Emily walked into the office with her usual poise, exuding an aura of authority that commanded respect. Her strides were purposeful, her expression calm and composed as if she were unshakable. Rachel, her assistant, noticed her boss's arrival immediately and hurried to meet her halfway. She took Emily's bag with her customary professionalism, her demeanor efficient yet friendly.
"Good morning, Emily," Rachel greeted, matching her brisk pace down the hallway.
"Morning, Rachel. What's the emergency?" Emily asked without preamble. Her tone was sharp but not unkind, her mind already racing through potential crises.
Rachel hesitated, her expression flickering with unease. "Umm…" she began, squinting slightly as though searching for the right words. "The CEO came in this morning and… he's demanding to see you. Immediately."
Emily froze mid-step, her usually composed face betraying a flicker of surprise. She turned sharply to face Rachel, her brows knitting together.
"You said what?" she asked, her voice edged with disbelief.
"The CEO wants to see you," Rachel repeated, emphasizing the weight of her words.
Emily's confidence faltered for a fraction of a second, a rare sight for anyone who knew her. She resumed walking, her pace quickening as she headed toward her office. Rachel trailed closely behind, her worry etched clearly on her face. Once inside, Emily sank into her chair, her mind racing with questions she couldn't yet articulate.
Rachel placed Emily's bag on the desk and set a steaming cup of coffee in front of her. "Here," she said softly.
"Thanks," Emily replied absentmindedly, her fingers curling around the cup for comfort, though she made no move to drink it. She stared straight ahead, her thoughts tangling like a storm. After a moment of silence, she finally turned to Rachel, her voice betraying a hint of vulnerability.
"Do you think I'm in trouble?" she asked, attempting to mask her concern but failing to keep the tremor out of her voice.
Rachel frowned, clearly puzzled. "Trouble? Why would you think that?"
Emily hesitated, her gaze dropping to her coffee. "Because of what happened at the awards show," she admitted in a whisper. "With Mika."
Rachel's expression softened, and she let out a light laugh, trying to ease the tension. "Emily, don't overthink it. The CEO probably just wants to congratulate his top talent for winning the Best Female Actress award. Relax."
Emily forced a smile, but her nerves refused to settle. The CEO of Starlight Entertainment wasn't just any man. Noah Connor was a legend in the entertainment world. His decisions had the power to make or break careers, and his mere presence was enough to send ripples of both admiration and fear through the industry. Whatever he wanted to discuss, Emily knew it wouldn't be trivial.
A soft knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts. Rachel moved quickly to open it, revealing a tall, broad-shouldered man in a tailored suit. He exuded authority, his sharp features and piercing eyes reinforcing his air of professionalism.
"Miss Emily, the boss has ordered your presence in his office," the man said, his deep voice commanding attention.
Emily's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked her anxiety. "Okay," she replied, setting her coffee aside and rising to her feet. She smoothed her skirt and took a deep breath, her composure slipping back into place like a well-worn mask.
"Rachel, hold down the fort while I'm gone," she instructed, giving her assistant a reassuring nod before following the bodyguard out of the office.
---
The walk down the hallway felt longer than usual. Emily's heels clicked against the polished floor, the sound echoing ominously. She maintained her usual confident posture, but inside, her mind churned. What could this be about? Is this about the awards? About Mika? Or something worse?
The bodyguard led her to a private elevator that required a special access card. The ride to the top floor was silent, the tension in the air thick enough to cut. Emily tried to steady her breathing, mentally rehearsing every possible scenario, but no amount of preparation seemed sufficient.
When the elevator doors slid open, the first thing Emily noticed was the expansive office. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the glittering city skyline, the late-morning light streaming in to illuminate the sleek, modern furnishings. It was a space that screamed power and success.
But it wasn't the view or the decor that held her attention.
Standing near his desk, Noah Connor radiated an aura of authority that was almost palpable. He was taller than she'd expected, his tailored suit emphasizing his broad shoulders and athletic frame. His dark, slightly disheveled hair added a touch of rugged charm to his otherwise immaculate appearance. But it was his piercing gaze that unsettled her the most—sharp, calculating, as if he could see straight through her facade.
However, Emily's attention was quickly drawn to another figure seated across from Noah. Her heart sank, and irritation flared when she recognized Mika, her long-time rival. Mika's smug smile only deepened Emily's unease.
"Please, sit," Noah said, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable authority.
Emily hesitated for a fraction of a second before taking a seat beside Mika. Her instincts screamed that this wasn't going to end well.
"Good morning, ladies," Noah began, his tone neutral but firm. "I'll get straight to the point. I know the two of you don't see eye to eye, but that's going to have to change."
Emily stiffened at his words, her mind racing. What is he talking about?
"As of today," Noah continued, his gaze shifting between them, "Mika is now part of Starlight Entertainment. She's one of us."
The words hit Emily like a punch to the gut. What? The word colleague echoed in her mind, mocking her. How could this be possible? Mika was with Red Carpet Productions—the competition.
Emily shot a glance at Mika, who was still smiling smugly. It took every ounce of restraint for Emily to keep her composure, though her clenched fists betrayed her frustration.
"And since you're our top actress, Emily," Noah added, his tone leaving no room for argument, "I expect you to help Mika find her footing here."
Emily opened her mouth to protest. "But sir—"
"No buts, Emily," Noah interrupted, his sharp tone cutting her off.
Emily swallowed her frustration and nodded, forcing the words out. "Okay, sir."
"Good." Noah's expression softened slightly, but his authority remained unwavering. "You're both dismissed."
Emily rose stiffly, barely glancing at Mika as they exited the office together. The tension between them was palpable, but neither spoke until they were out of earshot.