The Magnate's Reluctant Obsession

Emma’s POV

The elevator doors slide open with a soft chime. My heart thuds against my ribs as I step out onto the top floor of Cole Industries. The air here is different—cooler, quieter. Almost like it’s warning me not to breathe too loud. The carpet muffles my footsteps as I walk toward the receptionist sitting behind a sleek white desk.

Her nameplate reads "Marissa." She glances up, her eyes as sharp as the pencil she’s twirling between her fingers. “You’re Emma Carter?” she asks, her tone clipped but not exactly rude.

“Yes.” My voice comes out steadier than I expect. “I’m here for my first day.”

Marissa gives a tight nod. “He’s expecting you.”

He. Alexander Cole. The Ice King himself.

I swallow the lump rising in my throat as Marissa picks up her phone and presses a button.

“She’s here,” she says simply, then hangs up. “You can go in.”

I smooth my skirt and wipe my palms on my sides as I approach the double doors. The frosted glass makes it impossible to see through, which somehow makes it worse. For a moment, I hesitate, my hand hovering over the handle. Then I force myself to breathe and push the door open.

The office is massive. Glass windows stretch from floor to ceiling behind a huge desk, offering a view of the entire city. The walls are painted in shades of grey, matching the man who sits behind the desk, his back to me.

“Miss Carter.” His voice is low, smooth, and hard as steel.

I step forward. “Mr. Cole.”

He turns his chair slowly, and when his grey eyes meet mine, I feel like I’ve stepped into a snowstorm. Cold, sharp, and dangerous. He studies me for an uncomfortably long time, as if he’s trying to peel away my skin and look at what’s underneath.

“You’re on time,” he says finally.

“I’m always on time,” I answer, hoping he doesn’t notice how fast my pulse is racing.

“Good,” he replies. “Sit.”

There’s a chair across from him, but it’s low and makes me feel smaller than I already do. Still, I sit, keeping my back straight. I’ve dealt with worse men than Alexander Cole. I remind myself of that, even as my hands clench tightly in my lap.

“I don’t tolerate mistakes,” he begins, his tone flat. “You will manage my schedule, handle my communication, and make decisions in my absence. You will be expected to travel with me.”

“Travel?” I echo, surprised.

“Problem?” His gaze sharpens, cutting straight through me.

“No,” I answer quickly. “No problem.”

He nods, as if he expected no less. “I don’t care about your personal life, Miss Carter. While you work for me, you belong to me.”

I stiffen at his words. “I’m here to do a job, Mr. Cole.”

“Exactly,” he replies smoothly. “And I expect you to do it well.”

There’s a beat of silence before he presses a button on his desk. “Marissa. Bring the files.”

A moment later, Marissa comes in, her expression unreadable, holding a stack of folders. She sets them on the desk between us and leaves without a word.

“These are my priorities for the week,” he says. “Familiarize yourself.”

I open the first folder, scanning the contents quickly. Mergers, client meetings, board decisions. Heavy stuff. Things most assistants wouldn’t be trusted with.

“Why me?” I ask before I can stop myself.

His lips curl in something that might be called a smile if it weren’t so cold. “Because you don’t flinch.”

I stare at him, confused.

He leans back in his chair, watching me. “You looked me in the eye. You’re not impressed by the view or the name. You’re not afraid. I need someone like that.”

I don’t know whether to feel flattered or trapped.

“Any questions?” he asks.

“Just one,” I say. “Do I get lunch breaks?”

For a split second, something flickers in his eyes. Amusement? Surprise? Then it’s gone. “You’ll eat when I eat,” he replies.

I fight the urge to roll my eyes and close the folder. “Understood.”

By noon, I’ve gone through three folders, answered ten emails on his behalf, and scheduled four meetings. My head is spinning, but I don’t let it show. I’m sitting at the smaller desk just outside his office when my phone buzzes. Liam.

I glance toward the door to make sure it’s closed before I answer. “Liam? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he says too quickly. “Just checking in.”

“Liam…”

“I’m fine, Em. Really.”

I rub my forehead. “You’re not fine. Are you at school?”

“I’m on my way,” he mumbles.

I close my eyes briefly. “Stay out of trouble, okay?”

“I will. Promise.” He hangs up before I can say more.

I sigh. Liam’s promises are as shaky as my bank account these days.

The door swings open suddenly, and I nearly drop my phone. Alexander stands there, watching me.

“Problem?” he asks.

“No,” I say quickly, putting my phone away. “Family.”

“Family has a habit of getting in the way,” he says quietly, then turns back into his office. I’m not sure if it’s a warning or an observation.

At 5 p.m., I think the day is over. I’m wrong.

“We have a dinner meeting,” Alexander says as he walks past me. “You’re coming.”

“I… I wasn’t told—”

“You are now.”

I scramble to grab my things and follow him to the elevator. His stride is long and sure, forcing me to hurry to keep up. When we reach the lobby, a black car is waiting. The driver opens the door, and Alexander slides in without a glance back.

I take a deep breath and follow.

The restaurant is one of those places with no sign, where the waitlist is a mile long unless you own the building. Inside, it’s all low lighting and hushed conversations. Alexander leads the way to a private room in the back.

A man is already waiting there. Late forties, slicked-back hair, expensive suit. He stands when we enter.

“Cole,” he says, offering his hand.

“Mr. Donovan,” Alexander replies, shaking it briefly. “This is Emma Carter.”

Donovan’s eyes skim over me too slowly, and I suppress a shiver.

“She’s new,” Alexander says simply, taking a seat. “And not for sale.”

Donovan chuckles as if it’s a joke, but his eyes stay on me a little too long.

Dinner is tense. They talk about investments, partnerships, and something about offshore accounts. I take notes quietly, trying not to draw attention. But I can feel Donovan’s gaze on me, and it makes my skin crawl.

Halfway through, Alexander’s hand brushes mine as he takes a glass of water. His fingers linger for half a second, and I nearly forget to breathe. He doesn’t look at me, but I know he noticed my reaction.

After dinner, we head back to the car in silence. I stare out the window, trying to make sense of everything. This job is already more than I bargained for.

“You did well tonight,” Alexander says suddenly.

“I didn’t do anything,” I reply.

“You listened. You didn’t flinch.”

That word again.

“What happens if I do?” I ask.

He turns his head toward me. In the dim light of the car, his grey eyes are even colder. “You won’t.”

It’s not a compliment. It’s a command.

By the time I get home, it’s nearly ten. Our apartment is small and old, but it’s home. Liam is asleep on the couch, his books spread out on the coffee table. I pull a blanket over him and sit down at the kitchen table, staring at the stack of bills in front of me.

This job pays more than any I’ve ever had. Enough to keep Liam in school. Enough to maybe start breathing again.

But there’s something about Alexander Cole that makes me feel like I’ve just stepped off a cliff and I don’t know how far I have to fall.

I reach for my phone and find a message from an unknown number.

You forgot your notebook.

I stare at the text, my pulse jumping.

Then another message.

Don’t worry. I have it.

I glance at my bag. My notebook isn’t there.

The phone buzzes again.

You should be more careful, Miss Carter.

I sit back in my chair, my breath coming faster.

The Ice King isn’t just watching me at work. He’s watching me everywhere.

And I’m not sure if I should run—or if it’s already too late.