Chapter 7: The Watcher

The Blackwood Signature Events office buzzed with its usual rhythm—heels clacking, phones ringing, the scent of too-strong coffee blending with too-expensive perfume. But for Lexi Thompson, today felt different.

She had barely slept the night before, her mind replaying her brief stairwell encounter with Mr. Blackwood. The way his eyes had lingered. The ghost of a smile. The quiet warning tucked beneath his calm words.

He remembered her.

And for reasons she couldn't explain, that terrified her more than it thrilled her.

"Did you see the memo about the design revisions?" Maya asked, tossing a mini Snickers onto Lexi's desk.

Lexi blinked, pulled out of her spiral. "What revisions?"

Camille, who sat one desk over, didn't even glance up. "The ones Ava sent an hour ago. Try to keep up."

Lexi forced a smile. "Thanks for the heads-up."

Maya narrowed her eyes at Camille, then turned back to Lexi. "We've got until 3 p.m. to mock up the new concepts. Want to divide the sections like before?"

Lexi nodded. "I'll take décor and logistics. You handle entertainment and guest flow?"

"Perfect."

Camille let out a tiny scoff. "We'll see if it's still perfect when Mr. Blackwood sees it."

Lexi ignored her. But the mention of his name sent her stomach into a slow somersault.

She turned back to her tablet, trying to focus—but she felt it.

That weight. That awareness.

Eyes.

Somewhere behind the tinted glass walls of the executive corridor, Ethan Blackwood was watching.

Unbeknownst to her, he was.

From the upper balcony office that overlooked the open floor, Ethan stood with a quiet presence. His tablet rested on the windowsill, untouched. Instead, his gaze followed her.

The planner.

Lexi Thompson.

She was focused now—pen in her mouth, fingers flying across her device. She looked nothing like the woman who had doused him in coffee weeks ago. And yet, he hadn't stopped thinking about that moment.

The way she had gasped. Flushed. Stammered. Then squared her shoulders as if daring the world to laugh at her.

She had no idea who he was at the time. That much was clear.

And even now, she carried herself like she had everything to prove. Not with arrogance, but hunger.

That kind of hunger was dangerous.

Or exactly what Blackwood Signature Events needed.

Ava knocked once before entering Ethan's office. "You asked me to keep an eye on the new recruits."

He didn't turn around. "And?"

"She's sharp," Ava replied. "Rough around the edges, but she's adapting fast. Maya's been a helpful bridge. Camille, less so."

"Of course."

"She's handling the gala pitch," Ava added. "If she lands it, she'll earn her seat."

Ethan finally turned. "Move her desk."

Ava raised a brow. "To where?"

"Somewhere with less noise. And less Camille."

Ava almost smiled. "You think she'll survive the shift?"

"I think she'll rise."

Ava nodded once and left. Ethan turned back to the glass.

He watched as Lexi leaned back in her chair, eyes narrowed, then scribbled something in the corner of her notepad. Determined. Undeterred.

Yes, she would rise.

And he was going to watch every second of it.

By noon, Lexi noticed a quiet change.

Ava walked out of her office and headed straight toward her desk.

"Ms. Thompson," she said. "You're being moved."

Lexi blinked. "Moved?"

"To the inner bullpen—closer to the design board and away from the common floor. Less distraction."

Maya gasped. "That's... an upgrade."

Camille looked up sharply. "She's being moved?"

Ava gave her a tight nod, then turned back to Lexi. "Pack your things. IT will redirect your station."

Lexi stood slowly, confused. "May I ask why?"

"No," Ava said. Then, with a pause, "Just take it as a vote of confidence."

Lexi packed her things in silence while Camille watched with narrowed eyes. Maya mouthed OMG, then slipped her a celebratory cookie.

---

The new desk was sleek. White marble surface. Better lighting. Closer to the center of the action. It even had a better view of the planning boards where Ava occasionally pinned urgent updates.

Lexi set her tablet down and exhaled.

Maya popped in with a mischievous grin. "You're in the grown-up zone now. No more snack drawer excuses."

Lexi smirked. "Good. Maybe I'll finally get work done without Camille's perfume suffocating my brain cells."

"She's already fuming. Told Ava it was favoritism."

Lexi's smile faded. "Is it?"

Maya shook her head. "No. It's earned."

For a moment, Lexi let herself believe it.

She didn't know what game was being played.

But someone had just moved her a little closer to the board.

And she intended to play it well.

That evening, after most of the floor had emptied, Lexi stayed late—fine-tuning her concept boards.

She worked with her headphones in, lost in a playlist of soft piano and ambient rain. Time blurred. Her shoulders ached, but the ideas flowed.

She didn't hear the door open.

Didn't notice the shift in the air.

Until a voice spoke.

"Still here?"

Lexi turned.

Ethan Blackwood.

Of course.

She stood quickly. "Mr. Blackwood."

He didn't speak at first. Just took in the sight of her standing alone, tablet in hand, sleeves rolled up. Determined as ever.

"You work late."

"I work until it's right."

He nodded once. Then looked at the board she had pinned behind her.

"Legacy Reimagined," he read aloud. "Bold."

Lexi swallowed. "It's just a concept. Still rough."

He stepped closer, eyes scanning the layout. "Not bad."

Her breath caught. "Thank you."

He looked at her. "Don't thank me yet. Deliver it right, and then we'll talk."

With a faint nod, he turned and walked away.

Lexi stood frozen.

The lights hummed. Her pulse roared.

Then her phone buzzed.

Unknown Number: You've got my attention, Ms. Thompson. Don't waste it.

Lexi stared.

Then slowly—smiled.

Game on.