Chapter Five Meet Again
1227 Words
"Elena, you’re home!"
Liam’s delighted voice woke Elena from her restless sleep.
The morning sunlight spilled across the room, warming her skin as she slowly opened her eyes.
“Ugh… my body hurts so much,” she groaned, rubbing her sore back and realizing she’d fallen asleep on the couch.
Liam, so pure and trusting, had believed her lie without question.
Maybe sometimes, lies were kinder than the truth.
Watching her little brother leave for school, Elena’s heart ached.
I’ll protect you no matter what, Liam.
Suddenly, she snapped out of her thoughts.
Oh no! What time is it?
Panic surged through her as she glanced at the clock.
Damn it, I’m so late! That bald manager’s going to blow a fuse!
Frantically, she scrambled to get dressed and rushed out the door.
She was just a finance clerk, and if the manager lost it over her tardiness… she might very well lose this job too.
"Elena, why are you so late? The manager’s looking for you — said to go straight to his office when you arrive," her friend and co-worker Lily whispered.
"I know. I’ll go now," Elena sighed, already resigned to her fate.
A short while later, she emerged from the office, her back stiff, her expression tight.
She silently returned to her desk, gathering up her things.
Lily hurried over. "Elena, what happened?"
"I… I quit."
"What? Why? I thought you needed this job to pay for your brother’s surgery!"
Elena’s eyes reddened as the memory of what just happened played in her mind.
“You wanted to see me, Manager?” Elena had asked, stepping into the office.
The man behind the desk leered at her.
“You’re late. What happened?”
“I had a personal emergency. I’m sorry, Manager. It won’t happen again.”
The man’s face twisted into a disgusting grin as he stood and approached her.
“That’s alright, sweetheart. So… have you thought about my offer? Ready to be my lover?”
He reached out, attempting to grab her hand.
"Manager, please behave yourself!" Elena snapped, stepping back.
"Behave? Hah! Don’t act so pure. You’re just here for money, aren’t you? I’m doing you a favor. How much do you want?"
As he reached out to pull her into his arms, Elena slapped him hard across the face.
“You filthy b***h, you dare hit me!” he roared.
“You’re fired!”
“No need. I quit.”
And with that, she turned on her heel and stormed out.
Back in the present, Lily looked horrified.
"I can’t believe that disgusting old man did that to you! What are you going to do now?"
Elena forced a weak smile.
"I don’t know. Maybe… I’ll figure it out somehow."
Desperate to find another job, Elena spent the next few days running herself ragged.
At night, she still returned to the pub to play piano. The money, however meager, was crucial now. But this time, she was far more cautious, no more accepting drinks from strangers.
And then, one morning, she stood in front of Harrington Corporation in disbelief.
She’d actually gotten a call for an interview.
This was one of the top companies in the industry, in just five years, it had risen to become a leader in the field. And its CEO was a legend in his own right.
Their recruitment standards were notoriously strict:
Requirements:
Must be on-call at all times
Fluent in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and English
Major in International Trade, Finance, or Business Administration
Job Description:
Handle both personal and professional affairs for the CEO
Attend social events and business gatherings with the CEO
Salary: 100,000 per month, with an annual increment of 10,000.
Elena didn’t deny it, the main reason she was here was the high salary.
She needed the money to save Liam.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have even glanced at such a position.
A secretary role like this always invited scandalous speculation.
When she saw the main elevators were packed, Elena bit her lip in frustration.
She couldn’t afford to be late to this interview.
Then she noticed an empty executive elevator nearby.
Without a second thought, she rushed over and pressed the button.
The doors opened almost immediately, and to her relief, it was empty.
Thank you, God…
"Hold the door!"
A man’s voice called out, and Elena, thinking it was another applicant, kindly pressed the open button.
Adrian stepped inside, and froze.
Her? What is she doing here?
Was she here to blackmail him?
Elena’s breath caught in her throat.
That face…
Sharp, chiseled features, thick lashes casting shadows over piercing eyes, a perfectly sculpted nose, lips cold and stern.
And those pale, pale blue eyes — classic, regal, yet not arrogant.
Why did he look so… familiar?
Catching her dazed stare, Adrian’s lips curled in a mocking smirk.
Gold-digger. Figured out who I am and came crawling, didn’t you?
When Elena saw the disdain flicker in his eyes, her face flushed crimson with embarrassment, quickly lowering her gaze.
She could still blush.
That surprised Adrian.
He realized that, for some reason, he’d been thinking about her these past few days.
Couldn’t deny it, the woman was unforgettable.
The morning sun filled the office building with a soft glow.
Adrian stepped out of his office as his secretary approached.
“Mr. Harrington, here’s the list of interviewees and their resumes.”
He took the folder, flipping through them idly.
Then his gaze paused on one.
That face.
She’s here for an interview? But isn’t she a pianist at the pub? Or is she like every other woman, hoping to get close to me?
Did she know it was him that night?
Interesting… very interesting.
Adrian’s expression gave nothing away as he strode toward the conference room.
Inside the waiting area, Elena sat nervously, dressed in a crisp white suit.
Her dark hair was pinned up, highlighting her delicate features.
But her shifting gaze betrayed her anxiety.
When she was called in, Elena took a deep breath, clutching her black handbag tightly.
If she could land this job at Harrington Corporation, her money troubles would be over.
She stood, walking firmly toward the meeting room.
One of the female secretaries watched her leave and muttered silently to herself:
Such a fragile, delicate thing… should be at home tending a family, not competing in this ruthless corporate jungle.
Inside the vast conference room, the air was tense.
The managers and directors sat upright, formal and guarded — not surprising, given their formidable CEO.
Smiling, charming, but utterly ruthless.
No one noticed the flicker of emotion in Adrian’s gaze as he stared down at Elena’s résumé.
As she entered, Elena kept her eyes low, her heart pounding wildly.
“Miss Grace, please have a seat,” Adrian said smoothly, watching her every move.
When she looked up and saw who it was — the man from the elevator, her heart nearly stopped.
It’s him. The CEO… It’s really him.
Not yet thirty, and already a legend.
The interview went surprisingly well.
Elena’s sharp answers and fluent language skills impressed everyone.
Adrian, too, was unexpectedly satisfied.
So… she’s not just a shallow, money-hungry woman after all. Let’s see what her game is.
At the end of the meeting, Adrian leaned back, his lips curving faintly.
“Miss Grace, you’ll start work tomorrow.”
- Writer
