CHAPTER 008: LEXI

Lexi, what the hell!” Sophia says for the thousandth time, pacing in front of me. “You actually got married to a stranger? What were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t thinking!” I shoot back, rifling through my closet, desperately trying to find a blouse that isn’t too wrinkled. “It all just happened so fast. I swear I didn’t know what I was doing. One minute, I was dancing, and the next, I woke up with a ring on my finger.”

Sophia walks into the bedroom, arms crossed. “You’ve barely recovered from what Ethan did to you, and now you’ve gone and married some random guy from a club?”

I pause, exhaling as I yank a blouse off the hanger. “I didn’t plan any of this, Soph. It’s all just... a blur. The minute I started drinking, I got this wild confidence I never have.”

Sophia frowns, biting her lip. “Wait… Lex, how much did you drink?”

“Just a couple of drinks. Why?”

A guilty look flashes across her face. “Oh my God... I think I know what happened.”

“What?” I demand, my stomach twisting. “What do you mean you know what happened?”

She hesitates, glancing away before blurting it out. “I think Rachel might’ve spiked your drink.”

My eyes widen in horror. “Spiked it? With what?”

“Molly,” she admits, refusing to meet my gaze. “Rachel said it was just a tiny bit, just to loosen you up and make sure you had fun. None of us thought it would make you run off and marry someone!”

I freeze. “You drugged me?”

“I’m so sorry, Lex,” she pleads, reaching out to touch my arm, but I jerk away, my skin burning with anger.

“We just wanted you to have a good time! I didn’t know this would happen. I didn’t—”

“You drugged me! How is that okay? Do you even understand what you’ve done? You don’t just drug someone without telling them!”

Sophia falls silent, guilt and shame written all over her face. My hands tremble as I clutch the blouse in my fist. I can’t believe this. My own friends crossed a line I never thought they would. I feel betrayed, furious—trapped in a situation I never asked for.

“I can’t even look at you right now,” I say, yanking the blouse over my head and slipping into my heels. “I’ve got to go. I don’t have time for this.”

“Lexi, wait—”

I don’t stop. I storm out of the bedroom, grabbing my bag and coat, heading straight for the door.

At the last second, I turn around and meet her eyes one final time. “If you cared about me at all, you wouldn’t have done something so stupid. I can’t deal with you right now.”

With that, I flip her off and slam the door behind me.

I walk into Urban Oasis, my new workplace. One of the most prestigious real estate firms in North America. Even now, it still feels surreal that I landed a position here—as the CEO’s personal assistant. It’s not exactly a role I’m qualified for, but I’m not about to question my good fortune.

“Hi,” I say to the receptionist. “Can you tell me where Mr. Styles’ office is?”

The woman behind the desk, with bright red lipstick and a no-nonsense expression, looks me over. “Do you have an appointment?”

“I’m his new PA.”

Her eyebrow arches slightly. “Oh,” she says, surprised. “One moment.”

I try not to read too much into the hesitation, but something about her reaction unsettles me. Shifting on my feet, I smooth down the front of my tailored suit.

After a brief phone call, she smiles, though there’s something almost... pitying in her expression. “Head to the 35th floor. And... good luck. You’ll need it.”

My stomach twists. What the hell does that mean?

I shake it off and step into the elevator. I’m not going to let anything throw me off today.

When the doors open on the 35th floor, I step out into a sleek, modern office space. A young woman waits for me with a friendly smile.

“Hi,” she says. “I’m Vanessa, Mr. Styles’ secretary. I’ll show you around, but to be honest, don’t get too comfortable—I give this orientation to someone new every week.”

I blink. “Every week?”

“Yep. Mr. Styles is... picky. You’re probably the fourth one in a month. Ever since his last PA ran off to Fiji with one of his biggest clients, he’s been a bit, well, hard to please. They come and go like clockwork.”

My heart sinks a little. Great. I finally land a job at one of the top firms in the country, and now it sounds like I’ll be out the door in no time. Who is this guy, and why the hell is he so impossible to work for?

I take a breath and force myself to sound confident. “Well, I’ll just have to be the exception.”

Vanessa gives me a sympathetic look. “So, I handle the smaller stuff—coffee, filing, that kind of thing. You’ll be doing everything else.”

“Everything else?”

“Yeah,” she says. “His appointments, travel plans, managing his schedule—basically, keeping his life together.” She gives me an appraising glance. “Nice suit, by the way. Is that Alexander McQueen?”

I nod. “Yeah. It is.”

My designer wardrobe is the only thing I took from my previous marriage.

Vanessa’s eyebrows lift, impressed. “Good taste, Ms. Thompson. Not many people here can pull that off.”

“Thanks. And please, call me Lexi.”

She nods. “Alright, Lexi. Have a seat. I just need to run a quick errand. Could you watch the desk for me?”

“Sure.”

I settle into one of the plush chairs near the desk.

As soon as Vanessa leaves, I get up, unable to resist the urge to explore. The office is stunning, filled with expensive artwork and high-end furniture. I’m so caught up in admiring a painting that I don’t hear someone approaching.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” a deep voice says from behind me.

I whirl around, my heart hammering in my chest—only to come face to face with the man from this morning.

The man I woke up next to.

My throat goes dry as my brain scrambles to catch up. “You!”

A slow smirk spreads across his face. “Well, if it isn’t my runaway bride. Are you stalking me, princess?”

“Stalk you?” I cross my arms, trying to keep my cool. “You’re the one who’s randomly here!”

He chuckles. “I work here.”

The words hang in the air for a beat too long. My stomach drops. “What?”

Before he can respond, Vanessa reappears. “Mr. Styles! I didn’t expect you in so early today.”

I slowly turn to her, then back to the man standing before me.

Mr. Styles?

He stands there, smirking, looking far too amused.

Vanessa continues, completely oblivious to the way my world is currently imploding. “I see you’ve met Ms. Lexi Thompson, your new PA.”

Julian’s eyes gleam with mischief. “Actually,” he corrects, “that’s Mrs. Lexi Styles. My wife.”