CHAPTER 20: A STRATEGIC AFFAIR

Victoria sat perched on the edge of Alex’s lap, her heels long since kicked off, the soft hum of the city skyline filtering in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Her arms were loosely around his neck, his hand resting on her thigh —confident, unhurried, exactly where it wanted to be.

Their eyes met.

"You know," Alex murmured, brushing his thumb over her hip, "one day, I’m going to fuck you right on this desk... while you scream my name."

Victoria’s breath hitched... sharp, involuntary.

The image struck her with unforgiving clarity: her bare back against the cold surface, papers scattered like fallen leaves, his hands pinning her in place while she lost herself completely in him.

A flush spread across her chest, blooming fast to her cheeks. She looked away, then back again, her jaw tightening as if restraining herself was starting to hurt.

"Don’t tempt me," she whispered, voice low, ragged.

"But you’re already tempted."

She slid off his lap before he could say another word, smoothing her skirt and reclaiming her composed posture behind the desk. "We both have things to do," she said, her tone all business now. "Whatever reason you came in for today...consider it resolved."

Alex stood, lips quirking into a grin. "Yes, ma’am," he said playfully, before walking out with the same casual swagger that only made her want him more.

It had just been two weeks, but already, Alex had found his rhythm within Blackwood Industries.

He wasn’t officially on the payroll... yet... but he was a constant presence. His calendar was full of consultations, strategy sessions, and product evaluations. His brain, it turned out, was just as addictive as his smile.

David, who rarely had time for anyone outside the executive circle, found himself calling Alex just to "bounce ideas around." More than once, he remarked to Victoria, "That kid’s got a strange way of seeing things. Sharp. Refreshing."

Claudia, ever the social spark of the office, had taken to playfully teasing Alex. Her comments were never inappropriate, always just this side of harmless... but they lingered longer than they should have.

"You keep looking at the numbers like they’re going to bite you," she’d say with a smirk, tapping his shoulder. "If you ever need tutoring in spreadsheets... or anything else... I’m an excellent teacher."

Alex would only smile shyly and look away, scratching the back of his neck like he wasn’t used to attention. But that innocence was carefully curated... part of the same act that made him simultaneously endearing and disarming.

Margaret, too, had warmed to him. Reserved but observant, she appreciated how Alex never overstepped, always addressed her formally, and asked thoughtful questions. He respected the structure of the company, and that earned her respect in return.

By the time Friday rolled around, Alex was more than just Victoria’s "mentee." He was part of the landscape... present in every hallway conversation, every brainstorming session, and more than a few curious glances from staff wondering just how far this mentorship went.

And Victoria?

She watched it all from her office, arms folded, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

She had no doubt that everyone was underestimating him.

And that made him even more dangerous.

____

Just as Alex stepped out of Victoria’s office, the door closing softly behind him, he nearly collided with Margaret.

She was approaching with her usual grace, tablet in hand, eyes alert and for a split second, Alex’s heart jumped.

Had she seen anything? Heard anything?

But Margaret only raised an eyebrow, just slightly, pausing a few steps away.

"Cutting it close, aren’t you?" she said, her voice even.

Alex offered a quick, easy smile, masking the small panic he still felt. "Right on time, actually."

Her gaze lingered, not accusatory, but thoughtful. Then a faint smirk tugged at her lips, the kind that said she saw more than she let on.

"You’ve got a talent, you know," she said, glancing at him sideways. "Making everyone think you’re harmless... while slowly earning their favor."

Alex blinked, unsure if it was a compliment or a warning.

She didn’t wait for a reply. Just passed by him, her perfume trailing subtly behind.

"Clever," she added casually, almost to herself. "Or very, very lucky."

Alex chuckled under his breath, turning to walk the opposite way.

"Maybe a little of both," he murmured.

_____

Just after Alex’s departure, Margaret entered with her usual composed expression, a folder tucked neatly under her arm.

Victoria didn’t look up immediately. She adjusted the sleeve of her blouse, composed herself, then finally glanced up.

"Do you have the updated report?" she asked briskly.

Margaret nodded and placed the folder on the desk. "Compiled and indexed. Market trends, risk analysis, and updated financial projections included. Tom’s team incorporated Alex’s last revisions."

Victoria opened the file and scanned the top sheet. "Good. How’s it looking?"

Margaret hesitated only a beat. "Stronger than we anticipated. His assumptions are conservative, but the potential upside is significant, especially in underserved segments."

Victoria gave a small nod. "And your personal read?"

Margaret’s gaze held hers. "He’s sharp. Actually listens. Doesn’t just say what people want to hear. Driven. And... yeah, charming."

Victoria smiled faintly, but didn’t bite. "Let’s prepare for the next step."

"You want to take it to the committee?"

"I want to position it for the committee," Victoria corrected. She stood and moved to the window, arms crossed. "We’ll frame it as a mentorship discovery that evolved into a legitimate investment opportunity."

Margaret folded her hands in front of her. "Two to five million to start?"

"Depending on technical due diligence. But let’s lay the groundwork for more. If his vision holds, we’ll want long-term involvement."

Margaret nodded, then added, "Shall I schedule additional evaluation sessions? Possibly more site visits?"

"Yes. I want a clear trail, documents, agendas, feedback summaries. Everything clean. Professional. Make sure Sarah and Tom stay looped but on a need-to-know basis."

"And Alex?"

Victoria finally turned back from the window, her expression unreadable. "Treat him like any other member. Which means we give him scrutiny, deadlines, and deliverables."

Margaret’s lips twitched in what almost passed for a smile. "He won’t mind. He’s good under pressure."

Victoria sat back down. "So am I."

There was a brief silence. Then Margaret offered, "It’s a bold play. If this works, you don’t just mentor a rising star. You create one."

Victoria looked at her, eyes calm, sharp. "Exactly. And if we play it right, no one will question how often I meet with him... or why."

Margaret gave a crisp nod, then turned to leave.

Just before she opened the door, Victoria added, "Margaret?"

She paused.

"Keep your instincts sharp. If anyone starts asking the wrong kind of questions, I want to know before it becomes a problem."

"Understood."

And with that, the door closed behind her, leaving Victoria alone, one hand still resting on the folder, the other already reaching for her phone.