Louis brushed off the minor annoyance of his secretary's blatant attempts to catch his attention. She'd been trying for weeks, upping the ante with low-cut blouses and suggestive smiles, but he didn't have the time or patience for her games.
He had no interest in playing office politics or indulging in workplace flings—especially not today.
"Tell Claire to come to my office," he said curtly, his tone leaving no room for misinterpretation.
The secretary's smile faltered slightly, but she nodded, her eyes lingering on him a moment too long before picking up the phone. Louis didn't bother to wait for a response; he turned on his heel and made his way into his office, the door closing with a quiet click behind him.
Inside, Louis set the box of chocolates on his desk, eyeing it thoughtfully. It was strange how something so small had shifted his mood.
He was still pissed about the disastrous meeting, still seething over Gabriel's arrogant intrusion, but the thought of Claire's reaction had taken the edge off his anger.
He sank into his chair, loosening his tie slightly as he leaned back, his mind drifting to Claire. She was a puzzle—smart, sharp-tongued, and fiercely independent.
But beneath all that bravado, he saw glimpses of vulnerability, little cracks in her armor that made him want to protect her, even when she drove him insane with her stubbornness. He didn't know when it started, this… whatever it was between them, but it was there, simmering under the surface.
The knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts. "Come in," he called, sitting up straighter as Claire stepped inside, looking as put-together as ever.
Her hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail, and her fitted dress clung to her curves in all the right ways, accentuating the confidence she carried so effortlessly.
She walked with purpose, her heels clicking against the polished floor, and Louis felt his irritation from earlier start to dissolve.
As soon as Claire stepped into Louis's office, she could sense he was tired and a bit worked up because of something. His veins were already visible.
His jacket was draped carelessly over the back of his chair, and he was already loosening his tie, looking like he'd just gone twelve rounds in the boardroom ring. She paused, her eyes softening as she took him in.
"How did the meeting go?" Claire asked gently, her voice laced with genuine concern. It was such a simple question, but it hit Louis harder than any business pitch or negotiation could. She always knew how to break through his walls without even trying.
Louis glanced up, meeting her gaze. For a moment, he hesitated, caught off guard by the warmth in her eyes.
"It was a mess," he admitted, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "David was clueless, and Gabriel's idea was, as expected, a waste of time. It felt like I was babysitting a bunch of overpaid toddlers."
Claire chuckled softly, moving closer and leaning against the desk. "Sounds like quite the circus. But hey, you survived."
He smirked, the tension in his shoulders easing ever so slightly. "Barely."
She noticed the box of chocolates almost immediately, her brows arching in question.
Claire's eyes flicked to the large, ornate box of chocolates sitting on his desk, catching her off guard. "What's this?" she asked, her eyebrows raising in surprise. "Are you stress-eating now?"
"Well," Louis replied, gesturing for her to sit. "Had a bit of a run-in today, and this ended up in my possession." He slid the box across the desk, watching as Claire's expression shifted from confusion to surprise.
"What's this?" she asked, picking up the box and examining it as though it were some sort of elaborate trap. "Bribery? Or are you just trying to fatten me up?"
Louis chuckled, a rare sound in the office. "Consider it a peace offering. Or maybe just my way of making sure you've got snacks for your next Netflix binge. I figured you'd find some use for them."
Claire looked up at him, her eyes softening ever so slightly. "You know, I don't need you buying me things, Louis. I'm fine on my own."
"I know that," Louis said, his voice sincere. "But sometimes, it's okay to let someone do something nice for you, even if it's just a box of chocolates."
Claire stared at him, caught off guard by the unexpected kindness. It was moments like these that reminded her Louis wasn't just the hard-nosed CEO everyone saw; there was more to him, hidden beneath the cold, businesslike exterior. A softer side he rarely let anyone see.
"Thanks," she said quietly, the tension between them easing into something more comfortable. "I appreciate it."
Louis nodded, feeling a strange warmth in his chest. For a moment, the pressures of the day, the arguments, and the frustrations seemed distant, replaced by the simple, quiet connection he shared with Claire. He watched as she stood, tucking the box under her arm, a small smile playing on her lips.
"If you're trying to win me over with chocolate, you're on the right track," she teased lightly, her eyes sparkling with a rare playfulness.
"I'll keep that in mind," Louis replied, his own smile mirroring hers. As Claire turned to leave, he couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, the chaos of the day had led to this—a moment of unexpected clarity, wrapped in a simple, sweet gesture that meant more than he'd ever admit.
****
Claire settled into her seat, a broad smile on her face as she held the box of chocolates on her lap. The chocolates were a gift from Louis, and even the memory of his unexpected gesture brightened her mood.
Stephanie, her colleague and close friend, spotted Claire's glowing expression from across the room. She sauntered over, curiosity piqued. "Wow, look at you," she said, giving Claire a playful nudge with her elbow. "You've got that look on your face. What's got you so worked up?"
Claire's cheeks flushed slightly as she tried to maintain her composure. "Oh, it's nothing. Just... a little gift from the boss."
Stephanie's eyes widened as they fell on the box of chocolates. Her mouth dropped open in surprise. "Oh my gosh! The boss gave you chocolates? That's huge! What did you do to get on his good side?"
Claire shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant but failing to mask her delight. "I didn't do anything special. He just had a rough day and thought this might cheer me up."
Stephanie leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Wait, so you're telling me the boss, Louis Martins himself, gave you chocolates? That's not just any old boss move. That's like, prime territory for romantic gestures. What's going on here?"
Claire laughed, her face turning a shade of pink. "Stephanie, it's really not that big of a deal. He was just being nice."
Stephanie's grin grew wider, clearly enjoying the moment. "Oh, come on. Admit it—there's something more here. You're practically glowing. I bet he's secretly plotting a grand romantic gesture, like a surprise dinner or something."
Claire shook her head, trying to suppress her smile. "No grand gestures. Just chocolates. But thank you for the added drama."
Stephanie's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Added drama? Oh, honey, this is just the beginning. What if he's planning to upgrade you to a corner office with a view? Or maybe he's got a bouquet of roses waiting for you in his office?"
Claire rolled her eyes but couldn't help chuckling at Stephanie's antics. "You're impossible. It's just chocolates. Let's not get carried away."
Stephanie leaned closer, lowering her voice even further. "Alright, alright. But you've got to be careful. Remember, Louis has that crazy ex-wife who practically clawed her way into the tabloids. You don't want to end up in a catfight with her, do you?"
Claire's laughter faded, replaced by a thoughtful look. "You're right. I'll keep that in mind. But for now, I'll just enjoy the chocolates."
Stephanie's teasing tone softened, her expression becoming more earnest. "Seriously, though, be careful. That ex-wife of his is no joke. She's got a reputation for being a real lunatic, and you don't want to end up as collateral damage."
Claire nodded, appreciating the advice. "Thanks, Stephanie. I'll be cautious. But let's not turn this into a melodrama. For now, I'm just happy with a box of chocolates."
As the two friends continued to chat, the office buzzed with a lighthearted energy. Stephanie's playful teasing added a touch of fun to Claire's day, and despite the warnings about Louis's ex-wife, Claire felt a sense of warmth and excitement.
Stephanie's smirk lingered as she watched Claire's smile grow. "Alright, alright, but if anything happens—if Louis shows up at your door with roses or you get a promotion—remember, I called it first."
Claire chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. "You're incorrigible. But I'll keep that in mind."
With a final wink, Stephanie sauntered back to her desk, leaving Claire to savor the simple joy of the moment.
As Claire looked down at the box of chocolates, she couldn't help but think that perhaps today's small gesture was a sign of something more. The warmth she felt wasn't just from the chocolates, but from the unexpected connection she was starting to build with Louis.
For now, she was content to enjoy the sweet treat and the buzz of office chatter. As the day went on, the playful exchange with Stephanie lingered in her mind, a reminder that even in the midst of workplace chaos, there were moments of genuine connection and lightheartedness.
And as for the future? Claire felt a flutter of anticipation, curious to see where this new, intriguing development might lead.