At The Last Moment

First Working Day

CHAPTER 1

The morning sky was still dark, as if unwilling to give way for the sun to shine. Aisya took a deep breath before stepping into the tall building that would soon become her new workplace—Louise Holdings. Her heart beat slightly faster, not out of nervousness but from a mix of excitement and unease at starting a new chapter in her life.

She walked briskly toward the lobby, her low heels clicking softly against the sleek marble floor. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for directions. In her grasp, she held a file tightly, containing important documents for her interview. But suddenly, she froze.

"Oh no! Where am I? Damn, I forgot!" she muttered, standing in the middle of the lobby, looking lost.

She turned left and right, looking for someone who could help her. But everyone passing by seemed busy with their own affairs, their faces serious and professional. No one looked approachable enough to ask for directions.

Just as her eyes continued searching, a tall man stepped into the lobby. Dressed in a well-fitted black suit, a phone in his hand, he walked with a calm, confident stride toward an elevator labeled ‘VVIP.’

Without thinking twice, Aisya hurried toward him. This was her last chance to ask before she got even more lost.

"Err... Sir, where’s the interview location?" she asked hastily, slightly out of breath.

The man stopped in his tracks. His grayish-blue eyes lifted from his phone screen and landed on Aisya’s face. His expression was blank, unreadable.

Aisya blinked.

The man slightly inclined his head, probably due to the stark height difference between them. Aisya was only 160 cm tall, while the man was at least over 180 cm.

"Meet Miss Sophia at the Human Resource office, fifteenth floor," he replied curtly, his voice cold, as if answering out of obligation rather than interest, before returning his attention to his phone.

Aisya was momentarily speechless.

"Oh... Thank you?" she murmured, but the man had already resumed his steps toward the VVIP elevator without sparing her another glance.

Aisya scowled. "Seriously? That’s it?" she grumbled before sighing heavily.

Just then, Adriana, her housemate, arrived with a formally dressed woman walking beside her. The woman appeared older, exuding a strong aura of authority.

"Aisya, you’re here! How’s it going?" Adriana asked cheerfully.

Aisya looked up and offered a weak smile.

"Just got here. I asked a guy for directions, and he said I need to meet Miss Sophia. Do you know him?" she asked curiously.

Adriana frowned. "A guy? Who?"

"The one in the black suit earlier, tall, with..."

"Take the elevator, fifteenth floor, last corridor on the right. That’s where the HR office is."

A different voice suddenly interrupted, making both Aisya and Adriana turn their heads.

The woman accompanying Adriana gave a small smile before extending her hand.

"I’m Zizi, the Chief Financial Officer here," she introduced warmly.

Aisya was momentarily taken aback before quickly shaking Zizi’s hand.

"Oh, thank you, ma’am," she responded politely.

"Good luck with your interview," Zizi said with a knowing smile before walking away.

Aisya nodded slowly, but her heart was still pounding—not because of the interview, but because of the lingering question in her mind.

Who was that man earlier? Why did his aura feel so cold?

Before she could dwell on it, Adriana gently pulled her arm.

"Don’t overthink. Hurry up, or you’ll be late," Adriana said with a wide grin.

Aisya smiled faintly and took a deep breath. With renewed determination, she walked toward the public elevator and pressed the up button.

Ting!

The elevator doors opened.

Aisya stepped inside, clutching her file tightly. She pressed the number fifteen and stood still, waiting. However, the moment she stepped out of the elevator, something unexpected happened.

Thud!

Her file slipped from her hands, scattering papers all over the floor as she collided with someone.

Two men—almost identical—turned to look at her simultaneously. At first glance, they seemed like mirror images of each other, but the differences were obvious.

The first man stood straight, his face devoid of expression, serious. His grayish-blue eyes were sharp and hard to read, his dark brown hair neatly styled. The aura surrounding him was cold, commanding, exuding the charisma of a leader.

The second man, however, was more relaxed, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. His bright blue eyes were full of life, contrasting with his brother’s serious demeanor. His hair was slightly lighter, more of a golden brown. The glasses perched on his nose added an extra touch of charm.

Both were tall, well-built, and striking, like two sides of the same coin—similar but not the same.

"I’m so sorry, sir... I didn’t see you there. I’m really sorry!" Aisya quickly apologized, scrambling to pick up her scattered papers, flustered.

"Oh, you again?" the bespectacled man remarked.

Aisya looked up and nearly choked on air.

"You?!" she blurted out. Her ears burned as she stared at the man in front of her, seething with unspoken anger.

Adrian smirked. "Yes, why?" he asked playfully, adjusting his glasses with his right hand. He looked annoyingly handsome.

Aryan, on the other hand, remained silent, his expression as cold as ever.

Aisya clenched her jaw, her frustration bubbling. Her fingers gripped her file tightly. The moment she recognized his face, unpleasant memories surged back into her mind.

Two days ago...

The light drizzle that afternoon was still fresh in her memory. She had just left Starbucks after spending an hour reviewing her interview notes. Her mood was great, her steps confident. But in an instant, everything changed.

The roaring sound of an engine caught her attention. She turned her head just in time to see a red Lamborghini speeding down the road, heading straight toward a large puddle.

SPLASH!

Dirty water, mixed with mud, splattered all over her. Her jacket was soaked, strands of hair stuck to her face. Aisya stood frozen, eyes wide in shock, body stiff.

"Son of a—ARGHHH!" she shouted in fury, stomping her foot.

Through the car’s side mirror, she caught a glimpse of the driver’s face—a man laughing at her misfortune.

But what truly ignited her rage wasn’t just the soaked clothes. It was the fact that the driver of that car was the very same bespectacled man now standing in front of her with a smug expression.

Aisya’s face turned red with anger. "What are you doing here?!" she demanded, seething.

Her question was met with silence.

Adrian merely smirked. "You here for a job interview?" he teased.

"Aisya!" Adriana suddenly called out, rushing toward her.

Her gaze shifted between the two nearly identical men.

"What are Sir-Sir doing here?" she murmured under her breath.

Aryan merely raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable, while Adrian continued smirking.

Aisya turned to Adriana with a deep frown. "You know him?" she asked.

One second... Two seconds... Three seconds...

"Why didn’t you tell me that jerk works here?!" Aisya exclaimed loudly, drawing the attention of a few nearby employees.

Adrian grinned, pushing his glasses up slightly before crossing his arms over his chest.

"Relax. It’s just water; it’s not like you drowned in the puddle," he said casually.

Aisya clenched her teeth. Infuriating!

"Adrian," Aryan’s calm yet authoritative voice broke the tension. "What did you do this time?"

Adrian shrugged, his expression indifferent. "I was just driving normally. Not my fault she stood too close to the puddle, right?"

"You—!" Aisya snapped, gripping her file tightly. "You stepped on the gas after seeing me, didn’t you?!"

Adrian chuckled.

SMACK!

A sharp slap echoed across the fifteenth-floor lobby, freezing everyone in place. Adrian stood stunned, his right cheek burning. His eyes widened in disbelief.

"You slapped me?" he muttered, still processing.

Aryan raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. That slap... Well, he had to admit, Adrian probably deserved it.

Adriana also looked shocked. "Aisya! Are you crazy?!"

"Serves you right!" Aisya snapped, panting as her eyes remained fixed on Adrian.

Adrian was silent, trying to keep his composure. His face turned red with embarrassment, not expecting the girl to have the audacity to slap him. However, before turning and walking away, he managed to give a mocking smirk. "Hmph!"

"Aisya! What are you doing?" Adriana whispered urgently, pulling her friend's arm to bring her closer.

"What?! I didn’t do anything wrong," Aisya huffed, crossing her arms.

"Not wrong? Do you even know who they are?!"

"Who? What are you talking about?" Aisya asked, confused.

Adriana let out a long sigh. "That was Adrian Louise. The COO of this company. And next to him, the cold-faced one, is his twin brother, Aryan Louise."

Aisya’s heart pounded faster. "What?!"

Adriana glanced at Adrian, who was walking further away. "And his brother is the CEO."

Aisya was stunned. Her eyes remained locked on the man disappearing behind the office doors. She could hardly believe it. Had she just ‘attacked’ her own COO?