Heir Of Shadows

CHAPTER FOUR

ELARA

Avery looked like hell, and honestly, I wasn’t much better. I found her sprawled on the couch, her hair sticking out in all directions and mascara smudged under her eyes. An empty glass balanced precariously on the armrest.

She groaned as I walked in, clutching her head like it might explode.

“You’re alive,” I said, dropping a bag of greasy breakfast sandwiches on the table.

“Barely,” she muttered, peeking at me through squinted eyes. “Why are you so loud?”

“I’m not loud. You’re hungover,” I shot back, settling

onto the armchair. I felt worse than she did. “

She sat up slowly, wincing like every movement hurt.

“Bits and pieces. Why? What happened?”

I managed to find my way to the kitchen to make coffee. That would help with the hangover.

“One cup for you, one cup for me,” I said, shoving a cup of drink towards her direction.

We stared at each other for a while. It felt like we both had unanswered questions bugging our minds.

“What happened at the party?” We both asked at the same time, bursting into fits of laughter.

“You honestly don't remember?” She asked.

“I don't, but I remember talking to a cute guy and…”

“Dancing with him.” She cut me short, opening her laptop to see if there was a response to the emails we sent.

The job search had taken a different turn, and I received a negative response everywhere I

applied.

I watched her smile turn into a frown when we opened the first mail.

“When you say dancing with him, who did I dance with?” I asked again, as it seemed the events of last night had eluded my memory.

“I don't know. Some guy. Some guy you met at the club,” She shrugged.

“Huh, I see. Did you at least take a picture of us?” I knew that was far-fetched, but I didn't understand why I failed to remember my date for one night.

We continued job-hunting until we settled on the last mail. If that turned negative, too, all of my applications would have been rejected.

Congratulations, Miss Elara Bennett. You have proceeded to the next stage of the recruitment

process. Please note your interview is slated for tomorrow, the 5th.

The words were boldly written in italics, and I felt joy for the first time in a long while. I screamed as Avery wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. None of these would have been possible without her. The alcohol seemed to dissipate from my system as I rushed upstairs to look for a proper outfit for my interview.

“Adrian,” I blurted out while we searched my closet for the perfect outfit.

“What?” Avery seems confused

“Adrian, that was his name. Adrian. The cute guy from last night, the cute guy I danced with and probably had the most amazing s*x with,” I revealed.

“My goodness, Elara! You had s*x, and I'm just knowing!” Avery feigned annoyance.

“That will be for another day; I need us to focus on my interview right now.” I pleaded.

********

The next week

The elevator ride to the top floor of the towering glass building felt like an eternity. My stomach was tied in knots.

This was supposed to be my fresh start—my chance to rebuild after everything I lost. Landing a job interview at one of the most prestigious firms in the city was a miracle. I should have been ecstatic. I knew I scoffed at the idea of Avery signing me up for a personal assistant role, but at this stage of my life, I didn't care. I needed every penny I could lay my hands on.

I was shaking like a leaf dealt by the wind.

“Pull yourself together, Elara,” I whispered, smoothing down the wrinkles in my navy blue pencil skirt.

I adjusted my blazer and tried to muster the confidence I’d faked so well during the interview.

I entered a sleek, minimalist office space when the elevator doors slid open. The receptionist, a polished woman with perfect hair, greeted me with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Ms. Bennett. Welcome to Montgomery Industries; Mr. Montgomery will see you now.”

“Mr. Montgomery? I'm here for the interview.” I corrected her with the hope she had mistaken me for a client.

“Oh yeah; he likes handling the interviews for his PAs himself. HR only works on the recruitment and interviews him alone.”

“Oh.” I nodded, clutching my portfolio like a lifeline as she led me through glass-paneled halls.

My heels clicked against the marble floor, echoing loudly in the silence.

“This is it.” She said, stopping in front of an imposing oak door. She knocked once, then pushed it open.

“Mr. Montgomery, your new applicant is here.”

I stepped inside, and my world stopped. I could recognize the face without an iota of doubt. The events of that night came creeping back. I remembered how he slammed himself into me, and a tiny smile formed on my face.

There, behind the massive desk, stood Adrian.

Not just any Adrian—the Adrian. The one from the club. The one-night stand I’d claimed I didn't remember days ago.

My mouth went dry, and I froze, clutching my portfolio so tightly I thought it might snap in half.

Adrian looked… different, yet the same. His tailored charcoal suit hugged his broad shoulders perfectly, the crisp white shirt beneath it emphasizing the sharp angles of his jaw. His piercing gray eyes flicked up to meet mine, and for a moment, they softened. But then, just as quickly, they turned cold, like a steel door slamming shut.

“Elara,” he said, his voice calm and impersonal, like he didn’t even know me. “Take a seat.”

I blinked, trying to find my voice. “Uh… sure. Thanks.”

I sat down, my heart hammering in my chest. This had to be a joke. Of all the people in the world, why did my new soon-to-be boss have to be *him*?

Adrian didn’t acknowledge the tension in the room. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, studying me with an expression so detached it made my stomach churn.

“Welcome to my company, and as you know, I'm the CEO. Tell me about yourself.” He began, his tone clipped.

“Adrian, it's me…Ela…”

“I expect professionalism.” He snapped, “Your personal life, whatever it entails, stays outside this office.”

Was that a jab? My cheeks flushed. “Of course, Mr. Montgomery, I completely agree.”

“Good.” His eyes flicked to the papers on his desk, dismissing me as if I were just another employee. “We’ll see how you handle the workload. Report to work by 8 am on the dot.”

I stood, my legs wobbly. “What, but I came here for an interview?”

“And I already got all I need. Are you reporting to work, or will you question me all day?” He continued.

This man must be kidding me. Why hire me without an interview if you claim I don't exist?

“Thank you for the opportunity, sir. I promise not to disappoint,” I said in a tone of defeat as I walked out of his office. This was the shortest interview I had ever had.

As I left his office, my mind raced. The Adrian I’d met that night had been charming, warm, and mischievous.

This Adrian was cold and guarded, like a stranger.

This was going to be a nightmare. How was I going to cope knowing I slept with my boss?

I found a silent room and screamed into my documents. The universe knew how to trick me.