ONE YEAR WITH HIM

Ava Hayes stepped into the marble-floored lobby of Knight Global Holdings, her steps quiet but steady. She carried nothing but a slim folder and the kind of determined expression worn by someone who refused to break, no matter how life pushed. Thirty minutes earlier, she had run from the hospital to the bus stop, praying she wouldn’t be late. The nurses had told her the same thing they always told her: “Your mother is stable… for now.” For now. Two words that followed Ava everywhere. The elevator chimed softly. She stepped out into a lobby so polished she could see her tired reflection on the marble floor. Everything here smelled like money; clean, cold, expensive. She wasn’t flashy. She wasn’t polished. But she was naturally striking in a quiet, overlooked way. Today she wore a cream blouse with slightly frayed stitching at the hem. Black trousers that fit well but had been ironed one too many times Simple, worn black flats Her dark hair twisted into a no-nonsense low bun, a small, natural face, brown eyes focused and sharp, lips soft but pressed into a professional line. Ava didn't look expensive. She looked hardworking, tired, and far too familiar with responsibility.... but she was there. She smoothed her simple, worn-out blouse and exhaled... She didn’t belong here, but she needed this job. Badly. Then came the receptionist's voice, “Mr. Knight will see you now.” Her stomach tightened. When she entered Sebastian Knight’s office, she felt the temperature drop, not because of the AC, but because of the man behind the desk. She used to think billionaire CEOs were old men with graying hair and round stomachs. But the man behind the massive glass desk was… young. Sharp. Made of angles and control.,dressed in a crisp black suit that probably cost more than her yearly rent. He didn’t look up immediately. When he finally did, his gaze skimmed over her once, professionally, unimpressed, and then returned to his tablet. "A very cold assessment,"Ava said to herself “Sit,” he ordered. Ava obeyed. "Explain every gap in your employment history.” “What qualifies you to manage the schedule of a CEO?” “You think you can handle twelve-hour days?” “Why should I trust you with confidential files?” “You realize this job is not for people who… fall behind.” He paused on the last words, eyes briefly lifting toward her in a very cold manner. Elena held his gaze, steady. “I don’t fall behind, sir.” You’ve worked three jobs in the last year,” he said. “Yes, sir.” “You left each one voluntarily?” “Yes, sir.” Because the hours didn’t pay enough. Because she needed flexibility for hospital emergencies. Because she was drowning in responsibilities. But she didn’t say any of that. He studied her again, sharper this time. “Why do you want this position?” She didn’t bother lying. “It pays more than the others.” Most interviewers would frown. Sebastian didn’t. His expression barely softened: 'What makes you think you can handle the schedule?” “I’ve handled worse,” she said simply. His fingers stopped tapping. For a moment, the room felt too still. Then he closed her file. “You’re hired.” Just like that. Elena blinked. “I....I haven’t even....sir, I thought....” “You’ll start Monday,” he continued, standing. “Be here by seven. The job is demanding. I don’t tolerate lateness or laziness.” He leaned back. “There is one more thing,” he said. “This position is a one-year contract. My current secretary is going on maternity leave and will return after twelve months.” Ava nodded. “I understand.” “You will be expected to perform at her level,” he added sharply, “from day one.” She inhaled. “I can.” Her heart leaped, but there was no time to feel it. Because his gaze swept her again, cold and blunt. “In this company, Ms. Hayes,” he said, “appearance is part of the job. You will accompany me to high-end meetings, public events, and formal galas.” He looked at her blouse. Her trousers. Her flats. “You do not currently fit that standard,” he said plainly. Ava's cheeks warmed, but she held her expression steady. He pressed a button on his desk phone. “Mrs. Bradshaw will see to it.” Then he dismissed her with a nod toward the door. She stood “Thank you, Mr. Knight.....” Before she finished, he spoke again, without looking at her. "My former secretary will brief you on Monday morning." He lifted the phone fully now and dialed. “Mrs. Bradshaw,” he said, “come to my office.” When the door opened, a tall, stylish woman with silver-framed glasses stepped inside. “Take her shopping,” Sebastian instructed coldly. “Full wardrobe. Elegant. Professional.” He didn’t wait for a reply. He lifted his hand in a dismissive gesture toward the door, signaling both women to leave. Ava followed Ms. Bradshaw into the hallway. As they turned a corner, another woman approached; tall, stunning, dressed in designer pieces head to toe. Her hair was styled in perfect waves; her perfume drifted like money. She glanced at Ava once, just once, and her lip curled. “Well,” she murmured, her voice dripping with cruel amusement, “I see the recruitment standards have truly dropped.” Ava stopped. Her spine straightened on instinct. Her mouth opened— But Ms. Bradshaw’s hand closed firmly around her arm. “Don’t,” she whispered sharply. “Not a word.” “But—” “Trust me,” Mrs. Bradshaw said with quiet urgency, eyes locked on Elena’s. “You don’t want to.” The classy woman passed with a smug smile, not even bothering to look back. Ava exhaled slowly. She didn’t know who the woman was. But the insult struck deeper than she expected. Still— She remembered her mother. Her bills. “Where do we go first?” Ava asked, trying to keep her voice neutral. Mrs. Bradshaw glanced at her, then gave a tiny, approving smile. “To transform you into someone who can walk beside Sebastian Knight,” she said, pushing her glasses up her nose. “And stop being… ordinary.” Ava blinked. Not an insult. Not quite a compliment either. More like a challenge. At the sound of the word transform, Eva felt a quiet spark of excitement break through the exhaustion she carried. A chance to change her wardrobe? To actually look like someone who belonged inside this skyscraper of polished marble and ambition? For the first time in months, maybe longer;she felt a lightness in her chest. As they walked through the hallways, she allowed herself one small fantasy: a gown, soft fabric, heels clicking elegantly on the floor, her hair falling softly instead of being pulled back tight… She would never admit it aloud, but she felt just for a moment....like a princess catching a glimpse of her future crown. Ms. Bradshaw noticed the slight smile on her face. “Don’t get carried away,” she warned gently. “Mr. Knight is not an easy man to work with.” “I’ve noticed,” Ava murmured. “You will notice more,” she replied. “Much more.” They reached the elevator and stepped inside. The doors slid shut with a soft chime. Ava exhaled slowly, letting the reality of everything settle in her bones. A new job. A new wardrobe. A one-year contract that could change her entire life. And a boss who looked at her like a task to be completed and not a human being. But still… Something about this day felt like the beginning of something big. Something dangerous. Something unpredictable. The elevator descended. “Mrs. Bradshaw?” Eva asked quietly. “Yes?” “The lady we ran into… who was she?” A muscle in Ms. Bradshaw’s jaw tightened. “No one you should worry about if you just do your job and mind your business," she replied too quickly. The elevator doors opened. Ava stepped out. And standing a few feet away, leaning casually against a sleek black car parked in the private executive garage….was the same woman who insulted her minutes ago. But now she wasn’t smirking. She was staring directly at Ava with an expression so cold, so sharp, it felt like a warning. Ms. Bradshaw’s grip tightened around Eva’s arm again. “Don’t look at her,” she whispered urgently. “Keep walking.” “Why? Who is she?” Eva whispered back. Mrs. Bradshaw swallowed. “Someone,” she murmured, “who doesn’t like any woman getting close to Sebastian Knight.” Eva’s heart stilled. “But I’m only his secretary....” “That,” Ms. Bradshaw said, lowering her voice, “is exactly why she’s watching you.” And that was when Eva realized, this job was more complicated than she imagined. And she had just walked into something far more dangerous than a simple one-year contract.