Chapter 1
“Those who are filled with desires and hopes are already living in the future.” — L. Scheffer
The alarm on my phone played my favorite melody. I cracked one eye open to check the time. Five more minutes, and as usual, I’d miss my bus.
Yesterday, we bid farewell to our boss, Aristarkh Petrovich. Today, everyone was wondering who would replace him. Svetochka, the secretary, had already shared juicy gossip—apparently, the new boss was not only confident but also very attractive.
I had to make time for coffee. Just thinking about the hour-long bumpy ride on the bus made me want to skip work altogether. I really needed to find a job closer to home. Something to think about soon.
Time to get up.
The sudden ring of my phone made me jump. Who was calling me this early? Lilia? What was she doing up? Lilia is my best friend—always by my side through thick and thin.
“Hello? Yeah, I know the new boss is coming today. So what? Put on a dress, heels, and let my hair down? Lily, can you imagine? I’ve been showing up to work in jeans, a sweater down to my knees, and without makeup. What do you want me to do—claim I was at a rave all night and decided to come straight to the office? Alright, fine, I’ll let my hair down.”
I shook out my bright red hair, letting it fall in waves to my waist. Good thing I washed it yesterday—the boss might just faint from the sight. I pictured the poor man sprawled on the floor and smiled. What a welcome for the new leader.
Don’t forget the sandwich, or I’ll be starving again. As usual, I was broke until the end of the month. Thankfully, my neighbor paid me back a loan yesterday.
I was already racing like crazy because the clock was reading five minutes to the hour. And I still had to climb to the 27th floor! Naturally, the elevator wasn’t working.
I was lost in thought and didn’t notice the crowd forming behind me until I turned around—and my eyes landed on a man. When I looked up, I saw a Viking from my dreams. A modern-day barbarian ready to seize treasures, defeat enemies, and collect a harem of young concubines. Oh yes, I wouldn’t mind being one of those concubines.
He glanced at me, and my heart sank to my feet. Butterflies fluttered wildly in my stomach, so much so that I nearly took off flying. My ears turned bright red, and my heart thumped so loudly a vein in my neck pulsed visibly.
I turned away as I heard the elevator approaching—but maybe I should’ve waited for the next one.
Strong arms caught me and pressed me into a corner of the elevator. I inhaled his scent—woody, musky, sweet yet sharp.
And I couldn’t shake the thought—how long had it been since a man was this close to me?
Just don’t faint, I told myself. Or why not? He might perform CPR. Mouth-to-mouth, please. I giggled.
The elevator doors opened, and everyone hurried out. I followed the crowd and headed toward my department, where Lilia was waiting.
“Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for twenty minutes! The big boss wants everyone in five minutes. Drop everything, let’s go.”
We walked into the reception area, where all the employees were gathered, waiting for the boss.
The door opened, and the deputy walked in. Even I almost whistled. She wore a suit from the latest collection and a plunging neckline—clearly ready to flaunt her charms for the new boss.
And then came the shock. Walking slowly, like a panther before a pounce, in came the man who had pressed me against the elevator wall. My Viking.
The deputy adjusted her hair and introduced him.
“Dear colleagues, I’d like to introduce our new general director, Varyago Arthur Sergeevich.”
A pause hung in the air before he cleared his throat.
“Dear colleagues, I’ve been appointed to replace Aristarkh Petrovich. I hope we can find mutual understanding and work together successfully. Further instructions will be conveyed through my deputy.”
He glanced at Margot, who smiled and nodded.
“Now, back to your desks. I want to meet each employee personally. Bring me their files.” He smiled and left with Margot.
Personal meetings? That was a first. The old boss never remembered my name—he called me everything from Varya Arkadyevna to Vera Adamovna but never got it right.
Everyone gathered around the coffee machine, discussing the new boss. Lilia, unusually silent, stared into her cup.
“What’s with the silence? Say something.”
She looked at me and finally blurted out, “Varya, did you see him? What a hottie.”
I snorted. “Not only did I see him—I had a close encounter.”
I smiled again, watching my friend’s shock.
I wanted to shake her, but decided to let her process it on her own.
“Yeah, I saw him. A Viking from my dreams. Tall, strong, wild.”
Lilia closed her eyes, clearly lost in a daydream where she was already part of his harem. I nudged her.
“Snap out of it! Let’s get to work. He’ll be calling everyone in soon. Gotta at least put on some lipstick.”
We headed back to our desks, coffee cups in hand.
Work buzzed around us, but I couldn’t shake the feeling I’d seen the boss before. Where?
Probably just my imagination after this morning’s events. I dove into work.
“Hey, the boss is calling for you,” Lilia announced.
I adjusted my hair, grabbed a few papers to look professional, and made my way to his office.
The reception was crowded, but Svetochka opened the door and announced my arrival. I stepped inside and froze.
He slowly lifted his gaze.
A man like that could turn even the fiercest, most dynamic woman into a meek little bird. Suddenly, she wants to cook, care for him—and more.
Thoughts of intimacy flickered through my mind.
He gestured for me to sit.
He studied my file, which had plenty to show—two degrees, international internships, countless work-related courses. I even spoke two languages, English and Italian. Not that it mattered here. They never sent me on business trips, even though the previous boss frequently flew to England and Italy with his mistress.
He examined me, and I did the same. A dominant man with a clear leadership position.
A chill ran down my spine, and I shivered. Finally, he spoke.
“Varvara Arnoldovna, I reviewed your file. You’re an impressive employee. With a background like this, why haven’t you gone abroad for work trips?”
Strange question—as if I’d been invited and refused.
I opened my mouth to respond but got stuck halfway through.
Oh, God.
It hit me like lightning.
Mother of mercy!
Panic gripped me. My legs went weak, and my head spun. I clutched the edge of the chair, praying not to collapse.
A wave of nausea surged through me. I had to calm down. He couldn’t recognize me. My last name was different, and I looked nothing like before.
I’d even managed to get married—briefly. My charming ex emptied my bank account and ran off to the coast with his latest fling.
The ringing in my ears grew louder, making it hard to focus.
Panic. Escape.
But where to?
This was the 27th floor. These glass towers left no room for a proper exit.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Calm down.
My heart raced like a rabbit’s. With every beat, I felt worse. But the boss calmly continued reviewing my file.
Maybe I should strangle him and claim it was an accident.
The room spun as cold chills raced down my spine.
I knew I was about to ...
