Everyone greeted Bianca warmly as she entered . Bianca had a sunny personality ; she smiled at everyone and said , " I look forward to working with all of you . " - She'd even brought small welcome gifts for the team , with Seth helping her carry the bags . Noreen gave a wry tug at the corner of her lips . Back when she and Seth had worked together , she'd always been the one running around , juggling files and coffee , while he never so much as lifted a finger to help . But now , with his " first love " here , he was suddenly eager to lend a hand . There really is a difference between loving someone and not . Bianca handed Noreen a gift too - a set of capybara - themed wrist rests for her mouse pad . " Oh wow , we picked out the same thing ! " Bianca exclaimed , noticing the identical wrist rest already on Noreen's desk . She turned to Seth and said with a playful smile , " Seth , you two really have similar taste . " Then , Bianca gave Noreen an apologetic grin . " Seth actually helped me pick out these gifts . I had no idea we'd get the same one . If you'd prefer , I can get you something else later . " " It's no trouble , I don't mind ," Noreen replied , accepting the extra wrist rest . Seth turned to her , his tone brisk and professional . " Secretary Gilmore , please show Mr. Lowell around the office . " Noreen had no reason to refuse . One of the cardinal rules for Aurelion Group's secretaries : the CEO's orders always come first . It was easy to see Bianca's appeal ; she spoke to everyone gently , always polite and considerate . She was beautiful too - stunning , really , with a face that seemed almost too perfect . But of course , only someone extraordinary could have been Seth's " one that got away . " 2/2 11:55 Chapter 4 After Noreen finished showing Bianca around , Bianca asked if she could see her new office . The space had just been renovated two weeks ago - Noreen herself had overseen every detail . The furnishings , the layout , everything had been designed to her taste . More than anyone , she had looked forward to sitting in that office . Just like she'd once dreamed of marrying Seth . But here she was , and she had neither . " I really love the vibe of this office . It's so much warmer than I expected - and it's so close to Seth , too , " Bianca said , clearly delighted . Unable to contain her excitement , she hurried off to the next room to share her joy with Seth , leaving Noreen standing alone . Noreen looked around at the office she'd painstakingly designed , her heart clenched so tightly she could barely breathe . She felt like a fool . Lunchtime brought the company's weekly executive meeting - the most important event at Aurelion Group , when the entire staff was expected to be on their best behavior . No one dared show up late . Noreen was no exception . Except … Bianca . Despite being a brand - new hire , Bianca waltzed in late , breaking one of Seth's strictest rules . Noreen was sure Seth would be angry . At the very least , she expected a stern word or two . But he didn't say a thing . Not one harsh sentence . He simply asked Noreen to hand out the meeting materials , his tone perfectly calm . In that moment , Noreen felt a strange sense of disorientation . She remembered back when she was an intern . She'd once been late to a meeting because she'd come down with the flu - ironically , after staying up to care for Seth when he was sick . He'd called her out in front of the entire company , showing her no mercy . He'd never even acknowledged that she'd gotten sick looking after him . She had felt hurt , even complained about it afterward . Seth's only explanation had 213 11.55 Chapter 4 been that the company was just getting off the ground and he had to set the tone - make an example of someone . And she had become the tool for his authority . She told herself that he was just being professional , that it wasn't personal . But now , years later , watching him quietly bend the rules for someone else , the memory stung like a slap to the face . So , he could make exceptions - just not for her . There really was a difference between people . Just as there's a difference between being loved , and not . פוני