Chapter 1
I got drunk at a company dinner and accidentally called my boss “honey.”
Dead silence. Forks froze mid-air.
Someone at the table burst out laughing.
“You’ve really lost it-crushing on the boss that hard?”
Timothy Lawson’s expression?
Stone cold.
“If you can’t hold your tongue,” he said sharply, “then don’t drink at all.”
Everyone went quiet.
The tension was suffocating-until a low, mocking chuckle broke through.
O
From across the table, our most important, most ruthless client leaned back in his seat, eyes glittering.
“She was calling me,” he said smoothly, lifting his glass.
“What the helll are you so worked up about?”
***
Everyone knew I liked Timothy Lawson.
I chased him from school to his company, just to work as his assistant.
One day, while delivering some documents, I overheard voices inside his office.
“Odette, a pampered princess, working as your assistant? And you actually let her do it? Cold-hearted, man.”
Timothy let out a lazy scoff. “She wanted to. What was I supposed to do?”
Laughter followed.
“Well, yeah, she’s always been glued to your side.”
“All these years and she still hasn’t changed.”
“But seriously, Tim-are you really never going to be with her?”
“She’s probably dreaming about marrying you every night.”
“Remember when her family set her up on a blind date? You dragged us out for drinks that night-I thought maybe you actually cared.”
That last line seemed to tick him off. His voice dropped, cold and sharp.
“She’s just a clingy nuisance. What’s there to care about?”
Outside the door, my hand paused mid-knock… then dropped.
I turned the handle and walked in.
They froze for a second-but only a second-then one of them smiled like nothing had happened.
“Odette, back at it with Tim’s breakfast delivery?”
Timothy didn’t even look up. As if he already knew I was coming, he just jerked his chin toward the desk.
“Leave it there.”
I shook my head and placed both the folder and my resignation letter on the desk.
“Not breakfast.
“It’s my resignation.
“Please accept it, Mr. Lawson.”
They all stared, stunned.
A few crowded around to read the letter, and someone finally blurted out, “Wait-Odette, are you serious?”
Timothy finally looked up, frowning. “What’s this drama about?”
“I’m quitting.” I nudged the letter closer to him. “I emailed you a copy, too. Don’t forget to check.”
He glanced at the letter, clearly annoyed. “Just because I asked you to work late last night?”
I shook my head. “No. I just don’t want to do this anymore.”
His face darkened slowly.
“Odette.” His voice stopped me as I turned to leave. “If you walk out now, don’t expect to ever come back.”
It sounded like a threat. Maybe a warning.
I didn’t even turn around.
“That’s exactly what I want.”
