The relentless buzzing from Hadley Marshall's bag broke the peaceful rhythm of her walk home. Pulling out her phone, she answered distractedly while still moving, "Hello... Emir? I... I don't think I can come to work anymore... I just..."

Without realizing it, Hadley had stepped onto the crosswalk, completely unaware of the traffic light change.

"Watch out!" A firm grip yanked her back abruptly.

Startled, Hadley shrieked, her eyes wide as she watched a truck zoom past, barely slowing. The shock left her motionless, and her phone slipped from her hand, plunking directly into the gutter at her feet.

Coleson Reynolds steadied Hadley, who was leaning heavily against him. With a teasing smile, he quipped, "What, are my arms so comfy that you don’t want to stand up straight?"

The voice snapped Hadley back to reality. She faced Coleson's mocking grin, fury bubbling up as she quickly straightened herself, pushing him away. "Don't be so smug, and keep your distance."

Coleson shrugged, maintaining his casual air.

"Oh no, my phone!" Hadley crouched down, staring helplessly into the gutter.

Watching her, Coleson chuckled softly, "You won't spot it that way. It's probably gone by now."

Exasperated, Hadley glanced up to find the last person she wanted to see. "Meeting you is just bad luck. I bought that phone with last month's paycheck."

Coleson raised an eyebrow, incredulous, "You're being unreasonable. Without me, you'd have been flattened by that truck."

Hadley stood up, stomping her foot. She knew she was in the wrong but couldn't bring herself to admit it. Turning, she continued her walk home.

"Hey!" Coleson caught her arm, stopping her.

Hadley turned around, irritated. "What now? Looking for a 'thank you'?"

Coleson released her, maintaining eye contact. "A thank you wouldn't be out of place. And just so you know, your job is in that direction." He pointed toward the office building.

Hadley glanced at the building Coleson indicated, then checked her watch. "I'm already late anyway. Perfect excuse for you to fire me."

Coleson was taken aback for a moment, then smirked. "Is that why you were so out of it, afraid I’d fire you?"

Taking a deep breath to calm down, Hadley responded icily, "You’re holding a grudge because I embarrassed you at that restaurant the other day, and yesterday at the event you were clearly targeting me. Just fire me already. Why pretend?"

Coleson, surprised by her directness, laughed. She was something else. Despite everything, he couldn't help but admire her boldness. "Alright, I'll admit I did target you at the event. Let's call it even. At the company, as long as you don't do anything worthy of firing, it’s not my concern. Besides, I’m not interested in micromanaging."

Hadley was taken aback, cautiously asking, "So, we’re even? And you’re not firing me?"

"I’m not one to repeat myself," Coleson said, nodding at her company badge. "And since you're wearing that badge, remember to keep up with your work. Oh, and employee tardiness? I wonder how HR deals with that."

"I’m heading to work now." Hadley hurried past Coleson, making her way towards the entrance of the building. Pausing briefly, she turned back and flashed him a quick smile, "Thanks, by the way."

Watching Hadley disappear into the building, Coleson blinked, pulling a small, shining silver earring from his pocket. It was what drunken Hadley had slipped him the previous night. He looked at it quietly; Hadley was indeed striking, especially with that brief smile that brought a hint of spring. The thought amused him; it was unusual for him to linger on such reflections.

Arriving at the office, Hadley noticed her colleagues giving her sidelong glances. She understood it wasn't just because of her behavior at the event last night, but also because of Emir's injuries incurred while assisting her. Despite the whispers, Hadley ignored their looks, though the sight of Emir's bruised cheek made her feel deeply guilty.

Emir was in the break room making coffee when Hadley hurried over to take the cup from him. "Let me, Emir."

He simply smiled, "Thanks."

Hadley handed him the coffee, unable to meet his eyes. "You’re saying thank you to me? I should be the one hiding in shame."

Emir blew on his coffee and led her to a small table. "If it’s about last night, don’t worry about it. You didn’t hit me. Just a misunderstanding."

Hadley sat beside him, pulling out a lotion her mom had slipped into her bag. "This remedy works wonders. My mom used to apply it whenever I got hurt as a kid. Your bruise should heal quickly with it."

Emir looked at the lotion curiously. "Is it really that effective? This little bruise doesn’t bother me."

"Even minor injuries need attention to heal faster." Hadley insisted, squeezing some lotion onto her fingers. "I’ll apply it now, see for yourself. Lean in."

Before Emir could react, Hadley's delicate fingers were already gently applying the lotion to his cheek. The touch was cool and soothing, and he found himself quietly admiring her: clear bright eyes, porcelain skin, softly curling hair draped over her shoulders.

"Hey, hey, this is a workplace, what’s going on here?" Coleson's voice broke the peaceful moment as he strode in, hands in pockets, irritation in his tone.

Hadley withdrew her hand, ignoring him, and gave Emir the lotion with a smile. "Reapply it in a couple of hours, the swelling should be gone by tomorrow."

Emir nodded, rising to leave, with Hadley following.

"What, ignoring me?" Coleson exclaimed, surprised.

Hadley and Emir kept walking, not looking back.

"Hadley, stop!"

Only when Coleson called her by name did Hadley halt. She turned, "Were you talking to me? All that 'hey' earlier sounded like you were talking to yourself."

Emir stifled a laugh, continuing out of the break room.

"Hadley, are you trying to tick me off?" Coleson stared at her in disbelief.

"I wouldn’t dare, Mr. Reynolds. What do you need?"

"Why were you and Emir looking so cozy?" Realizing his question seemed inappropriate, he quickly added, "You do know that such behavior affects your professional image?"

Hadley found his words absurd. "He was hurt; I was just helping with the lotion. If you have nothing else to add, I need to get back to work."

"Wait, I'll go first." Coleson didn’t want to linger alone. As he moved to the door, he paused, "Oh, and bring me a coffee."

Once Coleson was out of sight, Hadley mimed kicking and punching him, whispering through gritted teeth, "Coffee’s right there. Can’t be bothered to get it yourself, huh? Think you're all that because you're the boss? Just a big kid."

Despite her reluctance, Hadley knew he was still the boss. She placed the coffee on Coleson's polished desk. "Here’s your coffee, Mr. Reynolds."

Without waiting for him to respond, she turned to leave.

"Hadley, hold on."

She spun back around, "What now?"

Coleson pulled a small silver hoop earring from his pocket, handing it to her with a smirk. "This is yours."

Seeing the earring brought back flashes of her drunken antics at the party. Embarrassed, she took it. "Thanks."

"You and Emir... what's going on there?"

"Uh?" Hadley was caught off guard by the question.

Coleson glanced out the window, mulling over why he’d asked such a direct question. He quickly covered up, "I just don't want to see anyone using personal relationships to act inappropriately at work."

Hadley simmered with annoyance. "You’re overthinking it. Emir and I are just colleagues."

Coleson’s lips curled into a satisfied smile, a hint of smugness washing over his features. He straightened and pulled a new phone from his drawer. After dialing a few numbers, he tossed it to her. "Here."

She caught it, surprised. "What for?"

"Your phone fell into the gutter, remember? Use this one."

With the new phone in her hands, Hadley asked, slightly confused, "You're paying for this?"

"Consider it that way. My number’s already in there, call me if you feel lonely." Coleson leaned forward, offering a charming smile. "Actually, Hadley, you’re quite pretty. You’re interested in me, huh? Last night was a ploy, right?"

Stunned by his arrogance, Hadley stared at him incredulously.

Coleson, oblivious to her disbelief, relaxed back into his chair, enjoying his own conclusion. "Ordinary beauties don’t catch my eye. So, you must have planned to stand out. Even our meeting at the restaurant was a setup, yes?"

With no response from Hadley, Coleson peered over his desk. She had quietly left the room.

Back at her desk, Hadley tried to shake off Coleson’s words, focusing on her work.

"Hey, Hadley, you sure are busy at work. Between work and charming the bosses, you must be exhausted."

Hadley looked up to see Gwen with an exasperated expression. "I am busy, so please don’t disturb me."

Gwen sneered, "As if I want to see you? Your phone kept ringing while you were off with the boss."

Gwen tossed a file onto Hadley’s desk. "A client from Seattle is flying in this afternoon to discuss designs with Emir. Here’s their itinerary, go pick them up."

Hadley skimmed the file, her tone softening slightly, "Got it."

Gwen left with a dismissive flip of her hair.

Before noon hit, Gwen, unusually polite, reminded Hadley about the importance of the client from Seattle, insisting she should be early.

The client’s flight was due at 2 PM. Not one to be easily bossed around, Hadley took her time before heading to the airport, arriving an hour early.

Sipping a drink, Hadley people-watched to pass the time. She hoped to run into Eloise but realized her new phone only had Coleson’s number. Seeing his name on her contact list, she chewed her straw in frustration, wondering why he seemed to be everywhere.

At 2 PM, Hadley stood at the arrival gate with her sign, but as each passenger disembarked, none were her client.

Perplexed, Hadley approached the information desk and was informed another flight from Seattle would arrive at 3:30 PM.

Reflecting on the situation, she realized the client must have missed their flight. Deciding to wait it out, she settled in for the hour.

Back in the office, the air conditioner hummed softly. Emir was engrossed in the monthly report on his screen, noting the clock ticking past 3:30 PM.

His phone rang, and after a brief conversation, he hurriedly donned his jacket and rushed out of the office.

"Where's Hadley? Has anyone seen Hadley?"

Emir Holmes was swiftly moving through the office when Eloise Cunningham mentioned, "Wasn't she supposed to pick someone up at the airport?"

Unfazed by the chaos around, Emir instructed the nearby assistant, Ding, "Ding, try to reach Hadley and ask her to get back to the office immediately. Eloise, grab the TY design plans and come with me to the Ritz-Carlton."

Eloise sensed the urgency and hurried after him, choosing to stay silent. Emir, with critical members of the design team in tow, exited the office in a hurry.

Meanwhile, Hadley anxiously scanned the crowds at Heathrow Airport, prominently holding a noticeable sign, yet no one approached her. The 3:30 PM flight's boarding gate had already closed.

Frustrated, Hadley glanced at her watch. It was past four o'clock, and the supposed client from Manchester was nowhere in sight. In anger, she tossed the sign into a trash bin and left the airport, heels clicking as she walked.

Back at the company, colleagues whispered among themselves. Some speculated that the new secretary might have decided to leave on her own. Just then, a visibly irritated Hadley entered the office.

Eloise, arms crossed and appearing formidable, approached Hadley first. "Hadley, do you think you're here to slack off every day? The company pays you to work, not to mess things up. Even the janitor does a better job than you!"

"Could you at least get your facts straight before blaming someone, Eloise?" Hadley retorted, her own frustration rising. She had never received a friendly greeting from Eloise, and now this unwarranted scolding was too much.

"You messed up and still have the nerve to shout? Do you realize the trouble you've caused the company by not picking up the Manchester client? Where's your sense of responsibility as the manager's secretary?"

"I lack responsibility?" Hadley shot back indignantly. "I waited at Heathrow from 1 PM to 4 PM, even for the second flight from Manchester. Yet, I never saw this so-called client. You tell me, how's that irresponsible?"

Eloise's voice turned icy, "The client arrived at Gatwick, not Heathrow. Who told you to be so 'clever' and go to the wrong airport? Did you even engage your brain at work today?"

Hadley was momentarily taken aback, her sharp gaze fixed on Eloise as the truth dawned on her. Reining in her anger, she walked to her desk and opened the file Eloise had given her. Indeed, the destination clearly stated 'Gatwick,' but Hadley knew the handwriting wasn’t the same for that particular entry.

Eloise seemed satisfied with Hadley's expression, "So, Secretary Marshall, do you have anything else to say?"

"I don't want to argue with you. I'm going to speak with Emir," Hadley said, realizing a verbal spat with Eloise was futile, and headed toward the manager's office. Eloise attempted to block her, "Emir is busy cleaning up your mess. You'd better not disturb him."

"Let go, Eloise!" Hadley demanded, breaking free from her grip, and stormed into the manager's office without knocking, slamming the door shut behind her.

Emir was on the phone, speaking quietly, "Yes, I'll address the project issues. We'll discuss the timeline with the relevant departments. Please, as a long-time client, don’t let this incident affect our relationship. We aim for a pleasant collaboration."

Hadley, surprisingly composed, faced Emir as he hung up and looked at her intently, waiting for her to speak.

"Emir, I want to know how much loss this failure to meet the Manchester client has caused the company."

Emir replied coolly, "Are you planning to resign over this?"

Taking a deep breath, Hadley stepped forward, "When I received the notice from Eloise, the document clearly stated that the pickup was at 'Heathrow.' I can't offer proof to back my story, but if it’s my mistake, I'll own it. However, if I’m not at fault, I won’t resign quietly."

"Are you finished?" Emir leaned back in his chair, hands interlaced. "Let me say this: I can’t take your word for it, but I won’t fire you either. The incident has occurred; I’ll handle it. If you wish to make amends, focus on doing your job well."

With Emir's firm stance, what more could Hadley say? She lowered her head slightly, "Yes, Manager."

"When colleagues tried calling you in the afternoon, why was your phone unreachable?"

Hadley answered honestly, "I lost my phone, got a new one, and forgot to update everyone about the number."

Emir extended his hand, "Let me have a look at your phone."

As Emir dialed his number from Hadley's phone, his previously amiable expression darkened upon seeing Coleson Reynolds' name listed prominently as the first contact. The simplicity of the name sparked a hint of annoyance in Emir.

"Here you go," Emir handed the phone back, dispelling further thoughts, "There's nothing else. It's about time; you can leave for the day."

"Yes," Hadley nodded, exhaled, and left the manager’s office.

Gathering her things, Hadley was making her way out of the building when a confident Eloise bumped shoulders with her, casting a disdainful glance before striding away in her heels as if she’d just handled something unpleasant.

Maintaining her composure and muttering to herself, Hadley said, "Don't stoop to her level. It's like being bitten by a dog; you don’t bite back."

Still seething, she walked briskly until her heel got caught in a storm drain.

"Ouch!" The snap of her heel sent her tumbling to the ground. With her patience exhausted, she yanked off the broken heel and cursed at it, "Stupid storm drain! Stupid shoe! Are you both just trying to make me miserable today? Think I'm easy to bully, do you? See how you like this!" And with that, she flung the shoe behind her in frustration.

"Ouch—" came a voice from behind.

Startled, Hadley spun around to see who she'd hit, her eyes widening in surprise.

Coleson was rubbing his head, the culprit—a high heel—lying at his feet. Bending down to pick it up, he approached Hadley, "Really, Hadley? Littering like this isn’t very eco-friendly," he teased.

Hadley snatched the shoe back, countering firmly, "Give it back. Who said it was trash?"

Hadley Marshall slipped on her shoes and immediately noticed that one heel was higher than the other, causing her to stumble sideways right into Coleson Reynolds' shoulder. Coleson remained calm and reached out to steady her.

Flustered by his touch, Hadley quickly regained her footing and pushed him away. "Can you just stay away from me? It's like bad luck follows you everywhere."

Coleson, confused, replied, "But I was the one who got hit earlier. Seems like I'm the unlucky one to have bumped into you."

"Then maybe keeping your distance would be wise," Hadley retorted, grabbing her bag from the ground and heading for the bus.

Coleson watched her hobble down the street, her broken heel making her walk awkwardly. Feeling a pang of sympathy, he quickly caught up with her, gently reaching for her hand.

"What are you doing?" Hadley asked, surprised.

"You look miserable trying to walk like that. I can't just stand by and watch, regardless of what anyone thinks," Coleson stated firmly.

Without waiting for her to argue, he led her to his car. Before she knew it, Hadley was settled into the passenger seat. As they drove, she kept a cautious eye on Coleson, remembering his penchant for speed. "You know, if you weren't breaking the speed limit, we'd get to the hospital a lot quicker," she mumbled.

As they sped down the highway, weaving through traffic, Hadley's heart pounded with anxiety.

"I don't need a hospital! Just drop me off at a nearby drugstore," she insisted, struggling with the overwhelming tension.

"It's too late to turn back now; the hospital is the nearest stop," Coleson replied.

With her head swirling and the wind buffeting her hair through the open window, Hadley felt nauseous. "Pull over! Now!" she cried, covering her mouth.

Sensing urgency, Coleson swiftly maneuvered to the side of the road. Hadley rushed out, bending over the barrier as nausea overtook her.

Coleson fetched some tissues from the car, feeling a pang of guilt. He hadn't considered that Hadley might not be well.

After she was finished, Hadley accepted the tissues, her voice filled with irritation. "I must be crazy to get into a car with you."

"It wasn't intentional," Coleson explained.

"Sure, that's what they all say," Hadley muttered.

Before he could respond further, a traffic officer approached, having seen the car pulled over illegally. He gave Coleson a stern look before starting to write a ticket. "You can't stop on the highway like this."

Coleson took the ticket with a smirk. "Think of this as a minor inconvenience. Now, let's get back in the car. I'll take you to the hospital."

Seeing Hadley shiver slightly, Coleson rolled his eyes and added, "I'll drive slower, I promise."

Once back in the car, Hadley's discomfort grew, her head heavy and her energy waning. Coleson slowed down, allowing Hadley to drift into sleep.

When Hadley woke, she felt a cool damp sensation on her hand, followed by a sharp sting that made her flinch. She opened her eyes to see a nurse inserting an IV into her arm. Her pupils widened with panic. "I don't want an injection!"

The nurse secured the IV with tape and smiled reassuringly, "It's already done. You'll feel much better after this."

Only then did Hadley realize she was lying in a hospital recliner. She glared at Coleson, who stood by with his arms crossed. "Coleson, I told you I only needed some medication."

Coleson was unperturbed. "Look at yourself. We're here, you might as well make use of it. Plus, the IV works quicker."

The nurse chimed in gently, "You've got more than just a fever; your blood sugar is low. You really need the IV."