Chapter 5 The Turning Point

It had been days since the encounter in the hallway. Days since Sebastian Steele had thrown that single, chilling line at her "You're mine to manage." Alexis couldn't stop replaying it in her head. What did he mean? Was he referring to her job? Or was it something more? Something deeper?

She had grown accustomed to working with demanding bosses, but Sebastian wasn't like the others. He wasn't just a businessman. He was a force, a presence that commanded attention, that made everyone around him adjust to his will.

And yet, in the silence of her small apartment after work, Alexis found herself drawn back to him, over and over again. It wasn't just his power that intrigued her. It was the way his gaze lingered when he spoke to her, the subtle, unspoken challenge in his tone. Sebastian Steele was dangerous not just in business, but emotionally too. He could break her, and she was terrified and fascinated by the very idea. That Friday, Alexis worked late again, going over figures for the corporate pitch that had been moved up unexpectedly. The usual deadline was fast approaching, and she wanted to make sure everything was perfect. But as the hours passed and the office grew quieter, she couldn't ignore the tension building between her and Sebastian.

It was the subtle interactions the way he looked at her during meetings, the silent moments when their eyes met across the room, and the long pauses when he spoke to her one-on-one. She could feel his presence, even when he wasn't there, and she couldn't shake the feeling that he was watching her.

It was almost 8:30 p.m. when she finally wrapped up her work. The office was empty now, save for a few late-night workers. Alexis stood, stretching her stiff shoulders, and began packing her things. Just as she reached for her coat, she heard the sound of footsteps. Her heart skipped a beat.

There, standing in the doorway, was Sebastian Steele.

"Still here, Alexis?" he asked, his voice carrying that same cold authority that never seemed to waver. His eyes were sharp, scanning her with that familiar intensity.

Alexis turned to face him, trying to mask the fluttering nerves in her stomach. "Just finishing up. It's been a long day."

Sebastian's gaze flickered to the files on her desk. "I can see that," he said, stepping into the room. His presence seemed to fill the entire space, making the air thicker, heavier. "You're working hard, but I've been watching you. You've been pushing yourself for days now. Don't burn out."

Alexis felt a flush rise to her cheeks. Was he concerned? She quickly shook off the thought. Sebastian Steele didn't concern himself with people. "I'm fine," she replied quickly, trying to keep her voice steady. "I just want to get everything done right."

Sebastian stepped closer to her, his gaze never leaving hers. "You don't have to do everything right all the time. It's impossible."

The words startled her. She couldn't quite figure out why he was saying them, why it felt like he was speaking to her in a way that went beyond the professional boundaries they'd set.

He continued, his voice softer now, almost hesitant, "You can't push yourself beyond your limits. You're human, Alexis. Don't forget that."

For the first time since meeting him, Sebastian Steele seemed... vulnerable. There was no ice in his voice, no cold distance. Instead, there was something raw, something almost protective. Alexis blinked, her breath catching. She had never seen him like this before.

"I won't disappoint you," she said, almost instinctively, though she wasn't sure whether she meant it for him, for herself, or for both of them. Sebastian looked at her for a long moment, his jaw tightening, before he spoke again. "I never said you would."

The air between them seemed to crackle with tension, and Alexis could feel her heart pounding in her chest. It was like something unspoken had shifted in the room, something electric, something dangerous. And despite the confusion and the fear swirling inside her, she couldn't tear herself away from him.

Sebastian cleared his throat, breaking the moment, though the lingering connection remained in the space between them. "Get some rest, Alexis," he said, the commanding tone returning. "Tomorrow is another day, and you'll need to be at your best." Alexis nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the office, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.

She stood there for a moment, staring at the empty doorway. Her heart was still racing, her thoughts scattered. What had just happened? Sebastian Steele-cold, calculated, untouchable-had shown a side of himself that no one else had ever seen. And for the first time, Alexis wasn't sure if she was just another one of his employees, or if something deeper was happening between them.

The weekend passed without much interaction, but the memory of Sebastian's words lingered in Alexis's mind. She tried to push it aside, to focus on her work, but every time she closed her eyes, she found herself thinking of him of that moment when his voice softened, of the strange connection that had formed between them, however fleeting it might have been. It wasn't until Monday that she saw him again.

Sebastian entered the office, his usual sharp, commanding presence filling the room. He wasn't alone, as usual. His assistant was trailing behind him, and the room filled with the usual hustle and bustle of corporate life. But the moment their eyes met across the room, everything changed.

It was a small glance, one that would have gone unnoticed by anyone else. But for Alexis, it was as if time stopped. His gaze locked with hers, and for the first time, she saw something there something different from the usual cold distance. It was the same intensity, the same focus, but this time, there was something more personal. Something deeper.

She quickly turned away, her heart racing again. What was happening?

Later that day, after a series of back-to-back meetings, Alexis found herself sitting at her desk when Sebastian entered her office once again. This time, there was no agenda no task, no order.

He leaned against the doorframe, his posture relaxed, though his gaze was just as intense as always. "You're doing well," he said, almost as if testing the waters.

Alexis looked up at him, her breath catching at his unexpected words. "Thank you."

"You don't have to be perfect," he said quietly, stepping closer. "I've told you that already."

This time, the words didn't sting they comforted her. She felt something shift within her, like a barrier breaking. Sebastian Steele was showing more than he ever had before.

"I'm just trying to do my best," she replied, her voice softer now.

He nodded, his lips curling into a small, almost imperceptible smile. "Your best is enough, Alexis. But just don't lose yourself in it."

Her heart fluttered, but she quickly masked it with a neutral expression. "I won't."