"Sarah."

"—There’s this really cute beta—"

"Sarah."

"—and he has the nicest smile, you know? Like, genuinely nice, not that corporate fake nice—"

"Sarah."

"—and last week he held the lift for me even though I was like twenty feet away—"

"SARAH!"

She blinked. "Yes?"

"I’m quite content focusing on my career," he said, plastering on his best fake smile. "Romance can wait."

"Hmm," she hummed, clearly unconvinced. "Well, if you ever change your mind, I know some very eligible alphas who would love to meet you. You’re young, you’re cute, you’re the personal secretary to the CEO—that’s quite the catch, you know!"

"I appreciate the thought." Neville stood, "But can we continue this... later? I need to use the bathroom."

Sarah’s expression changed. "Oh? Running away, are we?"

"I’m not running away from anything. I just need to use the bathroom."

"Uh-huh."

"My bladder won’t wait for an office romance."

"Fine, fine." Sarah crossed her arms, smirking. "But this conversation isn’t over, Hope! I will find you love whether you like it or not!"

Neville made his escape before Sarah could go on further on her matchmaking schemes.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

The hallway outside the secretarial department was quieter than inside. Most people were either in meetings or clustered in their departments, gossiping.

Neville took a deep breath, letting it cool his head. This dating chaos would pass eventually, and something new would capture everyone’s attention.

Until then, he just had to endure it.

He stopped mid-step.

A woman, beautiful in a way that commanded attention without demanding it, stood at the entrance to the Secretarial Department. She was looking around with a slightly lost expression.

She had a refined feature with high cheekbones and a defined jaw. She looked like she was in her mid-twenties, but she carried herself with the timeless, sophisticated elegance. She had silver-streaked black hair swept back in an elegant twist.

It revealed her slender neck adorned with a simple but undoubtedly expensive necklace. It glinted in a subtle way that was tasteful, but not ostentatious. She wore a fitted dress in deep burgundy that hugged her figure.

It wasn’t her appearance that stopped Neville, but her aura.

Her posture was perfect, with spine straight, shoulders back, and chin lifted at an angle that suggested she was accustomed to being the most important person in any room she entered. The kind of confidence that came from generations of power, bred into bone and muscle.

He had only seen that posture in the videos and news back on Earth. Someone who was always featured in documentaries, interviews with heads of state, European nobility, and the aristocratic elite.

[Host, it seems that the receptionists are on break,] Shelly said.

Neville blinked, coming back to himself.

Alia must’ve stepped out for a second without waiting for a replacement, which meant that someone who obviously looked like an important person was left clueless in this place without someone to assist her.

This is not good.

Neville saw the woman furrow her brows; her light brain glowed faintly as she checked something, then looked up again with mild frustration.

"Excuse me." He said, approaching her carefully, pasting on his most professional smile. "Can I help you?"

The woman turned her head to look at him, and Neville found himself under the scrutiny of sharp and piercing silver-grey eyes. They swept over him in a quick moment before softening her expression.

"Oh, thank goodness. I was starting to think I had entered the wrong building." She said with a smile, her voice was melodic and cultured in a way.

"My apologies for the inconvenience; it seems that the reception staff is running a bit late," he said, falling into his secretary mode. "By the way, I’m the personal secretary to the CEO, is there something I could do for you today? I’d be happy to help."

The woman’s eyebrows rose slightly. "Personal secretary to the CEO?"

"Yes, ma’am."

Her gaze swept again over him, not rudely, but assessingly. Neville fought the urge to straighten his already-straight collar.

"I see," she murmured. Then a smile curved her lips. "I’m Gloria."

The woman extended a hand, and Neville shook it, noting the firm but refined grip. "And you are?"

"Neville Hope, ma’am."

"Neville," she repeated, trying to make herself familiar with his name. "What a lovely name. It suits you."

Something about the name Gloria tugged at the edges of Neville’s memory. He was sure that he had heard it before.

But where? When?

The word remained stuck at the tip of his tongue, frustratingly.

"Are you perhaps looking for someone?" Neville asked, pushing the nagging feeling aside. "If you have an appointment, I can verify it in our system."

"I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t have an appointment." Gloria smiled at him. "I was hoping to catch someone by surprise."

Looking at Gloria, who was obviously a rich woman, she could only be either a major client, a business partner of a significant standing, or some influential figure from the social elite who had business with the upper echelons of Maxwell Corporation.

Which meant she was probably looking for...

"Are you perhaps here to see Mr. Maxwell?" Neville asked carefully.

Gloria’s eyes widened slightly, and a delighted laugh escaped her. "My! How did you know?"

Neville playfully put on a playful but slightly flirtatious smile. Charming but professional, with just enough warmth to put people at ease.

"It’s not hard to guess," he said, adding a playful wink for good measure. "A beautiful lady such as yourself could only be here for our CEO."

[Why is host flirting with a woman you just met? ¬‿¬] Shelly observed gleefully, making it sound like a scandalous behavior. [I thought you said you weren’t interested in romance anymore?]

’It’s called customer service,’ Neville shot back mentally.

[Really now? (◔_◔)]

Gloria laughed again, genuine amusement crinkling the corners of her eyes. "You’re quite the charmer, aren’t you, Mr. Hope? I can see why you’ve risen to the position of personal secretary."

"You can just call me Neville." Neville smiled as he left a few notes in the receptionist’s workstation.

"Is that alright? Then well then." Gloria said as she waited for Neville to finish.

"Shall I escort you to Mr. Maxwell’s office?" Neville gestured toward the corridor leading to the executive level. "Though I should warn you that you might have to wait a long time before he could entertain you properly. His schedule today is rather packed."

"That’s alright. I don’t mind waiting if necessary." Gloria fell into step beside him as they began walking. "Besides, this gives me a chance to see what all the fuss is about."

Neville glanced at her curiously. "Fuss?"

"I heard the most interesting rumors along the way." Gloria’s voice carried a teasing note. "Something about the employees here being absolutely consumed with romantic pursuits? One would think a starship corporation had turned into a matchmaking agency."

A groan threatened to escape Neville’s throat, but he suppressed it quickly.

This had been the running talk in the company; of course, Gloria would hear it everywhere. It was just a bit embarrassing to be quoted as a matchmaking agency.

"It’s... something of a situation," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "The news about certain colleagues being in a relationship has inspired a wave of... romantic enthusiasm throughout the company."

"Romantic... enthusiasm." Gloria’s lips twitched. "What a way to put it."

"I try to keep it professional."

"Mm." She studied him with those sharp eyes again, and Neville felt a little uncomfortable about it. "Though I must say, it’s not entirely unreasonable. People do reach an age where finding a partner becomes... important. It’s natural to think about such things, especially when surrounded by others doing the same."

Neville nodded noncommittally. "I guess that’s it."

"What about you, then?" Gloria asked, her tone light but curious. "Any romantic prospects? Or are you one of those devoted workers who put career above all else?"

This again? Why does everyone seem so determined to dig into his love life today?

"I prefer to keep my head down and do my job," Neville replied, employing his standard deflection.

"How admirable... and boring." Gloria hummed thoughtfully.

Neville nearly tripped. "I—ma’am?"

"Surely something must be in the works, right? You look young. How old are you? Nineteen? Twenty?"

"Twenty-one, actually."

"Twenty-one!" Gloria’s expression changed to something almost maternal. "And you already became a Personal Secretary? That’s amazing! I’ve heard that serving a CEO can be a bit demanding."

"I’ve only recently been promoted to this position," Neville admitted. "But I’m getting the hang of it."

"That’s good." Gloria nodded approvingly. "To achieve such a role at your age. You should be proud of yourself, Neville."

The sincere praise caught Neville off guard. He felt heat creeping up his cheeks despite his best efforts to remain calm. His hand moved unconsciously to scratch at the side of his face.

"Thank you," he managed, suddenly feeling like a child being complimented by a respected elder. "I... appreciate that."