Olivia’s POV


    Rose was already at the driving range when I arrived. She looked like she always did: energetic and glowing in her pale yellow golf dress. Her long, curly hair fell around her shoulders.


    She eyed me from head to toe and let out a sigh. “Liv, you’re not dressed sexy enough,” she said, frowning a bit.


    I let out a smallugh. “Rose, I’m here to find a job.”


    I didn’t think there was anything wrong with what I was wearing. Just in sportswear, light makeup, and my hair tied up in a ponytail. Nothing fancy. Nothing too eye-catching.


    Rose crossed her arms. “Honey, men are visual creatures,” she said with a knowing look.


    I shook my head. “If Alexander just wanted a pretty face for a secretary, that job wouldn’t still be vacant.”


    She made a face at me. “You’re missing the point,” she teased. She reached out and poked my arm lightly. “Pretty and capable- you can be both.”


    I smiled at her. “Fine, fine. I get it.”


    Rose grinned, clearly satisfied. “Good,” she said. “Lucky for you, I brought an extra set of clothes. We’re about the same size. You’re going to wear it.”


    Before I could argue, she grabbed my arm and tugged me toward the locker room.


    I followed her without fuss. After all, I was relying on Rose to introduce me to Alexander. I couldn’t start off by ig- noring her advice.


    I changed into the clothes Rose gave me. The white sleeveless top hugged my chest, showing off more than I’d usual- ly want. The short ck pleated skirt was snug on my hips, leaving my legs almostpletely bare. I looked in the mirror and hardly recognized myself.


    Rose let out a low whistle. “Liv,” she said, “I didn’t know you had such a curvy body. It’s a crime you keep it hidden under those office clothes. It’s Ethan’s loss, you know. I can’t believe he’s wasting his time on Chole.”


    I didn’t answer. I didn’t want to talk about Ethan or Chole right now.


    Instead, I focused on something else that was bothering me. I was afraid Alexander would think I was trying to hit on


    him.


    Before I wanted to ask, she just raised a finger to her lips and gave me a look. “Shh,” she whispered. Her phone rang. at that moment and she quickly answered it. “Mr. Thomas,” she said, her voice bright. “Have you and Mr. Green ar- rived already? Okay, we’ll be there soon.”


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    13:19


    She hung up and turned to me with a big smile. “Let’s go,” she said, looping her arm through mine.


    As we walked toward the golf carts, I hesitated again. “Rose… have you actually met Alexander before?” I asked her.


    Rose thought for a moment. “Only once,” she said. “When I was six, my parents and I went to the Green family’s Christmas party. Alexander was there, but he was just a kid. Then he left the country when he was ten. I never saw him again.”


    I nodded slowly.


    The golf cart turned a corner and a wide greenwn came into view. Two men in tracksuits were talking near the edge of the course.


    My eyes immediately went to them. One of them was Paul. He was wearing a dark blue top and light brown pants. Next to him stood a taller man, dressed in all white. His build was athletic, broad shoulders filling out the simple. shirt. When he turned slightly, the sun hit his face, catching the sharp edge of his chin.


    I felt my breath catch in my throat. It was him. Alexander. The one who gave me his suit, the one who embarrassed me in the elevator.


    Rose followed my gaze and let out a sigh. “Wow,” she said. “Alexander’spletely different now. Tall, handsome… he’s basically perfect.”


    I forced a small smile. My heart was beating a little too fast.


    Rose nudged me in the side. “You’re staring,” she teased. “Did you fall in love with him at first sight?”


    I looked away quickly. I didn’t know what to reply. But it was definitely not what Rose was thinking.


    The golf cart slowed to a stop and I felt my stomach twist. Paul smiled and waved at us. Alexander looked at me with a flicker of surprise, but his face quickly went back to neutral.


    Rose didn’t waste a second. She looped her arm around mine and led me straight over. “Paul!” she called out, beam- ing. “And Alexander, good to see you both.”


    Paul grinned. “Rose, you’re as radiant as ever,” he said, then looked at me curiously.


    Rose nudged me forward. “This is my good friend, Olivia Whitmore,” she said brightly. “She came here to watch you y, Alexander.”


    I swallowed hard and forced a polite smile. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Green,” I said, my voice steady even though my hands were a little sweaty.


    Alexander’s expression didn’t change much. But he looked at me with a strange glint in his eyes and repeated, almost in a question, “Pleased to meet me?”


    I tried to y it off, my smile stretching wider. “Yes, I’m really d to see you,” I said quickly, hoping he wouldn’t say anything to embarrass me.


    His lips twitched slightly like he was about tough. “You do look happy,” he said, his tone even.


    34.8 %


    13:19


    Rose shot me a quick nce and her eyes sparkled with amusement. She was clearly proud of dressing me up in that tight little outfit. I wanted to elbow her, but I kept my face calm.


    Alexander and Paul started the game. Alexander was good. He moved with such easy precision, every swing clean and strong. Paul wasn’t bad either, but it was obvious Alexander had more skill.


    Rose and I yed too, but mostly we just watched. I pped when Alexander hit a perfect shot and he turned his head slightly, though he didn’t smile.


    After the round, we moved to a shady area with benches and cool drinks. Rose pestered Paul to go with her to the store to look at new golf clubs. Paul gave in with augh, so it was just Alexander and me.


    I sat down and opened a bottle of water, offering it to him. “Here, Mr. Green,” I said.


    Alexander took the bottle but didn’t drink it. He set it on the table beside him and pulled out a wet wipe, slowly wip- ing the sweat off his forehead. “Did you go through all this trouble to see me just for my size?” he asked, his tone qui- et but the sarcasm sharp.


    I flinched, taken aback. “No-no, it wasn’t like that,” I said quickly. “I didn’t mean it that way. I asked Paul for your size because I identally ruined your suit jacket. I wanted to get you a new one… and because I heard you were hir- ing a secretary, I thought…”


    Alexander dropped the wipe in the bin and looked at me steadily. “You’re not suitable,” he said tly, then turned and started walking away, heading toward the trees lining the course.


    I stared at his back, stunned by how blunt he was. My heart thumped in my chest. No, I couldn’t let it end like that. I jumped to my feet and hurried after him.