Chapter 78: Chapter seventy eight
Alex pov.
“Well, that’s unexpected…”
Mia and Jake sprang apart the moment I stepped into the coffee room, like I’d just walked in on a crime scene instead of two people flirting badly over a counter.
“Carry on,” I added lazily, already reaching for a cup. “No one’s here yet.” I smirked as I scooped the beans, muscle memory taking over as I started preparing Brandon’s coffee the exact way he liked it.
Jake cleared his throat, suddenly very invested in the coffee machine. Mia, on the other hand, barely looked guilty.
“Hii, Alexander,” she said brightly. “It’s been a while.”
“Could say the same for you,” I replied, glancing pointedly at Jake. “Didn’t realize you were this… occupied lately.”
Jake flushed. Mia laughed.
I almost laughed too—because Jake really was joking with his life. Did he have any idea who she was? Brandon Cole’s sister. The only daughter of the Cole family. A man like Brandon would bury him alive if this went south. Or worse—politely smile and let someone else do it.
“Uhmm,” Jake said nervously, holding up a small container. “I made cookies.”
I paused, eyeing it. “Oh, I’ll take some. And relax,” I added, lowering my voice just enough. “You know I won’t tell anyone.”
I winked, snagged two cookies, and turned toward the door.
Behind me, I heard Jake exhale like he’d just survived a near-death experience.
I wasn’t really in the mood to tease them today anyway.
Mia followed me out, her heels clicking softly against the floor as she trailed behind me all the way to my office. She leaned against the doorframe as I stepped inside, watching me with that knowing look she always had—like she could read me even when I didn’t want to be read.
“You good?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I said too quickly, setting the coffee down on my desk. “Why?”
She tilted her head. “You sound kinda off.”
I snorted lightly. “What, because I’m not drooling over your brother for once?”
“Alex…”.
I waved a hand, already moving past her and straightening the files on my desk. “I would’ve loved to sit and chitchat with you, really,” I said lightly, though the edge in my voice gave me away. “But apparently not every one of us is from the Cole family with a brother who happens to be the CEO.”
Her lips parted like she wanted to argue, but I didn’t give her the chance.
“I really do love my job,” I added, forcing a smile as I picked up the coffee tray. “And I’d like to keep it. So I’ll see you at my break.”
Mia watched me for a second longer, something unreadable passing through her eyes, before she nodded. “Alright. Don’t work yourself to death.”
“No promises,” I replied. As soon as Mia stepped out, I balanced the file in one hand and the coffee in the other, walking straight into Brandon’s office. I hadn’t checked if he was already here this morning, but it was obvious he was.
“Good morning, sir,” I said, keeping my tone neutral.
Even like this—jacket draped over the chair, two buttons undone, reading glasses perched low—he was undeniably striking. Why does he always have to look like fucking Demi god?
I set the coffee on his desk and placed the files in front of him. “Here’s your coffee, and these are the files that need your signature. I’ve gone through them already—no issues.” I gave him a brief glance, then stepped back, ready to leave as quickly as I’d entered.
When he looked up and our eyes met, something in his gaze softened just a fraction. It didn’t last long, just long enough to make me pause. My brow furrowed immediately—his lips were bruised, his eyes tired, and the dark shadows under them made him look… human, fragile even. It was jarring, seeing the man who usually moved through the office with an unshakable command look like this. My stomach twisted. Had he gotten into a fight?
“If you want, I can help you finish up. You have a meeting at 12:30, you can rest till then,” I said before I could stop myself. My voice sounded softer than I intended, betraying an eagerness I didn’t want him to see.
“Kingsley…” He called my name softly. My body stiffened, caught somewhere between irritation, worry, and something more dangerous.
“S-sir?” I stammered, surprised by the vulnerability in his voice.
“Come here,”
“No,” I said immediately. I refused to let him pull me in again, not today. Not when I had spent hours telling myself not to be caught in the gravity of him, from letting myself lean into the warmth he offered, only to get burned. I stepped back slightly, clinging to my own self-control.
“Kingsley… please.” His voice dropped, almost a whisper this time.
I forced myself to take a slow breath and meet his eyes squarely. “Mr. Cole,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm in my chest, “would you like me to resign?”