Chapter 32 More than co workers
Melissa’s POV
Gavin’s expression didn’t change. He just sat there behind his massive desk, perfectly still except for one finger tapping against the polished wood. Once. Twice.
Then he stood.
The movement was slow. Controlled. Like a predator deciding whether to pounce or wait.
I didn’t move. My feet felt glued to the floor.
He walked around the desk, his eyes never leaving mine. Each step was measured, deliberate. By the time he stopped in front of me, my face was hot from all the breath I was holding.
“You want to work in my office,” he said quietly.
He tilted his head slightly. “Do you have any idea what you’re asking for?”
The question hung between us. His eyes searched mine, something shifting in his expression that I couldn’t quite read.
Then, unexpectedly, the corner of his mouth curved upward. As if he was trying to hold back a laugh.
“Fine.” He reached for his phone not waiting for my response. “Marcus, come to my office.”
I blinked. That was it? No argument?
Thirty seconds later, Marcus appeared in the doorway. “Sir?”
“Set up a workspace at the conference table for Miss Melissa. She’ll be working from here.”
Marcus’s eyebrows rose, but he recovered quickly. “Of course. I’ll have everything arranged within the hour.”
“Make it thirty minutes.”
“Yes, sir.”
Marcus disappeared, and I stood there, still processing. Gavin had already walked back to his desk, but something about him had shifted. His shoulders seemed looser. The tension that usually lined his jaw had softened.
He looked almost pleased.
Why?
I lowered myself onto the leather couch, watching him work while I waited. He typed something on his computer, made a brief phone call, signed a document Cassandra had left earlier. All without acknowledging my presence.
But he was in a good mood. Was it because of me? Wait— was this his plan all along? That slimy little piece of shit.
Although I was fuming, the realization made my stomach flip.
True to his word, Marcus returned in twenty-five minutes with two assistants. They carried in a sleek glass desk, a leather chair, and a small filing cabinet. Within minutes, my new workspace was set up at the far end of the conference table—close enough to share the office, far enough to maintain some semblance of professionalism.
“Will this work?” Marcus asked.
“It’s perfect. Thank you.”
He nodded and left, shooting me one last curious glance before closing the door behind him.
I was arranging my laptop when the door opened again.
A woman walked in…tall, blonde, immaculately dressed in a fitted navy dress. She carried a stack of folders against her chest and moved with confidence.
“Mr. Gavin, the Henderson files you requested.”
She set the folders on his desk, then turned. Her eyes landed on me. Her lip curled.
“I don’t believe we’ve met properly.” She extended her hand, but warmth was absent from her eyes. “I’m Cassandra . Mr. Gavin’s executive assistant.”
“Melissa.” I shook her hand. Her grip tightened around my fingers like a warning.
“Yes, I know who you are. The new media hire.” Her eyes flicked back to my desk. “Working from the CEO’s office now, I see.”
“There was a space issue—”
“I’m sure there was.”
She released my hand and turned back to Gavin. “Will there be anything else?”
“That’s all, Cassandra .”
She walked out, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. At the door, she paused and glanced back at me one final time.
The look she gave me could have curdled milk.
Then she was gone.
I stood there, my skin prickling with unease.
“Don’t mind her,” Gavin said without looking up from his computer. “Cassandra is territorial.”
“I noticed.”
“She’ll adjust.”
I doubted that very much, but I kept the thought to myself. Instead, I sat down at my new desk and opened my laptop, determined to focus on work.
The rest of the day passed in near silence.
He took calls. I drafted press releases. He signed documents. I coordinated with the photography team about upcoming game coverage. We existed in the same space, breathing the same air, but the distance between us felt vast.
Every now and then, I caught him glancing in my direction.
By five o’clock, my eyes ached and my neck was stiff from hunching over my laptop.
I packed up my things and stood. “I’m heading out.”
Gavin didn’t look up. “See you later.”
That was it. Cold. Professional.
I walked to the door, then paused with my hand on the handle. “Gavin?”
“Yes?”
I wanted to ask something, anything that could clear my confusion.
Instead, I just said, “Nothing. Goodnight.”
His eyes met mine for a brief second. “Goodnight, Melissa.”
I stepped into the hallway and let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. The tension in my shoulders eased slightly as I walked toward the elevator.
My phone buzzed.
I glanced at the screen. Sarah from PR.
“Hello?”
“Melissa, glad I caught you.” Sarah’s voice was brisk and businesslike. “I wanted to give you a heads up. The promotional photoshoot with Mr. Gavin has been confirmed for Thursday at two PM.”
I slowed my pace. “Photoshoot?”
“For the charity gala campaign. It’s been on the calendar for weeks. You’re listed as the media coordinator, so you’ll be overseeing the whole thing.”
I stopped walking entirely. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I saw that on my schedule.”
“It should be in your email by now. The photographer is Marcus Webb—he’s one of the best in the city, so we need everything running smoothly. It’s all on you.”
“All on me,” I repeated.
“Is that going to be a problem?”
Yes. A massive problem.
“No,” I heard myself say. “No problem.”
“Perfect. Everything you need is in the email. Call me if you have questions.”
She hung up.
I stood in the empty hallway, staring at my phone.
A photoshoot. With Gavin. That I was somehow responsible for coordinating.
I pulled up my email and found Sarah’s message.
Subject: CEO Promotional Photoshoot – Thursday 2:00 PM
Location: Executive Studio, 12th Floor
Duration: 3-4 hours
Notes: Minimal crew requested per Mr. Gavin’s preference. Media coordinator to remain on-site for full duration for real-time content approval.
I closed my eyes and pressed my phone against my forehead.
I shoved my phone in my bag and walked to the elevator.
The elevator doors opened. I stepped inside and hit the button for the parking garage.