CHAPTER2
933 Words
Rowan’s POV:
I Stared at the message on my Phone until the words Stopped making Sense.
Mr. Cassian Thorne.
No.
That Couldn’t be right.
My brain immediately tried to rewrite reality like maybe there were two Cassian Thornes in the world.
But then I looked up.
And there he was.
Standing behind the glass wall like he had been Carved into it.
Still in the Same Controlled Posture. Still with that Same unreadable expression. But now there was Something Sharper in his eyes.
Recognition…
My Stomach dropped.
“Oh no,” I whispered.
The door opened behind me.
“Miss Vale?” a receptionist Called Softly.
I Stood up too quickly almost knocking my Chair over. “Yes. That’s me.”
My voice Sounded weaker than I wanted it to.
She Smiled Politely but even her Politeness felt rehearsed.
“This way Please.”
I followed her down a hallway that looked more like a museum Corridor than an office. Everything was white, glass and Silver.
No dust… No mess.
And I hated how beautiful it was.
The interview room was worse.
It Consist of a long table. Three HR executives and one empty Chair at the head.
And that Chair was already occupied…
Cassian Thorne Sat there like the room belonged to him.
He didn’t look at me immediately. He was reading Something on a tablet, Calm, Composed, like I wasn’t about to implode in front of him.
My hands tightened at my Sides..
“Please sit,” one of the HR women Said gently.
I did Slowly and Carefully.
Like one wrong movement might Set off alarms.
Cassian finally looked up..
For a Second nobody Spoke.
Then he Said, very Calmly, “We’ve met.”
It wasn’t a question.
My throat went dry. “Yes.”
He Studied me the way People Study Contamination warnings.
“You applied to PureSpace Solutions,” he Said.
“Yes.”
“And yet,” his eyes flicked briefly to my wrinkled Sleeve, “you appear inconsistent with our Standards.”
I forced myself not to Shrink. “I can Clean and work well.”
His eyebrow rose Slightly.
“That is not what I meant.”
The HR woman Cleared her throat nervously. “Mr. Thorne will be overseeing this interview Personally.”
Cassian leaned back Slightly. “Let’s begin.”
A laptop was turned toward me.
Questions appeared… Simple ones at first.
About my experience, Skills and availability.
I answered everything Carefully and honestly. Even when my nerves made my voice Shake.
But I Could feel his eyes the entire time.
Watching, measuring and judging me.
Every time I Shifted I felt like I was breaking Some invisible rule.
Finally he Spoke again.
“Why PureSpace?”
That question Should’ve been easy.
But it wasn’t.
Because I Could feel Something about him that made lying Pointless.
I Swallowed. “Because I need Stability.”
“That is not an answer,” he Said flatly.
I frowned. “It is for me.”
Something flickered in his eyes briefly, almost annoyed.
“Stability,” he repeated, like the word tasted foreign. “And you believe you can get that here?”
“Yes.”
“You Spilled Coffee on me thirty minutes ago.”
The room went Silent.
My face burned instantly.
“I was rushing,” I Said quickly. “It was an accident.”
“Accidents Suggest lack of Control.” He Said.
I Clenched my fists under the table.
“I’m not Careless,” I Said.
His gaze didn’t move.
Then he Said quietly, “Everything about you Suggests otherwise.”
That landed harder than it Should’ve.
My Chest tightened.
For a Second I almost Stood up and walked out.
But then I thought of Atlas’ School fees, food and the landlord’s warnings.
So I Stayed Seated.
Even though my Pride was Screaming.
The interview Continued but it didn’t feel like an interview anymore.
It felt like a test I was already failing.
Every answer I gave, he Challenged.
Every Confidence I Showed, he dissected..
At one Point I accidentally touched the edge of the table.
He noticed immediately.
“Do not lean on the Surface!” he Said Sharply.
I blinked. “It’s just a table.”
“It is a Sanitized workspace.”
I Stared at him.
“Do you live like this?” I asked before I Could Stop myself.
Something dangerous Passed through his expression.
Then it was gone.
“That is irrelevant,” he Said.
The interview ended abruptly.
No Clear conclusion. No feedback.
Just Silence…
Cassian Stood first.
“That will be all,” he Said.
I Stood Slowly, Confused. “So… am I hired or—”
“You will be Contacted.”
He turned to leave then Paused.
Without looking at me, he Said, “Miss Vale.”
“Yes?” I answered quickly.
“Be Careful what you bring into this Company.”
Then he walked out…
I Sat there long after everyone left.
My hands were Shaking from Confusion.
From Something I didn’t want to name yet.
Because no matter how Cold he was…
There was Something in his voice.
Something Controlled. Something fractured.
And I hated myself for noticing it.
As I left the building my Phone rang.
It was an unknown number.
I answered.
“Ms. Vale,” a voice Said. “Your application has been approved.”
I froze…
“You are to report tomorrow morning.”
There was a Pause then the voice added—
“At PureSpace Solutions… under direct Supervision of Mr. Cassian Thorne.”
- Writer
