BILLIONAIRE’S HEART

Chapter 2

The following morning, Tamara awoke to the familiar sound of her phone buzzing on the nightstand. She rubbed her eyes and reached for it, only to freeze as she saw the name on the screen Sington Corp.

She hesitated for a moment before answering. “Hello?”

“Ms. Williams,” came the deep, authoritative voice of Lucas Sington. “It’s Lucas. I’d like to offer you the position we discussed yesterday.”

Tamara’s heart nearly skipped a beat. She was speechless for a moment. Had she really made it?

“Wait, really?” she asked, surprised that he’d gotten back to her so quickly. “I mean, yes, of course! Thank you! I won’t let you down.”

There was a long pause on the other end before Lucas spoke again. “I’ll be honest with you, Ms. Williams. There’s a bit of a catch.”

Tamara’s excitement faltered. “A catch?”

“Yes,” he continued, his voice cool. “I need someone who can fit in with the Sington Corp team, but also handle certain… sensitive matters. I need someone who’s willing to step up in situations that aren’t necessarily in the job description. Can I count on you for that?”

Tamara blinked. She wasn’t entirely sure what he meant by “sensitive matters,” but this job was too important for her to back out now. She’d deal with whatever came her way.

“Absolutely. Whatever it takes, I’m ready.”

“Good. You’ll start on Monday, 9 a.m. sharp. Be prepared to work hard.”

With that, the call ended abruptly. Tamara stared at the phone, still trying to process everything. The job was hers. It was really happening.

But then the unease settled in again. What did he mean by “sensitive matters”? And why did she feel like Lucas had a way of making everything sound like a challenge?

She pushed those thoughts aside for the moment. Today was about family. Today, she needed to check on her mother and make sure everything was running smoothly at home.

The house was small but cozy, tucked away in a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of the city. Tamara had grown up here, in a place full of memories. Her mother was sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, looking frailer than Tamara would have liked. The constant worry about her health weighed heavily on Tamara’s shoulders, but she smiled for her mother’s sake.

“Morning, Mom,” Tamara said softly, sitting down beside her. “How are you feeling today?”

“I’m alright, sweetie,” her mother replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Don’t worry about me. You’ve got your interview today, don’t you?”

Tamara’s heart warmed, but she could tell her mother was putting on a brave face. “Actually, I heard back from them. They offered me the job!”

Her mother’s eyes lit up. “That’s wonderful, Tamara! I knew you could do it.”

“I’m not sure what I’m walking into yet,” Tamara admitted, “but I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure things get better around here.”

Her mother reached over and squeezed her hand. “You’re so strong, sweetheart. I’m proud of you. Always.”

Monday came faster than expected. Tamara arrived at Sington Corp’s sleek headquarters feeling like she was stepping into a different world. The building seemed even more imposing up close, a testament to Lucas Sington’s vast empire. She stood in front of the elevator, her heart pounding. This was it, the beginning of her new life.

When the doors opened, she stepped out onto the top floor and walked into the reception area. The same assistant greeted her with a curt nod, directing her to Lucas’s office.

This time, however, something felt different. The tension in the air was palpable. The last few days had felt like a whirlwind, but now that she was here, it was all sinking in. The stakes were higher than ever.

She pushed the door open, finding Lucas already seated at his desk. He didn’t look up immediately, his eyes glued to his phone, but his presence alone was commanding.

“Ms. Williams, you’re right on time,” he said, finally looking up. “Have a seat.”

Tamara took the chair across from him, trying to keep her hands steady. The temperature in the room felt cooler than it had the last time they met, as though Lucas’s attention was sharper, more critical.

“I trust you’re ready to begin?” Lucas asked, his gaze unwavering.

“Absolutely,” Tamara replied, her voice steady. “I’m ready to do whatever it takes.”

Lucas didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he tapped a few things on his tablet, his gaze never leaving her. There was something almost intimidating about the way he observed her, as though he was trying to figure out exactly what made her tick.

“Good,” he said finally. “I’ll give you your first assignment. But let me make this clear this job isn’t for the faint of heart. I don’t need someone who’s going to back down at the first sign of trouble.”

Tamara met his gaze, determination in her eyes. “I’m not one to back down.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but not impressed. “We’ll see.”

He stood up and walked over to the large windows that offered a stunning view of the city skyline. “There’s a project I need you to oversee. It’s… complicated. It requires a level of discretion, and it might even get messy. But if you do well, you’ll prove your worth.”

“Messy?” Tamara repeated, unsure of what he meant.

Lucas turned his cold eyes toward her, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “Don’t ask too many questions. Just do your job, and you’ll be fine.”

Tamara swallowed the knot in her throat. She wasn’t sure what kind of “complicated” project Lucas was referring to, but it sounded like it was anything but easy. And then there was that lingering unease about the “sensitive matters” he’d mentioned. But she couldn’t afford to second-guess herself now. This was her chance.

“Understood,” she said, meeting his gaze. “I won’t let you down.”