Falling for Mr Callahan

Unexpected reunion

Amelia's POV

"I can't believe you got shortlisted for an interview at Callahan Group. I mean, you're intelligent, and you have experience in different fields. You just keep making me proud."

Aria dramatically wiped away imaginary tears from her eyes.

"You are overly dramatic," I laughed while trying to smooth out my blouse one more time.

I had on a chiffon blouse paired with black trousers. I left my brunette hair cascading down to the middle of my back and kept my accessories simple—a necklace, a pair of earrings, and a few bangles. After slipping on my flat shoes, I grabbed my bag.

"I wish you all the luck today. I know you're going to nail it, but I'm still wishing you luck anyway," Aria cheered.

"Thanks." I let out a nervous laugh. "I'm so nervous. Do you think I'll do well?"

"Yeah. I know you can, and I know you will."

She smiled confidently.

"You're Amelia Hart."

For some reason, hearing my own name from her lips made me smile.

"Thanks, Aria."

With one last deep breath, I walked out of the house.

~~

The towering Callahan Group building greeted me the moment I stepped out of the cab.

I tilted my head back slightly.

Wow.

The building looked even more intimidating in person.

People dressed in crisp corporate outfits walked in and out confidently, their ID cards hanging around their necks as though they had every second of their day planned.

And then there was me.

Clutching my bag like it was my lifeline.

Suddenly, every ounce of confidence Aria had poured into me disappeared.

Maybe this was a mistake.

Maybe I wasn't good enough to be here.

Maybe—

"Are you here for the interview?"

A voice behind me interrupted my thoughts.

I turned around to see... well... a very handsome man.

He had warm brown eyes and curly brown hair neatly packed into cornrows.

Handsome?

Definitely.

But not as handsome as the hunk I had bumped into the other day.

I realized I had been staring a little too long because I hadn't answered his question.

He snapped his fingers lightly in front of my face.

"I know I'm handsome," he said with a playful grin, "but you didn't have to make it so obvious. How do you want me to feel about that?"

Before I could stop myself, I burst into laughter.

Just like that...

Every bit of nervousness disappeared.

For the first time since getting here, I wasn't thinking about the interview anymore.

"I am here for the interview," I finally replied, still smiling. "And yes, I do think you're handsome... but trust me, I've seen better."

"Ouch."

He placed a dramatic hand over his chest.

"That hurts."

I laughed again.

"But it's fine." He stretched out his hand. "I'm Lucas."

A small smile played on his lips.

"Lucas Bennett."

"I'm Amelia Hart." I shook his hand. "Please, can you help me with the venue for the interview?"

He nodded.

"Come on."

As we walked through the building, I couldn't help but admire the place.

Everything looked expensive.

Professional.

Polished.

The kind of place people dreamed of working in.

We eventually arrived at the waiting area.

There were already a lot of applicants.

Some were discussing business-related topics I'd never even heard of.

Some sat quietly, flipping through their notes one last time.

Others were glued to their phones.

And just like that...

My nerves came rushing back.

"You look like you'd barf."

Lucas' voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I'd forgotten he was still standing beside me.

"Oh, yes," I admitted honestly. "I think I actually might."

He laughed, clearly thinking I was joking.

"Trust me, you'll be fine."

He shrugged casually.

"These interviews aren't as scary as people make them seem. Besides..." He smiled. "Confidence will take you farther than panic ever will."

I let out the breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

"That actually felt better than I thought it would."

I smiled at him.

"Thank you... stranger."

"Ouch."

He sighed dramatically.

"Number two."

"I thought we'd become friends already."

I laughed.

Again.

Before I could respond, the receptionist walked into the room.

"We'll be starting the interviews shortly."

The room immediately became quiet.

Lucas wished me luck one last time before walking away.

I didn't even think to ask who he was.

He probably just worked here.

Fingers crossed I get in.

It'd be nice to already have a friend here.

Names were called one after another until—

"Amelia Hart."

I stood up.

Straightened my blouse.

Smoothed out imaginary wrinkles that didn't exist.

Then took one deep breath before walking into the interview room.

The first person I saw was...

Lucas.

I stopped for half a second.

He caught the surprise on my face immediately.

A slow smirk spread across his lips.

So this was why he seemed so relaxed.

I quickly composed myself before introducing myself to the panel.

As my eyes traveled across the room, they landed on another familiar face.

Brown eyes.

Sharp features.

Cold expression.

The hunk from the coffee incident.

For a brief second, I watched the slightest flicker of recognition cross his face before it disappeared completely.

Before I could stop myself, the words escaped my lips.

"Ice King?"

Silence.

Every single interviewer turned to look at him...

...then at me.

Meanwhile, he sat there completely unfazed.

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

"Oh my goodness... I'm so sorry."

I closed my eyes for the briefest second before forcing myself to compose myself.

Again.

The interviewers exchanged curious glances, but thankfully, none of them asked why I'd reacted that way.

~~

Damien's POV

I was shocked at first.

I scanned through the file in front of me.

Amelia Hart.

Final-year Economics student.

Twenty-four years old.

Blue eyes.

Those blue eyes.

As she walked into the room, all I could stare at were her eyes.

I watched the surprise on her face when she saw Lucas, followed by the smirk that spread across his face.

I wondered how they had gotten to know each other.

Then her eyes found me.

Shock.

Recognition.

Then...

"Ice King."

The sudden outburst caused the other executives to dart their eyes between the both of us, but I remained calm and expressionless.

She quickly apologized and composed herself.

Again.

The interview began.

Questions were thrown at her from different executives, covering different topics.

She answered every single one of them confidently.

Impressive.

Lucas leaned forward in his chair before asking a question.

It wasn't a question we normally asked internship candidates.

I looked at him briefly before turning my attention back to Amelia.

She smiled.

She didn't look rattled.

Instead, she answered calmly, explaining her thoughts with confidence and remarkable clarity.

Now...

I was more than impressed.

I was awestruck.

And it wasn't just me.

Lucas looked both amazed and proud.

The other executives exchanged impressed glances amongst themselves.

One after another, they nodded.

Satisfied.

Finally, every pair of eyes turned toward me.

The final question.

As the head of the company, it was mine to ask.

Truthfully...

I didn't have a question prepared.

But something came to mind.

"Miss Hart."

She immediately turned to face me.

"Yes, Mr. Callahan."

"If you had known beforehand that your interviewer was someone you'd argued with..."

A flicker of embarrassment crossed her face.

"...would you still have attended today's interview?"

She inhaled slowly before meeting my gaze.

Without flinching.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because personal misunderstandings shouldn't determine professional opportunities."

The room fell completely silent.

"And," she continued, "I'd rather be judged by my qualifications than by one unfortunate accident."

For the first time that morning...

I almost smiled.

"That will be all, Miss Hart."

She stood gracefully.

"Thank you for your time."

She gave a polite nod before walking out of the room.

The door had barely closed behind her when one of the executives spoke.

"Well... she's one of the strongest applicants, if not the strongest."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Including Lucas.

That alone spoke volumes.

Lucas wasn't easily impressed by people.

If even he approved of her...

There was a very good chance she'd be accepted.

One after another, the executives excused themselves until only Lucas and I remained in the room.

He leaned back in his chair, folded his arms across his chest, and looked at me with the expression of a man who had just solved a complicated murder case.

"After putting two and two together..."

He shook his head.

"I finally understand what happened between the two of you."

"And what would that be?" I asked, sounding far less interested than he was.

A grin slowly spread across his face.

"She's the one."

He paused for dramatic effect.

"The stranger who schooled you."

I simply stared at him.

He burst into laughter.

"My goodness..."

He shook his head again.

"How little this world is."

I leaned back in my chair.

Yeah...

Really.

How little this world is.