The Billionaire's Second Chance

Chapter Three

Five years later

Alessia

If someone had told me the life I had now would be totally different from the one I'd worked my butt off for, right from when I was little, would be a completely different story to the life I was living now, I would not doubt, yell to the person in the loudest voice that I could muster that he was high on crack. But right now, as I shielded myself from the drizzle that threatened to drench even the deepest part of my soul, I wasn't even sure who was high on crack anymore. I took in a huge mouthful of air before crossing the busy road like the very action would help out at all. Like that wasn't enough, yucky rainwater stained the edges of my skirt as a car sped by, dividing the mini red sea along with it.

A tall skyscraper towered over me after I'd crossed over to the other side. The sign was too high up for me to see, but I knew where I was. I wouldn't be able to forget it even if I tried. A small ding from the revolving door brought me back to earth. I blinked back a couple of times as I watched a young woman walk out of the building. I should have taken her puffy red eyes and tear-streaked face as a sign to let her be on her merry way, but my inquisitive self would never forgive me if I did.

"Um, hi?" My voice was tiny against the loud backdrop of my heels clicking on the pavement. I wobbled awkwardly as I tried to balance walking on the death contraptions they called heels and also getting to her before she would get away. Luckily, she stood still till I got to her. " I'm sorry. I just wanted to know…. Um…does this have anything to do with the job…."

"f**k. You." She let out, slowly enunciating each word. If looks could kill, then I would be in heaven with my grandma right now. Without giving me the luxury of having the last word, she flipped me the bird before walking away from me and crossing to the other side.

"It's okay, Alessia." I mouthed as I took in deep breaths. " No pressure."

Definitely pressure.

I smoothed the invisible creaks on my skirt before making my way into the building. The moment I stepped in there, it felt like I'd been transported into another world. A high mirrored ceiling gave me a slightly distorted view of my reflection, but I didn't mind. Huge black and white tiles lined the ground, with sky-high windows reaching up to the ceiling. Just up ahead was a semicircular desk, with a computer mounted at the top. Potted plants stood in aesthetically beautiful places and I found myself being drawn towards the lounging area. What wouldn't I give to be able to relax in one of those plush and comfy couches…

Focus, Alessia, focus. I snapped myself out of it with a small shake of my head. I had a mission to accomplish and that was what I was going to achieve. I took in another deep breath as I walked briskly to the table, my heels clicking against the tiles. My feet felt wobbly, but I managed to control it somehow.

"Hi, good morning." I croaked the minute I got to the table. A moment of silence ensued before someone's head popped out from beside the monitor. It was a woman, with her black hair slicked back in a high ponytail that seemed to be pulling at her scalp. " Could I have a minute of your time please?"

"Do you have an appointment?" She droned in a lazy monotone. Her head disappeared behind the screen immediately and a typing sound filled the air. " Or would you like to make one?"

"I think I do?" I squirmed as my grip on my file tightened. " Um, you see.."

"I really don't have a lot of time ma'am." The receptionist snapped. " So it would be highly appreciated if you got to the point. We've got lots of people to interview and…"

"That's exactly why I'm here." I cut in, my voice going an octave higher. " For the interview."

"You're late." She quipped, not a single emotion in her voice. " The interview is almost over. The last ones are already in the boss's office. He'll be interviewing them personally….."

" I already did my interview." The typing suddenly stopped. " Last week? And a lady asked me to return today."

"What's your name?" She peered at me again, her eyes raking over me. " Full name please."

" Sydney. " The name tasted like bile as it rolled off my lips. I hated it, I hated the name but I had no other choice. " Sydney Asher."

" File please." I put my file in her outstretched hand. I felt my heart hammering hard against my chest as she pulled it in, obviously to check if it matched with the one in her database. What if it didn't work? Or what if something goes wrong and she'd be able to suspect? Would she detain me? Or let me off immediately?

I shut my eyes in anticipation of the worst. My stomach churned and tossed about and if I wasn't careful, I wouldn't be surprised if I threw up all over this desk.

"Ma'am." The receptionist's voice brought me back to earth. " I'm sorry, but you didn't pass the interview."

I silently breathed a sigh of relief as I tried to calm my shaky heart. What if she'd found out those weren't my exact details? I didn't want to think about what would happen if anyone found out I went by another name….

Wait what?

"Wait, what?" I bolted up as realization hit me. Like she was trying to rub it in my face, a small thud hit the table just in front of me. It was my file, stacked neatly for me to pick it up. " I don't understand."

" You didn't get the job." Her voice was cold and bored. " Thank you for your time."

"You don't understand." I felt tears prick the back of my eyes. " I need this job."

" Ma'am you have to leave now." She wasn't listening. At all. " If you refuse, I'll have to call security."

"But…" The rest of the words I'd planned to say hitched in my throat as the sound of shoes clicking loudly against the tiles cut me off. It was coming from the door that led to the busier part of the company and I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested in whoever was coming down.

The moment he rounded the corner and stepped into the reception, I froze. Green eyes that I struggled to forget lazily raked over me, irritation clearly built in them. He ran his fingers through his brown hair as his hand silently worked on his phone. The knots in my stomach tightened with the mere sight of him in his designer suit. Never again did I think our paths would cross. But right here, and right now, I was staring at Adam. Adam f*****g Sandler.