Amara stared at the news broadcast in stunned silence. Robert Cain, CEO of Cain News Corporation, dead at sixty-two. The words echoed in her mind as the anchor detailed his sudden passing and the appointment of his son, Alexander Cain, as the new CEO.
Her fork hung mid-air, forgotten as her appetite vanished completely.
"Amara?" Maddie's voice jolted her back to the present. "Earth to Amara! You've been spacing out for a solid minute."
"I'm fine," Amara lied, pushing her plate away.
Maddie raised an eyebrow, her sharp green eyes narrowing. "Fine? You nearly dropped your omelet when they said Alexander's name." She crossed her arms. "You think I've forgotten who he is? The Alexander Cain. Mr. Hotshot Billionaire. Mr. 'We had a steamy one-night stand back in college.'"
Amara groaned, pressing her hands to her face. "Maddie, don't."
"Don't what? State facts?" Maddie smirked. "You two were practically a trope in the making. College golden boy and the ambitious journalism major who gets swept off her feet. The chemistry, the passion, the heartbreak—"
"It wasn't like that," Amara interrupted, lowering her hands to glare at her friend. "It was one night, Maddie. One stupid, impulsive night. And he doesn't even remember me."
Maddie tilted her head, studying Amara. "You don't know that."
"Oh, I do," Amara said bitterly, standing to clear the table. "Do you think he'd leave without a word if he actually cared? And never talked about it again, If he remembered me at all?"
Maddie shrugged, unfazed by Amara's frustration. "Men are dumb. Not everyone remembers the girls they stick their wood into. Maybe he didn't know what to say. Or maybe he's a jerk. Either way, you've moved on."
"Exactly," Amara said, more to convince herself than Maddie. "I've moved on."
Maddie didn't look convinced, but she didn't press further. Instead, she grabbed the remote and switched off the TV. "Well, lucky you, now you get to work under him. How poetic."
Amara froze mid-step. The reality of it hit her like a truck. Alexander wasn't just anyone anymore. He was her new boss.
---
Amara fidgeted with her pen as she sat in the sleek conference room at Cain News headquarters. The tension in the air was palpable as employees whispered about the new CEO.
When the door opened, the whispers stopped.
Alexander Cain strode in with the kind of confidence that silenced rooms. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, his dark hair slicked back, and his piercing blue eyes scanning the room like he owned it—which, technically, he did.
Amara's heart raced as their eyes briefly met. For a split second, she thought she saw a flicker of recognition. But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by his cold, businesslike demeanor.
"Good morning," Alexander began, his voice calm yet commanding. "I know the circumstances of my appointment are unusual, but I'm here to ensure this company not only survives but thrives. Starting today, we'll focus on rebuilding our reputation and pushing boundaries in journalism."
His gaze swept over the room again, lingering on Amara for a beat too long. She held her breath, wondering if he'd say something—anything—but he moved on without a word.
The meeting ended, and Amara hurried to gather her things, hoping to avoid any interaction. But as she reached the door, a familiar voice stopped her.
"Miss Rhodes," he said sharply.
Amara froze, then slowly turned to face him. His piercing gaze was locked on her, and she immediately felt self-conscious.
"Yes, Mr. Cain?" she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.
He stepped closer, his expression hard. "Is this how you present yourself at work?"
"What?" Amara blinked, confused.
Alexander gestured toward her hair. "Your hair. It's... unkempt."
Amara instinctively touched her bun, which had come loose during the meeting. She could feel the strands falling around her face.
"I—uh, I didn't realize," she stammered, heat rising to her cheeks.
"This is a professional environment," he said coldly. "I expect my employees to look the part. Fix it!"
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Amara standing there, mortified.
---
Amara slammed the door to her apartment, tossing her bag onto the couch.
"Well, someone's had a day," Maddie quipped from the kitchen, sipping on a mug of coffee.
"You have no idea," Amara groaned, collapsing into a chair. "Alexander Cain is the most insufferable man alive."
Maddie's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, this should be good. Spill."
Amara recounted the entire encounter, complete with Alexander's comment about her hair.
"He actually said that?" Maddie asked, trying not to laugh.
"Yes! As if I wasn't already nervous enough," Amara huffed. "The man is a walking ego trip."
"Well, at least he noticed you," Maddie said with a smirk.
Amara shot her a glare. "Not funny."
"Oh, come on, Amara. You're telling me there's nothing left from college? No lingering feelings?"
"Absolutely not," Amara said firmly, though the blush creeping up her neck betrayed her.
Maddie grinned knowingly. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say."