The lobby of New Human Corp was a sanctuary of cold, calculated professionalism. The marble floors gleamed under fluorescent lights, and the quiet hum of the air conditioning added to the sterile atmosphere. But that morning, the carefully maintained peace was shattered by a loud, animated voice that seemed to echo off every polished surface.
"No, no, no, miss! You don't need to check that endless list! I'm Ethan Amp. The name speaks for itself. Shall I spell it for you? Ethan. Amp. A-M-P! I bet even John Wall jumped out of his chair when he heard I was here!"
Carla, walking through the lobby with a stack of files in her arms, paused mid-step. Her curiosity piqued, she turned to locate the source of the commotion.
It wasn't hard to find.
Standing at the reception desk was a tall, striking man, his presence impossible to ignore. He had an effortless charm about him, with a sharp jawline, tousled brown hair, and a smile that radiated confidence—too much of it, perhaps. His tailored suit was slightly rumpled, and his loosened tie added a rebellious touch to his otherwise polished appearance.
The young receptionist, visibly flustered, was doing her best to maintain her composure.
"Mr. Amp, I'm sorry, but if your name isn't on the list, I can't let you—"
"Oh, come on! You're telling me John Wall—my John Wall—forgot to inform his staff about my arrival? That's not like him. Maybe he wanted it to be a surprise!"
Employees in the lobby began to steal glances, some stifling chuckles, others outright smirking. The receptionist, her cheeks flushed, caught Carla's eye and sent her a pleading look.
Carla hesitated. She had plenty to do, but leaving this poor girl to fend for herself felt cruel. Setting her files down on a nearby bench, she approached the desk with a calm, professional smile.
"Good morning. Is everything all right here?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.
Ethan turned to her immediately, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "And who might you be? Another gatekeeper, or perhaps my rescuer in this temple of bureaucracy? Finally, someone who understands that action speaks louder than forms!"
Carla suppressed a smile. This man was exhausting, but there was something oddly entertaining about his over-the-top demeanor. "I'm Maya Laurent, Mr. Wall's assistant. Perhaps I could escort you to your destination?"
Ethan's grin widened. "Maya Laurent. What a name! It sounds like poetry. You know what? I accept your offer. Lead the way, my savior."
The receptionist shot Carla a grateful glance as she motioned for Ethan to follow her.
As they made their way through the sleek hallways, Ethan filled the silence with a seemingly endless stream of chatter.
"You know, I met John years ago at a summit. He was brilliant but a little too serious for my taste. I was the one who brought the energy, shook things up, you know? He's the ice; I'm the fire. A perfect duo."
Carla listened with mild interest, nodding occasionally while silently cataloging every word. Ethan's energy was infectious but overwhelming.
"And what about you, Maya? How long have you been working here? Because I've got to say, this place is dull as hell, but you... you're a ray of sunshine."
She offered a polite smile. "Not very long, but I'm adapting quickly."
"Of course, you are! You seem like the type who can handle anything. You know, I wouldn't be surprised if you ran this place someday. You've got that aura of authority mixed with charm."
Carla chuckled lightly, thinking to herself that if Ethan Amp could keep his mouth shut for two minutes, he might actually be tolerable—or even attractive.
Finally, they arrived at John Wall's office.
"You can wait here, Mr. Amp. I'll make sure everything is ready for you."
Ethan threw himself into a chair with exaggerated drama. "Maya, you're a gem. If John doesn't notice that, he's blinder than I thought."
Carla smiled tightly and stepped into the office. Her palms were slightly damp as she knocked on the doorframe, her heart beating just a touch faster than normal.
This wasn't the first time she'd been in this space, but the anticipation of seeing John Wall always left her feeling off balance. He was an enigma, a man who exuded authority and mystery. The mere memory of their first meeting—his piercing gaze and the way he seemed to see right through her—sent a shiver down her spine.
Carla leaned against the wall of the hallway just outside John Wall's office, her mind racing as she processed the whirlwind of Ethan Amp's arrival. There was something inherently chaotic about him—a tornado of charm, energy, and ego wrapped in a tailored suit. And now, here he was, claiming an unannounced connection to the most elusive man in the building.
She glanced toward the door Ethan had breezed through moments earlier and sighed. The problem was simple yet maddeningly complex: Ethan didn't have an appointment.
Her job, her mission, depended on staying beneath notice, never making mistakes, and certainly never doing anything that might draw unwanted attention to herself—or worse, irritate John Wall.
But dismissing Ethan outright carried its own risks.
If Ethan really was an important associate of John's and she sent him away? That would be a disaster.
But what if he wasn't? What if he was simply a loud, overconfident interloper who thrived on theatrics? Allowing him to waste everyone's time would make her look like an amateur.
Carla pinched the bridge of her nose, frustration simmering beneath her calm exterior. Her instincts told her that Ethan wasn't entirely what he seemed. His confidence wasn't just arrogance—it had too much precision to be random. Every comment, every smile, every movement seemed deliberately designed to dominate the room.
She paced in the corridor, weighing her options.
"I can't exactly throw him out," she muttered to herself, "but I can't gamble my reputation—or John's patience—on someone who might just be full of hot air."
Her thoughts spiraled further. What did Ethan really want? Was this visit about John Wall, or was there something else at play?
Finally, she decided the best course of action was to buy time. Ethan needed to be contained until she could determine his intentions.
Returning to the office, she found Ethan already lounging on a sleek leather chair near the window, feet propped casually on the polished glass table. He looked entirely at ease, as if he owned the place.
"Mr. Amp," Carla began, schooling her voice into polite neutrality.
"Ethan, please," he interjected, grinning at her. "Formality is so dull."
"Ethan," she corrected, keeping her tone even. "I understand you're eager to see Mr. Wall, but unfortunately, his schedule is extremely tight today. I'll do my best to ensure he has time for you, but until then, I'd appreciate your patience."
Ethan sat up, his grin widening. "You're a real pro, aren't you? All smooth words and calm composure. But don't worry, I'm not in a rush. I can wait."
Carla resisted the urge to roll her eyes. His charm was as exhausting as it was relentless.
"I'll set you up in a quiet space where you can be comfortable," she said instead, gesturing toward a smaller meeting room nearby.
"Oh, don't worry about me. I'm perfectly fine right here," Ethan replied, leaning back with a smug smile.
Carla stepped closer, lowering her voice just enough to sound firm without breaking her polite facade. "This area is reserved for scheduled meetings, Ethan. Let's not make this more complicated than it needs to be."
For a moment, Ethan studied her, his playful expression softening into something more thoughtful. Then, with a dramatic sigh, he stood. "Fine, fine. Lead the way, Maya. But only because you're much more persuasive than that receptionist."
She escorted him to the smaller meeting room and ensured he had everything he might need—water, a notepad, even a tablet in case he wanted to occupy himself.
"Wait here," she instructed, her tone leaving no room for debate. "I'll inform Mr. Wall of your presence as soon as possible."
Ethan gave her a mock salute. "At your command, Maya. But don't keep me waiting too long. I get restless."
Carla shut the door behind her with a quiet sigh of relief. Step one was complete—Ethan was contained. But now came the harder part: deciding how to handle him.
As she returned to her desk, she tapped her pen nervously against her notepad. This situation required finesse.
She could send an immediate message to John's senior assistant, Sophie, to ask if Ethan had a legitimate reason to be there. But if Sophie didn't know, it would cause ripples—ripples Carla didn't want associated with her name.
She could go directly to John, but interrupting him for what might turn out to be a wild goose chase seemed equally foolish.
Her eyes flicked to her watch. She had to think quickly. The clock was ticking, and Ethan was the kind of man who wouldn't sit still for long.
What if he really is important? What if John would've wanted to see him immediately, and I've already wasted valuable time?
But another voice in her head chimed in, cooler and more logical. And what if he isn't? What if you're just being played by someone who likes the sound of his own voice?
She took a steadying breath, reminding herself to focus. The safest option, for now, was to hold Ethan at bay until she had more clarity.
Carla opened her laptop and pulled up John Wall's schedule. Her heart skipped as she scanned the meticulously blocked-out calendar. There was no mention of Ethan Amp anywhere.
Still, Carla hesitated. She wasn't just Maya Laurent, the assistant who needed to look competent. She was Agent K, and every choice she made here had to serve her mission. Ethan could be a problem, but he could also be an opportunity.
For now, all she could do was wait—and hope that when she finally approached John, she wouldn't regret her decision.
When she returned to let Ethan in, she suddenly sensed someone behind her.
"Miss Laurent."
The deep, familiar voice sent a jolt through her. She turned slowly, her breath catching in her throat.
John Wall stood there, his imposing frame mere steps away. His dark eyes held a quiet intensity, and his tailored suit fit him perfectly, emphasizing his broad shoulders and commanding presence.
Her pulse quickened. Fear? No, not quite. Fascination? Definitely. It was as though his presence had its own gravitational pull, drawing her in and leaving her both captivated and unnerved.
"Are you handling our guest?" he asked, his voice calm yet laced with authority.
"Yes, Mr. Wall. I've ensured he's comfortable while waiting for you," she managed, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.
John's gaze lingered on her, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink to just the two of them. Carla felt exposed, as if he could read every thought in her head.
"Good," he finally said, breaking the spell.
Turning, he greeted Ethan, who had leapt to his feet with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"John! My old friend! Still as stoic as ever. Don't worry, I'm here to fix that."
John's expression didn't waver. "Ethan. Still as... energetic as always. Let's talk in my office."
Ethan gave Carla a wink as he followed John inside, leaving her alone in the hallway.
Carla exhaled slowly, her heart still racing. There was something about John Wall that left her completely off-kilter, a mix of danger and allure she couldn't resist.
Shaking her head, she turned to leave, already planning her next move. Whatever it took, she needed to get closer to John Wall. Even if it meant enduring Ethan Amp's endless chatter.