Nora’s POV

I woke up soaked in sweat, my hair sticking to the back of my neck and my heart pounding like it wanted to leap out of my chest.

Had I....seriously just had a sex dream about Henry?

What the hell?

I rubbed my eyes, still half-asleep, and groaned. But the images were there, clear as day. His hands, his mouth, his voice... Ugh!

I threw the blanket off like it was the reason for all my shame.

Why? Sure, he was attractive, tall, sharp jaw, annoyingly perfect eyes, but he was also a total stranger. A stranger who rescued me, yes, but still a stranger.

I ran a hand through my hair and groaned. It was wet. Soaked, actually.

“Freaking hormones!!.”

Was this another pregnancy thing? Because I was pretty sure my hormones were the only reason I’d just had that dream. Yes. Hormones. Nothing but hormones.

Before I could spiral any further, there was a knock at the door. I glanced at the bedside clock.

6:40.

Dragging myself out of bed, I shuffled to the door and opened it.

A plump middle-aged woman with a wide smile and kind brown eyes stood there. Her dark hair was tied in a neat bun, and two younger women stood behind her, each pushing large luggages.

“Bonjour, mademoiselle,” the woman greeted cheerfully, with the thickest French accent I had ever heard in real life. “Good morning to you, yes?”

“Uh… yeah. Good morning,” I replied, blinking at the sight of all the suitcases.

“I am Marie,” she said with a little curtsy. “Zees are your belongings. We bring zem, as Monsieur Henry instructed.” She gestured to the luggage behind her.

“Oh my God. Thank you so much,” I said, stepping aside to let them in. Relief flooded me. Finally, I had my things, no more sleeping in Henry’s oversized pajamas.

Marie walked in like she owned the place, directing the two girls were to put the luggages.

Then she turned to them and said. "Bring in zee extras."

I blinked. “Uh…Extras?”

"Oui! Clothes, shoes, jewelleries. All arranged by monsieur Henry. Très chic. Also... work wear,” she added, nodding as the younger staff rolled in a rack of neatly pressed designer office dresses and blazers.

I stood there like an idiot. “He got me work clothes?”

“And ze accessories offcourse,” Marie said, as the other two women opened black designer boxes filled with sparkling watches, earrings, necklaces, all clearly worth more than my current entire bank account.

My jaw nearly hit the carpet. “Wow. That’s… a lot.”

Marie smiled knowingly. “Monsieur Henry, ‘e says you must look like you belong in ‘is company. So. We make sure you shine, non?”

I couldn’t even argue with that. I just nodded.

“Breakfast is at seven sharp,” Marie said, already halfway out the door. “Monsieur does not like to be kept waiting. He leaves early. Be ready, oui?”

And with that, she was gone.

I stared at the room now filled with luxury items and sighed.

“Okay, hormones,” I muttered, rubbing my face. “You better behave.”

---

I pulled on a straight-cut black office dress. It was simple but elegant, hugging my figure in just the right way. I added a gold bracelet and a pair of small hoop earrings—not too flashy, but enough to look put-together.

After brushing out my hair and applying a quick coat of lip balm, I gave myself one last look in the mirror. Not bad. For a pregnant woman....who had a sex dream about her new boss, I looked surprisingly calm.

---

Downstairs, I found Henry already at the dining table, dressed in a sharp grey suit. He looked up as I entered and smiled warmly.

“Glad to see you accepted my offer,” he said, setting his fork down.

I smiled back, though a remnant of last night’s dream tried to sneak in. I shoved it away quickly.

“Well,” I said, taking a seat across from him, “you did buy me designer clothes and jewellery. How could I refuse?”

He chuckled, nodding. “Fair point.”

He studied me for a moment before speaking again. “You don’t have to start today, you know. If you’re not ready. Or if you’re not feeling well.” His eyes dropped subtly to my belly.

I followed his gaze, then frowned.

“I’m pregnant, not blind, handicapped, or stupid,” I said, a bit sharper than I meant to. “I can work. I promise.”

His expression softened instantly. “Of course you can,” he said quickly. “Sorry if I made you feel otherwise.”

I looked away, biting my lip.

Maybe I overreacted. Or maybe I didn't want to be treated less, just because I was pregnant.

I exhaled slowly and took the seat across from him, trying not to think about that stupid dream again.

“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “I guess I’m just…Anxious about working. The truth is, I’ve never had a job before. Not even a part-time one.”

I watched his face carefully, waiting for the disappointment, the judgment… the part where he’d realize I was a terrible choice.

But instead, Henry just smiled. A slow, calm kind of smile that made my chest feel warm.

“Well,” he said, reaching for his coffee again, “then we’ll call it a fresh start. You’ll learn. And I’ll help, if you need it.”

“You’re not going to take back the offer?”

“Why would I?” he asked, a little amused. “Everyone starts somewhere. And you’re smart, determined, and no offense incredibly stubborn. That’s usually a winning combo.”

I stared at him, unsure of what to say.

“Thank you,” I said finally, voice soft. “I won’t let you down.”

He nodded once, satisfied, and then pushed a small plate toward me. “Eat. You’ll need your energy. First day or not, Marie’s cooking is too good to ignore.”

I smiled, finally relaxing just a little as I picked up my fork.

----

After breakfast, we stepped outside and found a sleek black car waiting for us. Henry, ever the gentleman, opened the door for me before getting in himself.

As we pulled out into traffic, I found myself glancing at him more than once.

He greeted the driver, Luis, by name, asking how his daughter’s recital had gone last night. When Luis responded proudly, Henry actually laughed and said, “That’s amazing. You must’ve been so proud.” He even thanked him for the smooth ride.

I don’t know why it surprised me so much. Maybe because I hadn’t met many men like that. Powerful and Charming, sure. But genuinely kind? That was rarer than diamonds.

It threw me off.

We finally arrived in front of a towering skyscraper in the heart of the city. The letters Z-Innovations gleamed in silver across the glass entrance.

My eyes widened as I looked up.

“Wow,” I murmured.

“Home sweet home,” Henry said with a grin as he stepped out and offered me a hand.

Inside, it was even more breathtaking. Sleek, modern, filled with natural light, glass walls, and busy staff walking with purpose.

The moment Henry entered, it was as if the whole floor shifted.

A group of employees immediately broke off from their stations and approached him.

“Mr. Worth! Quick question about the Zurich merger—”

“Sir, we need confirmation on the product release date—”

“Do we proceed with the marketing budget adjustment or wait—”

“Did you get a chance to review the contract changes—?”

Henry raised a hand, calm and unbothered clearly used to it.

But before he could even answer, a commanding female voice echoed across the lobby.

“That’s enough, everyone. This is a corporation, not a classroom.”

The crowd dispersed instantly like children caught misbehaving, leaving only Henry and me standing there. I blinked, watching as a woman emerged from the now-parted sea of employees.

She looked like she belonged on a billboard. Short pencil skirt hugging her curves, her makeup flawless, blonde hair styled into effortless waves, heels clicking confidently against the floor.

“Good morning, Mr. Worth. Glad to see you’ve decided to grace us with your presence today,” she said smoothly, walking over and planting a kiss on both his cheeks.

“It’s good to see you too, Mandy,” Henry replied with an easy smile.

Mandy smiled, eyes glinting.

Henry turned toward me. “Oh... allow me to introduce someone. Nora, this is Mandy. She’s my PA and also our managing director. Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

I gave a small smile, suddenly aware of my very plain dress and minimal makeup.

“And Mandy,” he continued, “this is Nora. She’ll be your new assistant.”

Mandy’s perfect brow lifted just slightly as she gave me a look.

“Oh,” she said, her smile never reaching her eyes. “Well, isn’t that interesting.”

I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment… or a threat.