Billionaires Obsession

The First Day

The subway ride to midtown felt endless. Elena sat clutching the strap of her bag so tightly her knuckles whitened, her eyes fixed on the blur of tunnels flashing past the window. The train was packed with commuters in suits and coats far more expensive than anything she owned. She tried not to feel small in her thrift-store blouse and scuffed flats.

It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since she signed the contract, yet she already regretted it. Clause after clause still echoed in her mind. Available at any hour. Prohibited interactions. Prior approval for… She had stopped reading after the third restriction, afraid if she thought too hard about it, she’d lose the courage to keep the job.

But she couldn’t lose it. Not when her mother’s next round of hospital bills was due in less than two weeks. Not when Maya’s school fees had to be paid. The paycheck from Blackstone Enterprises wasn’t just money—it was the lifeline her family needed.

The train hissed to a halt at Forty-Seventh Street. Elena rose with the crowd, her stomach knotting as the tall glass towers of the financial district came into view above the subway steps. She had never felt so out of place in her life.

By the time she reached the polished lobby of Blackstone Enterprises, she was already late. Again.

“ID?” the security guard asked, not unkindly, but with the brisk tone of someone used to efficiency.

Elena fumbled with her bag, cheeks warming as the line behind her grew. “Sorry—here,” she mumbled, passing over the temporary badge she had received yesterday.

The guard scanned it, then nodded her through. Elena exhaled shakily, heading toward the private elevators. She had barely stepped inside when a woman’s voice spoke beside her.

“You’re the new assistant?”

Elena turned. A tall, elegant woman in a pencil skirt and heels regarded her with cool curiosity. Her hair was sleek, her makeup flawless. She looked like she belonged in glossy magazines.

“Yes,” Elena said softly.

The woman arched a brow. “Good luck.” The elevator chimed, and she stepped out without another word, leaving Elena with more questions than answers.

On the top floor, the atmosphere was different—quieter, colder. The air smelled faintly of leather and polished wood. Elena walked toward the assistant’s desk outside Adrian Blackstone’s office, where another woman sat typing briskly.

“Miss Rivera?” the woman asked, glancing up with a polite smile. “I’m Claire. I manage the executive assistants. Mr. Blackstone prefers efficiency, so I’ll give you the basics.”

Elena nodded, gripping her notebook like a lifeline.

“Your tasks will include scheduling, document preparation, and handling correspondence. He doesn’t tolerate errors. Or tardiness.” Claire’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You’ll learn quickly—or not at all.”

Elena swallowed. “I’ll do my best.”

Claire leaned closer, lowering her voice. “One more thing. Don’t take it personally if he seems…difficult. That’s how he is with everyone.”

Before Elena could respond, the heavy oak doors opened. Adrian Blackstone stepped out.

The hallway seemed to still. Even Claire straightened in her seat, her fingers pausing over the keyboard.

Elena’s heart lurched. Adrian looked the same as yesterday—immaculately dressed, his gray eyes sharp as steel—but in daylight, he seemed even more imposing. His presence filled the corridor, silent yet commanding.

“Miss Rivera,” he said, his gaze flicking to her. “My office. Now.”

Her legs moved before her brain caught up. She followed him inside, the doors closing with a soft thud behind her.

The office was a kingdom of glass and shadow. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed the sprawl of Manhattan, the morning sun glinting off skyscrapers. The desk was vast, uncluttered, a testament to order and control.

Adrian took his seat, gesturing for her to sit opposite. Elena perched nervously on the edge of the chair, her notebook trembling in her hands.

“You were late,” he said flatly.

Elena’s throat tightened. “I—yes, sir. The train—”

“I don’t care about excuses.” His gaze cut through her. “This is your first warning. There won’t be another.”

Shame burned her cheeks. “Understood.”

For a moment, silence stretched. Adrian studied her, his expression unreadable. Elena resisted the urge to squirm under the weight of his eyes.

“Read today’s schedule,” he ordered.

Her fingers fumbled with the papers Claire had given her. “You have a meeting with the board at ten, a call with the Tokyo branch at noon, and a dinner with investors at seven,” she recited, her voice steadier than she felt.

Adrian nodded once. “Good. You’ll accompany me to the dinner. Take notes. Say nothing.”

Elena blinked. “Me?”

His eyes narrowed. “Is that a problem?”

“N-no, sir,” she said quickly.

“Then it’s settled.” He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “You may go. For now.”

Dismissed, Elena rose, her pulse still racing. She left the office with shaking hands, feeling as though she had barely survived a trial by fire.

Back at the assistant’s desk, Claire glanced up with a knowing look. “Don’t worry,” she said softly. “We’ve all been through it.”

Elena sank into her chair, staring at her notebook. She had only been here an hour, and already she felt as though she was in over her head.

But walking away wasn’t an option.

Not when her family depended on her.