FATED ENCOUNTER

FATED ENCOUNTER

CHAPTER 3

Hazel — POV

The shrill beep of my alarm jolted me upright.

7:15 AM?!

Panic hit like a wave.

The interview!

I flew out of bed and yanked on the outfit Mia had helped me prepare—a sleek, classy number that might’ve leaned a little too sexy for a professional look. No time to change now.

“MIA, I’M HEADING OUT!” I shouted, grabbing my bag and bolting through the door.

The cab ride blurred past. I could barely breathe.

AW Empire Holdings towered above me.

7:55 AM. Just in time.

“Hi, I’m Hazel Hayden. I’m here for the interview,” I said, trying to steady my voice.

The receptionist didn’t even look up. “Fifteenth floor.”

The elevator ride dragged on. I could feel my pulse in my throat.

When the doors opened, a crowd of sharply dressed applicants filled the hallway—at least twenty. I clutched my resume tighter and whispered to myself:

You can do this. For Mira. For your future.

At last, they called my name.

I stepped inside the room—and stopped dead in my tracks.

It was him.

---

Raymond — POV

Fate, it seemed, had a wicked sense of humor.

The girl standing in front of me was no stranger. Hazel Hayden. The waitress who accidentally poured decaf on Alexander during our last lunch meeting.

She looked as shocked as I felt.

“What’s your name?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“Uh… Hazel Hayden,” she said, clearly trying to stay composed.

“Louder, please.”

“My name is Hazel Hayden,” she repeated, more confident this time.

I glanced at her resume. Not bad. Actually—impressive. Loyal. Determined. But her hands were trembling. She probably didn’t realize whose empire she just walked into.

Then she asked boldly, “Aren’t you the guy from the restaurant? What are you doing here?”

I grinned. “Alexander owns this company. I run it.”

Her mouth dropped open. She looked nervous now.

“I really need this job,” she added quietly, eyes pleading.

Something in me shifted. She was strong—but vulnerable. And honestly? She might be just what Alexander needed.

“You’re hired,” I said without hesitation.

I picked up the phone.

“Rose, show Miss Hayden around. She’s our new PA.”

This was going to get interesting.

---

Alexander — POV

Raymond barged into my office with his usual overconfidence.

“I hope you remember I’m your boss,” I muttered without looking up.

“You?” he laughed, throwing himself onto the sofa and swinging his feet up onto my desk.

“Get. Your. Feet. Off.”

He didn’t budge. “I hired your new PA. She’s gorgeous. You’re welcome.”

I looked up, frowning. “Who is it?”

He winked. “You’ll see.”

Suspicious now, I picked up the phone.

“Send the new PA to my office. Immediately.”

If this was another one of Raymond’s pranks, I wasn’t in the mood.

To be continued…

#EnemiesToLovers#CEOxOrdinaryGirl

#FatedEncounter#ProtectiveHero

#StrongHeroine#OfficeRomance#BillionaireLove

#SisterBond#ForcedProximity#SweetButFiery