The night that ruined me

Rain fell quietly over the city that evening. Not the soft romantic kind people liked to watch from their windows. This rain was cold. Persistent. Tiring. Andrea pulled her thin jacket tighter around her shoulders as she walked along the dim street. Her shoes were already soaked, and her legs ached from standing all day at her part-time job. Another exhausting shift. Another day barely earning enough. Streetlights reflected in puddles along the road as she walked slowly home. Her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket. Andrea frowned. She rarely received calls. When she pulled it out, the screen showed something strange. Unknown Number. She hesitated. Then she answered. "Hello?" The voice on the other side was calm. Deep. Professional. "Andrea Collins." Her heart skipped. "...Yes?" "We have a job offer for you." Andrea blinked in confusion. "A job?" "Correct." There was a short pause. The rain continued tapping softly against the pavement. "Be at Hale Tower, 16th floor, by six o'clock," the voice continued. Andrea's brows furrowed. "Wait—who is this?" "You will understand when you arrive." Click. The call ended. Andrea stood frozen under the rain. "What kind of joke is this...?" But something about the voice felt too serious to be a prank. She looked at the time on her phone. 5:12 PM Her eyes widened. "Hale Tower is across the city!" She groaned softly. "I'll be late..." Andrea began walking faster, almost running. The rain grew heavier. Cold drops soaked her hair and clothes, but she kept going. Her breathing became uneven as she rushed through the crowded sidewalks. Her mind wandered. For a moment, the city around her faded. And memories returned. Her father. A kind man. A hardworking man. The only person who had protected her and her mother. But the day he died... Everything changed. His relatives arrived like vultures. "We'll handle the estate." "You two wouldn't understand these matters." "We'll manage everything." Andrea remembered the day clearly. Their suitcases thrown outside. Her mother crying quietly. The door slammed shut behind them. They took the house. They took the business. They took everything. Leaving behind only debts. And a sick woman who could barely stand. Andrea clenched her fists as she ran through the rain. I won't let Mom suffer anymore. Not while I'm alive. By the time Andrea reached Hale Tower, her chest was rising and falling rapidly. The building stood tall and magnificent against the evening sky. Glass walls reflected the stormy clouds above. It looked nothing like the places Andrea usually entered. People in expensive suits walked through the large glass doors. Andrea looked down at herself. Wet hair. Rain-soaked clothes. Old shoes. She swallowed nervously. "This place is definitely not meant for someone like me..." But she stepped inside anyway. The lobby alone made her freeze. The floor shined like polished mirrors. Huge chandeliers hung above. Everything looked elegant. Luxurious. Expensive. Andrea whispered under her breath. "Wow..." A woman approached her. Tall. Elegant. Sharp. She wore a perfectly tailored black suit, and her dark hair was tied neatly behind her head. Her expression was calm and professional. "Miss Andrea Collins?" Andrea blinked. "Y-yes." "I'm Eve. The CEO's assistant." Andrea nodded awkwardly. Eve gestured politely. "This way, please." They walked toward the elevator. Andrea couldn't stop staring around. Everything felt unreal. How can a building look this expensive...? The elevator doors opened with a soft sound. They stepped inside. Eve pressed 16. Andrea watched the numbers slowly rise. Her stomach suddenly twisted. The nervousness. The running. The rain. Everything caught up at once. Her face turned pale. "Um..." Eve glanced at her. "Yes?" Andrea shifted awkwardly. "Sorry but... could you tell me where the restroom is?" Eve pointed calmly once the elevator doors opened. "Down the hallway. Third door on the right." Andrea nodded quickly. "Thank you!" She hurried away. But the hallway was longer than she expected. And quieter. Too quiet. She walked faster. Left. Right. Another turn. Andrea stopped. "Wait..." Her eyes widened. "I'm lost." She turned around quickly— And crashed into someone. "Ah!" Her body stumbled backward. But strong hands caught her arm before she could fall. Andrea looked up. And froze. The man standing before her was tall. Very tall. Dressed in a dark suit that looked expensive enough to buy her entire apartment building. His sharp eyes looked down at her calmly. Cold. Unreadable. Andrea immediately panicked. "I'm so sorry!" She looked at the faint stain of rainwater on his suit. Her face turned red. "I— I didn't see where I was going!" She bowed quickly. "I'll pay for the laundry!" The man looked at her silently. For a moment, the hallway felt colder. Then— A small smirk appeared on his lips. "It's unnecessary." His voice was low. Calm. Powerful. Andrea blinked. "O-oh..." The man stepped past her. Then paused. He glanced back briefly. His eyes studied her face with quiet interest. "Try not to get lost again." Then he walked away. Andrea let out a long breath. "That was scary..." She didn't know it. But the man walking away was Lucien Hale. The CEO of Hale Tower. And the person who had called her. Lucien's smirk deepened slightly as he entered his office. So that's her.