Chapter 135
Chapter 139
Madison
My heart skipped a beat as I tried to maintain my composure. Alexander noticed my reaction, his eyes narrowing slightly as he followed my gaze.
I turned around to see Hazel standing there, looking polished in her work outfit–a gray pencil skirt with a burgundy blouse. Her hair was pulled back in a neat bun, and she was beaming at me.
“Hazel! Hi,” I said, my voice a bit higher than normal. “What are you doing here p>
“My boss is over there with a client,” she gestured toward the far corner of the café. I spotted you and had to come say hello. I didn’t mean to interrupt your date p>
Alexander straightened in his chair, his expression shifting to that practiced charm he used in business meetings. He extended his hand. “Alexander Knight p>
Hazel’s mouth opened slightly before she collected herself and shook his hand. “Hazel Foster. I’ve seen you in Forbes. And Time. And basically everywhere.” She laughed nervously. “You’re Madison’s boss p>
“Among other things,” Alexander replied smoothly, his hand returning to rest possessively on the
table near mine.
I cleared my throat. “Hazel is my best friend p>
Alexander’s smile turned predatory as he reached across the table to touch my arm. His fingers traced a slow pattern on my skin, sending electric currents racing up to my shoulder.
“Best friend? Then she should know we’ve been dating for a few weeks now,” he said smoothly, his thumb making small circles on my wrist.
I jerked my arm away, nearly knocking over my water glass. “What? No, we haven’t p>
“Madison!” Hazel’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. “You’re dating Alexander Knight and didn’t tell me p>
“He’s joking,” I said quickly, forcing a laugh that sounded fake even to my ears. “Mr. Knight has a strange sense of humor. We’re not dating p>
Alexander leaned back in his chair, looking amused. “I’m hurt, Madison. After all the nights we’ve spent together, you’re still denying our relationship p>
My cheeks burned. “This is just a prank. Mr. Knight likes to tease his employees.” I shot him a warning glare that he completely ignored.
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“Employees don’t usually call me at two in the morning because they miss me,” Alexander countered, his voice silky. “Or leave their underwear in my bedroom p>
Hazel gasped. “Madison Harper! You little cheater! I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on me p>
“I haven’t been holding out on anything!” I hissed, kicking Alexander under the table. He didn’t even flinch. “We’re here for a business breakfast before our meeting with the contractors. That’s all p>
Alexander reached for my hand again, this time capturing it before I could pull away. “The business of pleasure, perhaps p>
I yanked my hand back, nearly knocking over the salt shaker. “Mr. Knight, please stop.” I turned to Hazel, whose eyes were wider than dinner plates. “We’re not dating. This is strictly professional p>
“Strictly professional,” Alexander echoed, his voice dripping with amusement. “Is that what we’re calling it now p>
“Yes,” I said firmly, shooting him a warning glare. “Mr. Knight and I have a professional relationship. He’s my boss, I’m his assistant p>
Hazel’s gaze bounced between us like she was watching a tennis match. “But he just said p>
“He’s joking,” I cut in. “Mr. Knight has an… unusual sense of humor p>
Alexander leaned back in his chair, completely at ease, while I was practically vibrating with tension. “Madison is right. I do have an unusual sense of humor.” His eyes locked with mine, a mischievous glint dancing in them. “For instance, I find it hilarious when my assistant denies spending the night at my penthouse last week p>
I kicked him under the table. Hard.
He didn’t even flinch.
“I was working late,” I explained to Hazel, whose jaw was practically on the floor. “The project in Manhattan requires a lot of overtime p>
“Overtime,” Alexander nodded sagely.
“Mr. Knight,” I hissed.
Hazel’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Madison, are you sleeping with your boss p>
“No!” I practically shouted, drawing curious glances from nearby tables. I lowered my voice. “No, absolutely not. That would be unprofessional and inappropriate p>
“So unprofessional,” Alexander agreed, his voice serious but his eyes dancing with mirth. “Almost as unprofessional as calling your boss at two in the morning because you can’t sleep without hearing
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his voice p>
My face burned. “I have never done that p>
“You’re right. It was closer to three p>
Hazel gasped. “Madison p>
“He’s making it up!” I insisted, my voice rising an octave. “Tell her you’re making it up p>
Alexander took a leisurely sip of his water. “Madison is an exemplary employee. Dedicated.
Hardworking. Always willing to go the extra mile.” He paused, a wicked smile playing on his lips. “Or should I say, extra hour p>
I wanted to crawl under the table and die.
“Mr. Knight, this isn’t funny. Hazel is my best friend, and you’re giving her the completely wrong impression p>
“Am I?” He raised an eyebrow. “What impression would that be p>
“That we’re…” I couldn’t even say it.
“That you’re banging your billionaire boss?” Hazel supplied helpfully.
“Hazel!” I squeaked.
Alexander’s laugh was deep and genuine. “I like your friend, Madison. She’s direct.
“Too direct,” I muttered.
Hazel crossed her arms. “Look, if you two are hooking up, just say so. I’m not going to judge p>
“We’re not hooking up,” I insisted, glaring at Alexander. “Mr. Knight, please tell her the truth p>
He studied me for a moment, his blue eyes unreadable. Then, unexpectedly, his expression softened. “Madison is right. We’re not dating p>
Hazel’s eyebrows shot up. “But you just said p>
“I was teasing her,” Alexander admitted, his smile turning sheepish. “Madison has been working incredibly hard on this new project, and I sometimes forget that my sense of humor can be… inappropriate p>
I blinked at him, surprised by his sudden honesty.
“So you’re not sleeping together?” Hazel asked, looking almost disappointed.
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“No,” Alexander said firmly. “Madison is far too professional for that p>
Relief washed over me. “Thank you, Mr. Knight p>
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“However,” he added, the mischief returning to his eyes, “I can’t deny that I find her absolutely fascinating. If she ever wanted to explore a personal relationship outside of work hours, I wouldn’t object p>
Hazel clapped her hands together. “I knew it! You do have a thing for her p>
“Mr. Knight is joking again,” I said quickly, though my heart was racing. “He flirts with everyone. It doesn’t mean anything p>
Alexander’s eyes locked with mine. “Doesn’t it p>
An uncomfortable silence fell over the table. Hazel looked between us, a slow smile spreading across
her face.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.