The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped inside with a breath I hoped would calm my nerves.
It didn't.
Not when Vanessa was standing right beside Alexander like she owned the entire building.
Not when Alexander kept giving me that look — the one that said "Please don't kill anyone today."
I cleared my throat. "Sir, the partners are already waiting in the conference room."
Alexander nodded, his jaw tight. "Let's go."
He brushed past Vanessa, who dramatically placed a hand on her hip.
"Alex, seriously? You're just going to run off to a meeting?"
"We have work to do," he replied, voice clipped.
Vanessa rolled her eyes and followed anyway.
Great. Perfect. This was exactly what I needed — a clingy ex-something joining our most important meeting of the week.
Inside the conference room, the senior partners were already seated.
I set the folders down, connected the projector, and tried not to panic.
Everything had to go smoothly. Everything.
Then Vanessa sat beside Alexander.
In his chair.
Like she owned it.
"Um… that seat is for the CEO," I said politely.
"Oh, sweetie. Relax," she said, crossing her legs. "We're practically family."
I smiled.
The kind of smile that only appears before a murder.
Alexander looked like he was seconds away from losing his patience.
"Vanessa. Move."
She gasped. "Alex! Why are you being so—"
"Now."
Even the partners froze.
Slowly — dramatically — she stood up, smoothed her dress, and moved to the farthest chair.
The meeting finally began.
Alexander presented.
The partners asked tough questions.
I took notes and passed documents like my life depended on it.
But every time I glanced up, Vanessa was staring at me.
Hard.
Like I had personally stolen her boyfriend, her dog, and her last slice of cake.
When the meeting ended, the partners left satisfied.
Alexander let out a long breath. "Good work, Luna."
I nodded, gathering papers. "Thank you, sir."
Then Vanessa stood.
Her heels clicked against the floor as she walked toward me.
I prepared for drama.
She leaned in, her perfume chokingly sweet.
"Just so you know," she whispered, "Alex and I… we have history."
I raised a brow. "Good for you."
She smirked. "And history has a way of repeating itself."
I smiled back — sweet but sharp.
"So does moving on," I said calmly. "You should try it."
Her smile faltered.
Alexander stepped beside us. "Vanessa. We need to talk."
"Oh? Finally," she said, brightening.
He shook his head. "Not what you think."
He looked at me.
Then back at her.
"This won't happen again."
And for the first time, Vanessa looked… stunned.
Maybe even threatened.
I held back a smile.
This day was still a mess—but suddenly, it didn't feel quite as bad.