The Billionaire Who Fell First.

Amelia’s POV. “Do you understand how much money you have cost this company?” The angry voice coming from behind the closed office door made me stop. I tightened my grip around my portfolio. This was supposed to be my first meeting with Adrian Aelaris, the billionaire CEO of Aelaris Luxe. I had spent weeks preparing for this interview, memorizing possible questions and rehearsing my answers until I could recite them in my sleep. Yet none of that preparation had prepared me for standing outside his office while he tore into one of his employees. “I’m sorry, Mr. Aelaris,” a nervous male voice replied from inside. “It was an oversight.” “An oversight?” My stomach tightened. I had heard plenty of stories about Adrian Aelaris, but hearing his voice in person was different. In a few minutes, I was going to have to sit across from him and convince him to hire me. A few hours earlier, I had stood outside the enormous glass building that housed Aelaris Luxe, trying to calm my nerves. The headquarters was even more impressive than I had imagined. Employees moved through the spacious lobby carrying garment bags and portfolios while elegant pieces from the company’s latest collections were displayed throughout the building. One particular dress caught my attention. I stepped closer to examine its delicate embroidery and reached toward the fabric. “You know you’re not allowed to touch that, right?” I quickly pulled my hand away and turned toward the secretary at the front desk. “Oh, I’m so sorry.” I gave her an awkward smile. “I’m here for an interview for the Creative Director position.” “Amelia Hart?” she asked, flipping through a folder. “Yes, that’s me.” She made a quick phone call before looking at me. “Third floor. Second door on your right.” “Thank you.” I hurried toward the elevator, clutching my portfolio against my chest. The doors opened, and I stepped inside. As they slowly closed, I caught my reflection in the polished metal. I straightened my blouse and reminded myself that I belonged here. When I reached the third floor, I stepped out of the elevator and walked towards the door. “You had one job and you couldn’t even do that right.” Adrian’s voice came through the door again. I stopped. So this was the man who would be interviewing me. The voices behind the door stopped almost immediately and before I knew what was happening, the door opened in front of me. A man in an expensive suit stepped out, his face pale. He barely glanced at me before walking quickly down the hallway. Then Adrian Aelaris appeared. I was surprised by how handsome he was. He looked exactly like the photographs I had seen online, except somehow more intimidating in person. His black hair was perfectly styled, his gray eyes were cold and focused, and his expression made me immediately question whether I had chosen the right career. His attention settled on me, and the anger in his expression suddenly disappeared. “Ms. Hart?” he asked. “Yes.” I straightened, refusing to let his height intimidate me. His attention dropped briefly to the portfolio in my hands before returning to me. “You’re here for the interview.” “Yes, I am,” I replied. “I’m sorry you had to hear that.” His expression softened slightly. “It’s fine,” I said as I shook my head quickly. “Please, come in and take a seat.” He moved slightly to the side. I hesitated for half a second before walking past him. “Thank you.” Adrian closed the door behind me, then walked towards his desk and gestured towards the chair opposite him. “Have a seat, Amelia.” I sat down carefully, placing my portfolio on my lap. He took his seat and studied me for a moment. I tried not to fidget but he noticed anyway. “Relax.” “I’m relaxed.” I looked at him and noticed the corner of his mouth lift. “You’re holding your portfolio like you’re afraid I’m going to take it away,” he said with a small laugh. I looked down at my hands and realized he was right. I slowly loosened my grip. “I don’t want to make a mistake.” “Good,” he said as he opened my portfolio. “Then let’s see if all that preparation was worth it.” “Why Aelaris Luxe?” he asked. I had prepared for that question. “Because it is the company I have always wanted to work for,” I responded without hesitation. “That sounds like an answer you memorized.” My confidence faltered for a moment. “It is also the truth.” He lowered the portfolio slightly. “Then convince me.” I drew in a slow breath before answering. “Because Aelaris Luxe understands that fashion is more than beautiful clothes. It is about creating something people remember.” Adrian remained silent, so I continued. “I have followed this company for years. I have watched how it has grown and the risks it has taken. That is the kind of company I want to work for.” “You make it sound as though you already know everything about us,” he responded. “I know enough to understand that there is still room for improvement,” I said with a small smirk on my face. His eyes narrowed slightly. “Improvement?” I nodded. “Aelaris Luxe has the reputation, the resources, and the talent. But even the best company can become too comfortable with what already works. I want to create designs that give people a reason to look twice.” He studied me for a few seconds. “And you believe you can do that?” I considered the question carefully. “I believe I can contribute to it.” “That is a very careful answer,” he said as he started to flip through the pages of my portfolio. “I am trying to be honest.” The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “Good, I prefer honesty.” He finally stopped at one of the pages. “This collection,” He held up one of my sketches. “What inspired it?” I leaned forward to look at it, then I responded. “That collection was inspired by women who want to feel elegant without looking like they are trying too hard.” “And why does that matter to you?” He asked. “Because fashion should make people feel like themselves. It should not make them feel like they have to become someone else to be beautiful.” Adrian studied the sketch for several seconds. “You believe luxury fashion should be accessible?” “I believe good design should make people feel valuable, regardless of what they can afford. Before Adrian could reply, someone knocked on the door. A man around Adrian’s age stepped inside. “I didn’t know you were still busy. I can come back later.” “Skyler, what do you need?” Adrian asked. “The board meeting is in thirty minutes.” “I remember.” Skyler gave him an amused look. “You said that an hour ago.” Adrian ignored him and looked back at me. “Sorry for interrupting,” Skyler said. “It’s fine,” I replied. “Bring me the revised financial report before the meeting,” Adrian said. “Already on your desk.” Skyler smiled before leaving. Adrian looked at me again. “Where were we?” I glanced down at the sketch in front of him. “Oh, right,” he said as he realized before I could even respond. He continued flipping through my portfolio before finally closing it. “You are hired.” “I’m sorry?” I asked in shock. “You heard me.” “You’re offering me the Creative Director position?” “Yes.” His answer was immediate. I glanced at my portfolio, then back at him. “You made that decision very quickly.” “I had already reviewed your work before today.” That caught me off guard. “You had?” He nodded. “Your portfolio, previous collections, the design competition you entered last year, and several of your published pieces.” I stared at him. “You researched me?” “I research everyone I consider hiring.” There was something about the way he said it that made me pause. “Then why interview me at all?” His expression remained unreadable. “I wanted to see whether the person behind the work was as capable as the work itself.” I studied him for a moment, still unsure what to make of his answer. “And?” “You convinced me.” A small smile escaped me. “So that’s it?” “That is it.” I fought back another smile. “You haven’t even asked about my salary expectations.” “Human Resources will discuss that with you.” I nodded slowly, still surprised by how quickly everything had happened. “You’ll start Monday at eight.” “Eight?” “Is there a problem?” He asked. “No. Eight is fine,” I replied quickly. “Good. You may leave now.” I gathered my portfolio and stood. I had taken two steps toward the door when Adrian spoke. “Amelia.” I turned around. His expression had changed. “Your father’s name was Daniel Hart.” My fingers tightened around my portfolio. “Yes. Why?” He hesitated. “Your father once worked with my family.” My stomach tightened. “What did he do?” “That is a conversation for another time.” “So you know what happened to him?” His jaw tightened. “I know there are questions surrounding his disappearance.” Questions. That was the word I had heard for years. The same word my mother used whenever I asked about my father. I stared at him, suddenly unsure of what to believe. “Then perhaps we will have that conversation someday.” “Perhaps.” The moment the elevator doors closed, I finally released the breath I had been holding. My phone buzzed. Sophia: How did it go? Me: I got the job. Sophia: I knew you would! We’re celebrating tonight. Me: Definitely. I stepped outside, smiling at the thought of finally getting the opportunity I had worked so hard for. Aelaris Luxe was supposed to be the beginning of something new. I just had no idea how much it was going to change my life.