s glass to the brim! You’re late–penalty drink required!”
Right on cue, as they settled in, Hara launched into drinking games.
His secretary immediately stood to fill Zarek’s glass.
