HIDDEN LOVE FOR THE CEO'S DAUGHTER

The elevator doors slide open on the 50th floor, and my knees almost gave out. Black Corp. The tallest building in the city. Where billionaires walked and people like me got crushed. I clutched the damp folder against my chest. Two coffee stains, three hours of sleep, and a prayer were all I had. If I messed this up I'd lose my scholarship next semester. "Ava Carter?" A woman in a black blazer barley glanced up from her desk. "Mr Black is waiting. Five minutes. Don't waste them. Five minutes. Right. The office was bigger than my entire apartment. Floor-to-ceiling glass, a desk that probably cost more than my car, and him Damian Black He didn't look up when he entered . Just kept signing papers with a pen that cost more than my monthly rent "Sit" I sat . My hands shook "you're late", His voice was cold , like he'd practiced it. "My bus broke down ". I said before I could stop myself. Stupid He didn't care about my bus. He finally looked up. Gray eyes, sharp jaw, zero warmth. " I don't hire excuses. I hire results". He slid a thick financial report across the desk. " Summarize page 47 to 52 in two minutes. "Go" My heart founded. I flipped it open. Numbers, charts, losses. I scanned fast, my brain kicking into gear from all those all-nighters at the library. " Black Corp lost 2.3million on project Atlas last quarter because of a supply chain delay a section 3, " I said . " if you renegotiate with supplier B you'll cut the loss by 50%". He stopped writing. For the first time, he actually looked at me . "You're hired" I blinked . " what" "Personal Secretary. Starting Monday. 9am Charp. Don't be late again." He went back to his papers. And don't get ideas, Miss Carter. I don't mix business with personal. I stood up, legs shaky. " I just need the job to pay my fees, Mr. Black" As I walked out, I heard two assistants whispering by my water cooler " His ex-girlfriend is flying back from London next week. I froze Great. First day, and I was already in the middle of a storm.