5.

I stepped into the sleek, glass-walled office of Logan Harrington, the billionaire CEO whose life I had been thrust into, I was immediately hit with the familiar hum of activity. The clatter of keyboards, the low buzz of hushed conversations, and the scent of fresh coffee filled the air. It was the same environment I’d come to cherish, but today it felt different—charged, almost electric with anticipation.

I was barely through the door when a voice cut through the noise like a knife. “Well, well, if it isn’t the new mistress of Logan Harrington.”

I turned to find Vanessa, a notorious office gossip and self-proclaimed “queen bee,” her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her expression a mix of disbelief and disdain. She was known for her dramatics and her infamous crush on Logan, a fact that had become common knowledge throughout the company.

“What’s your problem, Vanessa?” I shot back, irritation bubbling to the surface.

“Oh, please,” she laughed, a sharp, mocking sound. “You think just because you’re playing house with the boss, you can strut in here like you own the place? Do you really think he’d ever choose you over someone like me?”

Her lips curled into a mocking smile. “Your job? Please, you’re just a distraction. You think he cares about you? You’re nothing but a joke.”

Before I could retort, she lunged forward, her hand whipping through the air with surprising speed. The sound of her palm connecting with my cheek rang out in the silence of the office, a sharp crack that echoed around us. I stumbled back, my hand flying to my face as shock coursed through me.

“What the hell was that for?” I gasped, reeling from the sudden pain and the disbelief of what had just happened. My mind raced, unable to comprehend her level of aggression.

Vanessa stood there, her expression a mix of satisfaction and venom. “That’s for thinking you can take him from me,” she hissed, her eyes blazing with rage. “He’ll never love you.”

I took a deep breath, steadying myself against the sting of her words. “I’m not here to compete with you,” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral. “I’m just trying to do my job.”

“Your job?” she scoffed, her eyes narrowing. “Is that what you call it? Because it looks more like you’ve laid your hands on him. How could you? You’re nothing but a glorified assistant!”

“Enough, Vanessa!” I snapped, feeling my cheeks heat up. “You don’t know anything about me or my relationship with Logan.”

“Relationship?” She threw her head back and laughed, a theatrical gesture that caught the attention of nearby coworkers. “You think he cares about you? He’s just using you to get back at his ex. You’re a temporary distraction, and we all know it!”

Her words hit harder than I expected. I felt a rush of anger and humiliation flood through me. Who did she think she was? “And what makes you think you’re any better than me?” I shot back, feeling the weight of her scrutiny. “Last I checked, you were the one always lurking around his office, trying to get his attention.”

At that moment, I saw a flicker of surprise in her eyes. Maybe she hadn’t expected me to fight back, and for a brief second, it felt satisfying. But the satisfaction was short-lived as she stepped closer, her voice lowering to a dangerous whisper.

“You better watch your back, Claire. I have connections, and I can make your life a living hell here.”

My heart raced as she continued to glare at me, the tension rising like a storm. I was about to respond when I caught sight of Logan walking toward us, his expression unreadable. Relief surged through me at the sight of him, but it was quickly tempered by the apprehension of what Vanessa would say next.

“Logan, I—” I started, but Vanessa cut me off, her voice dripping with venom.

“Look who it is, Logan! Your little pet,” she said, tilting her head dramatically. “Did you know she was just in here throwing herself at you? It’s disgusting.”

Logan’s expression hardened, and I could see the tension radiating off him as he approached. “What’s going on here?” he demanded, his voice low and firm.

“Just a little chat about how Claire seems to think she can play house with you,” Vanessa replied, her tone mocking. “It’s all a bit pathetic, don’t you think?”

Logan’s gaze shifted from Vanessa to me, his eyes searching my face. “Claire, what happened?”

Before I could respond, Vanessa stepped forward, a smug look on her face. “I was just telling her how lucky she is to have you. After all, you do pay her rent now, don’t you?”

“Shut up, Vanessa,” I said, my voice steady despite the anger boiling inside me. “You’re just jealous.”

“Jealous?” she laughed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, sweetie, please. You think you’re the only one who can catch his eye? You’re just a temporary fling. Everyone knows that.”

Logan stepped closer, and I could see his jaw tightening, his temper rising. “Enough,” he said, his voice sharp as glass. “No one talks to Claire like that. She’s my fiancée.”

The declaration hung in the air like a bombshell, and for a moment, Vanessa looked genuinely taken aback. “Fiancée?” she echoed, her voice a mix of disbelief and fury. “You can’t be serious!”

“I am,” he said, his tone brooking no argument. He moved closer to me, the heat of his body warming my skin as he pulled me protectively to his side. “You will not disrespect her in my presence.”

“Logan, you can’t be serious! She’s just a nobody!” Vanessa shouted, her voice escalating.

“Get out of my office,” Logan commanded, his voice a low growl. “And don’t ever speak to Claire like that again.”

The silence in the room was palpable, and I felt a rush of conflicting emotions. Gratitude surged within me for Logan’s defense, yet I couldn’t shake the dread coiling in my stomach. I knew this wouldn’t end well.

“Fine. Enjoy your little charade while it lasts,” Vanessa spat before storming out of the office, her heels clicking angrily against the floor.

As the door slammed shut behind her, I turned to Logan, my heart racing. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. I can handle her.”

He shook his head, his expression dark and serious. “No one gets to mess with my fiancée,” he said, his voice low and intense. “Especially not her.”

I felt a shiver run down my spine as he stepped closer, his eyes inspecting my face as if searching for the bruises left by Vanessa’s words. “Are you okay?” he asked, his tone softening.

“I’m fine,” I lied, trying to brush it off, but the heat of his gaze burned into me, urging me to be honest.

“Claire,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “Let me see.”

I hesitated for a moment but then nodded, feeling vulnerable under his scrutiny. As I lifted my chin, I could see the anger darkening his features as he noticed the faint outline of handprints left on my cheek.

“Who did this?” he growled, his voice a dangerous whisper.

“It’s just a slap,” I said quickly, not wanting to escalate the situation. “She was just being dramatic. You know how she is.”

Logan stepped closer, his eyes blazing with fury. “That’s not just a slap. It’s unacceptable.” He leaned in, brushing his fingers gently against my cheek, his touch both soothing and electrifying. “I won’t allow anyone to hurt you.”

His words sent a shiver through me, a mix of fear and excitement. “Logan, you don’t have to—”

“I do,” he interrupted, his voice low and intense. “You’re mine now, and I’ll protect what’s mine.”

The heat in the room shifted, the tension rising as he leaned in, our faces mere inches apart. I could feel the weight of his gaze, the promise in his eyes, and for a moment, I lost myself in the depths of his intensity.

But just as quickly as it began, it ended. He stepped back, breaking the spell, and I felt the loss of his warmth as he turned away, his jaw clenched. “I’ll deal with this,” he said, his voice steady again.

“Logan, please don’t—”

He turned back to me, his expression fierce. “No one messes with you, Claire. I won’t allow it.”

And as he left to confront the chaos that was Vanessa, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of emotions—a mixture of fear, exhilaration, and an undeniable thrill at being at the center of Logan Harrington’s fierce protection. I was in deeper than I had ever imagined, and there was no turning back now.