Chapter 3

[Maria]

I had to close the application 15 minutes after I opened it. My phone was immediately flooded with nonstop notifications after I posted the job opening even though it was almost midnight.

Don’t people usually start their jobs in the morning, during business hours?

It was my fault, too, for posting a job opening with no qualifications. But really, I didn’t need anything from them. They could be illiterate for all I care. I just need a pretty face, that’s it.

“Maria, the light.” Damian shielded his eyes with a hand. “Aren’t you asleep?”

“Just a little longer.”

He puckered his lips like a sulking child.

“Okay, okay, I’ll turn off the light. Just go back to sleep.”

I needed to do something very important.

In the dark room, lying in bed with my husband beside me, I was looking for a mistress for him.

I turned off the table lamp, leaned my head against the headboard while scrolling through my phone with one hand. The light from the phone was actually enough. Besides, I just needed to look at photos; I didn’t need to read their resumes, examine their diplomas, or anything like that.

And here was the problem, how many of the applicants were actually very attractive?

True, I didn’t know Damian Lee or his tastes. But if I wanted to make him turn away from me, wouldn’t I need a woman who’s far more beautiful than me?

It was not that I thought my face was exceptionally beautiful, but maybe the girl I was looking for wouldn’t stay up late at night to apply for a job opening that looked suspicious from the start.

Look at these desperate people. I even used my personal account, not the company’s. But it was so easy to make them send me their personal photos.

If they were THAT beautiful and sexy, shouldn’t they not have to do this? Beauty is a privilege, isn’t it? They should have a better life. Use that pretty face to become a model, an influencer or something.

But of course, I wouldn’t know that. I have never had to apply for a job in my life.

Too chubby.

Too skinny.

I scrolled past them without a second thought.

Too professional.

Too artificial. The signs of cosmetic surgery were too obvious.

I exhaled quietly, rubbing my temple. “This is harder than I expected.”

Just narrowing down the photos was already exhausting.

“Maria…” Damian sounded half-asleep.

“Sorry, am I too loud?”

Just go to sleep. Leave me alone and go to sleep.

He narrowed his eyes, struggling to keep them open, his hoarse voice speaking to me. “What are you doing right now? It’s late. You should sleep.”

It’s none of your business.

Wait, technically it’s HIS business.

“I’m almost done.”

He didn’t reply. Maybe he had already fallen back asleep.

It’s not like he cared about me and my sleeping schedule. He hated it every time I’m using my phone in the middle of night. He said the UV light might ruin his sleep quality or something. Funny considering he used to sacrifice his sleep just to have fun at the club.

I wanted the recruitment done as fast as possible.

That's why, I forced myself to pick a few tonight. Different types, just in case.

One looked cute and harmless, the kind of girl who makes a man want to protect. Another had a mature vibe, composed appearance, the opposite type. One stood out with an elegant aura, distinctive facial features, well-suited to becoming the mistress of a conglomerate heir. I already marked them all. Tomorrow, I could refine the list further. Perhaps I would try to ask again for Damian’s preferences.

But for now, I kept scrolling. Like looking for a needle in a haystack since most of them looked barely decent. I should have put ‘good-looking’ in the criteria, but I thought that was common sense? It was for a secretary position after all.

Too many filters.

Too many poses.

Too artificial.

My thumb paused.

“WHA–”

I quickly covered my mouth, suppressing the words that were about to come out in shock.

Too bad, my voice was too loud. So Damian, who was asleep, turned toward me and wrapped his arms around me. I gently moved his arms away. I patted his shoulder softly to make sure he went back to sleep.

Good. I needed to go back to my screen.

Because what I had just seen was absurd.

While everyone else tried their best to appear attractive, submitting polished photos with flattering angles and perfect lighting, one applicant had done the complete opposite.

The photo was dimly lit, almost gloomy.

Her expression was completely flat, devoid of any effort to impress.

And behind her, scattered across the ground, were several men lying.

I stared at the screen, my brows slowly lifting. I tried my best not to laugh in disbelief or make any noise.

What exactly was this supposed to mean?

Was she mocking me? Did she think this job posting was a scam and decided to send something ridiculous just to troll me?

A faint smile tugged at my lips.

Fine.

If she wanted to play that game, I could play along. Without much thought, I tapped the “shortlisted” button.

Let’s see how far this goes.

I began typing.

[Good evening, this is the RQL Group. Based on our review of your documents, you have been shortlisted as a candidate to advance to the next stage. First, we need to ask you a few preliminary questions for the pre-screening process. 

If you meet the criteria we’re looking for, the next step will be a face-to-face interview at the RQL office. Are you available? If so, please let us know a time that would be convenient for you for the pre-screening.]

I wrote a long message.

Less than a minute later, a reply notification popped up. That was fast. I thought she wouldn’t reply until tomorrow morning.

[Good evening, I’m available. Right now is fine.]

Right now?

Was she testing me? Or was she simply that eager?

[Alright, Ms. Hannah Barker. Please answer the following questions:

    Are you single?

    What do you know about Damian Lee?

    When can you start working?]

I didn’t like beating around the bush or wasting my time. It was already late at night.

[Yes, I’m single. I’m sorry, I’m afraid I don’t know much about Damian Lee. If this has anything to do with my job, I’ll make sure to learn about him thoroughly. I promise. As for starting work, I can begin as soon as possible.]

I thought Damian was pretty popular. If she doesn’t know Damian Lee, she must not be familiar with nightlife.

But the reply felt weird. She appeared to be serious yet clumsy.

It did not match the image she had sent.

[Can you explain a bit more about the photo you submitted?]

This time, the reply did not come immediately.

One minute passed.

Then three.

Then five.

I exhaled deeply, letting my mind wander. Maybe she was trying to come up with something convincing. Something dramatic.

Perhaps something like, "I want to show my toughness," "I'm ready to do whatever it takes, even if it means getting my hands dirty," or "I'll be more efficient with the office budget because I can be not only a secretary but also a bodyguard."

Ten minutes later, my phone blinked.

[That is my most recent photo. Don’t companies usually ask for applicants' most recent photos? I happened to be in a situation that required me to take it.]

I tilted my head and stared at the screen for a moment. Ten minutes for such a short answer? She should come up with something more clever, more elaborate.

[What kind of situation? We need to ensure that our candidates are not involved in illegal activities such as violence or gang activity.]

The reply came faster this time.

[It was a situation where I had to defend myself. I’m not involved in gang activity at all. I’m a peace-loving person. I was just a bakery worker coming home after overtime when I was ambushed by thugs. I had absolutely no intention of being aggressive or violent.]

I took a deep breath. Her explanation sounded reasonable. Honest, even.

But there was something about it that felt incomplete. As if she had told the truth, but carefully left something out.

Yes. This one was interesting. This was exactly the kind of person I was looking for.

Someone who could lie without actually lying.

[Very well. You have passed to the next stage. We will contact you again regarding your interview schedule at the RQL Group building.]

After sending the message, I locked my phone and let it rest against my chest. The room was silent once more, wrapped in darkness.

Beside me, Damian slept peacefully, completely unaware of everything.

Unaware that I might have just found the woman who would take my place.

Or perhaps the woman who would ruin him.