Chapter 1
1064 Words
It was early Monday morning in Brooklyn, New York. The city buzzed awake, honking cars lined the streets, people hurried to catch subways, and even the pigeons scattered in patterned flight above the rooftops. But the rhythm of the city didn’t move Ashley in the slightest.
Still curled up in bed, she lazily tapped away at her phone, playing Candy Crush, when her twin’s voice broke the silence.
“Chloe, not again. Heading out already?” Ashley groaned, dragging herself up to pull the curtains. The sunlight streamed in. “Oh wow… it’s work time already?”
Chloe, adjusting her blazer in front of the mirror, smirked. “You’d better get up too. At least find something worthwhile to do, even if you don’t have a job yet.”
Ashley rolled her eyes dramatically. “Alright, alright enough with the morning lecture.” She stretched like a cat. “But where exactly are you rushing off to this morning?”
“I told you last night,” Chloe said, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “I’ve been called back for an interview this morning. Same company I applied to last month. I’m hopeful this time.” She smiled, determination gleaming in her eyes. “I won’t stop until I get something better.”
Ashley leaned on the windowsill, watching her twin with a small grin. “You’re relentless. I admire that.”
Chloe gave her a playful look, then slipped out the door, leaving Ashley to shake her head and flop back on her bed.
-----
In his penthouse, Donald adjusted his silk tie in the mirror and clasped his watch, a sleek piece that gleamed beneath the morning light.
“Is the car ready?” he asked his gateman as he descended the staircase with his briefcase in hand.
“Yes, sir. All set. I even replaced the tires this morning, just as you instructed,” the man replied, hurrying to open the front door.
Before Donald could step outside, the gateman called, “Sir, you have a call, it’s your father.”
Donald sighed but extended his hand for the phone. “Morning, Dad,” he said, sliding into the backseat of his Tesla.
“Donald,” his father’s deep voice boomed through the receiver. “I trust you remember the contract meeting this morning?”
“Handled, sir. Everything is under control. I’ll be in my office shortly.” Donald leaned back in his seat, eager to end the call.
But his father’s voice sharpened. Drifting away from business, “You’re not getting any younger. Have you given thought to settling down, finding a woman of virtue?”
Donald pinched the bridge of his nose. “Dad, not again. I told you the best time to come is soon. Marriage can wait.”
His father chuckled dryly. “You have no worries financially. You host lavish parties, you command respect… Why not channel some of that energy into securing a wife?”
“Dad, I’m already close to the office. We’ll discuss this later,” Donald said curtly, cutting the call before the conversation could drag further.
At Whitaker Holdings, Chloe stepped into the sleek lobby, nerves tingling. She clutched her bag tightly and approached the receptionist.
“Good morning, ma’am. I’m here for an interview,” she said politely, adjusting the strap on her shoulder.
The receptionist, a young woman with glasses, nodded. “Good morning. Please, have a seat. The boss will be with you soon.”
Just then, Sandra Whitaker, Donald’s glamorous but sharp-tongued younger sister, swept across the hallway in designer heels. She nearly walked past, until she noticed Chloe sitting quietly. Her eyes narrowed.
“Well, hello there,” Sandra purred, circling back. “You’re stunning. What’s your name?”
Chloe stood quickly. “Good morning, ma’am. I’m Chloe. I came for an interview.”
“Interview?” Sandra raised a brow, intrigued. “Forget the hallway, come with me. You can wait in my office instead.”
The receptionist’s eyes widened. “Ma’am, the boss instructed that all interviewees remain here until he arrives.”
Sandra shot her a withering look. “Are you dictating to me now? Relax. My brother won’t punish me for escorting such a stunning girl to my office.” She looped her arm through Chloe’s and strode off, leaving the receptionist flustered.
Moments later, Donald arrived, his driver carrying his briefcase. Sandra intercepted him almost immediately.
“Well, well, big brother,” she teased with a smirk. “You look dashing today. And you owe me thanks, I might just find you the perfect one yet.”
Donald brushed past her coolly. “Not today, Sandra.” He grabbed his briefcase and entered the building, ignoring her playful grin.
Inside, the receptionist hurried to him. “Good morning, sir. All interviewees are waiting as instructed… except your sister took one into her office. I don’t know why.”
Donald adjusted his tie, unfazed. “Alright. Have the rest fill out their forms. I’ll be right back.”
He headed to his office.
-----
Upstairs, in an office with floor-to-ceiling windows framing Manhattan, Mr. Whitaker sat behind his mahogany desk. He barely looked up when Donald entered.
“You’re late.”
“I stopped at the carwash,” Donald said flatly, setting his briefcase down. Paint splatter on his Tesla was not how he wanted to start a Monday.
“Carwash? What on earth, never mind. What’s the update on Mr. Kelvin’s contract for the China shipment?”
“Already handled. The logistics partner has been contacted. Everything will be shipped on schedule.”
His father’s stern face softened into a smile. “That’s why you’re my son, efficient and hardworking. I’m proud of you. Still, there’s one matter you continue to neglect”
Before he could finish, the office door opened again. Sandra waltzed in with Chloe following timidly behind.
“Donald!” Sandra exclaimed, practically dragging Chloe forward. “I found you a new personal secretary , beautiful, elegant, and just perfect for you.”
Chloe, still in a daze and battling a wave of uneasiness, lifted her gaze just enough to see the man Sandra was speaking to. Her breath caught, and her eyes widened in disbelief, she was standing face-to-face with none other than Donald Whitaker, one of the most sought-after men in all of Brooklyn.
- Writer
