The Billionaire Secret Lover

Violet Kensington sat in the plush chair of the Westbrook Industries lobby, her fingers nervously tapping the armrest. The sleek glass building towered above her, a symbol of corporate power and success, and she couldn't believe she was about to step into it as an employee.

Her journey to this moment had been anything but easy. After years of juggling late nights and unpaid internships, she had finally earned her spot in one of the most prestigious companies in the world. She had worked tirelessly to reach this point, always pushing herself, always staying one step ahead. But now that she was here, in the very heart of Westbrook Industries, she felt a mix of excitement and anxiety.

"Miss Kensington?"

A voice broke her reverie, and Violet looked up to find a woman in a perfectly tailored suit standing before her. The woman's expression was professional, almost too perfect, and Violet couldn't help but feel a little out of place in her simple navy dress and modest heels.

"Yes, that's me," Violet said, standing up quickly.

"Mr. Westbrook is expecting you," the woman said, her tone impassive. She gestured for Violet to follow her.

Violet's heart skipped a beat. *Mr. Westbrook*. The name sent a shiver down her spine. Everyone knew who Liam Westbrook was-CEO, billionaire, the face of Westbrook Industries. He was as infamous for his icy demeanor and cutthroat business practices as he was for his attractiveness. Violet had seen his picture countless times, but she had never expected to meet him in person, let alone work under him.

She followed the woman down a corridor lined with pristine white walls and marble floors, the smell of fresh coffee and expensive leather filling the air. Her thoughts raced. What would it be like to work so closely with a man like Liam Westbrook? Would he be as cold in person as the rumors suggested? Was he really as arrogant as everyone said?

As they approached the door to his office, the woman gave her a small, tight-lipped smile. "Good luck, Miss Kensington. Mr. Westbrook doesn't tolerate incompetence."

Violet swallowed hard, trying to quell the nerves threatening to overwhelm her. She had come this far, and she wasn't about to back down now. She straightened her shoulders, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

His voice was low, authoritative. Violet felt her pulse quicken as she opened the door.

Liam Westbrook sat behind an enormous mahogany desk, his dark eyes fixed on the papers in front of him. He didn't even look up as she entered, but the air around him seemed to crackle with an intensity that sent a jolt of electricity through her.

She cleared her throat. "Mr. Westbrook? I'm Violet Kensington. I'm here to-"

He glanced up at her, and in that instant, Violet felt as though she'd been struck by a bolt of lightning. His gaze was piercing, as if he could see straight through her. His sharp jawline and tousled dark hair only added to his undeniable magnetism. His presence was commanding, yet somehow distant, as though he existed on a different plane of existence.

"Miss Kensington," he said, his voice smooth but laced with an edge of impatience. "I don't have time for pleasantries. Take a seat."

She nodded, swallowing hard. She could feel her palms sweating as she walked toward the chair opposite his desk. She sat down, trying to maintain her composure.

Liam leaned back in his chair, his eyes studying her with an almost unsettling intensity. "So, you're the new intern. I've heard a lot about you."

Violet tried to keep her voice steady. "I'm eager to learn and contribute however I can, Mr. Westbrook."

He raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? And why should I believe you? This company doesn't have room for people who can't keep up."

"I can keep up," she replied, her voice firm now. "I've spent years working for this opportunity. I won't waste it."

A flicker of something-interest, perhaps?-crossed Liam's face, but it was gone in an instant. He stood up, walking around the desk to stand in front of her. "I don't have time for underperformers, Violet. My expectations are high. If you're not up for it, there's the door."

Violet's stomach twisted, but she didn't flinch. "I'm not going anywhere."

He studied her for a moment longer, his gaze unwavering. Then, he nodded once, as if satisfied with her answer. "Good. You'll start tomorrow. I'll have my assistant show you around. You report to me directly. Don't disappoint me."

"I won't," she said, her voice steady, though her heart was racing in her chest.

With a curt nod, Liam turned and walked back to his desk. "You're dismissed."

Violet stood up quickly, feeling the weight of his eyes on her as she left the room. She could feel her knees trembling as she made her way back down the hallway. *He's everything they say he is,* she thought. *Ruthless. Demanding. Unyielding.* But there was something else, too. Something in his eyes that made her pulse race-a mystery she couldn't quite figure out.

As she stepped into the elevator, her mind was spinning. She had been warned that working for Liam Westbrook would be challenging, but she hadn't expected it to be this intense. But then again, she wasn't the type to back down from a challenge. She had worked too hard to let this opportunity slip through her fingers.

As the elevator doors closed, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much more complicated-and dangerous.

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Violet stepped out of the elevator, the smooth doors sliding shut behind her with a soft chime. She leaned against the wall for a moment, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. The pulse in her neck was rapid, and the adrenaline coursing through her made her feel alive-alive and terrified.

What have I gotten myself into?

The hallway was eerily quiet, but the polished floors and the ambient lighting made it feel as though she were stepping through a world of glass and steel-nothing solid, nothing real. She had made it. She was here. But the reality of it was far different from what she'd imagined. Liam Westbrook wasn't just intimidating; he was untouchable. His presence, his calculated words, everything about him screamed dominance. She hadn't expected her first meeting with him to be so... electrifying.

A sudden voice startled her.

"Miss Kensington?"

She turned to find a young woman standing in the hallway, dressed in a sharp black suit. She had the same cold, professional air that seemed to permeate the building. The woman offered her a smile that seemed rehearsed, almost too perfect.

"Hi. I'm Evelyn, Mr. Westbrook's assistant," she introduced herself, holding out a hand. "I'll be showing you to your desk and giving you a brief tour."

Violet shook her hand, nodding as she tried to compose herself. Evelyn's presence was a small comfort, and it gave her something to focus on other than the lingering tension in her chest.

"Thank you," Violet said softly, hoping her voice didn't betray her nerves.

Evelyn gave her a polite nod before leading her down the sleek corridor. The walls were adorned with modern art, the occasional abstract painting, and framed awards. Everything about Westbrook Industries screamed wealth and influence. It was impossible not to feel the weight of the legacy that had been built here.

They arrived at a glass-walled office on the far end of the hall. The door to Liam Westbrook's inner sanctum was wide open, and she could see the silhouette of him as he stood at his desk, on the phone. His back was to her, but his broad shoulders and commanding posture were unmistakable. For a brief moment, Violet hesitated.

Is it too soon? Should I just go back to my desk?

Before she could second-guess herself, Evelyn's voice broke her thoughts. "This is where you'll be sitting for now," she said, gesturing to a desk just outside Liam's office. "You'll be handling administrative tasks, scheduling, and a few other things as needed. Mr. Westbrook likes everything organized and efficient. No mistakes."

Violet nodded, swallowing hard. She couldn't seem to shake the feeling that everything in this building was scrutinized under a microscope. One misstep, and she'd be out. I can do this. I've worked for this my whole life.

Evelyn turned and left, and Violet was left alone at the desk. She sat down slowly, the chair firm and uncomfortable, like everything else here-a reminder that this wasn't a place for mistakes. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, and she forced herself to breathe.

*Focus. Just focus on your work.

But she couldn't help herself. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Liam. She remembered his eyes-dark, intense, as if he could see through all her pretenses and straight into her soul. That brief moment when their gazes met-it was like a spark igniting in her chest, and for a moment, she thought he might have felt it too.

Get a grip, Violet. She shook her head, trying to dismiss the thought. He's your boss. He doesn't have time for you.

The day dragged on slowly. Violet focused on the tasks Evelyn had given her, answering emails, organizing files, and preparing schedules. But no matter how hard she tried to concentrate, her mind would always return to Liam- his sharp features, his voice that carried authority with every word. She couldn't help but feel like he was always aware of her presence, even when he wasn't directly interacting with her. She caught glimpses of him through his office door: his silhouette framed by the large windows, a constant flurry of movement as he paced between the two spaces. He commanded the room, and the room bent to his will.

As the clock ticked toward 5:00 p.m., Violet's mind began to wander. She was almost relieved that the day was nearing its end, but she also couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest. She had survived the first day, but what came next?

A sudden knock on the door broke her concentration.

"Miss Kensington?"

Violet looked up to find Liam's voice again-this time in the doorway. She felt her breath catch in her throat as she quickly stood up, her heart racing. He was standing in the threshold, his presence commanding the space between them.

"Mr. Westbrook," she stammered, unsure of how to behave now that he was right there in front of her. She quickly composed herself, straightening her posture. "How can I help you?"

His gaze locked onto her, sharp and unyielding. His expression was unreadable, but there was something about the way he looked at her that made her stomach flutter.

"I need you to take care of a few things for me before you leave," Liam said, his voice low, clipped. He didn't wait for a response before stepping into the room, his stride purposeful.

Violet was caught off guard. *He's actually asking for my help?*

"Of course," she replied quickly, moving toward her desk. "What do you need?"

He walked past her to the small stack of papers on her desk, his hand brushing against hers as he reached for them. The brief touch was electrifying, and Violet's breath hitched, though she didn't dare show her reaction.

"I need these reports organized," he said, his tone indifferent, though his eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary. "Send them to me by the end of the day. I trust you can handle that?"

Violet nodded, trying to steady her heartbeat. "Yes, Mr. Westbrook."

Liam's gaze swept over her once more, his dark eyes unreadable. Without another word, he turned and walked back toward his office. As he stepped into the doorway, he paused for a fraction of a second, glancing back over his shoulder.

"Good work today," he said, his voice low. It was the first time he had spoken to her without the cold edge of authority, and it sent a shiver through Violet.

Then, just as quickly as he'd arrived, he was gone, leaving her standing there, staring at the empty doorway. Her heart pounded in her chest, her pulse thrumming with a mix of nerves and something else- something dangerous. Something she couldn't afford to ignore.

This is only the beginning, Violet thought as she turned back to her desk. And I'm in way over my head.

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