12
1284 Words
Before dawn had fully broken, Aurora was already awake.
Sleep had barely visited her that night.
The excitement of getting the job mixed with the anxiety of starting immediately had kept her tossing and turning until the early hours.
She sat up slowly, staring at the acceptance email on her phone for what felt like the hundredth time.
She still couldn’t believe it.
She had gotten the job.
And she was expected to start today.
“So fast…” she murmured, shaking her head with a small smile.
Most companies took days, sometimes weeks, before calling new employees in.
Vaughn Corporation had given her less than twenty four hours.
She wasn’t complaining.
She simply hadn’t expected it.
After taking a deep breath, she climbed out of bed.
“First impressions matter, Aurora.”
She whispered the words to herself before heading toward the bathroom.
—-*—-
An hour later…
Aurora stood before the mirror, giving herself one final look.
She wore a fitted cream-colored office dress that reached just below her knees. It hugged her figure elegantly without looking inappropriate.
A pair of nude heels completed the outfit.
Her silver hair was neatly tied into a bun, with a few loose strands framing her delicate face.
Her makeup was light and natural, highlighting her grey eyes rather than overpowering them.
She smiled softly.
“You’ve got this.”
Picking up her handbag and portfolio, she walked out of her apartment.
—-*—-
Vaughn Corporation.
The skyscraper towered over the city like a monument to success.
Aurora stopped for a brief moment to admire it before stepping inside.
The moment the glass doors slid open, countless eyes turned toward her.
Employees.
Clients.
Even security.
Conversations gradually died down.
Some people openly stared.
Others whispered among themselves.
“She’s gorgeous…”
“Is she a model?”
“I’ve never seen anyone with natural silver hair.”
“Is she here for a meeting?”
Aurora ignored the whispers.
She had grown used to people staring because of her unusual hair.
Keeping her composure, she walked toward the reception desk.
The receptionist looked up.
For a second, even she seemed stunned.
Then she smiled warmly.
“Good morning.”
Aurora returned the smile.
“Good morning.”
“I’m Aurora Winters.”
“I was asked to report today.”
The receptionist immediately checked her computer.
A few seconds later, her smile widened.
“Welcome to Vaughn Corporation, Miss Winters.”
“The CEO would like to see you before Human Resources completes your onboarding.”
Aurora nodded politely.
“Thank you.”
“The executive office is on the top floor.”
She pointed toward the private elevators.
“Take the elevator on your right.”
Aurora thanked her once more before making her way across the luxurious lobby.
Minutes later…
The elevator doors opened.
The executive floor was noticeably quieter than the rest of the building.
Aurora took a slow breath before walking toward the large office at the end of the hallway.
She stopped outside the massive black door.
This must be his office.
Adjusting the files in her hands, she raised her hand to knock.
Before her knuckles could touch the door—
“Well…”
A woman’s voice interrupted her.
“I was wondering who everyone kept staring at.”
Aurora turned.
A woman dressed in designer clothes walked confidently toward her.
Every step radiated arrogance.
Her perfectly styled blonde hair rested over one shoulder as she looked Aurora up and down with open disdain.
Her eyes narrowed.
“So you’re the one.”
Aurora frowned slightly.
“I’m sorry?”
The woman stopped directly in front of her.
Without warning—
She shoved Aurora hard.
Aurora stumbled backward, barely catching herself before she fell.
Her files slipped from her hands, scattering across the polished floor.
The hallway fell silent.
Aurora looked up in shock.
The woman folded her arms across her chest.
“You’ve got some nerve.”
Aurora slowly stood.
“I don’t understand.”
“Oh, don’t pretend.”
The woman’s eyes traveled over Aurora’s appearance.
“The dress.”
“The makeup.”
“The hair.”
“You dressed up just to catch his attention, didn’t you?”
Aurora blinked.
“I think you’ve misunderstood.”
“I haven’t misunderstood anything.”
The woman’s voice grew louder.
“I know women like you.”
“You see a rich, handsome CEO and suddenly you think you have a chance.”
Aurora remained calm.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You don’t?”
The woman let out a mocking laugh.
“I’m Lola.”
She lifted her chin proudly.
“Cassian’s fiancée.”
Several employees exchanged nervous glances.
Aurora bent down and began picking up her scattered documents.
“I’m here because I was hired.”
Lola stepped closer.
“Save the excuses.”
Aurora looked up.
“I’m not making excuses.”
“The receptionist directed me here.”
Lola scoffed.
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I don’t need you to believe me.”
Aurora’s calm answer only irritated her further.
“How dare you speak to me like that?”
Lola reached out and grabbed Aurora’s wrist.
“I think you need to learn your place.”
Before Aurora could respond—
The office door opened.
Cassian Vaughn stepped outside.
His sharp emerald eyes landed on Lola’s hand gripping Aurora’s wrist.
Then they slowly lifted to Lola’s face.
“What is going on?”
Lola’s expression changed instantly.
She released Aurora and hurried to Cassian’s side.
“Cassian!”
She wrapped both hands around his arm.
“I was just protecting you.”
“This woman came here dressed like… like this.”
“She’s obviously trying to get your attention.”
She leaned against him possessively.
“I’m your fiancée. I couldn’t just stand by and watch.”
Cassian lowered his gaze to the hands wrapped around his arm.
Without a word, he removed them.
Lola’s smile faltered.
“Cassian…”
His voice was calm.
Cold.
“Stop introducing yourself as my fiancée.”
The hallway went deathly quiet.
Lola stared at him.
“W..What?”
“You’re not my fiancée.”
Her face turned pale.
“Our families”
“Our families arranged an engagement.”
He cut her off without raising his voice.
“I never agreed to marry you.”
The words struck like lightning.
Every employee stood frozen.
Lola’s lips trembled.
“But… everyone knows we’re engaged.”
“I don’t care what everyone thinks.”
Cassian’s gaze shifted to Aurora.
She stood quietly a few feet away, holding her documents against her chest.
Her expression remained composed despite everything that had happened.
“Miss Winters.”
She immediately met his eyes.
“Come in.”
Aurora nodded.
“Yes, Mr. Vaughn.”
She walked past him toward the office.
Lola reached for Cassian again.
“Cassian, please”
He stepped away before she could touch him.
“Security.”
Within moments, two security guards arrived.
Cassian didn’t spare Lola another glance.
“Escort Miss Lola out of the building.”
Lola’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“You’d throw me out because of her?”
“No.”
His answer was immediate.
“I’m removing you because you caused a disturbance in my company.”
The guards politely but firmly guided Lola toward the elevator.
She twisted around, glaring at Aurora with burning hatred.
“This isn’t over.”
“You’ll regret this.”
The elevator doors closed.
Silence returned to the executive floor.
Cassian looked toward Aurora.
“Close the door behind you.”
“Yes.”
- Writer
