The click of Morgause Tasse’s stilettos echoed like warning shots across the marble floor of Vantage Bank’s downtown branch. Every stride was deliberate, precise, and fueled by double-shot espresso and pure ambition. She passed through the glass doors of the executive suite, her blazer sharp enough to draw blood and her hair twisted into a bun that said, “Don’t waste my time.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxqRLfnInT
Senior Loan Officer Morgause Tasse had one goal: assistant manager.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOnhOu54Km
She didn’t believe in luck. She believed in being better—faster, sharper, more ruthless. And at the top of her hit list was one Demetrios Vasilios, the frustratingly charming, smugly competent financial analyst with a jawline that belonged on a billboard and a habit of spinning his pen like he was casually plotting world domination.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU25L5aoxM
Today was no different.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbSXypGtto
“He’s already in there,” Jazz said as Morgause passed by her desk. Jazz Myers, HR coordinator, part-time chaos connoisseur and Morgause’s best friend, didn’t even look up from her emails.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWMZNkE74O
“Of course he is. Vultures get up early.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbr3DwEz58
Jazz snorted. “He brought coffee. For the whole team.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RThDPbckw
Morgause rolled her eyes but paused. “Not for me?”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGoWSfUVvb
“You insulted his spreadsheets last week. You’re on the blacklist.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6512UhPrD
“His spreadsheets looked like they were designed by a toddler with commitment issues.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtTZzBOK7Q
Jazz gave her a look. “You call it tough love. He calls it a vendetta.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbptBXVqWKo
With a sigh, Morgause pushed open the conference room door.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6clwglC6G1
There he was.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZOUweJVpq
Demetrios Vasilios. Navy-blue suit. No tie, of course. Slightly undone collar. Spinning his pen with one hand, sipping his coffee with the other like he hadn’t spent the last three years trying to sabotage her every career move.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kR568a3Do
“Morning, Tasse,” he said smoothly.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmX7uXlhpN
“Vasilios,” she replied, voice like ice.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKN1lAws8w
He gestured to the empty seat beside him. “I warmed it up for you.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaDzd6Z4zw
She took the seat on the far end instead.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSGFpV83Rs
The presentation started.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNicznDzoRb
Morgause laid out her pitch for the new small business lending strategy with the crisp confidence of someone who had slept exactly four hours and rehearsed in the mirror while brushing her teeth. Charts. Figures. Clean, impactful delivery. Gideon Roth, the stoic branch manager, nodded slightly—the closest he ever got to enthusiasm.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0DutyEyvC
Then came Demetrios.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFIWGiFJWW
His presentation was smooth. Casual. Annoyingly effective. He used humor, told a story, even brought in a graphic designer to zhuzh up his visuals. Worse, the room ate it up.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic3dclwhv7
When the meeting adjourned, Morgause stood before she could get trapped into post-meeting banter.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtxXzmP26w
“Nice charts,” Demetrios said, following her out.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJkWb4YoGY
“Nice theatrics. I didn’t realize we were presenting at a talent show.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MJlWWlG9F
He grinned. “You wound me.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx6uD2490t
“Not enough.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMjJhebBsh
Jazz intercepted her just outside. “Girl. You looked like you wanted to throw a chair.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXlyuA4qom
“I wanted to throw him off the roof.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yx0Hm5PTd
Jazz leaned in. “You know what your problem is?”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmH1aWS4wT
“He exists?”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAd7m0Pfgk
“You find him attractive.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw0thF7PI3
Morgause blinked. “You need therapy.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcAlS1Q5eF
“I need popcorn. The tension between you two could power the national grid.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnEt630A3J
She walked off before Morgause could lob a stapler at her.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS8wwsFp7s
Gideon Roth, the branch manager, stepped out of his office with the precision of a man who measured his breath.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc2nMjtxUd
“Morning meeting. Conference room. Now,” he said, then disappeared without waiting for confirmation.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzjF8a2QoI
The room buzzed with anticipation. Jazz, already seated near the back, gave Morgause a pointed look and mouthed, Behave. Morgause gave her a tight smile.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRDgZqzoD1
Demetrios slid into the seat next to Morgause without asking. His leg brushed hers. She moved her chair half an inch to the right.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v55kCh6AW
Gideon stood at the head of the room, hands clasped behind his back. Theo Reyes stood beside him, composed as ever, but there was something...final in his demeanor.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBoSjjQces
“As most of you know, Theo will be transitioning to a regional leadership role at the end of the quarter,” Gideon began.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZddFdiW1oi
Murmurs spread.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS2fYCYtZw
“I’ll be transitioning out of this role in the coming weeks,” Theo began, voice steady. “Promotion at corporate. I’ll still be around through the handoff.”
Morgause’s stomach clenched. She stole a glance at Demetrios. He was spinning his pen again—his only tell. That and the subtle tightening of his jaw.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEMM5L3WmE
“It’s a significant step,” Gideon continued. “And it means this branch will soon need a new assistant manager.”
“This means,” Gideon added, his voice like gravel, “the position will be open for internal candidates. I expect an aggressive pitch from each of you. Performance. Leadership. Strategy. You know the game.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5Cf54l7Zm
Demetrios’s eyes flicked to Morgause. She met them without flinching.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe83ouCmdC
Then came the kicker.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6QUI9eQlZ
“To test your capabilities,” Gideon continued, “you’ll be collaborating on the Carmichael portfolio restructure. It’s our biggest private loan suite and needs finesse.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VkRDLVInU
Morgause blinked. Collaborating? She’d rather swallow her shoe.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcucoB9Iah
Demetrios raised an eyebrow. “Together?”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgDzdSEJjV
“Yes,” Gideon said. “Together. Think of it as a real-time case study. Let’s see how well rivals can act like leaders.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORK6ByOrmr
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r2rAAMIKc
Back in the hallway, silence hung between them like storm clouds.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s8JEX78uK
“Try not to slow me down,” Demetrios said finally.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZzuqLd5Pa
“Try not to trip on your ego,” Morgause shot back.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpomEwPNcg2
He smirked, leaning a little too close. “Looking forward to our first planning session.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkCqPtBBLw
“Same,” she said. “Maybe you’ll finally learn something.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHGNWDc0Wk
He walked away, whistling.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdLuYujRty
Morgause stood frozen for a beat, then pulled open her drawer and reached for her secret stash of stress-relief candy—only to find it empty.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmcr1rLWZz
Her eyes narrowed.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO1MyHGAzT
Demetrios. Again.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQkvUF7jEy
The war had officially escalated.
She reached her cubicle, opened her drawer, and tapped past her pens until she found the familiar tin. A comforting clink followed as she flipped it open.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYclIHwXgC3
Empty.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZamdk8pcr
She stared at the mint-green interior in disbelief.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIPVghDeoc
“Looking for this?” came a smooth voice from behind.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqGm7z2b5T
Morgause turned, slowly. Demetrios Vasilios leaned against her partition, holding up a butterscotch candy between two fingers like it was a rare coin.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEX1fzQHNyC
Her eye twitched.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkatDXns2E
“That’s theft,” she said flatly.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAyppnstpo
“I’d argue it’s evidence,” he replied, spinning the candy once. “Proof you self-medicate with sugar. Weakness, Tasse.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLONsBWysVV
“Hardly. It’s a strategic tool. Unlike your personality.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx37ehl4hsn
He grinned, unbothered. His navy suit was just slightly rumpled in a way that looked intentional. Of course. Everything about Demetrios screamed effortless charm—something that irritated Morgause more than she’d admit.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7XOcyblBB
“You’re late,” she said, glancing at the clock.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66qGnwaaCq
“I’m on Demetrios Time,” he replied, moving toward his desk. “It runs on results, not minutes.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWmtWqqGCu
She muttered something under her breath as she shut her drawer.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVt3fxQ2hu
“Well,” Demetrios said, leaning toward Morgause, “I hope your stilettos can handle the climb.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47qDtWjizl
She didn’t even blink. “Hope your last name can handle your fall.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgus690j3cK
Jazz whistled low from the back.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEKcL1VWm4
Later that afternoon, she caught Demetrios at the copier, staring at a report like it had insulted his mother. His pen spun furiously.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rzTBDlWvZ
“You broke the machine with your pen-spinning aura?” she said, arms crossed.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbVicYvOMP
He didn’t look up. “I didn’t realize I was auditioning for the role of villain in your origin story.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhM2cZuyQNf
She smirked. “You wish you had that kind of narrative power.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlTm8vPVgf
He finally looked at her then—something flickered across his face, too quick to name.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7g4x1osMM
“Be honest,” he said, voice low, “you’d be bored without me.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR57hALFvLu
Morgause’s heart did something annoying in her chest. She ignored it.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42xpVdlsPb
“I’d be assistant manager without you,” she replied.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cCidAgbhx
Demetrios smiled, slow and infuriating. “We’ll see.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlyNT97cIl
They stood there, locked in silent challenge. Two storms waiting to clash.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6rm67hi2m
The war was officially on.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXPKlQh8ue
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQKSoloYw4
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4rzPi20jp
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnsP5y1YIW
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZKFnQkeYB
By the time Morgause slipped into her apartment that evening, the city was bathed in golden light, casting long shadows across her minimalist space. She kicked off her heels by the door, letting out a quiet sigh that no one would hear—not that she’d ever let anyone catch her sighing.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfrmoMGHng
Her apartment was an elegant contrast to the chaos of the office. Clean lines, neutral tones, and everything exactly where it belonged. A single eucalyptus candle flickered on the marble console table near the entrance. She liked routine. Routine meant control. And Morgause Tasse did not do chaos.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKYAqUOSpR
Her phone buzzed.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEtz3OiMpw
Jazz: Do NOT make out with him. I’m serious.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlcC3H9hBl
Morgause rolled her eyes, tossing the phone on the couch. “I don’t even like him,” she said to no one.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JvVGL4F5h
She peeled off her blazer, hung it with care in her walk-in closet, and made her way to the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of white wine—one glass, exactly, as always—then padded barefoot across the hardwood floor to her bedroom.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3Q6mpd6pk
Once the wine was in hand, she did what she always did after a particularly exhausting day: she opened the drawer of her bedside table, reached beneath a stack of industry magazines, and pulled out a worn notebook.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZtDe4zkww
The pages were filled with neat, angular handwriting. Plans. Strategies. Occasional vents about Gideon’s poker face or Theo’s diplomacy. A couple of pages were just sharp lines or question marks.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4clUkJgBGd
She flipped to a blank page and wrote:
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XbRSYdxy6
Day One: Promotion Watch
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mAnLVtjJH
• Theo confirmed.
• Gideon observing.
• Demetrios circling like a shark with a trust fund.
• Must close Johnson deal this week.
• Start mentoring that intern—what’s her name? Sadie?
• Watch Demetrios. Closely.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9ETnNq2FS
She paused.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBEKItjuXt
And then, against her better judgment, added:
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjIUIAJPhA
Also: Do not let him get under my skin.
(Or into anything else.)
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41BOBBZKgY
She stared at the sentence, then scribbled it out until the paper dented.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4DNtMldo8
After a lukewarm shower and a half-hearted attempt at watching a nature documentary, Morgause settled into bed, the city lights winking through her window. She picked up her phone again. No new messages. No missed calls.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNjC6ngxXo
She told herself that was a good thing.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwmr939ypA
But still… her mind replayed that moment at the copier. The way his voice dropped. That flicker in his eyes.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPuNRkGahP
She hated how sharp her memory was when it came to Demetrios Vasilios.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXsGkEx3nr
Morgause rolled over and pulled her comforter up to her chin.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70b8FMe9l3
Tomorrow would be another round in the war. Another perfectly tailored suit. Another tactical smile. Another performance.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKzMyjvAvM
And she’d win. She always did.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVRWzmFgoL
Eventually.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcULUp0mq9v
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPNEi0AkV3
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueogzpOU8f
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO217WGlaW
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti1cHquDoU
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop4jpPrn3b
in the chrome panel. Lipstick: sharp. Ponytail: sleek. Attitude: nuclear.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxFf9goAlJ
By the time she reached the executive floor, the scent of stale printer ink and ambition had already taken root in the air.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PUbCVXFrF
Her desk greeted her with quiet judgment. A dozen emails glared at her from the screen, and the quarterly loan performance sheets lay where she’d left them—taunting her like a poker hand just waiting to be played.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFB7jXjTOQ
But first—candy.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3yeqCpMt3
She slid open the bottom drawer of her desk, where a mint tin labeled “Tax Files 2018” sat nestled under a stack of fake reports. Inside, her secret stash: stress-relief candies—lemon honey drops, imported from somewhere she couldn’t pronounce but swore worked better than therapy.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxoJMdinjA
She popped one in and exhaled.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKJOQRMex7
Just as she settled into her chair, a voice sliced through the quiet like a blade dipped in silk.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7aOd0tE6f
“Didn’t know your schedule included bonus hours now. New year, new grind?”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEmFRauTO9
Demetrios Vasilios leaned casually against the glass divider, one eyebrow raised, arms folded across his annoyingly tailored navy suit. His tie was undone just enough to look intentional. Pen already twirling in his fingers.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzwGyDirzb
Morgause didn’t bother to look at him. “Didn’t know smugness came with free-range access to my cubicle.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaFdjchCDI
He smirked. “Relax. I’m just admiring the view.” His eyes swept over her desk. “You know, for someone so organized, you hide your sugar addiction terribly.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuwqmExEfm
Her jaw ticked. “Are you still talking?”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VQzwAziCy
Demetrios grinned and turned to leave. “Don’t let me distract you. I know you need the head start.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hpk3vzQ8y
Morgause threw a candy wrapper at him as he walked away, laughing without looking back.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoORcQdr2Q
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8y4JvBdWg
**
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMX9XmyaoT
In the hallway after the meeting, Jazz appeared at Morgause’s elbow.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUt65F2U8as
“Well,” she said, “if the sexual tension doesn’t kill one of you, the spreadsheet wars might.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxHenO1WJK
“I will not let him ruin this for me,” Morgause snapped, marching toward her office.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AVnIh8sS3
Jazz trotted beside her. “You do realize that collaboration means being in the same room. Often. Alone. Probably arguing.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuaUQcF8H8
Morgause stopped in front of her door. “Then I’ll keep it professional. I can resist petty urges.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSpIrV13W0
“Can you?” Jazz asked, eyebrow raised. “Because last week, you told me you dreamed about smacking his smug face with a stapler. While he was shirtless.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGiGnG4s5P
Morgause groaned. “You weren’t supposed to remember that.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHbzuL7F3N
Jazz grinned and waved. “Oh, honey. I remember everything.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU8hMyz2nJ
**
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanGWGpvHJk
Back at his desk, Demetrios sat with his head tilted, eyes locked on the Carmichael file. Leif leaned against the doorframe of his office, holding a soda can and a knowing smirk.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2t6KyA345
“You and Ice Queen Tasse, huh?” he said. “That’s either going to end in a promotion—or a lawsuit.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg16UPYSc19
“Hopefully promotion,” Demetrios muttered, though a tiny smile tugged at the edge of his mouth.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xAJ1ylxTJ
“She’s intense,” Leif said. “You know that, right? Like… laser beam through concrete intense.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZVr8U30q9
Demetrios didn’t answer. He was thinking of the way she’d looked in the meeting, completely composed while everyone else blinked in surprise. How she’d straightened her posture like she was ready to battle—and win.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP48ExCA2C
Yeah. He knew.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aKM9cnySG
And honestly?
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlhDQBEEUK
He liked it.
ns216.73.216.6da2
