Chapter 1: Caffeine and Heartbeats

Violet rushed into Starbucks, her high heels nearly causing her to collide with the glass door.

"Damn it," she muttered, glancing at her watch. "Late again."

"The usual?" the familiar barista asked.

"Yes, hurry please."

While waiting, Violet scrolled through her phone irritably. Suddenly, a flash of blue caught her eye. She looked up to see a woman with short hair in a navy suit ordering at the counter.

The woman's profile was striking, inexplicably drawing Violet's gaze. She felt her heart rate quicken and quickly looked down, pretending to check her phone.

"Your latte, ma'am," the barista called.

Violet grabbed her coffee and, after a moment's hesitation, found herself walking towards the woman in the blue suit.

"Excuse me, may I sit here? All other seats are taken," she lied.

The woman looked up, offering a slight smile. "Please, go ahead."

"I'm Violet. I work at the advertising agency across the street," she extended her hand.

"Eve," the other woman replied, shaking Violet's hand. "I'm in finance."

They began chatting, their conversation flowing from work to life. Violet found Eve's humor sharp and her insights intriguing. Time flew by.

"Oh no!" Violet exclaimed, checking her watch. "I'm late!"

"I should be going too," Eve stood up. "It was nice meeting you, Violet."

"Likewise. Do you think... we might see each other again?" Violet blurted out.

Eve smirked. "Perhaps. If fate allows."

As Eve walked away, Violet's heart was still racing. She couldn't understand why she was so captivated by a stranger.

"Violet?"

A familiar male voice called out. She turned to see her ex-boyfriend, Chad, standing behind her.

"Chad? What are you doing here?"

"I recently moved to this area," Chad sat across from her. "How have you been? I've thought about you often."

Violet shifted uncomfortably. "I'm fine. Sorry, I really need to go. I'm already late."

"Wait," Chad stopped her. "Are you free tonight? Let's have dinner."

Violet hesitated. She wanted to refuse, but thought dinner with her ex might help sort out her confused feelings.

"Alright, see you tonight."

Rushing into her office, Violet was immediately approached by her assistant, Katie.

"Violet, the company just announced a personnel change. We're getting a new deputy director in our department. She starts today."

"Who is it?"

"Apparently, she was headhunted from a multinational company," Katie lowered her voice. "Some say she's here to replace you."

Violet's heart sank. Could she lose the position she'd worked so hard for?

Just then, the elevator doors opened.

Violet froze. Stepping out was the woman in the blue suit from this morning.

"Hello everyone," Eve smiled. "I'm Eve, your new deputy director. I look forward to working with you all."

Her gaze landed on Violet, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes.

Violet stood rooted to the spot, her heart racing once again. She suddenly realized that life was about to become far more dramatic than she could have imagined.

Before meeting Eve, Violet never imagined that a self-introduction could be so captivating and entertaining. "I'm Eve, like the Eve who bit the apple in the Bible for adventure, I'm also the Eve who was born loving apples. I hope there won't be an Adam around here…" Eve not only introduced herself but also interacted with everyone, eliciting frequent applause and bursts of laughter from the crowd. Violet found herself increasingly attracted to Eve—her wit and approachability, her gentle and melodious voice, and the subtle sound of her lips brushing when she said Violet's name. It wasn't just admiration for an outstanding woman; Violet was shocked by her own feelings and tried to quickly replace these thoughts with work.

Luckily, Violet will not be replaced by Eve while be led by Eve.

However, an unexpected meeting came.The break room reeked of burnt coffee. After the meeting, Violet froze as she entered, her eyes drawn to Eve like a magnet. The new VP's fingers danced around her mug, long and elegant. Violet's gaze lingered on Eve's lips as they touched the rim, and she felt a sudden, unfamiliar heat rise within her.

Her phone buzzed. Chad. "I'm downstairs. Surprise!"

"Personal calls?" Eve's voice was low, almost a purr. "Sorry to say that your people works... uninspiredly."

Violet's anger flared, tangled with an unwelcome surge of desire. "At least I have a heart. Unlike you, firing 10% of our staff!"

Eve leaned in, her scent – sandalwood and something uniquely her – intoxicating. "You think I enjoy this?"

The coffee machine exploded in smoke and flames, cutting her off.

Chaos erupted, but Eve was a calm in the storm. She shepherded everyone to safety, her commanding presence making Violet's knees weak. When Eve returned, having rescued a pregnant colleague's wallet, Violet's heart raced for reasons beyond fear.

Outside, Chad appeared, wrapping Violet in an unwanted embrace.

Eve's eyebrow arched, a flicker of... was that jealousy? "Violet has work to do," she said, her hand touched Violet's arm. The touch sent electricity through her.

"Ex-boyfriend?" Eve asked later, her tone unreadable.

"Ancient history," Violet replied, mesmerized by the sun glinting off Eve's hair.

Eve's eyes softened. "About the layoffs... dinner tomorrow? To discuss, of course."

Violet's pulse quickened. "I'd like that."

That night, Violet's apartment felt too small. Chad's texts buzzed incessantly, but her mind replayed Eve's every gesture, the curve of her neck, the intensity of her gaze.

The doorbell rang. Chad, again.

Violet hesitated, her hand on the doorknob. The past stood outside, but the future – thrilling, terrifying, embodied in Eve – beckoned.

She opened the door, unaware that this night would be the first step on a journey that would remake her world.

The real story was about to begin.