CHAPTER2
1038 Words
I looked up from the file I wasn't really reading the moment I heard the door open.
She stood there, rain-damp and breathless, her blouse clinging lightly to her skin, cheeks
flushed from the rush or maybe from recognizing me.
Elora.
Of all the people who could've walked in for this position, it had to be her.
“Elora?” I said, leaning back in my chair, curious now. Fate clearly had a strange sense of
humor.
Her lips parted slightly.
“You're…you're here for the interview?”
I gave a slow nod.
“Suprised?”
She hesitated. “A little.”
I gestured to the chair across from me. “Sit.”
She obeyed, nervous fingers gripping her bag.
I watched her for a beat…her wet lashes, the way she avoided my eyes. “You're late.”
“I know, I'm so sorry…I missed my alarm. The rain…”
“Relax, you're here now.”
A moment passed. I flipped the folder open again. Even though I already knew I was going to
hire her. But I needed to know more.
“So…Tell me about yourself.”
Her voice was softer now. “I work part-time at the coffee shop. I also help my mom when I can.
She's cleaner.”
She didn't stay at my mansion, but she didn't have to.
I nodded slowly. “And your father?”
Her eyes dimmed. “He died…a few years ago.”
I didn't say anything for a moment. “I'm sorry.”
She gave a small, polite nod.
I leaned forward then, watching her reaction. “Why do you want this job Elora?”
“I need this job so I can be able to take care of my mom and all our expenses.”
I stood. “The job is yours.”
She stared. “Just like that?”
“Unless you want it.”
“No! I mean…yes. I want it. I just thought there'd be more questions.”
“There will be. But not today.”
I walked around the desk. “You start on Monday.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Don't thank me yet, working with me won't be easy.” She smiled, just a little and walked away,
her scent still lingering.
I didn't get the chance to know her when we were kids. We'll see how this goes.
The elevator hummed softly and it carried me to the top floor of the Cortez Enterprise. My first
official day.
I had barely slept the night before. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him. Damien. The way his
voice curled around my name.
I shook the thoughts out of my head.
Professional Elora, just be professional.
The elevator doors slid open, revealing a hallway of glass and dark wood. Sleek, quiet, and
intimidating.
A woman in fitted navy blue turned to me with a tight smile. “You're the new hire?”
I nodded. “Elora.”
“Right. Follow me.” She led me to a polished desk outside Damien's office. “This is your station.
He'll call you when he needs anything. You'll handle his schedules, calls, light, correspondence…and stay out of the way unless summoned. In the meantime.. go in, he's
waiting for you.”
I opened his door.
“Morning sir.” I said softly.
“ Morning.” His voice was lower, like velvet soaked in coffee.
He wore black as always, sharp, expensive, commanding. He swept over me once, slow and
deliberate, like he was checking if I got soaked again.
“Come in. We'll go over your duties.”
Inside the air was cooler and colder. Or maybe it was just him.
He handed me a digital tablet. “ I'll need you on standby for all meetings, keep notes, and
manage who gets past that door.”
I nodded. “Anything else?”
“He paused, then added, " Don't ever tell me. Ever. And always do as I tell you to.”
“Okay sir.”
He leaned back in his chair. “Good. I'd hate to fire you.”
There was tension in the room but not the bad kind. The electric kind.
He looked at me again. “Any question?”
I swallowed. “ Just one. Are you always like this?”
He tilted his head. “Like what?”
“Cold.”
He watched me. “You're asking too many questions, Miss Elora. Get to work.”
As I walked out, I could feel his eyes on me. Heavy, curious, maybe even impressed.
I watched her through the glass wall of my office.
She was seated at her desk, head bent slightly as she typed, one hand adjusting a strand of
that inky black hair that slipped past her cheek. She didn't know I was watching her. And I wasn't
entirely sure why I couldn't stop.
There's just something unsettling about her presence. She was different. Not loud, not invasive.
Just there. A quiet echo that refused to leave.
I cleared my throat and pressed the intercom.
“Elora, step into my office.”
She came in moments later, composed.
“You called ?”
“Yes.” I leaned forward. “There's an event tonight. A private business gathering. You have to be
there.”
Her brows lifted. “As your secretary?”
I nodded slowly. “You'll observe, take mental notes and learn the faces I work with. It's
important.”
She hesitated. “Is this mandatory?”
I stood, moving to the sideboard. “It's not an invitation to Elora. It's a requirement. I'll send the
details to your phone. Be ready by 7. My driver will pick you up.”
She looked like she wanted to argue. Her lips parted, then closed again.
“Understood,” she finally said.
I turned, meeting her gaze.
“Wear something nice.”
She blinked “huh..”
“Dress code matters. That's all.”
I picked up a glass of scotch and dismissed her with a glance.
“You may go.”
As the door shut behind her, I exhaled and looked out the window.
What I'm doing, this wasn't part of the plan.
But neither was she.
- Writer
