CEO And Secretary

A Very Inconvenient First Expression

Maureen stared at the glass building in front of her and seriously reconsidered every life decision that had led her to this exact moment.

“Rodriguez Tech,” she muttered, tilting her head back to look at the towering structure. “Of course it had to be this dramatic. Couldn’t they just operate from a normal building? Maybe something… less ‘I’ll ruin your self-esteem in five seconds’?”

The building gleamed under the morning sun, all steel and glass and intimidating success. People walked in and out like they belonged there—sharp suits, confident strides, the kind of energy that screamed I have my life together.

Maureen adjusted her slightly wrinkled blouse and sighed.

“Okay,” she whispered to herself. “You’re ambitious. You’re capable. You’re… five minutes late.”

Her eyes widened.

“Five minutes late?!”

She immediately broke into a half-run, half-controlled panic toward the entrance, nearly colliding with a man stepping out of a sleek black car.

“Oh—sorry!” she blurted, stumbling slightly.

A hand shot out, steadying her before she could completely lose balance.

“Careful.”

The voice was calm. Deep. Controlled.

Maureen blinked, looking up.

And for a second—just one second—her brain stopped functioning.

The man in front of her looked like he had walked straight out of a magazine cover. Tall, composed, dressed in a perfectly tailored dark suit. His expression was unreadable, sharp eyes studying her like he was assessing something far more important than a clumsy stranger.

“Oh,” Maureen said intelligently. “You’re… very tall.”

She froze.

Why would you say that? Of all the things—THAT?

The man raised an eyebrow slightly.

“And you’re in a hurry,” he replied.

His tone wasn’t mocking. If anything, it was… mildly amused.

Maureen cleared her throat quickly, stepping back.

“Yes. Interview. Important. Life-changing. Potentially humiliating. You know—normal morning activities.”

A pause.

Then, unexpectedly, the corner of his lips lifted just slightly.

“Good luck,” he said.

And just like that, he walked past her.

Maureen stood there for half a second longer.

“…Okay, wow.”

She shook her head quickly.

“Nope. Focus. Attractive strangers are not part of today’s mission.”

Inside Rodriguez Tech

The lobby was even worse.

High ceilings. Marble floors. A massive digital display showing company achievements like it was competing with the stock market itself.

Maureen approached the reception desk, trying to look like she belonged.

“Hi,” she said, slightly out of breath. “I’m here for the interview. Maureen… hopefully not disqualified yet?”

The receptionist gave her a polite smile.

“You’re just in time. Please take a seat. They’ll call you shortly.”

Maureen nodded, sitting down and immediately clasping her hands together.

“Okay,” she whispered under her breath. “Don’t mess this up. You need this job. Rent needs this job. Your future needs this job.”

A few minutes later, her name was called.

She stood up, smoothed her hair, and followed the assistant down a long hallway.

Every step felt louder than it should.

Every second felt heavier.

The Interview Room

The door opened.

Maureen walked in—

—and stopped.

Because sitting at the head of the table…

was him.

The very tall man.

Her soul left her body briefly.

No. No, no, no. This is not happening.

His gaze lifted to meet hers.

Recognition flickered.

And then—

Nothing.

His expression returned to that same calm, unreadable composure.

“Miss Maureen,” he said smoothly. “You’re late.”

Her brain scrambled for survival.

“Yes,” she replied. “But I arrived with personality, which I believe should count for something.”

Silence.

One of the panel members coughed.

Jordan leaned back slightly in his chair, studying her.

“Personality,” he repeated.

“Yes,” Maureen said, now fully committed to whatever this was. “It’s a rare skill. Very hard to list on a CV, unfortunately.”

A pause.

And then—

Very faintly—

Jordan almost smiled Hook:

“Let’s see,” he said, folding his hands, “if your personality is worth the risk.”

Maureen swallowed.

Oh, this is going to be a disaster.

Or—

maybe—

the beginning of everything.