A Smile Before the Storm

Alice POV

A week went by like torture—a slow burn with every door shut in my face, every cold email he sent, every side-eye he gave. And yet, somehow, I found myself grateful even for that. Because after a few days, he stopped acknowledging me altogether, as if there had never been an assistant named Alice.

He banned me from his office and began skipping morning meetings. He didn’t touch the coffee I made, didn’t pick up when I called. I was now only allowed to send emails, and in return, I received responses stripped of anything remotely human. Purely business. Nothing more.

He ignored Ronda’s calls too. Not that it was any of my business, but somehow that made me feel... a little better. Matt’s assistant returned this week as well, and I handed over everything to her. I hadn’t seen Matt since. The sudden silence left a hollow space. A harsh fall—from two Alonzos to none.

And though I hated admitting it, I missed them. I missed Matt’s wicked smiles and those mischievous green eyes. And Anton—Anton with his stormy gaze and the aura he carried like a cloak. Threatening. Intimidating. But somehow, it made me feel safe.

Everything stayed still—eerily so—until that afternoon. I was sitting at my desk, heels off, as always. Mr. Anton was in his office. For the first time in five days, the blinds were open. I was revising a presentation he had sent for an upcoming meeting. Pencil tucked into my bun, glasses pushed firmly up my nose—I was in full focus mode.

Then I heard someone clear his throat. I looked up—and there they were, the forest-green eyes I’d secretly missed.

“Matt?” I blinked in surprise, then straightened. "Sorry—Mr. Alonzo."

He smiled, those unfairly perfect dimples appearing.

“Hello, love. Matt is extremely convenient. No need for formalities between us.”

“How can I help you?” I asked, suddenly too aware of Anton just a wall away. That feeling of being watched crept in, even though I hadn’t turned my head.

“I figured I gave you enough space. Didn’t you miss me?”

The answer was yes. But I wasn’t about to say that. Not with Anton possibly listening. Still, a smile betrayed me.

“I knew it,” he said with a triumphant grin.

“Shh!” I hissed. “Do you want me to get fired?”

“That would be the best day of my life. I’d hire you right away.”

I giggled before I could stop myself.

“God, I missed that giggle. What did you do to me, you little thing?”

“Oh, come on. Don’t be dramatic.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet. Accept my invitation to lunch, and you’ll see just how dramatic I can be.”

“I can’t,” I said quickly.

“Why not?”

“You know.” I tilted my head slightly toward Anton’s office.

“Ah, forget that grumpy old bastard. Even the best assistants take lunch breaks.”

I hesitated. After a week of silent punishment, the idea of a friendly face—even a risky one—felt like a lifeline.

“I promise I’ll bring you back on time.”

I glanced at the clock. 12:05. Anton had told me I didn’t need to notify him about breaks, so long as I returned promptly.

“Okay,” I said. “But a quick one.”

“A quick lunch it is!” Matt’s grin was brighter than the noon sun.

I glanced toward Anton’s office. The blinds were shut again. But I could feel it—the burn behind those blinds. Something told me I had been seen. And not forgiven.

“Chop chop,” Matt said cheerfully.

My heart beat faster as I followed him. I knew Anton wouldn’t like this. But maybe I didn’t care anymore. Matt was handsome, charming—and he liked me. Really liked me. Why was I hesitating to let myself enjoy that?

We took his sleek yellow sports car. He drove like a man who had never heard of speed limits, weaving through New York traffic like it was a video game. It was reckless. It was thrilling.

He pulled up in front of a sushi place.

“Sushi?” I asked.

“Your favorite.”

I blushed.

The restaurant owner—a petite man named Mr. Lee—greeted us at the door like we were royalty. He led us to the best table without asking for an order.

“Thank you, Lee,” Matt said as we sat.

“Only the best for Mr. Matt,” he replied.

“He didn’t even take our order,” I whispered.

“You don’t order here. Lee brings what’s right for the day. And he’s never let me down.”

“You’re a regular?”

“For five years.”

“Like the burrito truck,” I said, smiling. “Still surprised someone like you eats street food.”

Matt gave a crooked smile and looked down at his hands.

“Can I admit something?”

“Of course.”

“I’m not a regular at that truck. Never eaten from it before. I only went because I wanted an excuse to talk to you.”

I blinked.

“But the guy at the truck knew you.”

“I slipped him a hundred and asked him to play along.”

My mouth dropped open. His cheeks flushed.

Before I could respond, Mr. Lee returned with a massive platter of sushi.

“All prepared fresh today,” he said proudly.

“Thank you, Lee. You never disappoint.”

“No, Mr. Matt. You have excellent taste. Just look at this beautiful young lady.”

My turn to blush. Matt beamed.

“Dig in!” he said, grabbing his chopsticks.

“You lied to me,” I teased.

“I wasn’t trying to fool you. I just... wanted to get close.”

He popped a sushi piece into his mouth.

I didn’t know how to feel. The lie was small, the effort behind it—kind of sweet.

“Why, Matt?” I asked. “Why go through all that trouble? You could be with anyone. Why me?”

“Because being with you is real. Every other girl? Gold-diggers or social climbers. But you... you look at me like I’m just Matt. Not a wallet. Not a name.”

His voice softened. “And if you ever returned my feelings, I’d know it was because of me. Just me.”

We ate in silence for a while.

“What about rich girls?” I asked. “Like Ronda?”

He made a face like he’d tasted something rotten.

“Self-centered. Entitled. I’ve dated a few. Give me a food truck girl over a princess any day.”

The conversation shifted to lighter topics—my sister, my dad, my hometown. Then I looked at my watch.

“Crap! We’re late.”

We rushed out. I stuffed one last sushi into my mouth before we left. Matt laughed the whole way.

We arrived back at 12:59. He took one elevator, I took the other. Back at my desk, I sighed with relief.

Anton’s blinds were still shut.

Then my desk phone rang.

It was his extension.

“Yes, sir?”

“Come to my office,” he said.

I stepped inside. Closed the door.

He didn’t look at me. Just flipped through papers.

“Ms. Wonderland.”

“Yes, sir?”

“You’re fired.”