Anya Rivers rushed through the rain-soaked streets of the city, clutching her folder of credentials that she hoped would land her a much-needed job. Her modest apartment was two weeks away from throwing out, and her savings were dangerously low. She was desperate for anything stable, even if it meant working as an assistant for some uptight CEO.
The lobby of Cross Enterprises stood before her, a sleek building of steel and glass reaching into the sky. Adjusting her slightly damp blazer, she stepped inside, overwhelmed by the sheer luxury of the interior. Marble floors reflected the soft glow of golden chandeliers, and a massive floral arrangement dominated the center of the lobby. It felt like stepping into another world—one where she didn't belong.
She approached the reception desk with hesitant steps. "Hi, I'm here for the assistant position interview," she said, her voice trembling slightly. The woman behind the desk barely glanced at her before nodding toward the elevator.
"Top floor. They're waiting for you," the receptionist said curtly.
Anya blinked. She hadn't expected to be ushered in so quickly. With a deep breath, she stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. As the doors closed, her heart pounded. "You've got this," she whispered to herself, trying to summon confidence.
When the elevator dinged open, she was greeted by a sleek office space that exuded power and wealth. A tall man with striking features—sharp jawline, piercing gray eyes, and an aura of authority—stood by the window, his back to her. He turned slowly, and Anya's breath hitched.
"Miss Rivers?" he asked, his voice smooth and commanding.
"Yes," she replied, trying not to sound as nervous as she felt.
"I'm Damien Cross," he said, extending a hand. His grip was firm but brief. "You're here for the position?"
"Yes," she said again, inwardly cursing her lack of eloquence. "I—I'm ready to start immediately."
His eyes flickered with amusement, though his expression remained composed. "Good. You'll find the work demanding, but I expect excellence. Follow me."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked toward a large conference room. Anya hurried after him, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Inside the room, several folders and tablets were spread across the table. Damien gestured for her to sit, and she complied.
"I assume you've reviewed the job description thoroughly?" he asked, taking a seat across from her.
Anya hesitated. She hadn't actually read the fine print—she'd been so desperate to apply that she'd barely skimmed the posting. "Of course," she lied, hoping it wasn't obvious.
"Good," Damien said, though his tone suggested he wasn't entirely convinced. "This position requires discretion and adaptability. You'll be managing schedules, handling sensitive documents, and accompanying me to various engagements. Can you handle that?"
"Yes," Anya said firmly. "I'm confident I can meet your expectations."
For a moment, Damien studied her, his gaze intense. "We'll see," he said finally. "You can start today. My previous assistant left abruptly, and there's a backlog of tasks that need immediate attention."
Anya blinked in surprise. "Start today?"
"Is that a problem?" Damien asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, not at all," she said quickly. "I'm ready."
Damien nodded and handed her a tablet. "Your first task is to organize the documents in these folders by priority. There's a charity gala tonight, and I need the brief prepared before then. You have two hours."
Anya's heart sank as she looked at the mountain of files. Two hours? She swallowed her nerves and nodded. "Understood."
As she dove into the work, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was in way over her head. Damien's presence was both intimidating and oddly magnetic. She couldn't afford to mess this up—not when so much was at stake.
When Damien left the room, she allowed herself a moment to breathe. "You can do this," she muttered, focusing on the task. But as she worked, she couldn't help but wonder: had she made a mistake walking into this world? Or was this the opportunity she'd been waiting for?
Little did she know, this was only the beginning of a journey that would change her life forever.