Love at First Glance
The glass doors of Sterling Heights Corporation slid open as Julie Carter stepped inside, clutching the strap of her handbag tightly.
For a moment, she stood there.
The building was even more enormous than she had imagined. The tall glass reflected the bright morning sun, polished marble floors stretched across the reception area, and employees dressed in expensive suits moved around with the confidence of people who knew exactly where they belonged.
Julie took a quiet breath.
Today was her first day. She looked down at herself, checking her cream blouse and black trousers before finally adjusting the gold necklace around her neck.
“You can do this" she whispered.
She had worked hard to get here. Her family wasn't wealthy, and this job was something she couldn't afford to lose. Sterling Heights was one of the biggest companies in the city, and getting this job could change everything for her, including her financial status.
"Good morning. Can I help you?"
Julie looked up at the receptionist.
"Good morning. I am Julie Carter, and I'm here to resume as the new executive assistant."
The receptionist looked at her computer and smiled politely. "Yes, Mr. Alexander Blake is expecting you.”
The smile on Julie's face disappeared slightly.
“Mr. Blake?”
“The CEO.”
“Oh.”
Alexander Blake.
The youngest CEO Sterling Heights has ever had. Brilliant, wealthy, extremely private and according to the few things Julie had heard, almost impossible to impress.
The receptionist handed her a visitor pass card. "His office is on the thirty-second Floor."
"Thank you".
Julie entered the elevator and pressed the button. As the doors closed, she stared at her reflection on the mirror-like door.
"First day", she reminded herself, "don't embarrass yourself". The elevator eventually opened.
She stepped into the quiet hallway where everything felt unusually perfect. At the end was a Black door.
ALEXANDER BLAKE- CEO
Julie Knocked.
"Come in". His voice was deep and calm.
She opened the door. A man stood behind a large glass desk, his back initially facing her as he looked through the window overlooking the city. He slowly turned.
Julie's breath caught for half a second.
Alexander Blake was younger than she had expected.
Tall, Broad shoulders. Impeccably dressed in a black suit, with neatly styled dark hair and an expression that could have frozen a room.
His eyes moved towards her, quickly glancing at her before returning to the documents in his hands. "You are late".
Julie blinked. She glanced at her watch.
"I am actually five minutes early".
His eyes lifted again
"Then you are standing in my office five minutes before I asked you to".
She stared at him.
Was he serious?
"I was told to report by nine".
"And I expected you by nine"
"It is nine"
A brief silence filled the room
Alexander leaned back on his chair." you argue quickly"
"I wasn't arguing with you".
"You were correcting me"
"Because you were wrong"
Those words escaped before Julie could stop them. Her eyes widened
Alexander's expression changed slightly.
For the first time, something almost resembling amusement appeared in his eyes.
Almost."Interesting".
Julie stood there frozen, still shocked by what she had even said
"My sincerest apologies, sir"
"You don't sound sorry"
"I am", she said
"You still don't sound sorry, you know." She forced a small smile. "I'll work on that, sir".
Alexander studied her for another moment before passing a file across to her.
“Your responsibilities are listed there. Read everything carefully. I don't tolerate mistakes.”
Julie picked up the file.
“I don't make many.”
His eyebrow lifted.
“We'll see.”
She turned toward the door, but his voice stopped her.
“Miss Carter.”
She looked back.
“Yes?”
“Welcome to Sterling Heights.”
There was something about the way he said it that made her uneasy.
Julie nodded.
“Thank you.”
She walked out of the office, closing the door behind her.
Only then did she release the breath she had been holding.
“Unbelievable,” she whispered.
Inside the office, Alexander looked toward the closed door.
For some reason, the new assistant's confidence had caught his attention.
And he wasn't sure whether that would be a good thing.
Neither of them knew it yet, but that morning would become the beginning of a relationship that would change both their lives.
And before long, Alexander would discover something he had never expected to find in the eyes of his new assistant.
Love.
