Beneath the boardroom lights

The rain had a habit of falling hardest when Elena Carter was already running late.

Her worn-out heels clicked against the wet pavement of Lexington Avenue as she weaved through umbrellas and impatient commuters. A gust of wind yanked at her coat, and the drizzle finally claimed her coffee cup, which slipped from her fingers and hit the sidewalk with a sad splash. Perfect.

She glanced at the time: 9:04 AM.

Late.

She pushed through the revolving doors of Maddox Innovations, her curls damp, her chest rising and falling with adrenaline. The lobby was all steel and glass, sleek and intimidating - a sharp contrast to the cozy Brooklyn office she used to work in before she quit six months ago. She hadn't imagined herself stepping into a place like this again so soon.

Especially not for him.

"Elena Carter?" the receptionist asked, barely looking up from her screen.

"Yes. I have a 9AM with Mr. Maddox."

"You're expected. Forty-fifth floor. He's waiting."

Waiting. That single word tightened her chest. What was she even doing here? She was just an independent event planner with a few weddings and two brand launches under her belt. Maddox Innovations was a global tech empire. What could he possibly want with her?

The elevator ride was quiet, sterile. Her reflection in the mirrored walls looked calmer than she felt - bold red lipstick, simple black dress, tired eyes. She whispered to herself: "You need this. Don't screw it up."

The doors opened.

The top floor was surprisingly warm - deep wood tones, floor-to-ceiling windows, and fresh orchids on every corner table. A different world.

"Miss Carter." His voice was calm, smooth. Deeper than she remembered from the interviews and news clips.

She turned.

Grayson Maddox stood behind a glass desk, sleeves rolled to the elbows, jacket draped on the chair. He looked like a man who was born to own the world - tall, broad, and dangerous in that quiet, collected way. His dark eyes assessed her quickly, not like a man checking her out - more like someone deciding if she could be trusted.

"I appreciate you coming on such short notice," he said.