Chapter 2 The Cold Command

Alexis had spent the first few days at Steel Enterprises learning the ropes. Every day had been a new challenge, an opportunity to prove herself. The ceaseless demands of the job were nothing new. She had been working hard for years to climb the ladder, to make a name for herself, but nothing had prepared her for the impossibly high expectations of Sebastian Steele.By the end of the first week, Alexis realized she had made a terrible mistake and she had underestimated the man.

She had read about him, of course, knew that Sebastian Steele was a man of few words, who tolerated no mistakes and commanded respect with every glance. But hearing it in person, feeling the weight of his criticism, was another thing entirely.

The morning after the board meeting, Alexis found herself sitting at her desk, eyes glued to the screen. Sebastian Steele hadn't spoken much during the meeting, but she could feel his intensity pressing down on her. Every second that passed in his presence seemed to amplify the pressure. She hadn't missed a single detail; everything was perfect, according to his demands. But there was always that nagging thought in the back of her mind: Was it enough?

She rubbed her eyes, tired from the long hours of work, but determined to get ahead. The quiet hum of the office around her didn't soothe her like it should have. Every time her phone rang, her heart jumped. Every message, every email felt like a potential minefield.

She knew she was impressing him with her efficiency. At least, she hoped she was. The next few tasks were simple: organize another meeting, send out an email blast to the executive team but it wasn't the work that terrified her. It was the idea of failing. Of being seen as just another disposable assistant.

As she moved through the day, she kept catching glimpses of Sebastian, a flash of dark hair, a crisp suit in her peripheral vision. His presence was like a storm, always looming, always there. But he was more than just demanding. He was relentless. Every request he made came with a cold authority that left no room for hesitation. And it wasn't just his professional demeanor that rattled her, it was the subtle way he watched her, the way his sharp blue eyes never seemed to leave her when they were in the same room.The first time she noticed it, she tried to ignore it. But after the third encounter, she couldn't deny it any longer.

Sebastian's gaze followed her movements, no matter where she was in the office. When she handed him a report, when she made a suggestion in a meeting, when she walked past him in the hallway his eyes lingered. It was subtle but undeniable, the way he seemed to check her out without even trying to hide it. And each time, it made her heart beat faster, her thoughts more scattered.

One afternoon, as she was finalizing a report for Sebastian, she felt it again the heat of his gaze. She could feel him watching her, though he was across the room, buried in his own work. Alexis shook her head, trying to focus. She had a job to do, and she was going to do it well. Yet, the moment she looked up, her eyes met his, and the world seemed to freeze.

Sebastian was standing by the window, his back slightly turned to her, but his eyes were locked on her. For a moment, it felt like time had stopped, like the entire office had faded into the background. Alexis couldn't look away, even if she tried. There was something dangerous about his stare, something that both unnerved and intrigued her at the same time. He wasn't just looking at her, he was assessing her, evaluating her in a way that made her feel both exposed and empowered.

"Alexis." His voice broke the silence, but it wasn't the harsh tone she was used to. There was something more calculated in the way he said her name, something that made her feel like she was a part of his chessboard. She straightened up, suddenly aware of her own breath. "Yes, Mr. Steele?"

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing just the tiniest bit. "Why are you still here? You should've left hours ago. I thought you were supposed to leave at five."

She felt a slight heat rise in her cheeks, unsure of how to respond. She had stayed late again too often now. And yet, she couldn't bring herself to leave. The work was never enough, and somehow, Sebastian always managed to make her feel like she had to do more.

"I was just finishing up the report for the meeting tomorrow," she said quickly, but her voice was more vulnerable than she had intended.

Sebastian didn't move from the window, but his gaze softened ever so slightly. "You really should learn to pace yourself, Alexis. You're not doing anyone any favors by overworking yourself."

His voice had that sharp edge, but was there something in it concerned? Alexis couldn't be sure. He wasn't the type to show kindness, but the way he had spoken to her felt different.

She nodded, biting her lip. "I'll keep that in mind."

For a long moment, there was silence. She wasn't sure if he was going to speak again, but then, to her surprise, he turned away from the window and walked toward her. She stood up automatically, her heart racing.

"Are you ready for the board meeting tomorrow?" he asked, his voice still firm, but there was something about it that made Alexis feel oddly... safe.

"I'm ready," she answered, surprised by the warmth in her voice.

Sebastian studied her for a moment, his eyes flickering with something she couldn't quite place. Then, in that typical, commanding tone, he said, "I trust you'll handle everything like the professional you are. Don't disappoint me."

Alexis nodded quickly, but as she turned to leave, she caught herself wondering. Was he starting to trust her?

The following days were filled with the usual whirlwind of meetings, emails, and schedules, but something had shifted. Alexis could feel the invisible tension between her and Sebastian, and it was unlike anything she had ever experienced. She had spent her whole life trying to gain approval especially from the people who mattered most but with Sebastian, it was different. His approval seemed hard to earn, but when it came, it felt more earned than anything she'd ever felt before.

That Friday, as Alexis gathered her things to leave for the night, she caught Sebastian's gaze across the office one last time.

This time, he didn't look away. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes, ose piercing blue eyes, spoke volumes. Alexis felt the weight of his gaze once again, the same unsettling feeling rising within her. She couldn't explain it, but she knew that this feeling, this connection between them, wasn't going away anytime soon. And perhaps, just perhaps, it was the beginning of something far more complicated than she could have ever imagined.