Lily Carter sat at her desk, clutching the sleek company-issued planner like it was a ticking time bomb.
Today was different. Today wasn't about coffee runs or surviving Alexander Knight's death glares. Today was about her first real assignment: managing his schedule for an upcoming investor meeting that could apparently decide the fate of entire empires.
At least, that's how Melissa put it when she dropped the folder onto Lily's desk with all the grace of a grim reaper.
"Good luck, rookie," Melissa had whispered, sipping her coffee like she was watching a doomed soldier march off to war. "This is where most assistants crash and burn."
No pressure. None at all.
Lily flipped open the planner, scanning the endless sea of appointments, calls, and cryptic acronyms that looked like secret codes.
Okay, focus. Breathe. You've got this.
Except… she didn't.
Because thirty minutes later, Lily realized with soul-crushing horror that she had double-booked Alexander Knight.
At the same time.
Same place.
Two different groups of investors.
Her blood ran cold.
"Oh no. Oh no no no no—" She scrambled for her notepad, frantically trying to fix the mess. "Okay, think, Lily! You can do this. You've watched, like, a hundred corporate dramas. Channel your inner boss lady!"
Melissa peeked over the cubicle wall. "Why do you look like someone just told you Starbucks is closing down forever?"
Lily's eyes darted up, wide and panicked. "I double-booked Mr. Knight."
Melissa blinked. Then… burst out laughing.
"Oh my God. Ohhh my God. You're so dead."
"Not helping!" Lily whisper-yelled.
Melissa wiped a tear of laughter. "This is better than the betting pool."
"The what?"
Melissa leaned closer, lowering her voice. "HR started an office-wide bet on how long you'll last. I gave you two weeks. Tina from Finance gave you three days. Honestly, if you get fired today, she's cashing out big."
Lily dropped her head into her hands. "Why is everyone betting on my downfall?!"
"Because it's entertaining." Melissa grinned.
Before Lily could spiral further, the deep, commanding voice of doom rang out from behind her.
"Miss Carter."
She shot up so fast her chair squeaked.
Alexander Knight stood in front of her desk, looking like he'd just stepped out of a billionaire fashion magazine. Perfectly tailored suit. Ice-blue eyes that could freeze oceans. The kind of presence that made grown men quake.
"Yes, Mr. Knight?" Lily squeaked, clutching her planner like a shield.
His gaze flicked down at it. "My investors are arriving shortly. Tell me everything is in order."
Her mouth went dry.
Do. Not. Panic.
"Yes! Of course! Everything is totally, completely, one-hundred-percent in order!" she lied through her teeth, giving him a too-bright smile.
His eyebrow arched, skeptical. "Is that so?"
"Absolutely," she chirped. "No problems at all!"
Right then, her phone buzzed with a reminder notification.
Investor A – Conference Room B, 10:00 AM.
Investor B – Boardroom, 10:00 AM.
Lily's stomach dropped.
Oh God.
She was going to die.
----------------------- Ten Minutes Later
Chaos. Absolute chaos.
Both groups of investors had arrived at once, marching in from opposite directions. Lily darted between them like a frantic traffic controller, trying to delay one group without raising suspicion.
"Mr. Kim, so good to see you! Could you—uh—maybe check out the very interesting art exhibit in the lobby? Yes, the one with the… abstract shapes!"
She spun to the other group. "Mr. Rodriguez! Welcome! Please, take your time admiring the… uh… carpet! It's imported from Italy! Very luxurious!"
The investors exchanged confused glances, clearly wondering if they had accidentally walked into a circus.
And then—of course—Alexander Knight appeared.
Lily froze.
He stepped into the corridor, hands in his pockets, radiating lethal calm as his piercing eyes swept over the scene. Two sets of investors. One red-faced assistant. Total disaster.
"Miss. Carter." His voice was low, dangerous.
Lily gulped. "S-Surprise? Two-for-one meeting deal?"
Dead silence.
Then, somehow—miraculously—her brain kicked into overdrive.
"Actually!" she blurted. "This was totally intentional. See, instead of separate sessions, I thought—why not combine them? That way, you save time, and they both hear your brilliant strategy at once!"
She plastered on a winning smile.
The investors murmured to each other. One nodded approvingly. Another actually smiled.
Alexander's jaw tightened. His eyes burned into hers like lasers.
But then… he turned to the investors.
"Very well," he said smoothly. "We'll proceed with a joint meeting."
The investors, pleased, followed him into the boardroom.
Lily exhaled so hard she nearly collapsed against the wall.
She had just lied her way out of execution.
-----------------------
Later, when the meeting ended successfully, Alex strode past her desk without breaking stride.
But as he passed, he muttered low enough for only her to hear:
"Persistent. Annoying. But persistent."
Lily blinked.
Wait. Was that… almost a compliment?
Melissa leaned over, smirking. "Guess what, rookie? You just survived another day. The betting pool is furious."
Lily grinned weakly, still recovering from her near-death experience.