Chapter 12
MYA
I’ve been working at W.H.M for a couple months now, and I’m finally finding my groove.
The nerves that ate me alive on day one have mostly disappeared.
My team welcomed me faster than I expected, and I’ve developed an easy bond with them.
We joke, brainstorm, and argue like we’ve known each other forever.
They’ve taught me things I didn’t learn in school, and they actually value my input.
Griffin has been a big part of that, given that he oversees the entire design team.
He checks in often, and somewhere along the way, our conversations turned from strictly professional to friendly.
He’s approachable, quick with sarcastic comments, and doesn’t hold back if an idea needs reworking. He pushes me, and I like that.
Somewhere in those conversations, I also learned he’s a single dad to a little boy. Widowed, though he didn’t offer details. His face turned grim when he mentioned it, so I didn’t press.
I’ve been placed on an international project with Lau Construction in Singapore, a partnership that carries a lot of weight around here.
Being trusted with that responsibility makes me want to pinch myself.
I thought I’d start at the bottom, grinding on scrap assignments while everyone else worked on the “real” projects.
But here, it’s different. At W.H.M, they treat every employee like they matter.
Well, everyone except Worth Miller.
Before I even make it to my desk, I do what I probably shouldn’t and scroll through my phone while walking off the elevator.
A headline screams at me as soon as I open Instagram.
WORTH MILLER SPOTTED WITH TECH HEIRESS ALEXANDRA VALE — CEO’S NEW BAE?
The smile I didn’t realize I was wearing fades.
There’s a photo beneath the headline of Worth in a tailored coat, walking beside a gorgeous woman I’ve seen featured in other gossip articles.
Alexandra Vale is polished, wealthy in her own right, and the kind of woman magazines love to call powerfully enigmatic.
They’re not touching, but the implication is loud enough.
My stomach twists in a way I don’t appreciate.
I lock my phone and shove it into my bag, annoyed with myself for caring at all. It’s none of my business. Worth Miller’s personal life isn’t exactly a guarded secret, and I’m not na?ve enough to think men like him stay single out of sentiment.
Still.
The man is so hot and cold, and has perfected the art of grunting in place of actual words. If I pass him in the hall and say hello, he barely looks at me. And when I try to ask him questions, he doesn’t even bother to be civil. “Go talk to your superior, not me.”
I reminded him once that he is, in fact, a superior. His response was to threaten to fire me for having a “smart mouth.” The only reason I’m still here is because Andrée—a literal angel of patience—stepped in before the man could self-combust.
I honestly don’t know how she does it. Dre is sweet, thoughtful, and level-headed, the exact opposite of the fire-breathing dragon she works for. If it takes a village to raise a child, then it must take a saint to handle a CEO like Worth.
The worst part is that I wish I didn’t notice him at all. But ignoring Worth Miller is like trying to ignore a thunderstorm rolling in—loud, oppressive, and impossible to miss.
Speaking of the devil, it’s Monday morning, seven a.m., and he’s already here.
I sigh. So much for having the office to myself for at least an hour of peace and quiet. I wanted to get the final touches done on the draft drawings for the Infinity Towers in Singapore, but of course, Worth Miller had to ruin my plans.
At first, he doesn’t notice me, which I silently thank the heavens for. But as he passes by the area where my desk is, he freezes. He doesn’t turn, doesn’t speak, just stands there, staring at me for what feels like an eternity. I don’t look at him.
What the hell is he doing?
Then, just as suddenly, he continues to his office like nothing happened.
Deciding to be the bigger person, I gather my courage and head to his door a few minutes later. Whatever this tension between us is, it needs to stop. I’ve done nothing to deserve his cold shoulder, especially when he’s the one who wanted me here.
It’s as if that night he opened up about his ex-wife never happened, like he shoved every vulnerable word back into a vault and snapped it shut.
I knock softly.
“Come in,” he calls, already sounding annoyed.
I push the door open a crack.
“I told you not to interrupt me before eight, Shaina. What do you need?”
When he finally looks up and realizes I’m not Shaina, his eyes widen before he slips back behind his mask of indifference. But I catch it.
“Can I help you, Ms. Jones?” he asks, all clipped and professional.
I cross my arms over my chest.
“Good morning to you, too, Mr. Miller. I just wanted to greet you like a normal human being, but apparently, decency isn’t in your vocabulary.
” My voice comes out sharp. “Mind telling me what I’ve done to offend you, sir?
Last time I checked, you’re the one who hired me, though I’m guessing someone twisted your arm, because it feels like I’m being punished for it now. ”
Something shifts in Worth’s expression, too quick to pin down. Instead of snapping back, though, his mouth twitches as if fighting a smile.
He rises from his chair slowly and comes around the desk, leaning back against it and folding his arms to mimic me, as if daring me to keep pushing.
He’s in a charcoal three-piece suit today, and damn it all, he looks devastating. The vest pulls across his broad shoulders, the crisp white shirt is impossibly smooth, and the knot of his tie is perfect.
He shouldn’t look that good this early in the morning.
My stomach flips, my pulse betraying me, and annoyance burns hot in my chest. Because I notice everything about him. And I’m almost certain he knows it.
Worth smirks, and I want nothing more than to wipe it off his stupidly perfect face.
“I’m glad that I’m amusing you, Mr. Miller,” I spit, heat rising in my cheeks.
He doesn’t say a word and just keeps watching me. His silence unnerves me, gnawing at my composure until I shift on my feet.
“You’re not being punished for anything. I hired you because I knew you’d have potential,” he finally says, his tone maddeningly casual, as if that’s all there is to it.
I scoff. “So why did you say ‘we can’t hire her’ right after my interview?” The words tumble out before I can stop them. I slap a hand over my mouth. Shit. I didn’t want him to know I overheard.
Worth straightens, his hard gaze locking with mine. “It was a mistake.”
Confusion snakes through me. “Hiring me?”
“No. Saying that after the interview. I initially didn’t think you’d be a good fit.”
My brows knit. “So what changed your mind?”
He shrugs. “My gut.”
A sarcastic laugh slips past my lips. “Well, tell your gut I say ‘thanks.’ That still doesn’t explain why you’ve been an asshole to me these past few weeks.”
In a flash, Worth moves closer, invading my space until there’s less than a foot between us. He lowers his head just enough for his breath to ghost over my skin.
“Watch it, Ms. Jones,” he growls out. “You’re walking a thin line talking to your superior like this.”
His voice hits me like a live wire. Goosebumps erupt all over my skin, even though my brain screams that this is wrong. His tone sounds angry, yet there’s something else buried in it. Arousal?
“Punish me then, Mr. Miller.” My words come out breathier than intended. “Fire me.”
His gaze drops to the bow of my blouse, right where it ties at my chest. Slowly, he reaches out and tugs on the ribbon, just enough to feel the fabric give beneath his fingers. My pulse skyrockets.
What are we doing? He’s my boss. I’m his employee. I should not be provoking him like this.
Reality slams into me and I stumble back. But Worth closes the distance again, as if retreat isn’t an option.
“I’d suggest you watch the way you talk to me, Ms. Jones.
I’m a very decent man, but I don’t take kindly to people pushing my buttons.
” His gaze sweeps over me, dismissive in a way that makes my spine stiffen.
“Especially someone as young as you. You’d do well to remember that, when walking into the lion’s den. ”
I narrow my eyes, refusing to shrink. “My age seems to unsettle you more than my qualifications ever could, Mr. Miller. I didn’t put it on my résumé, so tell me… Why are you so fixated on my ‘youth’?”
His jaw flexes.
“You don’t scare me, Mr. Miller. You hired me because I’m good at what I do. Because I bring value. Not because I’m young, or na?ve, or easy to intimidate. I know my worth and so do you. Respect works both ways.”
A dark chuckle rumbles from his chest, and he finally backs off. He returns to his desk, the distance between us suddenly cavernous, but there’s a spark of something in his eyes now, almost like admiration.
“Have those draft designs on my desk in an hour, Mya.” His tone is final, as he sinks back into his chair. I ignore the tingle at hearing him call me by my first name again.
“Fine.”
“Fine,” he echoes.
I spin on my heel and storm out, but by the time I reach my desk, my heart is still pounding against my ribs.
What the hell was that?
By the time I’ve put the finishing touches on the draft drawings, the office is buzzing with life. It’s past eight now, and the illusion of privacy from earlier is gone.
The last thing I want is to step into Worth’s office again, so instead of handing him the designs myself, I slide them onto Dre’s desk.
She smiles warmly, always the calm in the storm. “Got these ready already? You’re quick.”
“Trying to stay on top of things.” I force out a smile.
Her eyes narrow as she looks me over. “You okay? You look a little… flustered.”
I let out a small laugh. “Just stressed about the project. That’s all.” A lie. The real reason still lingers on my skin like static, every nerve reminding me of Worth’s low voice, his proximity, the tug on the bow of my blouse.
Dre seems to accept my answer, though her brows are still furrowed. “Don’t let him get under your skin. He’s… a lot. But he’s fair.”
I nod quickly, not trusting myself to answer, and rush off before she can ask more.
In my haste, I nearly collide head-on with a tall figure rounding the corner. My chest bumps into solid muscle, and I let out a startled gasp as strong hands grip my arms, steadying me.
“Whoa there,” Griffin says, his mouth curving into a half-smile.
“Sorry,” I mumble, heat flooding my cheeks.
“Running somewhere important?”
“Just back to my desk,” I answer lamely.
He studies me for a moment, then tilts his head. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” Too quick. I scramble for a subject change. “I dropped the draft designs off. Worth asked for them this morning.”
“Huh. Usually, I go through everything first before he gives the final approval. He must be in a hurry.” Griffin shrugs it off, his hand lingering on the small of my back as he guides me towards my desk.
“I actually wanted to circle back to the community housing project,” he says. “We’ve been refining the design to better integrate green space. It’s something I’d love to get your perspective on. Fresh eyes and all that.”
I nod, though my brain is only half registering his words. His presence is comfortable, friendly, the kind of energy that makes me feel appreciated. But as we stop at my desk, a shift in the air prickles my skin.
My gaze drifts unintentionally towards Worth’s office.
And there he is, leaning against his door, eyes locked on me like I’ve committed a crime. His stare is scorching, and I can practically feel the intensity from across the room.
What the hell did I do this time?
I swallow hard and try to keep my attention on Griffin, who’s still talking about the project, but then I notice Worth’s gaze land squarely on Griffin’s hand still resting lightly on my back.
His fingertips curl into small, white-knuckled claws against his leg.
Heat curls low in my stomach. I hold his gaze. Before I have a chance to wonder what his reaction means, he retreats back to his office without another glance.