Chapter Eight

A New Face in the Office

The office hummed with its usual morning energy—phones ringing, printers whirring, and the rhythmic tapping of fingers against keyboards. Amara stepped inside, inhaling the scent of fresh coffee and paper. It was a new day, and she was determined to keep her focus on work.

She walked to her desk, placing her bag down with a quiet sigh. Ignoring the lingering stares from a few colleagues—likely still gossiping about whatever rumors were circulating—she logged into her computer. The list of tasks for the day appeared on her screen, and she allowed herself to get lost in them.

At least, until she heard a voice she didn't recognize.

A New Presence

Amara glanced up, her eyes landing on a man standing near the break room.

He was tall—at least six feet—with a lean, athletic build. His crisp white dress shirt was neatly tucked into tailored navy slacks, and the sleeves were rolled up just enough to reveal his toned forearms. His hair was dark and effortlessly styled, giving him a polished but slightly relaxed look. A sharp jawline, smooth skin, and a confident, easy smile only added to his striking presence.

He wasn't just attractive—he exuded a kind of effortless charm that drew people in.

Amara wasn't the only one who noticed. Several women in the office had subtly turned their attention toward him, whispering in hushed tones.

"Who's that?" someone murmured nearby.

"I heard he's from the finance department," another answered. "Transferred from the New York branch."

As if sensing the attention, the man turned slightly, his deep brown eyes scanning the room. When his gaze landed on Amara, she froze.

For a brief moment, something flickered in his eyes—curiosity, maybe recognition? But just as quickly as it happened, he gave her a small, polite smile before turning back to his conversation.

Amara quickly dropped her gaze, pretending to type something on her keyboard. The last thing she needed was to get caught staring.

"Ah, Amara!" a familiar voice called.

She turned to see Ms. Caldwell, one of the senior managers, approaching with the same no-nonsense energy she always carried.

"Good morning, Ms. Caldwell," Amara greeted.

"Morning," Ms. Caldwell said, glancing toward the break room. "I see you've noticed our new financial analyst."

So, she was right. A new hire.

"Yes," Amara admitted. "Who is he?"

"His name is Daniel Carter," Ms. Caldwell supplied. "Came highly recommended. He's got a sharp mind and a good track record, so I expect him to fit in well here."

Daniel Carter.

Amara stole another quick glance in his direction. He looked at ease, even in a new environment. There was something about the way he carried himself—confident but not arrogant, approachable but self-assured.

"Since you're in administration, you'll probably be coordinating some things with him soon," Ms. Caldwell added. "Just a heads-up."

Amara nodded. "Understood."

Ms. Caldwell gave her a curt nod before walking away, leaving Amara to process the new information.

She hadn't expected to meet anyone new today, and certainly not someone who instantly drew attention the way Daniel did. But it didn't matter. She had already decided—no distractions, no unnecessary thoughts.

And yet, as she returned to her work, she couldn't shake the feeling that she would be seeing a lot more of Daniel Carter.

An Unexpected Introduction

Hours later, Amara was deep in her work, typing up reports and organizing schedules. She had managed to keep her focus sharp, even with the occasional murmurs about Daniel Carter floating around.

That was, until someone cleared their throat nearby.

She looked up—and there he was.

Daniel Carter stood at her desk, his easy smile still present but now directed at her. Up close, he was even more striking, his presence undeniably commanding yet not overbearing.

"Amara, right?" His voice was smooth, the kind that held confidence without trying too hard.

She straightened slightly. "Yes. And you're Daniel Carter."

His smile widened. "Guilty as charged." He shifted slightly, leaning against her desk in a way that seemed relaxed but professional. "Ms. Caldwell mentioned that you're in administration. Looks like we'll be working together on a few projects."

Amara nodded, keeping her expression neutral. "That's right. I handle scheduling, reports, and a few interdepartmental tasks."

"Good to know." He studied her for a second, as if taking in more than just her words. "I'm still getting my bearings around here, so if I ever get lost in all the paperwork, I might need your help."

Despite herself, Amara let out a small chuckle. "The finance department is a maze. I'll try to keep you from drowning in numbers."

"Appreciate it." His eyes lingered on her a moment longer before he stepped back. "It was nice meeting you, Amara."

"You too, Daniel."

With a final nod, he walked away, leaving Amara to stare at her screen—except now, she wasn't typing.

For the first time in weeks, she had a conversation with a man that didn't leave her feeling exposed or vulnerable.

It was refreshing.

And maybe, just maybe, Daniel Carter's arrival in the office would make things a little more interesting.