Chapter 3 The Lion

Audrey’s shoulders stiffened.

"Yes, Sir..."

"Why aren't you in my office yet?" His cold voice came through the speaker before she had a chance to explain.

"Were you busy gossiping? Bring me the report I asked for, along with today's meeting minutes. Now."

The call ended.

For a moment, no one said a word.

Mr. Harrison and the woman standing beside Audrey had heard every word coming through the phone. They exchanged amused glances, both trying not to laugh.

"The lion is calling," the woman whispered.

That was enough to make Mr. Harrison burst into laughter.

Audrey could only grimace.

"Please don't make it worse."

After saying a quick goodbye, she hurried toward Elliot's office, clutching the report against her chest.

She knocked twice.

"Come in."

His deep voice carried through the door.

Audrey stepped inside.

Elliot sat behind his desk, his chair angled toward the floor-to-ceiling window. For a brief moment, he didn't acknowledge her presence, his attention seemingly fixed on the city skyline beyond the glass.

His mood still hadn't improved.

Is something else bothering him? Audrey wondered. Is that why he was even harsher than usual during the meeting?

The thought disappeared almost as quickly as it came.

Not my business.

"Mr. Elliot," she said politely as she placed the report on his desk, "would you like me to bring you something? Coffee, perhaps?"

She hadn't had time to ask earlier. The meeting preparations had consumed the entire morning.

Elliot turned his chair toward her. There was a flicker of surprise in his eyes, gone so quickly Audrey almost thought she'd imagined it.

Then his gaze settled on her. Steady, unreadable.

Their eyes met.

An unfamiliar tension settled over the room, making Audrey's heartbeat stumble for no reason she could explain. She forced herself to stay composed.

"Why did you look at me like that during the meeting?"

The unexpected question caught her completely off guard.

"...I'm sorry?"

"You looked at me." Elliot leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. "Like you felt sorry for Mr. Harrison."

Audrey's stomach tightened.

Seriously? He noticed that?

She hadn't realized her expression had been that obvious.

"Oh... I..."

She searched frantically for an explanation, but before she could find the right words, Elliot spoke again.

"So..." His gaze never left hers. "Do you think I'm the kind of boss who has no empathy for his employees?"

Do I seriously have to butter up my boss today?? Audrey groaned inwardly.

"I-I just..."

"Coffee."

She blinked.

"...Huh?"

"Coffee." Elliot's expression remained unreadable. "You offered to get me something, didn't you?"

Only then did Audrey realize he had changed the subject.

"Oh... right. Yes, Sir."

Without wasting another second, she slipped out of the office and headed for the pantry.

As hot water streamed into the cup, her thoughts wandered right back to the way Elliot had looked at her.

It wasn't anger. Not exactly. It was something she couldn't quite put into words.

His gaze had lingered just long enough to leave her strangely flustered.

"Get it together, Audrey Clarke," she muttered, lightly tapping her forehead.

"It's just your boss."

Coffee in hand, she returned to Elliot's office a few minutes later.

"Your coffee, Sir."

She carefully placed the cup on his desk, determined not to make eye contact this time.

Unfortunately...

It didn't work.

She could still feel his gaze. Almost as if he were trying to read every thought running through her head.

Why is he looking at me like that? Did I do something wrong?

"Thank you." His voice was as calm and distant as ever.

"You're welcome, Sir."

Mission accomplished. Time to leave.

Audrey turned toward the door as naturally as she could.

"Audrey."

Her steps stopped instantly. A wave of tension swept through her body.

Slowly, she turned around.

"Y-Yes, Sir?"

Elliot had folded his arms across his chest again.

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

Audrey's mind immediately went blank.

Shoot! What did I forget??

She glanced around the office, searching desperately for the answer.

Elliot nodded toward the desk.

"The report. I've already signed it."

"..."

"Oh!" Heat rushed to Audrey's face. "O-Oh. Right. Y-Yes, Sir."

She laughed awkwardly, grabbed the signed report, and hurried out before she could embarrass herself any further.

The office door clicked shut behind her. Only then did she release the breath she'd been holding.

"I swear..." she mumbled, pressing a hand against her chest. "Working with him should qualify as extreme sports."

Back at her own desk, she tried to focus on the stack of documents waiting for her.

It didn't work.

Her thoughts kept circling back to Elliot.

To the way he'd looked at her. To the strange question he'd asked. To the silence that somehow felt louder than his sharp words.

"No." She shook her head firmly. "Get real, Audrey Clarke."

"He's completely out of your league."

"And honestly..." She puffed out a frustrated breath. "Who would willingly fall for a lion?"