The non-royal warriors had gathered in the training field, where they were receiving special instruction from the royal warriors' masters, including Prince Jing himself.

"Attention!" bellowed a man in his forties, his dark skin glistening under the sun. Like most warriors, his body was muscular and solid, a testament to years of rigorous training. "Today, we are joined in training by Prince Jing, his warriors, and his trusted masters. As you already know, the Northern Kingdom has declared war on us.

"In these dark times, the Western Kingdom stands as our ally and will fight by our side. Meanwhile, the Eastern Kingdom has chosen to remain neutral for now, though it's highly likely they will align with our enemies sooner or later, driven by their fear of being attacked by traitors. We are well aware that many rebels and tribes have joined forces with them against us, hoping to gain access to our energy source and resources if we are conquered.

"Warriors, let us give our lives on the battlefield!" he roared with fervor, igniting the same spirit of determination in the others.

The warriors were divided into groups, each led by a non-royal master and a noble commander. Master Lee and Prince Jing were tasked with training the best non-royal warriors, among whom was Leela.

After several hours of intensive training, the group led by Jing and Master Lee took a break. Leela seized the opportunity to fetch water and bring it to her instructors.

"I don't understand why you even train with us when you never step onto the battlefield," said one of the two women who approached her. Both looked intimidating, with their muscular builds and towering height.

"Maybe she's here for the warriors' amusement. What else could this bitch be good for?" sneered the other.

Leela was about to unleash a torrent of sharp retorts when the prince unexpectedly intervened.

"She is undergoing trials for a special mission among my elite warriors," Jing stated coldly. The women turned pale as they realized who had spoken, their features frozen in terror.

"Such insolence deserves punishment," Jing continued, his voice unwavering. "Your foolish and disrespectful words have insulted not only her but all of us.

"My camps are no brothels, and none of my warriors are here for anyone's entertainment." Turning to two nearby masters, Jing called them over. "What punishment do you recommend for a woman who has insulted the crown and the King's warriors?"

The crowd fell silent, stunned. The accused woman, Danna, was one of the best among the non-royals and highly esteemed.

Sensing the gravity of his disciple's situation, one of the masters fell to his knees before the prince, pleading, "Please, forgive Danna's thoughtlessness, my lord!"

"I will not tolerate such offenses among my warriors," Jing replied with icy resolve. "However, if she apologizes to the warrior she insulted, her punishment will be reduced to three days in the dungeons to reflect on her actions."

The master gave the girl a pleading look, knowing how proud she was. To his surprise and relief, Danna nodded in agreement and knelt before Leela, her gaze lowered.

"Warrior, forgive my ill-intentioned words," she said.

Leela gave a slight nod in response. Immediately, two warriors seized the woman and led her away to be imprisoned.

"Master Lee," the prince addressed Leela's mentor, "I need Warrior Brown to accompany me. We have a pending training session to attend."

Master Lee nodded respectfully, and the prince began to walk away from the camp, with Leela following close behind.

They vanished into the forest, walking in silence for what felt like a long while. When they were far from the others, they stopped by a green, crystalline river surrounded by trees, where a small waterfall cascaded down.

Jing stepped into the shallow waters without a word, and Leela followed him without question, though her gaze darted around, intrigued and filled with curiosity.

The narrow path led them to a cave. They walked for another five minutes before Jing came to a halt. He turned to face her, their eyes locking, and Leela began to tremble with nerves.

Jing frowned as he noticed her reaction.

"Leela, you make yourself weak when you let your emotions control you. That's the reason I haven't officially designated you as a spy yet-you're still fragile and don't act like the warrior you're meant to be. Instead, your behavior resembles that of an ordinary girl."

"I'm not just interested in your skill in battle. I need to see your strength of character and discipline. At the same time, I need to trust your sound judgment and emotional intelligence."

His cold and rough way of speaking about her left a bitter taste in her mouth. Her sad and embarrassed expression didn't go unnoticed by the prince. Without warning, he grabbed her by the waist and pressed her against the wall, trapping her with his body.

Confusion and fear flooded her, as she hadn't expected such an abrupt move from him.

Suddenly, Jing brought his face closer to hers and brushed her lips with his. She, on the other hand, was trembling from the unexpected proximity.

Jing locked eyes with her as if waiting for some sort of reaction, but Leela remained still and stunned. He leaned in closer, his voice a low whisper near her ear.

"These feelings you have for me make you weak and dull your reflexes. Right now, you're easy prey."

He brushed her cheek with his thumb, his expression sharp and laced with irony. Leela, however, stayed frozen in place.

Jing took advantage of her disorientation, grazing her lips with his. Though his movements had been confident at first, hesitation crept into his gestures, and it was clear he was waging an inner battle.

Leela, noticing the prince's internal struggle and his faltering resolve to fully commit to the kiss, let her impulsive nature take over. She kissed him.

Jing's almond-shaped eyes widened as he felt his subordinate's lips pressing boldly against his. He didn't move at first, but Leela continued tasting his lips as if they were lovers.

After a few moments of stunned silence, Jing grabbed her face with both hands and returned her daring gesture. He couldn't pinpoint when he'd lost control or the thread of his reprimand-he had only meant to provoke her to prove his point.

How could I have fallen into my own trap? he thought, horrified.

Jing's tongue sought hers, but Leela, inexperienced as she was, quickly began to lose her breath. Noticing her struggle, he pulled back, his thoughts scattered. He couldn't believe what he had just done, nor the effect the impulsive act had left on him.

"How dare you kiss the prince?" he demanded, his voice uneasy and laced with nerves. Jing was far from his usual calm demeanor, his eyes filled with confusion and astonishment.

"Forgive me, Your Highness, but you started it," she retorted, crossing her arms. She feigned composure, though, in truth, she was just as confused, nervous, and overwhelmed. It all felt surreal-their shared moment, his reactions, and her own boldness.

"I started it?" He shook his head, incredulous. "Leela, it was you who kissed me so shamelessly. That was audacious and entirely inappropriate."

She responded with an ironic smile, driven by the frustration his blatant hypocrisy provoked.

"It was you who cornered me and pressed your lips against mine. All I did was finish what your hesitation wouldn't allow you to do. So, Prince, don't tell me this was just another one of your bizarre lessons," she retorted, offended by his audacity.

"Of course it was!" he raised his voice. No one-except for Lars-had ever confronted or challenged him so directly. This girl was insufferable, an insolent pest who made him lose his composure. "I only wanted you to understand that your feelings for me make you weak. They prevent you from becoming the true warrior you're meant to be. Emotions like these only serve to destroy you."

"Ha!" she scoffed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Feelings? I think you're mistaken, Prince," she countered.

In response, he closed the distance between them once more, a malicious smile playing on his lips.

"Do you think I'm so inexperienced that I haven't noticed you spying on me?" Her eyes widened, and her cheeks turned crimson. She was in trouble. "Or... what about the way you get so nervous during our training sessions? When I'm not present-no, better yet, when you think I'm not present-your reflexes and techniques are extraordinary."

"You're focused, strong, and without weakness. Yet, the moment I'm near, you become someone else entirely. You turn into an ordinary girl, Leela. But you're not like other women. If you're going to take on the challenge of becoming my chosen spy, you'll have to forget what it means to be human. You'll have to swallow your emotions and feelings whole."

She held her breath, her muscles tightening. She knew she had to let go of him and end the obsession that could only lead to trouble. Yet, his cruel and unrelenting way of addressing her stung deeply, wounding her pride and threatening to trample what little dignity she had left.

"Prince," she said, her voice firm despite the storm within, "perhaps I've admired you more than I should have, but it has nothing to do with what you're insinuating. I regret that my lack of discretion caused you discomfort, and I promise to focus on becoming the best spy in all of Destello. I will no longer be that 'ordinary girl' you speak of," she declared with conviction.

"I should hope so," he muttered through clenched teeth.

"But, Prince," she added, drawing his honey-colored eyes back to her, "I see no reason to keep delaying my official designation as a spy. And regarding the kiss-" she paused, needing to release the anger threatening to consume her, "we were both to blame. It would have been an affront if I hadn't reciprocated, savored, and enjoyed it. But let's not pretend you were the saintly dove in this scenario. You could have stopped and reprimanded me. Instead, you seemed to enjoy it far more than I did."

The prince's eyes looked as though they might pop out of their sockets at her words. Unfortunately, she was right. How could he argue with that? Clearing his throat, he searched for a response-if he even had one.

"I'm a man," he finally offered, though his tone was uncertain. "You're beautiful and bold. I simply played along."

"Yes, I'm aware that not even the prince can resist that primal male instinct to take advantage of such opportunities," she replied, disappointment heavy in her voice.

"Don't misunderstand me. It's not as if I go around letting just anyone kiss me, Leela. But we should let this matter end here and forget about it."

She nodded, relieved.

"In any case," he continued, "I brought you here for another reason."

From his pocket, he pulled out a crystalline brownstone, which she eyed with curiosity.

"It's a key," he explained, understanding her silent question. "This key..." He stepped toward the rocky wall and inserted the stone into a small crevice, "...opens the door to your new hideout, official spy."

He smiled as the wall shifted, revealing a hidden entrance.

"Inside are the most guarded secrets of my leadership among the warriors. This is also the hub of all the advanced technology we use in Zafiro. Though you didn't pass this final test with flying colors, it's time for you to officially join the ranks of my best spies. Congratulations, Leela Brown!"

Leela nearly jumped with joy.

'An official spy! I can't believe it!' she celebrated in her thoughts, her eyes welling with tears of happiness. At last, years of hard work and sacrifice had borne fruit.

Nora woke with a start, chills prickling her skin. A strange anguish gripped her chest, twinned with a hollow ache that left her feeling utterly powerless. She had dreamt again of the handsome prince and that strange, yet beautiful world. It felt so real that, at times, she felt as though she were waking into a dream, leaving her true life behind.

She likely needed therapy, she thought, because she held few memories of her past, and no family to question about her origins. It was as if her life had been frozen in time, abruptly cut short.

Meanwhile, Edward used his day off to unwind in the quiet of his apartment, a place he would soon no longer call home. Suddenly, the urge to paint returned; not that he was a professional artist, nor that the art held any particular passion for him. He had learned it as a child, at his mother's insistence, who had forced him and his brother to study some form of art, believing it would instill in them sensitivity and discipline, cultivating their patience.

Edward had never been interested in painting or drawing as an adult; however, for some time now-a time he couldn't even recall-he constantly depicted this beautiful, warrior-like woman. It was as if she were hidden within him.

Along with the desire to draw or paint her, a sense of emptiness and loss periodically overcame him. The only thing that calmed him was giving life to a canvas or a piece of paper with the image of this strange woman, whom he thought he had seen two weeks prior.

***

She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice the door to her office open, nor the presence of the person who had entered.

"Nora, are you alright?" A male voice startled her from her reverie.

"I'm sorry, Marcos." She forced a smile. "I was a little distracted."

He handed her a folder full of papers.

Marcos was a journalist everyone adored because he always delivered the best stories. He had a bohemian air about him, his face radiating a carefree charisma. Everyone gossiped about the two of them, though Nora had never seen him as anything other than a colleague.

As usual, the mestizo wore black leather pants, a jacket, and boots, giving him a rebellious, almost boyish appearance; yet he was one of the most analytical and disciplined workers.

"What are you doing tonight?" he asked, staring at a fixed point, avoiding eye contact.

"Resting!" She sighed.

"How boring!" He finally met her gaze. "You should go out more often; lately, you've been so withdrawn." He moved closer to examine her intently. "You even seem like a different person. Are you okay? Do you need to talk to someone?" Nora shook her head.

"Everything's fine. I don't know what you mean by saying I've changed; I've always been the same."

"Not always." He chuckled. "There are times when you like to go out and have fun, but then, out of nowhere, you become introverted and dull. You know? Sometimes I get the feeling that you feel out of place as if you're not fully awake. I'm worried about you, Nora."

She looked at him, confused, as she didn't remember ever enjoying going out.

Nora remained pensive throughout the morning, and that feeling of emptiness returned.

There was a moment when her eyelids felt heavy, and she suddenly fell asleep-or so she thought-but it felt more like she had entered a trance.

Suddenly, she found herself in another place, where the air was pure and there were no buildings or traffic, only lush trees, a green carpet of grass, and mountains; then, the feeling of being home washed over her.

In the distance, she saw a small light emanating from a rock and walked towards it; the closer she got, the brighter the light became. Nora sought the source of the glow, but the brightness became so intense that she could no longer see, as it was hurting her eyes.

For some reason, she tried to decipher what the light wanted her to understand, as she sensed that its brilliance was speaking to her, but she couldn't understand what it was saying. It was then that she thought she heard a faint voice.

"Leela..."

"Leela..." The tone grew louder and louder. "Nora!" She woke with a fright, nearly jumping out of her chair from the shock.

"Why are you yelling, Lidia?" she retorted to her friend, yawning.

"How can you sleep so deeply at work?" She crossed her arms. "I've been calling you for several minutes, and you looked like you were dead asleep."

"You're exaggerating!" She rolled her eyes at her friend's hyperbole.

"How can you sleep on a day like today?" She approached her, her expression softening.

"A day like today?" she inquired, confused.

"You've got to be kidding!" Lidia exclaimed. "Nora, today's the day we meet our CEO. You, like the other heads, should be prepared and have your presentation ready, and you're asking me what's happening today! Nora, you're starting to worry me," she said dramatically.

"Oh, right!" she cried, jumping up from her chair. "I need to take my reports," she said, gathering several folders from her desk. "I don't even remember what time he's arriving!" Her expression was one of anguish.

"Calm down!" Her friend crossed her arms and looked at her with a hint of amusement, but at the same time, there was something in her scrutiny that gave Nora the feeling that she was nervous. "They'll arrive within an hour. The matter is so important that the boss himself will be picking him up."

"I hope you haven't also forgotten that you'll all be meeting in the boardroom, where the heads and supervisors will meet him first; then we'll all gather in the event hall, where the lower ranks will finally meet this heartthrob."

Nora looked at her, amused by her comment. Her friend was a good designer, but she should have been a writer, given her witty remarks.

"Not even the CEO is safe from you." She shook her head, laughing.

"Are you going to deny that he's a heartthrob?"

"I don't know, I've never seen him," she replied dismissively; in response, her friend's jaw dropped.

"How is that possible!"

"I don't pay attention to people at the top of the social ladder, Lidia. Besides, they keep a very low profile; especially the second son and our future CEO. He never appears in any social photographs."

"Of course he does!" the blonde replied. "It's just that he attends few events. Well, you'll see how handsome he is, and the best part is that he's single."

"Wow, you talk as if any of us had access to a guy like that. Those people marry within their social circles."

"You're getting ahead of yourself, my friend," she said with a mischievous look. "Who said anything about getting married?" Nora laughed at her bold insinuation.

***

Edward woke early to organize some belongings that were still packed, because even though he hadn't brought much with him, moving was never a simple matter.

Edward had been in his new apartment for three days, still settling in. Moreover, he spent almost all his time reviewing the documents he had received from the previous CEO.

He decided to move forward with the final details, given that they would soon be coming for him. He found it fascinating that he would be setting foot in the company for the first time that day; however, for some strange reason, he felt a tightness in his chest, and chills ran down his body from time to time, accompanied by tremors and sweat on his hands and forehead.

Furthermore, he didn't understand it.

Again, he began to feel that strange sensation, as if his subconscious wanted to communicate something hidden within him, some important piece of information he had forgotten.

Once again, he needed to pick up his brush.

He didn't hesitate to do so, nor to trace various colored lines on the seemingly pure and empty canvas, which gradually came to life, its purity violated by the passion of the different tones.

As he progressed, his heart beat violently, and cold sweats caressed his skin, while a pain laden with melancholy stabbed at his chest.

A feeling of helplessness and loneliness began to overwhelm him, but that devastating emptiness was filled with each brushstroke he managed to apply to the taut canvas. Almost with a sigh, he finished his task, and as if he had reached the climax of catharsis, his muscles relaxed, and the feeling of peace returned to his chest.

After several blinks, he looked at the painting. His face creased with surprise and confusion. This time, the image of that mysterious woman he used to paint or draw was not reflected; on this occasion, the painting reflected a resplendent light.

Edward left the apartment when he received a call from the former CEO, who would escort him to the company to introduce him to the employees and settle him into what was once his old office. After a cordial greeting, they both sat in the luxurious limousine.

"Mr. Stone, I'll need a vehicle for transportation," he stated.

"I know; I've already assigned that task to your assistant, so they'll deliver a car to you tomorrow. When you need to go out today, you only have to let her know so the limousine can pick you up." The older man replied, and he nodded in satisfaction. "Nervous?" his predecessor asked, examining him with a friendly smile.

"No, I just have a strange feeling. Perhaps it's the anxiety caused by the great responsibility that's falling on my shoulders, as you know how demanding my parents are, especially my mother." He sighed, trying to relax.

The trip wasn't very long, as he had chosen an apartment close to the company.

After passing through reception, they headed down the grand hallway that provided access to various departments and offices.

The two men walked along, upright and without exchanging words with anyone, under the curious gazes of the employees. Murmurs could be heard around them, but they continued on their way without changing their expressions.

Upon reaching another hallway that branched off in different directions, they encountered some well-dressed men, who greeted them with respect and courtesy. They began to chat about the meeting and ask Edward questions about his move, until something unexpected happened, embarrassing the former CEO.

"I'm so sorry!" the woman exclaimed, at the same time trying in vain to clean the coffee stain that now adorned the new CEO's jacket. She was so mortified that she didn't even dare to look up.

"Don't worry, it's just a stain," he encouraged her in a gentle tone. "And since my suit is dark, it won't even be noticeable." His voice was sweet and calm.

She was as surprised as she was apologetic, as she had expected a different reaction from her new superior; one that was typical of the son of the owners of the place.

"Nora..." her former boss muttered through clenched teeth, urging her to stop touching his successor's arm with that ruined napkin. She swallowed hard, anticipating what awaited her, as it was obvious that her next conversation with him would be a scolding.

Meanwhile, Nora continued without looking at her new boss. How could she have such bad luck? To give such a distracted impression at their first meeting.

"Miss..." Edward mentioned, intending for her to complete the sentence with the information he lacked.

Nora timidly raised her face, and her eyes widened in surprise. He, on the other hand, was lost in the gray gaze of the beautiful woman before him, and his face tensed.

Was what he was seeing real? Was he hallucinating?

Both remained silent for a long moment, their gazes locked.

"She's Nora Allen, head of editing," one of the gentlemen in the group intervened, breaking the strange tension that had settled in the atmosphere; however, he received no response from them.

Both Edward and Nora remained motionless, their eyes locked, their features showing astonishment, bewilderment, and curiosity.

She was the first to react with exaggerated and repeated blinks as if trying to wake from one of her dreams; however, it seemed that this man was real.

"It's a pleasure, Miss Allen," Edward reacted as if he had just come out of a trance, then extended his hand to greet her. She, for her part, held it hesitantly and without taking her eyes off him. "I'm Edward Anderson, the new CEO," he added.

Nora simply nodded because she was in a daze, and her gaze was clumsy.

After a few long seconds, their hands separated, and he turned his attention back to his companions, who directed him toward the room where the meeting would be held. She, meanwhile, remained watching him until the boardroom door closed behind her colleagues.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Her friend's exclamation startled her from her stupor. "You're supposed to go in before them, not after, Nora."

"Oh... Sorry?" she asked, dazed, her voice weak and her gaze lost.

"Are you alright?" Lidia questioned with concern. "You're pale, and you look like you've seen a ghost."

"Maybe it wasn't a ghost, but... I think I saw an illusion... Or perhaps it was the personification of a fantasy," she replied in a whisper, with a terrified expression.

Her friend's laughter exploded close to her face.

"That hunk got to you, huh?!" She shook her head with playful gestures. "You need a man, and you need one now. You can't keep going on like this; just look at yourself, you're pale."

"That's not what impressed me. It's you and your dramatics," she complained, feigning offense, but her hands still trembled.

"Honey..., I think it's high time you started acting normal. The first step is forgetting those daydreams, or rather, not giving them any importance," her friend advised. "The more you cling to your fantasy world, the harder it'll be to navigate reality."

"Look at how you're acting just from seeing a good-looking guy. You know what I think? Your dreams are a desperate cry for help, brought on by your lack of living, since you spend all your time locked up at work and in your apartment, alone and with no action."

"You're missing out on the good things in life because, just like our delicious CEO, there are plenty of men out there; for example, Marcos; it's obvious he's drooling over you, but you spend your time dreaming of never-never land." She gave Nora's shoulder a gentle pat. "Now, scoot to the conference room before Stone comes looking to chew you out."

"Shoot, you're right!" she exclaimed, snapping back to reality.

If her friend knew she had just seen the man who starred in her dreams, would she still be giving her that advice, or would she think she'd finally lost it?

After running her fingers through her hair, Nora tried to slip in unnoticed, a feat that proved impossible as everyone was intently focused on the new CEO's speech when she crossed the threshold. She stole the attention fixed on their new boss.

For her, it was yet another mortifying moment in front of the prominent man. How she wished it were one of her dreams! Or, in this case, a nightmare.

Attentive gazes followed her until she took her seat, consequently forcing her new boss to clear his throat to recapture the room's attention. It was one of those days when Nora wished the earth would swallow her whole.

"Ms. Allen, it's your turn to present the editing reports." His words jolted her from her reverie, as she had been lost in contemplation of the man she believed existed only in her dreams.

Nora shot to her feet, startled and mortified, while everyone watched her, confused by her strange behavior. She had always projected the image of a woman with composure and self-control; however, at that moment, she seemed like a lost girl, about to present for the very first time in front of her colleagues.

"Uh- I-" She tried to open the folders, but with a cruel twist of fate, they tumbled to the floor. As a result of the accident, the papers she had painstakingly organized became a jumbled mess.

Nora tried to gather them and put them back in order, but her attempt was futile as her trembling hands betrayed her.

Her mind went blank, her eyes welled up with tears, and her voice cracked as she apologized for her clumsiness. Kneeling on the floor, she retrieved the sheets that crumpled at her touch, victims of her nerves and the burning shame that prevented her from acting or thinking straight.

Her former boss was red with fury.

He had always praised her ability and competence, but at that moment, everything she had achieved was slowly crumbling before his eyes.

Some of her colleagues covered their faces in vicarious embarrassment, while others, more malicious, snickered and murmured, amused by her lack of coordination. She was not a woman prone to tears; nevertheless, she felt like she could burst into sobs at any moment.

Suddenly, surprise flickered across her face as her new boss knelt in front of her and, with a friendly smile, began to help her gather and organize the papers back into the folders.

"I don't know the order, but at least they'll be safe," he said kindly. "When the meeting is over, I'll see you in my office. I'll give you an hour to organize them and regain your composure, as I need your reports to get a handle on how things work around here." He winked at her conspiratorially.

Disconcerted and slightly flustered, she nodded in agreement and thanked him with a timid whisper. Never in her life had she felt so embarrassed and touched at the same time.

While her longtime colleagues, people she had always helped, advised, and supported, mocked her mistake. A stranger, who was also the owner of the company and who should have been filled with doubts about the position she held, came to her rescue.

Nora stood up silently, unable to tear her gaze away from her savior. Edward, for his part, also made no secret of his impression, and his honey-colored eyes maintained their scrutiny of her while they were there, stirring a sea of thoughts and speculations in the minds of those present. It was obvious that this meeting would unleash the juiciest gossip and fabricated stories.

***

"Nora." Her former boss's voice startled her, as she had once again drifted into her thoughts. She thought she had locked her office, but apparently, she had forgotten. "What the hell was that?" he questioned angrily.

"I'm so sorry about today..." She looked at him, mortified. "I don't know what came over me; you know me-"

"It's because I know you that I'm asking!" he interrupted, his voice rising. "I didn't recognize you today, Nora. What the devil happened to you?! Do you want to get fired? Or are you trying to make me look bad? What have I ever done to you?!"

"Of course not! I would never do that. Lately, I've been out of sorts... I- I don't know," she sighed. "I'm not okay." Tears threatened to spill. "I promise I'll apologize to Mr. Anderson. Anyway, I have to see him in a few minutes to give him my report, so I'll take advantage of the moment."

"Of course you're going to apologize!" he said, shaking his head repeatedly. "At least he didn't seem upset-he totally played it down," he added, sounding more at ease now. "But... did you guys know each other from before? He couldn't take his eyes off you, and you were practically eating him alive with yours."

Nora shook her head, cheeks burning. At least her boss wasn't angry anymore, and that brought her a sense of peace.

"I've never seen him before..."

Only in my dreams, she thought.

"He just reminded me of someone, that's all."

"Alright," he sighed, "I'll let you get back to it. And please-be yourself again and show Mr. Anderson what you're made of." He smiled warmly before stepping out of the office.

Nora glanced at the clock. Only five minutes left before meeting her new boss, and nerves came crashing back over her like a wave.

"Not this time," she whispered to herself. "Pull it together, Nora. Just breathe." She let out one last breath, grabbed the documents, and headed toward the new CEO's office.

She took the elevator to the next floor and soon stood before the assistant's desk. The woman gave a quick call to inform him that Nora had arrived. With a polite smile, she told her she could go in, but Nora froze, standing motionless in front of the door, trying to steady her breath.

"You can open it," the young woman said gently, smiling as she noticed Nora hadn't moved a muscle.

Nora nodded and slowly turned the handle. As she stepped inside, she met those honey-colored, intense eyes-and once again, she trembled.

"Have a seat," Edward said, motioning to the chair across from his desk.

Nora sat down, shyly-something that didn't usually happen to her-and glanced around the office. She had been in this room countless times before, but never imagined she'd be sitting here with the man from her dreams. Especially not while awake.

She noticed a few changes already. The office Mr. Stone had occupied for so many years looked more modern now, though it hadn't lost its elegance or the touch of luxury that made it the finest office in the entire building. Mr. Stone had always had good taste, and clearly, his successor did too.

"I want to..." Her voice cracked as he fixed his eyes on her the moment she began to speak. She took a breath, gathered herself, and went on. "I want to apologize for what happened during the meeting today. That's not how I usually behave-I'm truly sorry about it."

"You had a rough day, no need to fret." He cut her off, his tone surprisingly lenient. "I'll let it slide this once, but I'm not usually this generous." His gaze, however, held a sharp edge. "I expect the people I work with to be competitive and have their wits about them, so I trust this unprofessional behavior won't be repeated. This isn't just about your inability to deliver your report smoothly, but also your tardiness, disrupting the meeting." She nodded, shamefaced. "Good." A small smile touched his lips. "Now that that's clear, shall we proceed?"

The next hour was an exercise in discomfort for Nora, as her new boss's eyes remained fixed on her, forcing her to focus intently on her surroundings to maintain her composure. Despite her unease, she delivered her report with the clarity and professionalism that were her hallmark.

"Well, very good, Ms. Allen. Now I see the person Mr. Stone spoke of with such pride," Edward complimented her. He smiled that flawless smile, the one that was wreaking havoc on Nora's insides, sending euphoric and intense tremors through her heart.

"Thank you," she replied, returning his smile. A subtle shiver ran through him as he watched her. It was the first time he had seen her truly smile, and he found himself captivated by the beauty of her lips.

"One question..." he began, addressing her directly while attempting to mask a hint of nervousness. "Have we met before?" A jolt went through her, and she almost laughed at the sheer irony. How could she possibly explain that she dreamed of him?

"I... don't think so," she answered hesitantly.

"My apologies." He smiled again, a touch more relaxed this time. "You just seemed familiar... If I'm being honest, I got the impression I gave you the same feeling, given that you couldn't seem to take your eyes off me..." She coughed, a nervous and embarrassed sound.

"I apologize for that." She closed her eyes briefly, mortified. "It wasn't my intention to make you uncomfortable. If I'm being truthful, you did seem familiar to me as well," she admitted, a blush creeping up her neck as she sought the probing honey gaze that scrutinized her without reservation.

Bad idea.

Their eyes locked, and it was as if they were caught in the curious depths, drawn together with the undeniable force of a magnet to iron.

What was this sensation? How could she feel a sense of longing for someone she had only just met?