AT Aurora Press Co.
Lily Reyes paced nervously outside the office building, her heart racing as she clutched the strap of her bag. The towering structure loomed above her, its glass walls gleaming under the morning sun.
"Okay, Lily, you've got this," she whispered to herself, taking a deep breath. She adjusted her blouse, smoothed her skirt, and stepped inside.
The receptionist greeted her with a polite smile. "Good morning. Are you here for the interview?"
"Yes," Lily replied, trying to sound confident.
"Take the elevator to the third floor. They'll call you in shortly," the receptionist instructed.
Lily nodded, thanked her, and made her way to the elevator. As the doors closed, she glanced at her reflection in the metallic surface. She looked presentable, but the nerves were hard to hide.
The third floor was bustling with activity. People moved with purpose, the sound of ringing phones and hurried footsteps filling the air. Lily found a seat in the waiting area and sat down, clutching her resume tightly.
Her mind raced with doubts. What if she wasn't good enough? What if they didn't like her?
But then she thought of Ella. Her sister had been through so much and still managed to hold her head high. If Ella could face Damien Calloway and his father, Lily could handle one job interview.
A few minutes later, a woman in a sleek suit stepped out of an office and called her name. "Lily Reyes?"
Lily stood, her knees trembling slightly. "Yes, that's me."
"Follow me," the woman said, giving her a professional nod.
The interview room was bright and modern, with a large window overlooking the city. The panel of interviewers sat behind a long table, their expressions neutral but not unkind.
"Good morning, Ms. Reyes," one of them said. "Let's begin."
The questions came fast, but Lily answered each one with as much poise as she could muster. She talked about her passion for journalism, her eagerness to learn, and her determination to make a difference.
By the end of the interview, she felt drained but proud. She had done her best.
"Thank you for coming in," one of the interviewers said, standing to shake her hand. "We'll be in touch soon."
Lily nodded, thanked them, and left the room. As she walked out of the building, her phone buzzed.
It was an email. She opened it quickly, her heart pounding.
Congratulations! You've been selected for the role of Junior Journalist. We look forward to having you on our team.
Lily let out a small squeal of excitement, earning a few curious glances from passersby. She didn't care. She had done it!
As she walked toward the street, a man's voice called out behind her. "Hey! Excuse me!"
Lily turned, startled, to see a tall, sharply dressed man jogging up to her. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and his confident smile made her blush.
"I'm sorry to bother you," he said, catching his breath, "but I saw you leaving the building, and I couldn't help but notice how stunning you look."
Lily blinked, her cheeks turning pink. "Uh… thank you?"
He chuckled, holding out his hand. "I'm Adrian. And you are?"
"Lily," she replied hesitantly, shaking his hand.
"Lily," he repeated, his tone smooth. "Beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Look, I don't usually do this, but… could I have your number? I'd love to take you out sometime."
Lily hesitated, glancing down at her phone. Was this real? A complete stranger was asking her out?
"Don't worry," Adrian added, his smile widening. "I'm not a creep. I just think someone as gorgeous as you deserves to be treated right."
Against her better judgment, she found herself nodding. "Okay, fine."
She handed him her number, and he grinned. "I'll call you soon, Lily. Don't forget me."
As Adrian walked away, Lily stood there, her heart racing for an entirely different reason.
What just happened? she thought, clutching her phone tightly.
Lily stepped into the quiet house, her heels clicking softly against the wooden floor. The space felt emptier than usual, and she let out a sigh as she tossed her bag onto the couch.
Ella hadn't been home for over a week now. She'd been at the hospital, taking care of Damien—the so-called fiancé who didn't even seem to appreciate her. Lily clenched her jaw at the thought.
"What's the point of this arrangement if it's only going to hurt her?" she muttered under her breath, sinking onto the couch.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out, expecting another message from Adrian. Instead, it was Ella.
Hey, Lil. I'll be home late again tonight. Don't wait up for me.
Lily stared at the message, her frustration boiling over. She didn't bother replying. She tossed the phone aside and leaned back, closing her eyes.
Ella was trying so hard to make this ridiculous contract work, and for what? A man who didn't even seem to notice her worth? Damien might have saved them from their financial mess, but Lily couldn't shake the feeling that he was more trouble than he was worth.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Frowning, she got up and opened it to find Adrian standing there, holding a bouquet of flowers.
"Adrian?" she asked, surprised.
"Hey," he said with a charming smile. "I know it's sudden, but I couldn't stop thinking about you. Thought I'd drop by and see if you were free for dinner."
Lily blinked, taken aback. "How did you even find my address?"
Adrian chuckled, holding up his hands. "Relax, I'm not a stalker. You mentioned the area during our conversation, and I asked around a bit. Turns out you're kind of unforgettable."
Lily felt a mix of flattery and unease. "That's… sweet, I guess. But I'm not sure if tonight's a good time."
"Come on," he coaxed. "You've been working hard, haven't you? Let me take you out. Just for a couple of hours. You deserve it."
She hesitated, glancing back at the empty house. Ella wasn't around, and she had been feeling lonely. Maybe a little distraction wouldn't hurt.
"Fine," she said finally, grabbing her jacket. "But just dinner."
Adrian grinned, stepping aside to let her lock the door. "Deal. Let's go."
As the city lights flickered outside the car, Adrian glanced at Lily with a sly smile.
"You know," he began, his tone smooth, "you're even more beautiful up close."
Lily chuckled nervously, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks, I guess. That's… sweet of you to say."
Adrian pulled the car into a quiet spot by the side of the road, cutting the engine. The sudden silence made Lily's heart race.
"Adrian? Why are we stopping?" she asked, her voice cautious.
He turned to her, his gaze soft yet intense. "Because I couldn't focus on driving with you sitting so close to me. You're… captivating, Lily."
Her breath hitched as he leaned in slightly, his eyes locked onto hers. "You deserve to be treated like the queen you are," he whispered, his voice low and enticing.
Lily's heart pounded in her chest. She felt frozen, unsure of what to say or do. Adrian's hand brushed hers, his touch light but deliberate.
"Adrian," she started, her voice trembling, "I don't think—"
Before she could finish, he leaned in further, his face mere inches from hers. The air between them grew thick with tension, and Lily's mind raced.
Her hand instinctively tightened on the strap of her bag, her pulse quickening as Adrian's lips hovered dangerously close to hers.