TIED TO MY BILLIONAIRE CEO

JANICE. I strode through the lobby of Ambrosia Corporation, my heels clicking on the gleaming marble floor. I barely spared a glance for Stephanie, the receptionist, who sat at her desk with her usual scowl."Good morning," Stephanie growled, though her tone suggested she didn't mean it.I didn't even bother to reply and just gave a curt nod. I was aware that Stephanie wasn't seeking a reply anyway. She was required to, especially after an incident. Her dislike for me was set in stone, though I've never had been able to figure out why. Not that it mattered.I bit down hard on my sandwich as I got into the elevator. As soon as the doors started to close, a group of co-workers jammed in at the last instant.The mood shifted in the blink of an eye.Their cheerful chatter was cut out, replaced with tense silence. I caught their stares, heard the suppressed whispers."She thinks she's better than us, for real.""….like a robot, maybe.""…so curious to find out what she did to end up at this job. Though I can guess. Ugh."I sighed to myself but didn't even blink. I'd discovered years before that people would say anything about me. Being the executive assistant to Ryder Ambrose meant I was an open target for speculation. Some believed I was having an affair with him, that I slept my way up to the position. Others I she was heartless to tolerate his iciness.I paid them no attention.Taking another bite of sandwich, I focused on the digital planner on my phone. The coworkers exited the elevator, one at a time, at different floors until I was blessedly alone.Finally, the doors opened onto the executive floor.I stepped out, drank the coffee in two quick gulps, and tossed the cup into the closest trash can. I strode over to Ryder's office, my mind already in operating mode.I sorted through it all—his schedule, most important documents, pending emails. I made a fresh pot of coffee, black and unflavored, just the way he would have enjoyed it.The moment I set the cup on his desk, the door swung open. Ryder Ambrose entered, with quiet authority."Good morning, sir," I replied, standing tall. He gave a curt nod, expression inscrutable as he shed his coat and settled behind his desk. Reaching for the coffee, he drank a sip while opening his laptop.I held up an iPad. "Your schedule for today. Breakfast meeting with the finance team at Brevelli's at nine-thirty. At eleven, internal review with the board on the quarterly report. After lunch, two investor calls, then at three—" "Is the board briefing scheduled?" Ryder cut in without looking up."Yes," I replied. "I went through the documents last night. Everything is in order." He hummed in approval. "Legal team briefing?" "Three o'clock. I confirmed with them this morning." "Good."He took another sip of his coffee, his eyes still on the laptop screen. I continued to read off the remainder of the day's schedule, glancing up for a moment—only to find his eyes no longer on his screen.My breath caught.He was looking at me.His icy blue eyes were sharp, unflinching, but there was something else in them. Something dark. Fierce.I faltered for half a second before regaining my composure at lightning speed. I cleared my throat, trying to concentrate on the agenda. "At five, there's a conference call with—"Ryder's jaw clenched. His eyes flashed over me, slow and measured, before he finally broke eye contact.I swallowed hard, my hands clutching the iPad. What the hell was that?I forced myself to continue. "A conference call with Mr. Alessi regarding the expansion plans." Ryder leaned back in his chair, rubbing his jaw. "I want a full report before the call." "I'll have it on your desk by four," I assured him. He nodded, then suddenly stood, adjusting the cuffs of his suit. "We're leaving for the meeting."I grabbed my notepad hurriedly. "Yes, sir."——-The drive to the private café was quiet and smooth.I occupied the front seat, scanning through notes as Ryder took the backseat, his fingers tapping against his phone screen. Soft humming from the car engine filled the air, broken only by the occasional vibrate of Ryder's phone.Matt, the driver, glanced at me in the rearview mirror. "Would you care for coffee before the meeting, Miss Janice?""No, thank you." I had already had too much caffeine.Matt nodded and went back to driving.A few minutes later, the car pulled up in front of a upscale, private café. Ryder's meetings were usually conducted in high-priced, private establishments.Matt exited first, walking to Ryder's door in order to get it open.I gathered my things, and stepped out in readiness to begin.But I hadn't yet had a chance when Ryder addressed me."Janice."I turned around. "Yes, sir?"His blue eyes flashed to mine, hard as stone. "Pack a bag tonight."I blinked. "Excuse me?""We have a conference in Prague tomorrow," he said smoothly, as if he were discussing the weather. I absorbed the information quickly, nodding. "Understood. I'll make the necessary arrangements." For a moment, he didn't move. He just watched me, those sharp eyes lingering on my face. My posture. My lips. I felt the weight of his stare, heat creeping up my neck.Then, as quickly, he turned away.He strode towards the door without saying another word.I exhaled a relieved breath, squeezing a hand onto my chest for a brief moment before shaking off the sensation.Focus.I brushed my shoulders and hurried after him.