Chapter 6 Six

The office was quiet that morning.

Izzy had barely touched her coffee, still feeling the weight of last night’s rumors pressing down on her chest.

She barely noticed Dominic enter his office until his voice called her name, sharp and commanding.

“Miss Hart.”

Her head snapped up. “Yes, Mr. Steele?”

He didn’t smile. His eyes were sharp, cold, the kind that made her stomach tighten even though she wanted to hate him for it.

“I will be out of the office for three days,” he said, voice calm but firm. “Business trip. France.”

Her eyes widened slightly. France?

“You will make the hotel reservation for two people and also book a table at a popular restaurant for two for tomorrow evening in France,” he continued, placing a folder on his desk. “Ensure everything is perfect. Do you understand?”

Izzy went completely blank. She stared at him, feeling the words hit her like a wall.

Dominic raised an eyebrow. “Miss Hart? Are you listening?”

She blinked and nodded quickly.

“When I speak, I need you to respond,” he said, voice low and controlled, a slight edge of warning in it.

“Yes, boss,” she whispered.

He studied her for a long moment, then returned to his papers.

Izzy swallowed hard, her chest tight. She felt a wave of frustration, jealousy, and sadness all at once…. emotions she had no right to feel.

He’s my boss, she reminded herself. He doesn’t owe me anything. I shouldn’t even care.

And yet… she did.

Her mind raced as she sat down at her desk. France. Two people. Reservations. Everything had to be perfect.

She gritted her teeth and opened her laptop. She scrolled through hotel options, checking reviews, locations, and prices. The images of romantic suites made her chest twist.

Two people, she reminded herself bitterly.

Not me.

Then she looked at restaurants. Candlelit tables, quiet corners, the kind of places couples would go… her stomach sank.

Her hands trembled slightly as she typed out emails, made calls, and tried to focus. Every word, every click, reminded her that she was helping arrange something that was not for her.

She hated herself for feeling jealous.

She hated herself even more for imagining what it would be like to sit across from Dominic at that table, the woman from yesterday…. probably in her place.

By mid-afternoon, she had the options narrowed down. Her fingers hovered over the send button, and she closed her eyes for a moment.

Breathe, Izzy. You’re his assistant. That’s all. Nothing more.

But even as she tried to calm herself, she couldn’t ignore the little thrill she felt at the thought of France, at the thought of being involved in his world so intimately, even if it wasn’t for her.

She looked up as Dominic emerged from his office again, walking past her desk with the same quiet authority he always carried. Her chest tightened instinctively.

He paused, glanced at her without a word, then kept walking.

Izzy exhaled slowly, hands resting on her keyboard.

Why does he have this effect on me? she wondered. I don’t even know what I want… but I want it anyway.

And she knew, deep down, that the next three days would test every bit of her control, patience, and self-restraint.

By late afternoon, she had everything organized. The hotel and restaurant were ready to be finalized once Dominic approved. She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. She never thought she would be this jealous of a fellow lady.

Jealousy was one trait she was so proud she never had. But like they say never say never..

Here she was wishing it were her Dominic who was taking her to France.

Her phone buzzed… a message from Maya.

Maya: Hey whore. You still alive?

Izzy: Barely. Booking my boss a trip to France for two.

Maya: Oooh. France? Who’s the lucky lady?

Izzy: Not for me.

Maya sent a laughing emoji.

Maya: Poor Izzy. You’re jealous….

Izzy: Maybe. But I have no right to be.

Maya: You could … Seduce him and have another wild night together…

She didn’t reply after that, staring out the window instead. The city stretched below her, lights twinkling as the sky turned dark. She couldn’t shake the ache in her chest, the jealous thoughts, the excitement she hated herself for feeling.

Then, just as she was about to leave for the day, Dominic’s voice came from the office.

“Miss Hart.”

She turned immediately, trying to keep her expression neutral.

“Yes, Mr. Steele?”

“I expect everything to be ready before I leave tomorrow. Hotel, restaurant, confirmations. Understand?”

“All done, boss, sent to your mail waiting for your confirmation,” she said, forcing herself to sound steady.

He looked at her carefully, his eyes sharp, unreadable. “Will check it out. And Miss Hart…” He paused, making her heart skip. “When I speak, I need you to look at me. Not your eyes wandering. Your eyes on me, always got it?”

She nodded quickly. “Yes, boss.”

He gave a faint, controlled nod and returned to his office, leaving her chest pounding.

As she gathered her things to leave, Izzy leaned against her desk and exhaled slowly.

Jealousy. Sadness. Confusion. Desire. All in one day.

She knew she had no right to feel any of it. But the truth was undeniable … she couldn’t stop thinking about him.

And deep down, she also knew that his being in France would be hard for her

The next three days, another woman would be with him. Watching him. Helping him. And maybe, just maybe, kissing him..

The thought of him touching another lady.. the same way he did to her drove her mad.