Then something clicked. If Ace was ‘the boss,’ that meant he organized that office for me? That beautiful office I was so comfortable working in? And here I thought it was Caleb.

I didn’t know if I was flattered or irritated. That man vexed and confused me, and at the same time amazed me.

What does he actually want from me? The roses and gifts every morning. Why’s he doing all this?

Still weak in the knees, I put on the T-shirt and looked at myself in the mirror. It engulfed me whole.

It was his...

Without realizing, I took the fabric and sniffed. A disappointment filled me as only laundry powder’s smell was what I got.

I shook my head.

What was I doing? I had to be strong. I couldn’t let him affect me in that way.

With a new determination set, I took a deep breath and walked out. He wasn’t in the room anymore, neither was my stained blouse.

Where did it go?

Once I was in the hall, he was still nowhere to be seen. Good for me. I just wanted to disappear from here without facing him again. I could come later sometime to grab my blouse.

I almost let out a sigh of relief when I reached the door without any interruption.

“Going somewhere, Rosebud?”

I stilled.

Turning around, I sent him a glare. He was now changed into a white shirt and dark suit jacket.

“Yes, any problem?”

My eyes widened as the door didn’t open when I pulled it. I tried again, but no avail. What was wrong with it now?

I remembered about the fingerprint scanner, but there wasn’t anything like that beside the door either.

“Why isn’t it opening?”

A smirk tugged at his lips. “Because I locked it.”

“What? But why?” I scowled. “Open it, I’m going to be late for the meeting.”

He shrugged. “I’m sure your boss wouldn’t mind if you get late.”

The nerve of this man! He talked about my boss as if he was referring to someone else and not himself.

“Open this door right now, Ace.”

Something flashed over his orbs. Closing the distance, he stood before me. The heady combination of his exotic cologne tangled with a distant hint of smoke filled my senses. “I missed hearing my name from your lips all this time.” His tone was soft with emotion as he watched my face with such tenderness.

Something squeezed my chest as the memories we spent together seven years ago, when he used to visit our home regularly, flooded my mind.

A composure suddenly took over his features, turning him unreadable. Clearing his throat, he cocked his head. “I will let you go only if you accept a condition of mine.”