The CEO’s dark secret

CHAPTER ONE — THE INTERVIEW The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing the top floor of Valenti Global, a place Elena Ramos never imagined she would step into. Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched her folder to her chest. She had worn her best blouse—still a little faded from too many washes—and a pair of borrowed heels that pinched her toes. Just breathe, Elena. It’s only an interview, she told herself. But even she knew she was lying. This wasn’t just an interview. It was a chance—a last, desperate chance—to keep her and her younger brother from losing their apartment. She approached the reception desk, where a woman with sharp eyeliner and a sharper smile looked her over. “Name?” the receptionist asked. “Elena Ramos,” she replied, though her voice came out softer than she intended. The receptionist raised a brow as if Elena didn’t fit the kind of person who usually walked these marble floors. “You’re here for the personal assistant position?” Elena nodded. The woman shrugged. “Good luck. You’ll need it.” Before Elena could ask what she meant, the large double doors behind the reception area swung open. A tall man in a tailored black suit stepped out. His expression was unreadable, his presence commanding. His eyes—a cold, steel-gray—fell on Elena instantly, as though he sensed fear the way sharks sensed blood. “Elena Ramos?” he said. She swallowed. “Y-Yes.” “Follow me.” He didn’t introduce himself, but she recognized him immediately. Alessandro Valenti. Thirty-two years old. Billionaire CEO. The man whose face appeared on magazine covers and financial news channels. The man whose employees whispered about but never dared approach. And the man she had to somehow impress today. She followed him into his office, and her breath caught. The room was enormous, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the entire city. Everything was black, glass, or steel. Minimalist. Intimidating. Exactly like him. He took his seat behind a sleek desk and gestured for her to sit. She sat—carefully, trying not to seem nervous. His gaze swept over her, slow and assessing, making her feel as if he saw every secret she had ever tried to hide. “You graduated top of your class,” he said without looking at the papers in front of him. “Yes,” she replied. “You’ve worked part-time in three different places while studying?” “My family needed—” She stopped, realizing he hadn’t asked why. He leaned back in his chair, studying her face with an unreadable expression. “And why do you want to work for me?” She knew she had to choose her words carefully. “Because I work hard. I learn fast. And I—” “Hm.” He cut her off, eyes narrowing slightly. “Most people who sit in that chair tell me what they think I want to hear.” She blinked. “I—I don’t understand.” “Good,” he said. “It means you’re not lying.” Her heart hammered in her chest. Alessandro stood and walked toward the window, hands in his pockets, his broad shoulders outlined by the sunlight behind him. “You understand this job requires long hours, unpredictability, and absolute discretion?” “Yes.” “You will see things others don’t.” Her brows knit. “I’m sorry?” He turned back to her slowly, his gaze colder than before. “Things that cannot leave this office.” A shiver ran down her spine. “I can handle confidentiality,” she said quickly. “We’ll see about that.” He returned to his desk, sat down, and tapped a single finger on the surface thoughtfully. Then he said the words she least expected. “You’re hired.” Her lips parted. “I—I am?” He nodded once. “You start Monday. 7 a.m. Don’t be late.” She stood, nearly tripping in her borrowed heels. “Thank you, Mr. Valenti. I promise you won’t regret this.” As she walked toward the door, his voice stopped her. “Elena.” She turned. His eyes were on her, sharp and unreadable. “If you’re lying,” he said softly, “you won’t get a second chance.” Her breath caught. She didn’t know it yet, but this job—this man—would consume her life in ways she could never imagine. And stepping into that office was the moment she unknowingly entered the world of a mafia king.