Episode 3: The Secrets Behind Closed Doors
Jasmine had barely finished organizing the reports for Callum when her phone buzzed again. She hesitated, glancing over at his office. He was on a call, his back turned, and she quickly checked her phone.
"Be careful, Miss Hart. There's more to Callum Reed than you think."
The message sent a shiver down her spine. Who was sending these warnings, and why? She couldn't help but feel the weight of the cryptic words. Was someone trying to protect her from him? Or was this some kind of game she didn't understand?
She shoved her phone back into her bag, trying to push the thoughts aside. Today wasn't the time to let her emotions get in the way. Not when Callum Reed was counting on her.
Her focus returned to the task at hand. She quickly compiled the documents for the Henderson project, her fingers flying across the keyboard. As she worked, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her. A glance up confirmed her suspicion—Callum stood in the doorway, observing her.
"Miss Hart, I need those reports by noon," he said, his voice crisp and commanding.
She looked up, meeting his intense gaze. "I'm almost finished. It won't be long."
"Good," he replied curtly. "I expect nothing less."
There was a brief silence between them, and for the first time, Jasmine noticed the exhaustion behind his steely eyes. The way his jaw clenched. Callum Reed was a man who carried a heavy burden, though he never let it show. She wasn't sure why, but a part of her felt drawn to him, despite the cold, distant aura he projected.
As she finished the final touches on the reports, Callum's phone rang. He picked it up without hesitation, his expression turning hard as he listened to the voice on the other end.
Jasmine couldn't help but overhear snippets of the conversation. Callum's voice was low and controlled, but the words were sharp, each one cutting through the tension in the room.
"I told you I want it done by the end of the day," he said, his tone colder than ice. "If you don't deliver, there will be consequences. I don't care what it takes."
Jasmine shifted in her chair, feeling uncomfortable. She had never seen this side of him before. Callum wasn't just a CEO—he was a man who played by his own rules, a man who wasn't afraid to wield power.
The conversation ended abruptly, and Callum turned back to her. His eyes softened just slightly, but there was still a distant, unreadable quality to him.
"Good work, Miss Hart," he said, and for a brief moment, she almost believed he meant it. "You can leave for the day. I'll need you back here tomorrow morning at 8:00 sharp."
Jasmine nodded, standing up to gather her things. She was still processing what she'd overheard—the raw, commanding authority he'd displayed on the phone. It wasn't just his position at the top that made people listen to him—it was his presence.
As she stepped out of his office, her phone buzzed again.
"You don't know who you're dealing with. Callum Reed is dangerous."
She glanced around the empty hallway, her heart hammering in her chest. The warnings were coming faster now, each one more urgent than the last. Was someone trying to sabotage her? Or was she just being paranoid?
Her thoughts were interrupted when she reached the elevator. She pressed the button to go down to the parking garage, but as the doors slid open, she froze.
Callum was standing there, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed. His intense gaze locked onto hers, and for a moment, neither of them moved.
"Miss Hart," he said in his low, commanding voice. "You're leaving early."
"I… I finished the reports," she said, struggling to maintain her composure. "I thought I could head out."
Callum stepped into the elevator with her, the doors closing behind him. "You're not going anywhere," he said, his tone shifting slightly. "I need to talk to you."
Jasmine swallowed, the words hanging heavily in the air. Was this about her performance? Had she done something wrong? Or was it something else?
The elevator hummed as it descended, but Jasmine couldn't focus on the movement. All she could think about was the way Callum's presence seemed to fill every inch of space around her. It wasn't just his physical proximity—it was the power, the aura of danger he exuded without even trying.
When the elevator reached the bottom floor, Callum led her out into the quiet hallway that led to the underground parking garage. He didn't say a word, but Jasmine could feel the tension in the air, thick and palpable.
They reached his sleek black car, and he opened the passenger door for her. "Get in."
Jasmine hesitated. "Where are we going?"
"You'll find out soon enough," he said, his voice low and commanding.
Without another word, Jasmine slid into the car, the door clicking shut behind her. As Callum drove, the city lights blurred outside, and she couldn't help but wonder—what was this man hiding? And what had she gotten herself into?
Just as they pulled into a secluded area, her phone buzzed once more. She fumbled for it, her breath catching in her throat as she read the new message.
"Don't go with him. He's dangerous. You won't come back the same."
Her grip tightened around the phone as she looked up at Callum, who had already stepped out and was waiting for her. The way he stood, perfectly still under the glow of the streetlight, made her heart race.
And yet, somehow, her hand reached for the door handle anyway.