From the driver’s seat, Gai caught Alexander’s eye in the rearview mirror. “I’ll go with you.”


    Alexander considered this for a moment, drumming his fingers


    thoughtfully against his knee. “Actually, no. Olivia, you’lle


    with me instead.”


    Both Olivia and Gai were dumbfounded. Olivia’s eyes widened


    slightly, while Gai’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.


    “The task is fairly straightforward,” Alexander continued, with


    a matter–of–fact tone as he looked at Olivia. “It would be a good


    experience for you, given that you’re still getting familiar with


    how we handle business operations.”


    Olivia wanted to decline. But he was her boss. She couldn’t


    exactly contradict him without a valid reason or already


    scheduled engagement.


    So, she just nodded. “Of course, if you think that’s best.”


    But it was Gai’s reaction that took the cake. From his position in


    the driver’s seat, he slowly began connecting the dots.


    It appeared the truth had been staring at him all along, but he’d been too blind to see it. The first time the thought urred to


    him, it’d seemed terribly farfetched. However, when he put this


    current decision of Alexander’s, coupled with his behavior at


    the luncheon, and how his Alpha had taken a knife in the back


    for Olivia, there was only one conclusion he coulde to.


    There had to be some form of special rtionship between the


    two.


    As it dawned on him, Gai’s eyes widened. The realization was so


    staggering that his hands trembled on the steering wheel.


    Before he knew what was happening, the car veered toward


    the center line. Gai’s heart pounded as he struggled to maintain


    control of both the vehicle and hisposure.


    After a brief scolding from his Alpha, Gai kept the car in steady


    motion up until they reached the safety of the office.


    The moment they came to a stop in front of Green group, Olivia


    rushed out of the car and made a beeline for the break room.


    ording to the spreadsheet she received earlier, Alexander


    was due for another cup of coffee.


    But just before she hit the elevator button, Gai caught up to her.


    “I’ve got this covered. You should focus on preparing for the


    trip.”


    Olivia agreed on the spot. Well, she was exhausted and Yve kept nagging at her subconscious to debrief on the entire luncheon.


    But Gai didn’t just stop there. Throughout the day, Gai


    continued to intercept Olivia’s tasks. Every time she went to do


    something for Alexander, Gai was there to ‘help her out.


    He organized Alexander’s schedule, prepared his afternoon tea


    with the exact amount of sugar Alexander preferred, and even


    took over the responsibility of sorting through Alexander’s


    correspondence.


    It was shocking, but pleasant still. To her, Gai appeared to be


    stepping up as a supportive colleague, perhaps recognizing her


    need to concentrate on more pressing matters. It was nice to see


    that Gai had her back in such a high–paced environment. And


    since this was her first day, she greatly appreciated the gesture.


    But what she did not know was that wasn’t Gai’s motivation at


    all.


    The following week passed in a blur. Olivia was busy trying to


    understand thepany’s operations. She spent her lunch


    breaks with colleagues from different departments, learning


    about their processes and building rtionships. Well, as the head of the secretarial department, she had to get to know


    them.


    It was easier than she thought, as most of the employees were weing and most of the rumors surrounding her had started


    to die down.


    The only thing that put a damper on her mood was the impending business trip with Alexander. However, her wolf, Yve and Ava did not agree with that sentiment. So much so that


    on the eve of the trip, as Olivia filled her luggage with suitable outfits for the trip, Ava started putting ideas in her head.


    She was sprawled across the couch painting her nails a vibrant


    red color when she began.


    “So, let me get this straight, you’re going on a business trip with


    your incredibly attractive boss, just the two of you, and that is


    what you’re packing?” Ava pointed at the green turtle–neck


    sweater Olivia had in her hands.


    Olivia looked up. “It’s a business trip, Ava. Not a romantic


    getaway!”


    “Right, but you’ll be alone together. Come on, Liv. When’s the


    “An opportunity for what?”


    Ava blew on her finger before answering. “To see if there’s


    something more between you two.”


    Oliviaughed at that, shaking her head. “Trust me, you don’t


    want something to happen between us. Alexander isn’t the kind


    of guy who could be easily handled.” She didn’t budge,


    effectively throwing Ava out of her apartment when her friend


    tried to coach her on subtle flirting techniques.