Chapter 4
1083 Words
Days crawled by like slow-moving traffic.
Every time Lila’s phone buzzed, her heart jumped, only to sink when it wasn’t the email she wanted. She checked her inbox at least twenty times a day, even when her brother gave her that look like, Enough already.
She told herself to be patient. “It’s a big company. They probably have tons of applicants,” she whispered in the quiet of her small room. But patience was a word she barely knew how to use.
Her friends called her sometimes, trying to distract her.
“Maybe it’s a no,” one said gently.
Lila forced a smile and shook her head.
“No. I just… I feel like this could be
different. Like I could actually do something with this.”
Her mind replayed the interview. The long walk into the building, the way the lights reflected on the glass, the serious looks on their faces. And the part where she told them why she wanted the job.
One evening, as she was scrolling through her phone, she saw a message.
An email from Blackthorne Enterprises.
Her fingers trembled as she tapped it open.
Dear Ms. Carter,
We are pleased to offer you the position of Junior Assistant at Blackthorne Enterprises. Your passion and determination impressed us, and we believe you will be a valuable addition to our team.
Lila blinked. Read it again.
It couldn’t be real.
She showed the email to her brother, her voice shaking. “I… I got the job.”
He grinned wide, pulling her into a hug. “I knew you could do it, Lil.”
But inside, a knot of fear tightened. What if she wasn’t ready? What if this was a mistake?
Still, she let herself smile, just a little.
Because for the first time in a long time, it felt like maybe, just maybe, everything was starting to change.
Lila stood in front of the tall glass building,that read Blackthorne enterprises, her heart hammering against her rib. She clutched her tote bag closer, breathing in through her nose, out through her mouth. She could do this. Maybe. Hopefully.
Inside, the lobby was bright and modern, with sleek marble floors and tall potted plants. Everyone looked like they were in a hurry, dressed in sharp suits, walking like they had the world at their feet. Lila felt small in her pale blue blouse and secondhand blazer, but she forced a smile as she approached the reception desk.
"Hi, um, Lila Carter. I’m starting today as the new junior assistant?"
The woman at the front desk gave her a quick once-over and nodded. "Take the elevator to the 23rd floor. You’ll meet Ms. Monroe there. She’s Mr. Blackthorne’s senior assistant."
Lila thanked her and turned toward the elevators, her stomach flipping. The ride up felt like a countdown. She caught her reflection in the mirrored walls and straightened her blazer, fixing the few stray curls that had escaped her ponytail.
When the elevator doors opened, the atmosphere changed. It was quieter. Sleek. Everything from the walls to the furniture screamed power. Lila stepped out, and almost immediately, a woman in a pencil skirt and heels walked toward her.
"Lila Carter?" the woman asked, her tone crisp.
Lila nodded quickly. "Yes, that’s me."
"I’m Natalia Monroe. I’ll be showing you around."
Natalia was stunning. Perfect hair, perfect makeup, and a cold kind of beauty that made Lila feel like a kid trying on her mom’s clothes. Natalia’s eyes skimmed over Lila’s outfit for half a second, barely noticeable, but enough to make Lila tug at her sleeves.
"Right this way," Natalia said, turning on her heel.
Lila followed her through the hallway, passing offices with glass walls and people speaking into headsets or typing at lightning speed.
"We expect efficiency here," Natalia said without looking back. "Mr. Blackthorne has a very specific way of running things. He’s not... patient."
"Got it," Lila said with a nervous laugh.
Natalia glanced back, her expression unreadable. "Don’t joke too much. He doesn’t like that either."
Lila’s smile faded just a bit.
They reached a small desk near a corner office. Natalia pointed to it. "This is your workstation. For now, you’ll mostly assist me. I handle Mr. Blackthorne’s schedule and immediate needs. You’ll do support work, errands, document prep, whatever we need. Understood?"
"Yes," Lila nodded.
"Good."
Before Lila could say more, Natalia’s tone shifted. "He’s expecting to meet you. Let’s go."
Lila’s heart leaped. Already?
Natalia didn’t wait. She walked straight to the large double doors of the corner office, knocked once, and pushed them open.
Then she saw him.
Damien Blackthorne.
He was standing behind his desk, tall and sharp in a black suit that looked like it was made just for him. His dark hair was slicked back neatly, jaw sharp enough to cut glass, and eyes so cold and clear they seemed to see right through her.
Lila’s breath caught in her throat.
God, he was beautiful.
Not in a soft, boyish way, but in the kind of way that made your stomach twist. Strong. Perfectly put together. Untouchable. He was the kind of man who didn’t need to raise his voice to own a room. He was the room.
He looked up slowly from the file in his hand, gaze locking onto hers. She froze.
His eyes were like ice, still, unreadable, and way too sharp.
He said nothing. Just stared at her.
And in that silence, Lila felt like her heart might pound right out of her chest
Natalia stepped forward. "Mr. Blackthorne, this is Lila Carter. Your new junior assistant."
Lila’s throat was dry. She forced her lips into a big, cheerful smile, the kind she always used when she was nervous. “Good morning, Mr. Blackthorne.”
Damien didn’t smile back. Didn't address her, didn't welcome, no nothing, just stared at her "Get her set up. I don’t like delays."
"Of course," Natalia said.
Lila nodded quickly and turned to follow her out, but she could still feel Damien’s eyes on her back.
Out in the hall, she finally let out the breath she’d been holding.
Natalia didn’t say anything for a moment, then added, "Don’t take anything personally. Just do your job and stay out of the way."
Lila nodded again, heart still pounding. She was in. She was really in. And her boss was officially the scariest man she’d ever met.
But she wasn’t going to let that stop her. Not today.
- Writer
