Burning Hearts

Chapter 1

Annabelle Harris, a 22-year-old recent college graduate, walks through the busy streets of the big city, looking for a job. She is smart and determined, always trying to help her mother who sells coffee in a small coffee shop in their neighborhood. As she walks, she sees a tall building that says "Hawthorne Corp" on it. She knows that it's a big corporation, and hears that they have job vacancies for recent graduates...She walks inside the building and takes a deep breath. The building is grand and luxurious, there are people walking around in suits and ties. She feels a little out of place in her casual clothing. She walks up to the receptionist and asks about the job vacancies. The receptionist looks her up and down and informs her that there is one vacancy for an assistant position in the Marketing department...

Annabelle thinks for a moment and decides to give it a try. She goes to the elevator and rides it to the 10th floor, where the Marketing department is located. She walks up to the department and sees a woman sitting at the front desk, typing on her computer. She approaches the desk..."Excuse me," Annabelle says politely. The woman looks up from her computer and looks at Annabelle. "Can I help you?" she asks.

"Yes, I'm here to inquire about the assistant job vacancy in the Marketing department," Annabelle says, trying to sound confident. The woman looks at her with a critical eye, taking in her casual clothing and the fact that she doesn't look like the typical corporate employee...... but she gives her a small smile and says, "Ah, yes. The assistant job. Please take a seat, I'll let Mr. Hawthorne know you're here." She points to a chair next to the desk. Annabelle sits down and waits...Annabelle takes a seat and looks around the Marketing department. The office is modern and stylish, and the people working there are busy typing on their computers or talking on the phone. She sees a few people walk past her, some of them glance at her and nod politely. One of them is a handsome man. He looks at her and gives her a small smile before walking into an office that says "Xavier Hawthorne, Marketing Manager" on the door...

Annabelle watches him walk into the office. She waits for a few more minutes, and the receptionist tells her that Mr. Hawthorne will see her now...

As Annabelle walks into Xavier's office, she notices the cold and impersonal atmosphere. The walls are painted navy blue and there are a few paintings hanging on them, but they're all corporate-looking and bland. The furniture is solid and expensive, but there's nothing cozy or personal about it...... and the man sitting behind the desk fits right in. Xavier Hawthorne is a tall, broad-shouldered man with sharp, angular features. He's dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers, and there's a tie with the company logo on it. He doesn't smile or offer her a seat, instead he just gazes at her coolly as she stands in front of him.