Chapter 3: The Boss From Hell

Luna's POV

"Heard the buzz? The new CEO's back from London!" Tina hustled up to me, her voice dropping to an excited whisper as we walked down the hall. "He's this total enigma—dropped right into the top spot. Word is, he's a total hardass. Rumor mill says he might swing by departments today for inspections, and everyone's losing their shit!"

I calmly sorted the audition files in my folder, double-checking everything was spot-on. Just another day, just another boss.

"Don't sweat it," I shrugged. "Do your job right, and you'll be golden."

Tina shot me that wide-eyed, admiring look, like I was some kind of office superhero. "That's why I love working with you! While everyone's freaking out, you're cool as a cucumber."

I glanced at my watch, pressing my lips together. "Come on, let's move. Auditions are starting, and we can't keep the actors hanging."

The setup was straightforward but effective—two chairs against a plain white backdrop. I sat next to Dean, our director, jotting notes as the first three actors ran through their scenes. We'd exchange quick glances and feedback, while Tina hovered nearby, snapping pics of performances and logging our comments.

After the third one wrapped, I checked my watch again, frowning. "Where's our last candidate? They're twenty minutes late already."

Dean sighed, shaking his head. "Kids these days—no sense of time."

We waited another five, but I finally stood up. "Alright, that's a wrap for today. Thanks, everyone, for the hard work."

Just as the crew started packing up gear, the door flew open—more like got kicked in. In strutted Audrey Parker, trailed by her agent and at least three assistants, like she was leading a parade.

Is she auditioning or crashing a red carpet event?

"You can't just end it before Miss Parker gets her shot!" her agent barked, all puffed up. "She cleared her whole schedule for this!"

I watched as this so-called "Miss Parker" peeled off her massive sunglasses, scanning the room like she was inspecting peasants at a zoo.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," she drawled, stretching out every syllable like it was a favor. "We can start now, right?"

Tina leaned in close, whispering, "Audrey Parker—the up-and-coming starlet. Her dad's Robert Parker, that big-shot real estate mogul."

No wonder she's got such a princess complex.

I kept my professional smile plastered on, but my voice stayed firm. "Sorry, but we've blown past our scheduled time. If you're still interested, hit up my assistant to reschedule."

Her agent's face twisted like I'd just spit in his coffee. "Do you even know who you're blowing off?"

Audrey sauntered toward me, her perfume hitting me like a toxic cloud. She was shorter than me by a good few inches, but somehow managed to look down her nose like she was on a throne.

"My audition's basically a formality—a courtesy to you guys," she said, waving it off like it was no big deal. "This role's already mine, isn't it?"

I arched an eyebrow. I'd dealt with this entitled crap a million times. "In my productions, Miss Parker, nothing's locked in. Roles go to the best fit."

Audrey's face twisted, like I'd yanked her tail. "Are you seriously schooling me on how this works?" Her voice shot up a few octaves, turning shrill.

"Nope, just laying out the facts."

What happened next blindsided me—Audrey straight-up lost it and swung at me. Good thing my reflexes were on point; I grabbed her wrist mid-slap.

"Let go of me!" she screeched. "Do you know who I am?"

A spoiled brat who's never heard 'no' in her life.

I dropped her hand, not wanting to make it worse. But the diva had zero balance—she stumbled back and plopped right on her ass, her heels flying off like missiles.

Right in that epic awkward silence, someone gasped: "The CEO's here!"

The whole room turned to ice. I spun toward the door, and my heart slammed to a halt—

Fuck.

There stood Gabriel Ashford, in a sharp dark gray suit that hugged his broad shoulders like it was custom-made for sin. His presence sucked the air out of the room, his sharp eyes sweeping over everyone before zeroing in on me—and Audrey sprawled on the floor.

So the new CEO is him? My ex is my boss now? What kind of twisted rom-com nightmare is this?

Audrey's eyes lit up like she'd won the lottery. She scrambled up, twisting her face into this pitiful, wounded pout, and limped over to him dramatically.

"Gabriel, thank God!" Her voice oozed fake sweetness. "This woman," she jabbed a finger at me, "abused her power and totally disrespected me. She pushed me!"

My brain short-circuited. They knew each other?

This lying little bitch!

I braced for Gabriel to chew me out, to take her side. He was the big boss now, after all. But nope—he didn't even glance her way. Instead, his gaze locked onto mine. "You. With me. Now."

Tina gave me a wide-eyed, worried look as I followed him out. I could feel the stares drilling into my back, whispers buzzing like angry bees.

"She's toast. CEO's first day, and it turns into this mess?"

"He looks so damn hot when he's pissed, though. That jawline is killer."

"I heard he's a stickler for standards. Bet Luna's getting canned."

I trailed Gabriel down the long hallway, keeping my mouth shut and my spine straight. As we passed the break room, two interns smirked, not even trying to hide it.

"Thought Ms. Gray was all tough talk? Why's she clamming up now?" one guy snickered.

"I can't stand her know-it-all vibe. She's donezo!" his buddy chimed in, loud enough for the whole floor to hear.

Think what you want. I won't be sticking around here much longer anyway.

I was so focused on keeping my cool that when Gabriel stopped abruptly at his office door and turned, I walked smack into his rock-hard chest. I backed up with a wince.

He looked down at me, eyes glinting with that smug mockery. "You've got a real knack for chaos, Luna. Yesterday you rear-end my car, today you're starting brawls at work? Trying to get my attention on purpose?"

Oh, honey, you have no idea—the chaos is just getting started.

I'd figured he dragged me in to hash out the Audrey drama, so his next question hit like a curveball—

"Why are you engaged to that Anderson guy? When did you two even hook up?"

What the actual fuck?

I stared at him, incredulous. "You yanked me out here in front of everyone just to grill me on this?"

He didn't answer, so I decided to bail on this ridiculous chat. "If that's it, I've got work to do." I turned to go.

"Break it off with him!" Gabriel's command exploded like a grenade.

I froze, then spun back slowly, my jaw dropping. Three years later, and he was still the same controlling asshole.

"Mr. Ashford," I gritted out, "you don't get to boss me around anymore. What's your deal? Feeling lonely? Wanna play the side piece to your ex?"

To my shock, he didn't blow up. Instead, he let out that low, wicked laugh—the one that haunted my late-night memories. He stepped closer, so close I could smell his cologne, feel the heat rolling off him.

"Sounds kinda thrilling, doesn't it?" His voice was like silk sliding over my skin, sending an unwanted shiver racing down my spine.

Damn it, why does he still get under my skin like this?

I decided to poke the bear: "The Andersons all love me. It's nice being wanted by a real family."

Bingo. His eyes darkened instantly, all playfulness gone. "Every time you bring up that relationship, it just makes me want to end him even more."

I shrugged like it was no biggie. "Go ahead and try. Just don't screw with my project deadlines."

At that, Gabriel's face lit up with this sly realization. "So you don't actually like him. Figures—you wouldn't settle for some loser after dumping me."

"Don't flatter yourself—you weren't exactly a catch either!" I fired back, spinning on my heel and storming out before he could get another word in.