"Plans?" Marius repeated, raising an eyebrow. "More important than a multimillion-dollar campaign launch? Because that is what this project represents for both our departments." He stopped directly in front of Harper, forcing her to tilt her head up to meet his gaze. His voice lowering, becoming more intimate. "Or perhaps your plans involve something else entirely? someone else?" his tone was light but laced with obvious curiosity. "Because if you are turning down overtime to spend time with a guy, I might need to have a word with him about prioritizing company interests." His hand came up to rest on the wall beside her head, effectively trapping her in place without actually touching her. The scent of his cologne grew stronger as he leaned in slightly.
"I do have plans with my boyfriend," Harper said clearly. "And they are unchangeable." Marius's eyes flashed with a mixture of surprise and intrigue at her direct response. A slow smile spreads across his face, revealing a hint of admiration for her firmness. "A boyfriend," he repeated thoughtfully, stepping back slightly to give her space. "I was not aware you were seeing anyone seriously enough to turn down work for them." His tone shifted from challenging to genuinely curious. He moved back toward his desk but did not sit down, instead leaning against it casually. "Tell me about him. Is he in fashion? Does he understand the demands of this industry?" Marius picked up a pen and twirled it between his fingers, studying her reaction closely. "Because if you are committed to someone outside of our world, they had better be understanding when you occasionally have to burn the midnight oil." His expression turned more playful as he added. "Or maybe I should meet this mysterious fellow who thinks he comes before career advancement."
"It is Oliver," Harper said sharply. Marius's playful demeanour vanished instantly, replaced by a look of genuine shock. The pen slipped from his fingers and clattered onto his desk. For a moment, he stared at her as if seeing her for the first time. "Oliver?" he repeated, his voice losing its casual confidence. "Our Oliver? The CEO of this entire company?" he ran both hands through his hair is disbelief, pacing away from the desk. "Harper, are you serious right now? You are dating Oliver Williams?" Marius stopped and turned back to face her, his expression a mix of astonishment and something else– perhaps jealousy. "Since when? How did I not know about this?" without waiting for an answer, he walked over to the cupboard and pulled out two glasses. "We are definitely having that drink tonight," he announced firmly as he poured scotch into a glasses.
"I do not drink," Harper said firmly. "A few days. That is why I had to transfer." Marius paused with the bottle of scotch halfway to the glass, his expressions shifting from surprise to understanding. He set the bottle down and picked up his own drink instead. "A few days," he repeated quietly, taking a sip of the amber liquid. "So that is why Human Resources suddenly transferred you to advertising. They thought putting you under my supervision would keep things professional." He leaned against the desk again, studying her with new eyes. "And Oliver just– let this happen? The CEO dating his secretary? That is a serious conflict of interest, Harper." His tone was no longer playful or challenging. It was concerned, almost protective. "Does he know how this looks? How it makes both of you appear to everyone else in this company?"
"We followed protocol," Harper said clearly and folded her arms over her chest. "There is no conflict of interest." Marius let out a short laugh, shaking his head as he set his glass down firmly. "Protocol does not change reality, Harper. In this industry, perception is everything." He crosses his arms over his chest, his earlier amusement replaced by something more serious. "Everyone knows about the rule against fraternization within departments. Now suddenly you are transferred to my division and dating the CEO? People are going to talk." His eyes searched hers intently. "And what happened when Oliver decides to promote you because for your 'excellent performance'? or when I need to discipline you for missing deadlines? How will that look to HR?" he pushed off the desk and walked toward her again, his steps measured. "You might believe there is no conflict because you followed paperwork guidelines. But relationships in corporate environments always complicate things."
"I do not mean to overstep, but you are now exactly following protocols either…" Harpes said carefully. "I will do my work and maintain professional boundaries in the office." Marius's expression hardened at her accusation, his jaw tightening as he processed her words. He took a deliberate step closer, invading her personal space once more. "Is that what this is about?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "You think you are in a position to lecture me on following protocols?" he laughed bitterly, running a hand through his hair. "I am the Head of Advertising. My job is to push boundaries, to think outside the box. That is how I have built this department into what it is today." He leaned in close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body. "While you were busy filling out forms and transferring paperwork, I was closing multimillion-dollar deals. So, forgive me if my definition of 'protocol' differs from yours." His eyes bored into hers intensely.
"Your relationships, whether without or outside this office is none of my business. And neither are mine," Harper said calmly. "I respect your work ethic and everything you have accomplished within this department, and I will work hard to contribute to your work, within my work hours." Marius's intense expression softened slightly at her calm, professional statement. He studied her face for a moment, noting the unwavering resolve in her blue green eyes. The tension in his shoulders relaxed as he seemed to accept her terms. "Fair enough," he conceded, taking a step back to create space between them.