Sophia woke up early, her heart a mix of excitement and nervousness about her first day at BW Group. The morning sun cast a warm glow through her window as she prepared for the day. After freshening up, she made her way to the kitchen, where the aroma of scrambled eggs and toast filled the space. She enjoyed her simple yet satisfying breakfast with a glass of milk, savoring the calm before the whirlwind of her first day at work.
Once she finished, she retreated to her room to get ready. Sophia chose her outfit with care, aiming for a look that was both professional and polished. She selected a white V-neck shirt, paired with grey pants and a matching grey blazer. Her hair was neatly tied back into a long ponytail, giving her a clean and sophisticated appearance. She completed her outfit with grey pencil heels, which added a touch of elegance without sacrificing comfort. To accentuate her look, she wore white artificial pearl earrings, enhancing her professional demeanor.
With everything in place, Sophia took a final glance in the mirror, feeling confident and prepared for the day ahead. She gathered her belongings, took a deep breath, and headed out the door, ready to embark on this new chapter of her career.
Alex, unable to sleep comfortably through the night, woke up early the next morning with a sense of anticipation. He wanted to make a memorable impression on Sophia today, so he opened his wardrobe, hoping to find something that would stand out. To his dismay, his entire wardrobe was filled with custom-made suits, all in varying shades of black and grey. These suits, while expensive and tailored to perfection, reflected the cold and aloof nature that had come to define Alex Blackwood.
Feeling a pang of frustration, Alex reluctantly chose yet another grey suit. Despite the quality and precision of the tailoring, the color did little to lift his mood or change his image. He donned the suit and completed his look with his usual accessories, but the dull hues only seemed to emphasize his internal struggle. With a touch of sadness, he headed out the door, hoping that his genuine intent to connect with Sophia would shine through despite the constraints of his wardrobe.
As Alex arrived at Crystal Crest Tower, he noticed Sophia entering the building. To his delight, she was dressed in a similar color scheme—a grey outfit. This small coincidence made Alex smile and boosted his spirits as he headed toward his cabin on the top floor, the 51st floor.
Sophia, meanwhile, made her way to the HR department. Upon arrival, she met with Mr. Mitchell, who was waiting for her. This step in the hiring process was especially important as it was personally arranged by Mr. Blackwood. Although typically handled by junior staff, Mr. Mitchell was overseeing Sophia's onboarding to ensure everything was handled perfectly.
"Hello, Ms. Sophia," Mr. Mitchell greeted her warmly. "I'm glad to see you. As you are aware, the position of Personal Assistant to Mr. Blackwood is a highly responsible role. We need to go through some formal procedures and review the terms and conditions of your contract. I trust you won't find these terms objectionable."
As Mr. Mitchell handed over the contract, Sophia began reading it carefully. Most of the terms and conditions seemed standard, including the expected travel abroad with Mr. Blackwood for business meetings. However, two points caught her attention.
The first was her salary, which was astonishingly high for the role she was assuming. The second was the requirement to be available 24/7 for Mr. Blackwood, which seemed to imply a constant demand on her time.
Sophia hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Mr. Mitchell. "These two points—my salary and the 24/7 availability—are a bit surprising. Can you explain them?"
Mr. Mitchell nodded, understanding her concerns. "Well, Ms. Sophia, I had a similar reaction when I first saw the salary figure. But as the Personal Assistant to Mr. Blackwood, one of the most influential business figures in the country, it's only natural that your compensation reflects the importance and demands of the role."
He then addressed the second point. "As for the 24/7 availability, you have to understand that BW Group operates on a global scale. Mr. Blackwood frequently travels and attends various business and social events, both domestically and internationally. Your presence will be required at these events, which can happen at any time. However," he added, softening his tone, "if you need personal time or rest, you can inform Mr. Blackwood in advance. He's quite accommodating and will arrange for someone else to cover for you during those times."
Sophia considered his words carefully. While the demands seemed intense, the opportunity was significant. The chance to work so closely with someone like Alex Blackwood was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the high salary certainly made the commitment worthwhile. She nodded, feeling reassured by Mr. Mitchell's explanations.
Sophia signed the agreement and handed it back to Mr. Mitchell. He informed her that her next step was to proceed to floor 51, where Mr. Ethan would brief her on her duties.
As she took her leave from the HR department, Sophia made her way to the elevator. Unfamiliar with the direct lift to Alex's top-floor office, she took the normal elevator, which required her to navigate through the hallways of the office.
The corridors were abuzz with quiet conversations as staff members whispered among themselves. Sophia overheard snippets of chatter, mostly about the unprecedented move of Mr. Blackwood hiring a female personal assistant for the first time.
As Sophia made her way through the hallway, she noticed that the staff's whispers weren't just about her being the first female PA hired by Mr. Blackwood. They were also abuzz with speculation about Ethan's role.
"I can't believe Mr. Blackwood hired a female PA," one staff member murmured.
"Yeah, and what about Ethan? He's been Mr. Blackwood's PA for years. What's going to happen to him now?" another whispered.
"Maybe he's getting promoted? Or reassigned? It's strange to think of anyone else in that role," someone else speculated.
The conversations revealed a mix of surprise and concern, with some staff members genuinely worried about Ethan's future. After all, he had been the right hand of Mr. Blackwood for so long that the idea of someone else stepping into that position, especially a woman, was almost unthinkable.
Sophia's heart raced as she absorbed the weight of the situation. Not only was she stepping into a high-profile role, but she was also entering a position that had been long occupied by someone else. The staff's curiosity and concern added to her own anxiety, but she steeled herself, reminding herself that she had earned this opportunity. With a deep breath, she continued toward the elevator, ready to face whatever awaited her on the 51st floor.
As Sophia reached the top floor, she was greeted by Ethan with a warm smile, though she noticed a hint of tension behind his eyes. "Good morning, Ms. Carter," Ethan said, signalling her to sit next to him. "Let's go over your responsibilities."
"Good morning," Sophia replied, taking the seat beside him. She was eager to learn, and Ethan began explaining her new role with careful detail. He spoke about scheduling meetings, coordinating travel plans, managing communications, and ensuring that everything Mr. Blackwood needed was taken care of seamlessly.
However, as they delved deeper into the details, Ethan suddenly felt a chill. He could sense a pair of eyes burning into him. Looking up, he saw Alex staring at him from across the room, his expression cold and intense. It was clear that Alex's impatience had reached its limit. Ethan, who had been by Alex's side for years, instantly understood what was going on.
Clearing his throat, Ethan quickly adjusted his approach. "Ms. Carter," he said, his tone shifting, "I think it might be best if, for today, you focus on getting to know Mr. Blackwood. We can go over the rest of your duties later. For now, why don't you go and greet him? See if there's anything he needs."
Sophia glanced at Ethan, sensing the unspoken message. She nodded and stood up, smoothing her blazer as she approached the door to Alex's office. Her heart was pounding, but she kept her composure. She knew this moment was important, not just for her job, but for setting the tone of her new role.
As she entered Alex's office, she found him standing by the window, his back turned towards her, seemingly lost in thought. The room was filled with an air of power and authority, yet there was an undercurrent of something more personal. She cleared her throat softly and spoke, "Good morning, Mr. Blackwood. Is there anything I can assist you with today?"
Alex turned to face her, his intense gaze softening just slightly as he looked at her. "Good morning, Ms. Carter," he replied, his voice smooth but with an edge of warmth that wasn't there before. "Yes, there is something. Please, have a seat."
As Sophia sat down, Alex couldn't help but notice how perfectly their outfits matched today. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he prepared to give her the first task, knowing full well that this was just the beginning of their intertwined fates.