Emily and my Kingdom

I approach my assistant’s desk outside my office. The girl’s already there, head down over the files I dropped on her desk last night, completely absorbed. At least she knows how to look busy.

She really is pretty, in a forgettable way—bright eyes, perfect skin, and the athletic body that makes people stare. I hate that I notice. It’s just aesthetics, the same as a polished desk or a new tablet. Nothing to think about.

“Emily!”

She jumps, spilling her CAF. Typical.

“Good morning, Miss Lux,” she says, voice trembling.

“Executive Lux,” I correct. “Did you manage to finish those files I gave you last night?”

Her eyes drop to the soaked pages. Of course they’re the same ones she was supposed to have finished. “No, Executive Lux. I’ll have them done soon.” She folds her hands on her lap like she’s waiting for mercy.

I smirk. Pathetic.

I step past her before the silence turns awkward. My badge chimes as I enter my office, and the glass walls ripple from clear to Directive mode. Helix Dominion gives every executive three settings:

Clear—when you want to be admired.

Directive—when you want to see without being seen.

Closed—when even light needs permission to enter.

I keep mine on Directive. From here, I can see the whole floor. They can’t see me. The perfect arrangement.

The space inside is immaculate: steel desk, white leather chair, three awards from the Board of Conduct. Across the back wall, the digital mosaic cycles through my greatest hits—shaking hands, accepting plaques, standing beside people whose names I’ve already forgotten. Proof of success.

I smooth my blouse, take a breath, and look down at the stack of new files. Extra accounts I pulled from Brad’s division. My little promotion campaign. Too much work for one person—especially someone as important as me. Emily can handle the leftovers. A late night will do her good.

I tap the wall control once more, watching the glass shift briefly to Clear mode. The workers glance up, startled by the sudden visibility. Then I switch back to Directive.

Perfect. My kingdom.