Beneath His Cold Gaze

Lisa placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Just remember to take care of yourself too. You're doing great, despite how tough he is."

Bella managed a grateful smile. "Thanks, Lisa. I'll try to take a break soon."

As she continued working, she couldn't shake the feeling that Alex was watching her more closely than ever. His eyes seemed to follow her every move, and she often found him observing her from a distance. it was as if he was waiting for her to make a mistake.

One afternoon, as Bella was finalizing a design, Alex called for a meeting with the entire design team. The atmosphere in the conference room was tense, and Bella felt her stomach knot with anxiety. She took a seat near the back, hoping to avoid drawing too much attention.

Alex stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding as always. "We've received feedback from the fashion show," he began, his voice cold and authoritative. "Overall, it was a success. However, there are areas that need improvement."

He began to go over the critiques, his gaze occasionally flickering to Bella. She held her breath, hoping that her work would not be singled out.

"Miss Hart," Alex's voice broke through her thoughts, and she looked up, her heart pounding. "Your designs showed potential, but there were noticeable flaws in the execution."

Bella felt a wave of frustration and embarrassment wash over her. She had worked so hard, but it seemed like it was never enough. "I understand, Mr. Blackwood. I'll work on improving them."

Alex nodded curtly. "See that you do. Mediocrity will not be tolerated here."

The meeting continued, and Bella did her best to focus, despite the sting of Alex's criticism. When it finally ended, she returned to her desk, her mind racing with thoughts of how to improve her designs and prove herself.

As the days went by, Bella's interactions with Alex grew more frequent and intense. He would often call her into his office, pointing out flaws in her work, pang demanding immediate revisions. Despite his harsh demeanor, Bella couldn't help but notice the moments when his cold facade seemed to crack, revealing glimpses of vulnerability.

One evening, Bella was working late yet again, trying to perfect a design that Alex had criticized earlier. The office was quite, with most of her colleagues having already left for the day. She was so engrossed in her work that she didn't notice Alex approaching until he was standing right behind her.

"Miss Hart," he said, his voice startling her. "Why are you still here?"

Bella turned to face him, her eyes tired but determined. "I'm trying to fix the design you weren't satisfied with, Mr. Blackwood. I want to make sure it's perfect."

Alex's eyes softened slightly, and for a moment, Bella though she saw a flicker of admiration. "You have a strong work ethic, I'll give you that. But you need to learn to balance your dedication with self-care. Burning yourself out won't help anyone."

Bella was taken aback by his words. It was the first time he had shown any concern for her well-being. "Thank you, Mr. Blackwood. "I'll keep that in mind."

Alex nodded, his expression returning to its usual stoic nature. "See that you do. Now go home and get some rest. We'll review your revisions tomorrow."

As Bella gathered her things and prepared to leave, she couldn't help but replay the conversation in her mind. Alex's brief moment of concern left her feeling conflicted.

Despite his harsh treatment, there were moments when she felt there was more to him than met the eye.

The next morning, Bella arrived at the office early, determined to present her revised designs to Alex. She knocked on his office door and waited for his permission to enter. When she walked in, she found him already immersed in work, his expression focused and intense.

"Good morning, Mr. Blackwood," she greeted him, placing the revised designs on his desk. "I've made the changes you requested."

Alex looked up, his piercing blue eyes meeting hers. He took the designs and began to review them, his expression unreadable. Bella stood nervously, waiting for his verdict.

After a few minutes of silence, Alex looked up and nodded. "These are much better, Miss Hart. You've done well."

Bella felt a rush of relief and satisfaction. "Thank you, Mr, Blackwood. I'm glad you're pleased."

Alex's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than usual before her returned to his work. "Keep this up, and you might just have a future here."

As Bella left his office, she couldn't help but feel a small sense of victory. Each step forward was hard-won, but it was worth it. She was slowly earning Alex's respect, and with it, a deeper understanding of the man behind the cold exterior.

The days that followed were a mix of challenges and small triumphs. Bella continued to work tirelessly, determined to prove herself. She also began to notice more about Alex-the way he seemed to carry the weight of the company on his shoulders, the rare moments of softness that broke through his tough facade.

One evening, as Bella was leaving the office, she saw Alex standing by the window, looking out at the city. He seemed lost in thought, a hint of sadness in his eyes. Bella hesitated for a moment before approaching him.

"Mr. Blackwood," she said softly, not wanting to startle him. "Is everything alright?"

Alex turned to face her, his expression guarded. "It's nothing, Miss Hart. Just work-related matters."

Bella nodded, sensing that there was more to it than he was willing to share. "If you ever need to talk, I'm here."

Alex looked at her for a long moment, and Bella thought she saw a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Miss Hart. I'll keep that in mind."

As she walked away, Bella couldn't help but wonder about the man behind the CEO title. Despite his arrogance and harshness, there was a complexity to Alex that Intrigued her. She knew that getting to know him better would not be easy, but she was determined to try.