Love under Lock

My name was Levi Storm, and I was certified obsessive.

The most irrational decision of my life was falling in love with Tia Hart at first sight and turning down two lucrative job offers without a second thought just to become her secretary.

In the eyes of others, I was a textbook overachiever, my expression always stoic. Nothing could rattle me as I carried out my work with precision and efficiency.

Everyone assumed that I was a workaholic who had no time for love.

However, only I knew how badly I was down bad for Tia, my superior.

Any scrap Tia had scribbled on was part of my careful collection.

I would grab her clothes, meant to be taken to the dry cleaner’s, close to my nose for a deep whiff.

If Tia’s face was on the cover of a finance magazine, I’d be sure to make copies and plaster them all over my bedroom wall.

Once, Tia caught me printing one out at the photocopier. Raising her brow, Tia gestured for me to explain myself.

I stared at her beautiful facial features, my heart racing with panic and adoration. Still, I kept a straight face and said flatly, “Ms. Hart, you’re an inspiration to me.

“Ms. Hart, your success in the industry is remarkable. I look up to you as a role model, so I wanted to print out a copy of your magazine cover to remind myself of my goals and keep pushing forward.”

Sincerity could be felt behind the words.

Tia cleared her throat embarrassedly. “I appreciate the thought, Levi.”

With that, she headed off to a meeting.

Somehow, I could see a spring in her step as she walked away.

Either way, at least I got Tia’s approval. I could now display her photo on my desk out in the open.

Oblivious to the situation, the new intern grinned and said nosily, “What’s this, Levi? Are you in love with Ms. Hart?”

She leaned in to take a closer look at the photo, her arm resting on my shoulders.

I quietly put some distance between us, but before I could say anything, Tasha, whose desk was next to mine, came to my defense.

“You'd have a better chance of winning the lottery than seeing Levi catch feelings for anyone.”

I nodded with a fake smile and got up to show the intern out.

“If there’s nothing else, please excuse me. I’m on my way to notify Ms. Hart about the upcoming meeting.”