THE CEO'S ROMANCE

An expected opportunity

Chapter two.

The evening breeze swept across Sophia's face as she continued walking through the crowded streets of the city heading to her apartment.her heart still pounding from the interview she had just left behind. The memory of Alexander Reid's cold expression refused to leave her mind, and with every step, disappointment settled more heavily in her chest.

She had failed.

At least, that's what she believed.

Alexander's cold expression and the questions he asked made it clear that he wasn't impressed. He hadn't smiled once, and his final words—"You may leave."offered her no hope.

Sophia forced herself to hold back her tears until she reached at her tiny apartment. The moment she entered inside,she released a scary breath.

"I should have known," she whispered to herself. "Someone like me could never work for a man like Alexander Reid."

Back in his office, Alexander stood beside the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking down the city.

His assistant, Daniel entered quietly.

"Sir, should I prepare the rejection letters?"

Alexander was silent for a moment.

"No."

Daniel fluttered in surprise.

"Especially not Sophia Bennett."

"Sir?"

"Bring me her file."

Within seconds, Daniel returned with the folder.

Alexander turned every page of her folder.

University graduate, excellent recommendations.

Worked two part-time jobs to support her younger brother and family

No disciplinary record.

Interesting.

He remembered the determination in her eyes and the way she was focused during the interview. Unlike the other applicants, she hasn't tried to admire him. She had answered every question honestly even when she didn't know the answer.

That kind of courage was rare.

"Call her tomorrow," Alexander ordered.

"I want her here at exactly nine."

Sophia didn't sleep that night, she

replayed every moment of the interview, wondering what she could have done wrongly.

The next morning, while she was helping her younger brother prepare for school, her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Miss Sophia Bennett?"

"Yes."

"This is Daniel Brooks from Reid Global Enterprises."

Sophia didn't believe it.

"We would like you to return to the office at exactly nine this morning."

Her heart skipped a beat.

"I... I got the job?"

"There are a few things Mr. Reid would like to discuss with you personally."

The call ended before she could ask another question. By 8:50 a m, Sophia stood outside the towering headquarters once again with a lot of fear.

The receptionist smiled warmly.

"Mr. Reid is expecting you."

Moments later, Sophia entered Alexander's office.

He looked nervous just as before.

Without looking up from the documents on his desk, he spoke.

"Sit."

She obeyed.

Alexander finally lifted his eyes.

"I checked through your application again."

Sophia waited anxiously.

"You were not the best candidate on paper."

Her heart froze at once.

"But," he continued, "you possess something others don't."

She looked up. For the first time his voice softened ever so slightly.

"I need an executive assistant I can trust."

Sophia stared at him because she couldn't believe it.

"Are... are you offering me the position?"

Alexander confirmed it at once.

"You start today."

Sophia's eyes were full of tears, but she quickly blinked them away.

"Thank you, Mr. Reid. I won't disappoint you."

"I expect that you won't."

Sophia's first day was more difficult than she had imagined.

Alexander was demanding.

Every report had to be perfect and every meeting had to be scheduled to the minute.

Every mistake was noticed immediately.

By lunchtime, she was already tired.

As she was organizing files outside his office, she accidentally heard two senior executives talking.

"The board is pressuring Mr. Reid."

"They want him to marry before the shareholders' party"

"If he refuses, they might replace him as CEO."they whispered to each other.

Sophia was surprised.

Married?

Why would the company's future depend on Alexander's personal life?

Before she could think further, Alexander's office door opened.

"Mrs Bennett."

She turned immediately.

"My office. Now."

His serious expression told her one thing.

Fighting her emotions in the throat, she rose to her feet, straightened her skirt, and slowly made her way towards Alexander Reid's office, completely unaware that the rumor she had just heard was about to change his life.

The moment she walked inside Mr Reid's office, excitement and fear balled inside her as she wondered what he truly wanted from her.

Sophia had no idea that accepting this job would place her directly in the middle of Alexander Reid's biggest problem.

"you can have a seat."he said.

Alexander closed the door behind."there is something about this job you don't know yet."Sophia's heart started racing.

"What do you mean sir."Alexander looked at her seriously."you were not hired by accident."

She smiled,realizing that the moment she almost gave up had led her to a chance that could change everything.

Sophia stared at Alexander, trying to understand the meaning behind his words. "If I wasn't hired by accident, then why was I chosen?" she asked softly, her voice filled with fear and uncertainty.

Alexander leaned back in his chair, studying her carefully. "Because I saw something in you that others overlooked," he replied. "Your determination, your honesty, and the way you refused to give up are exactly the qualities this company needs." His words surprised her more than she expected. She had always believed she was just another applicant who got lucky,but Alexander told him the truth.

She later understood that opportunities were not just about what she gained but about the courage it took for her to step into the unknown.

As Sophia walked out of his office, her heart felt lighter than it had in days. She still didn't know what opportunity was waiting for her, but she knew one thing that her life was about to take an unexpected turn. The chance she thought she had lost might become the very big thing that changed her future forever, Alexander watched her leave and he smiled calmly, he politely turned to Daniel.

l have an idea.

"she's the one prepare the contract."Daniel frowned."Sir,the employment contract?"

A faint smile crossed Alexander's face.No......."he said quietly."

"The one..........."