Lily stood in front of the imposing glass doors of Sinclair Enterprises, her heart pounding in her chest. The building loomed over her, all sleek lines and mirrored windows, a testament to wealth and power. She clutched her purse tightly, taking a deep breath to steady herself. This was it. The beginning of her new job. The job she'd taken to save her father, to secure a future for her family.
"Fake it till you make it," she whispered to herself, the mantra sounding hollow. But there was no turning back now. She squared her shoulders and pushed open the doors, stepping into the cool, air-conditioned lobby.
The space was grand, filled with marble floors, high ceilings, and the gentle hum of activity. A large reception desk sat in the center, manned by a smartly dressed woman who looked up as Lily approached. Her eyes flickered with a hint of curiosity as she took in Lily's appearance.
"Good morning. How can I help you?" the receptionist asked, her tone polite.
Lily smiled nervously. "Good morning. I'm here for the personal assistant position. I was told to start today. My name is Lily Robinson."
The receptionist nodded, checking her computer screen. "Ah, yes. Mr. Sinclair's new assistant. You're expected. Please take the elevator to the fifteenth floor. His office is at the end of the hallway."
Lily thanked her and made her way to the elevator, feeling the eyes of the staff on her as she walked. She wondered if they could tell she was a fraud, just another girl playing dress-up in the world of billionaires. The elevator doors slid open, and she stepped inside, pressing the button for the fifteenth floor.
As the elevator ascended, Lily tried to calm her racing thoughts. She had practiced her story over and over. Michael had assured her that everything would be in place, that Aiden Sinclair would believe her background. She just needed to stick to the plan, keep her head down, and do her job. She could do this.
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened to reveal a sleek corridor lined with expensive artwork. Lily walked down the hallway, her footsteps muffled by the plush carpet. At the end of the hall, a pair of tall wooden doors marked the entrance to Aiden Sinclair's office.
She hesitated for a moment, then knocked lightly. A voice called from inside, firm and commanding. "Come in."
Lily opened the door and stepped inside. The office was expansive, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline. The room was tastefully decorated with modern furniture, and a large mahogany desk sat near the windows. Behind it stood Aiden Sinclair, looking out at the city.
He turned as she entered, and Lily felt a jolt of surprise. In person, Aiden was even more striking than she had imagined. His brown hair was neatly styled, his hazel eyes sharp and assessing. He wore a tailored suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and lean build. There was an air of confidence about him, a presence that filled the room.
"You must be Lily Robinson," he said, his voice smooth and businesslike. "Please, have a seat."
Lily moved to the chair in front of his desk, feeling his eyes follow her. She sat down, smoothing her skirt nervously. Aiden took his own seat behind the desk, steepling his fingers as he studied her.
"You come highly recommended," Aiden began, his gaze unwavering. "I expect my assistants to be efficient, discreet, and reliable. Do you think you can manage that?"
Lily nodded, her throat suddenly dry. "Yes, Mr. Sinclair. I'm ready to do whatever is necessary to assist you."
Aiden's lips curved into a faint smile. "Good. I don't tolerate failure. My time is valuable, and I expect my staff to respect that. Your main duties will include managing my schedule, handling correspondence, and ensuring that all meetings and appointments run smoothly. Occasionally, I may need you to accompany me to events. You will receive instructions as needed. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir," Lily replied, trying to sound confident.
Aiden nodded, satisfied. "Excellent. You'll start immediately. I've arranged for your access to the building and all necessary credentials. My previous assistant left some files that you will need to familiarize yourself with. You'll find them in the desk outside. Also, there is a company apartment available for you if you choose to use it. It's near the office and convenient for late hours. Alternatively, I could offer you a room in my residence if it would make you more available to me."
Lily's heart skipped a beat. What a stroke of luck! She could stay in his house and watch over him. It made her job that much easier. "Thank you, Mr. Sinclair. That's very generous."
Aiden's eyes narrowed slightly. "It's a necessity. My work often requires long hours. I need my assistant to be available at all times."
Lily nodded, trying to keep her composure. She had expected long hours, but the idea of being on call all the time was daunting. Still, she had agreed to this job, knowing full well what it might entail. She couldn't afford to back out now.
Aiden leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "One more thing, Miss Robinson. I value honesty above all else. If there's ever a problem, or if you find yourself in a situation you cannot handle, I expect you to come to me directly. Inefficiency is not something I tolerate in my organization."
Lily's stomach tightened at his words. Was he already suspicious of her? She forced a smile, meeting his gaze. "Of course, Mr. Sinclair. I understand."
Aiden studied her for a moment longer, then nodded. "Good. You can start by organizing the files outside. I have a meeting shortly, but I'll check in on your progress later."
Lily stood, smoothing her skirt again. "Thank you, Mr. Sinclair. I won't let you down."
As she turned to leave, Aiden's voice stopped her. "And Miss Robinson?"
She paused, glancing back at him. "Yes?"
"Welcome to Sinclair Enterprises."
Lily smiled, her heart pounding. "Thank you, sir."
She left the office, closing the door behind her. She found the desk just outside Aiden's office, stacked with files and paperwork. Taking a deep breath, she sat down and began sorting through the documents, trying to focus on the task at hand.
The morning passed in a blur of activity. Lily familiarized herself with Aiden's schedule, his list of contacts, and the various projects he was overseeing. Her nerves slowly eased as she worked, the routine calming her. It wasn't until she paused for a moment to stretch that she realized someone was watching her.
A woman stood in the doorway, her arms crossed, a curious smile on her face. She was tall, with dark hair pulled back in a sleek bun, and wore a fitted dress that screamed designer label.
"You must be the new girl," the woman said, her voice friendly but edged with something else.
Lily nodded, standing up. "Yes, I'm Lily Robinson. I just started today."
The woman extended a hand. "Amanda Carlson, head of HR. I like to meet all the new hires personally, especially those working directly with Mr. Sinclair. It's not an easy job, you know."
Lily shook Amanda's hand, feeling a flicker of uncertainty. "I've heard he's demanding, but I'm ready to do my best."
Amanda laughed softly. "Oh, he's more than demanding. Aiden Sinclair is a perfectionist. He expects nothing less than excellence from everyone around him. But if you can handle it, the rewards are worth it."
Lily forced a smile. "I'm sure they are."
Amanda's eyes flicked over Lily, as if assessing her. "Just a word of advice: stay on his good side. Aiden doesn't tolerate incompetence or disloyalty. People who cross him don't last long here.
Lily's stomach tightened. "I'll keep that in mind."
Amanda nodded, satisfied. "Good. If you need anything, my office is on the twelfth floor. Welcome to Sinclair Enterprises, Lily. I hope you enjoy your time here."
With that, Amanda turned and walked away, leaving Lily alone with her thoughts. As she sat back down at the desk, the weight of her new reality settled over her. This wasn't just a job. It was a high-stakes game, and Lily was already deep in its shadows.
She took a deep breath, focusing on the files in front of her. There was no room for doubt, no time for fear. She had made her choice. Now, she just had to play her part and hope that Aiden Sinclair never discovered the truth.