First-Person POV — Female CEO
I'm not proud of it, but I've fired people before I even finished my first cup of coffee. Harsh? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely. Running a company means cutting dead weight before it sinks the ship.
And today, apparently, I'm expected to perform a miracle.
A brand-new AI expansion.A public launch in eight months.And a competing firm breathing down our necks.
So what does the board do?
They send me a boy.
Well—technically, a man. But just barely.
He walks into the conference room like he owns the skyline. Dark hair slightly tousled, sharp jaw, sleeves rolled to the elbows as if this is some startup garage and not a multimillion-dollar firm. Late twenties, if I'm being generous. Confident in that reckless, untested way young men often are.
"Ms. Raina." He doesn't just offer his hand—he presents it, firm and steady. "I'm Adrian Hale. I hear I'm your new… competitor."
I blink.Competitor.Not assistant.Not junior analyst.Not someone I can quietly tuck into a corner.
A competitor.
I swear the board is trying to give me ulcers.
He continues, unfazed by the tension around the table. "We'll be leading parallel teams. Same resources. Same deadlines. Best strategy wins the contract pitch."
I should shut this down.I should walk out.I should demand someone qualified—someone seasoned—someone not barely old enough to rent a car.
Instead, I find myself studying him.
Arrogant.Smart.A bit dangerous.
And very aware of it.
"You're young," I tell him, because someone needs to say it out loud.
He leans forward, palms flat on the table like he's challenging gravity."Good," he says calmly. "Then I'll outrun you."
A couple of executives inhale sharply.I—unexpectedly—let out a low laugh.
He's either stupid or fearless.Maybe both.
I cross my arms. "Do you know who you're talking to?"
"Yes." His eyes don't move from mine. "A woman who doesn't lose."
My pulse flinches before I can stop it.
The competition starts in three days.His team against mine.Same goal.Same stakes.
But for a moment—just a breath—there's something else simmering between us. Something sharp and electric that neither of us invited.
And I realize, with a slight twist in my stomach:
He isn't intimidated by me.Not my age.Not my title.Not the power I've spent decades earning.
That makes him dangerous.
And infuriatingly interesting.
The meeting should end there, but I do something impulsive.When he moves to sit across the table, I stop him.
"Actually, Adrian… sit beside me."
A ripple of whispers breaks around the room.
He obeys slowly, deliberately, then leans close enough that only I can hear him murmur—
"Careful, Ms. Raina. People might think you enjoy having me this close."
I keep my eyes forward, but he knows—he absolutely knows—he's gotten under my skin.
Damn him.
As the meeting dissolves, my phone buzzes.
Unknown Number:Your new hire isn't who you think he is. Check the file again—page 17.
Page 17 doesn't exist.
I lift my eyes.
Adrian stands by the doorway, watching me. Expression unreadable. Almost amused. Almost… knowing.
My stomach tightens.
What the hell is this man hiding?