As she entered the building, her eyes widened. The lobby looked like something out of a movie-shiny floors, gold accents, and the smell of expensive cologne in the air. People in sharp suits walked past her, confident and important.
She adjusted her café apron, feeling completely out of place.
"Delivery for Mr. Carter," she said softly to the security guard.
"Top floor," he replied without looking up.
Ivy stepped into the elevator, trying to calm her nerves. As the elevator moved up, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were red from the cold, her hair messy, but her warm hazel eyes still gave her a little comfort. At least she didn't look completely hopeless.
The elevator stopped on the 52nd floor.
Ivy stepped out slowly. The office floor was quiet, fancy, and intimidating. A woman with straight blonde hair sat behind the front desk, typing without looking up.
"You're here for Mr. Blackwood?" the woman asked.
Ivy nodded.
"Go in. He's waiting."
He? Ivy's heart skipped a beat.
She thought she was delivering the coffee to an assistant, not Adrian Blackwood himself-the billionaire CEO.
She took a deep breath and pushed open the large glass door.
A tall man stood by the window with his back to her. His suit fit him perfectly, and the bright city lights behind him made him look like he belonged in another world.
"Put it on the desk," he said without turning around.
His voice was deep, calm, and powerful.
Ivy placed the tray carefully on the desk. Her hands were shaking a little, but she tried to act normal. She should have left right after, but something made her stay. Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe it was the strange pull she felt.
Then he turned.
Her breath caught in her throat.
He was handsome in a way that didn't seem real. Sharp jawline, blue eyes that looked like ice, dark hair combed back neatly-he looked like someone out of a magazine. Rich. Confident. Dangerous.
His eyes landed on her and stayed there.
"Ivy," he said, reading her name tag. "You're not our usual delivery person."
"I-I'm just helping out today," she said quickly. "It's my first time here."
He took a step closer. She felt his gaze move over her like a wave. It wasn't rude or creepy-just intense.
"You have coffee on your sleeve," he said.
She looked down and saw a drop of caramel had spilled on her arm. Embarrassed, she wiped it quickly.
"Sorry," she mumbled. "It's been a crazy morning."
"I don't drink coffee," he said.
"Oh... but this is a double caramel macchiato with-"
"I ordered it for someone else. They didn't show up." He paused. "You can have it."
She looked at him, surprised. "Me?"
"I don't like wasting things."
He handed her the cup. Their fingers touched for a second.
Ivy felt a strange spark in that simple touch. Her heart skipped again, and her cheeks grew warm.
"Thanks," she whispered.
He studied her for a moment, his face unreadable.
Then he said something that made her freeze.
"Tell your boss I only want you to deliver here from now on."
Her eyes widened. "Me?"
"You follow instructions well," he said simply.
And just like that, he turned back to the window.
Ivy stood still, unsure what had just happened. She finally stepped out of the office, the door clicking shut behind her.
Inside the elevator, she leaned against the wall, her heart pounding.
What was that?
Why did a billionaire just ask for her?
She was just a poor girl trying to survive in the city. She wasn't rich. She wasn't fancy. And she definitely wasn't used to men like Adrian Blackwood.
She had never even been kissed.
But he looked at her like she was someone important.
And now... he wanted to see her again.
Her world was about to change.
And so was his.