Page 2 of Off-Limits Bad Boy Protector

“It was sir. But the date has been postponed. This is to favor your appointment with the senior consultant. He is coming from London.” Jake spoke with his head held down, his words dripping with anxiety.

I clenched and unclenched my fists. I did not have time for this today. I let out a resigned sigh before answering.

“I won't be attending that for long, Mr. Cameron. I'm paying hundreds of people for reasons. Picking out new, qualified workers is one of them,” I growled. I stared him down for a few seconds before resuming toward the elevator.

Jake replied with a quick "Yes, sir." But, the doors were already closing as I left. They showed that our interaction was over.

"My name is… my name is Cassie Evans…” I whispered softly, but the distant cheers drowned out my words once more. I let out a sigh filled with frustration, giving up on my speech practice. I turned around to see where the noise was coming from, curious and a little annoyed.

I searched all around but couldn't figure out what made the noise. Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my purse, and I quickly reached for it. It was a message from Lisa, wishing me luck just like she always did. I couldn't help but smile at her constant support.

The phone conversation ended in two minutes. It returned me to focus on the situation. A faint nervousness washed away as the call ended.

I took a deep breath, not wanting to mess anything up. Working at SoundEase had always been a dream of mine. Even my fidgeting feet showed nervousness. But, they were not going to stop me from landing a job at such a remarkable broadcasting company.

“Number 98?”

My heart nearly leaped out of my chest when they called my number. I thought I was prepared for anything. I had practiced my lines a lot. But, when I turned to face the stern person calling, another shiver ran down my spine.

I followed the given directions and smartly walked into a ground floor office. My brown eyes swept the room, taking in every detail. I saw the technology: a desk, chair, and a couch.

The space resembled an old movie or a sci-fi set, with its advanced technology. Everything seemed out of place. However, the office was perfect. But, my gaze suddenly stopped. It stopped when a pair of blue eyes appeared right before me. They were at a short distance and fixed me with a look of curiosity. The person's familiar eyes widened a bit when they saw me. It felt like a special connection sparked between us.

My breath hitched. There I stood, frozen in my tracks as I stared at him in absolute shock. Only one name came to my mind at that moment was : Leo Woodrow. Even after all these years, he still looked captivating. He had blonde hair, pale skin, and a perfect jawline. Despite losing touch and the pain of his heartbreak, I could not forget his face. Not even once.

My mind buzzed with questions as I tried to figure out why this man was among the panelists. What was his role here? Was he working for SoundEase? And most importantly, why did I still feel so unsettled and thrilled at the sight of him?

I could tell he was also surprised to see me. Normally, he wore a blank expression. However, a slight furrow in his brow revealed his amazement. Then, I noticed another emotion creeping onto his face. His red lips rose slowly until I saw that familiar little smirk.

It showed a lot, including the fact Leo Woodrow seemed to still be that heartless jerk I used to know.

Chapter 3

FOUR YEARS AGO

The bright sun beamed over the campus on a lively Wednesday. I eagerly anticipated the results of my final exam. Summer break was just around the corner.

The school publicly posted the final year students' results, sending a wave of anxiety through the halls. But when I saw my name on the notice board, I beamed with pride. My straight A's were no secret, and everyone knew I had achieved them.

The pungent aroma of a strong cologne wafted through the air, signaling the arrival of someone important. As the scent grew stronger, the murmur of the crowd shifted, and bodies began to part like a human curtain. Heads turned, eyes fixed on the individual making his way through the sea of excited and devastated students, their faces a mix of thrill and despair.

He had a confident stride. He knew he belonged. He navigated the crowd with ease, his presence commanding attention. I turned to see who it was. My smile vanished when my brown eyes locked with the most famous ice-blue ones in all of Shelly Ford.

I didn't consider myself as Leo's friend. I thought, why would a cool athlete like him want to spend time with a bookworm like me? But, it seemed like Leo was well-known by everyone at Shelly's High School.

Leo was the star quarterback of the football team, and he always seemed surrounded by a group of admiring classmates. His confident stride and easy smile made him stand out in the crowded hallways. Leo's popularity was evident as he effortlessly navigated through different social circles, earning respect and admiration from all corners of the school.

He boasted an impressive pedigree, with a family lineage that commanded respect. However, it was his own accomplishments that truly set him apart. He had a reputation in his field. I, a recognized intellect, had come to see him as a worthy academic adversary. Our rivalry was built on mutual respect. We constantly pushed each other to new heights.

This dynamic drove us to question, to experiment, and to innovate, ultimately leading to breakthroughs that benefited our entire academic community. My acknowledgement of him as a rival was, in fact, a badge of honor, a testament to his exceptional abilities and dedication to his craft.

His tall frame passed through the space created for him like peasants for kings. He made his way to the female standing near the bulletin board.

As he stepped into my space, the pungent scent of his perfume wafted up, filling my nostrils and making me wrinkle my nose in distaste. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, and a faint furrow creased the skin between his eyebrows, a subtle sign of frustration. Then, in a voice that was deceptively soft, he hissed, "Get out of the way." The sudden harshness of his tone caught me off guard, and I blinked in surprise, my eyes snapping back to his as I stared at him with newfound confidence.“

What?” I didn't hesitate to scoff. I wasn't certain if that was the problem, but I was pretty sure that he was not blind. There was plenty of space around us for him to move but this jerk was showing unnecessary attitude.

Leo raised a brow. His expression darkened a bit at the sight of the woman not scrambling away. “You heard me, didn't you?” He stated. His voice was now laced with irritation. His eyes bored into mine, trying to intimidate me. But, I wasn't going to let him.

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