THE ENEMY SHE LOVED

THE GENESIS

AURELIA’S POV

Two Weeks Later.

My CV was approved, and I was scheduled to resume work immediately on a Monday. Not just any job, but to be a personal assistant to one of the most ruthless men in Italy. I might have jumped into the lion's den, but it was worth the risk. All I have to do is follow Don's instructions and keep myself and my mother alive.

I paused just outside the towering glass doors of Vale Empire, my reflection staring back at me like a stranger I wasn’t sure I recognized.

Everything about the building screamed power—sleek black marble, polished steel, and the kind of silence that only existed in places where money spoke louder than people ever could. My heels clicked against the pavement as I straightened my blazer, smoothing invisible creases with slightly trembling hands.

Get it together b***h!

I pushed the door open. Cool air wrapped around me instantly, carrying a faint scent of expensive cologne and something sharper—authority. The lobby was massive, almost intimidating in its perfection. A chandelier of cascading crystal lights hung from the ceiling, shimmering like frozen rain. Men in tailored suits moved with purpose, women in sleek dresses spoke in hushed, confident tones. No one laughed loudly here. No one lingered.

My heels echoed louder than they should have as I approached the front desk. The receptionist barely looked up at first, fingers gliding over a keyboard.

“Name?” the woman asked, voice clipped.

“Aurelia Rose Whitmore.” I replied, forcing steadiness into my tone.

The receptionist’s eyes lifted slowly, scanning me with a new kind of curiosity. Then, without another word, she picked up the phone.

“She’s here,” she said simply.

My stomach tightened.

The scent from the ambiance of the lobby immediately turned poignant, my eyes almost blurry and my head light. I steadied myself, placing my hand on the reception desk for support.

“Are you ok?” The receptionist asked.

“Yeah, just nervous—first day at work.” I said sheepishly.

A man in a dark suit appeared by my side as if summoned by the shadows.

“Follow me.” he said, no greeting, no smiling.

I walked behind him, my pulse quickening with every stride. We moved past security doors that required keycards, past hallways that grew quieter and more restricted. The air felt heavier and different.

“Top floor,” the man muttered as we stepped into a private elevator.

We stopped in front of a large black door.

The man turned to me for the first time.

“You go in alone,” he said.

“Of course.” My throat tightened.

He knocked once, then opened the door without waiting for a response.

“Sir. She’s here.”

I stepped inside and the door closed behind me. The office was… breathtaking. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across the far wall, revealing the entire city beneath us. Everything looked smaller from up here

And behind a massive desk, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, sat Dominic Alexander Vale. His eyes dark, sharp and unreadable, locked onto mine like he was assessing more than just my appearance.

I forced myself to walk forward, each step deliberate. I refused to look intimidated. Even if my heart was beating too fast.

I stopped in front of his desk.

“Mr. Dominic.” I said, my voice steady despite everything inside me screaming otherwise. “I’m Aurelia Whitmore. Your new assistant.”

A slow, almost amused smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

“I know exactly who you are, Aurelia.”

“Your duties will go beyond answering calls and scheduling meetings...” His voice dropped.

“Ughh—” my voice hitched. I felt a throb on my lower abdomen. There was heaviness in my limbs, I felt sore on my breasts. The lightness in my head came back again. This time, I couldn't steady myself. Mr. Dominic immediately rushed to where I stood.

“What is wrong with you?” He asked, putting his hands behind me.

Immediately, my head took a swirl, darkness eluded me, my knees went numb and I fell into his arms.

*************************

I woke up and it was dark already. The bed which I laid on was fluffy and warm—unlike what I'm used to at home. My eyelids felt like they had been stitched shut.

Light stabbed through the thin slit of my vision, sharp and blinding. My thoughts lagged behind reality like they were trying to catch up.Then I heard faint footsteps approaching.

“Wha—?” my voice cracked.

“Hey, take it easy, you've been out for hours,” It was Mr. Dominic.

“Huh?” I frowned faintly, trying to steady my breathing.

I had passed out and Mr. Dominic put me on a bed in his office room. My first day at work and I was already a mess.

“I'm so sorry—” I whispered.

“You can take a day off.” He said.

“No no, I'm better now.” I insisted.

I took the next ride to the hospital to check on my mother—to check on myself. My whole body felt strange—felt heavy.

I headed to the doctor's office first on arriving at the hospital.

“Mrs.Theresa is responding to the treatments better now.” The doctor said smiling.

“Oh —that's so good to know…” I whispered, my hands fidgeting.

“Are you ok?” He asked, searching my face.

“My body felt strange today at work and I also blacked out. I'd like to run a few tests, but I need discretion, my mother doesn't have to know.” I spat.

“OK. What tests exactly do you wa—” he came.

“I don't know! Just do a full body test or— whatever, jeez!” I blurted, my heart pacing.

“Stay calm, miss. A nurse will come get your blood sample immediately.” He said, picking up his table phone to put a call across for a nurse.

I was taken to the lab for a full body test. The more I walked, the more my heart throbbed. I had to sit in the lobby for a few minutes rest. A toddler from across where I sat immediately crawled towards me, giggling. The baby played all over my body and the mother just sat across smiling from ear to ear. I wasn't really good with kids, they weren't something I'd want at that point in my life.

“OK baby, I need to go…” I said, and hurried towards the lab leaving the baby. The mother shot me a mean stare.

They took my blood and I was to await results in an hour. I went over to where my mother laid and she jolted immediately on seeing me.

“Hey baby, how was your first day?” She asked, her brows. raised.

“It was tough mom.” I replied.

“I can see that… you like— mmm…like how I did when I was pregnant for you” she said sheepishly.

“What the fu—” I stuttered. What does that even mean?

I couldn't stand the heat of my mother's stare.

“I need to go home and get ready for work tomorrow, take some rest now.” I said to her and hurried back to the lobby.

An hour clicked and I hurried to the doctor's office asking about my test results. He handed me a paper as I sat down at his office chair.

“Congratulations miss, you're growing a baby. You're two weeks pregnant.” he said.

I looked at the paper he handed to me, my brows raised and my whole world fell apart.