Chapter 3: “Nothing Changes”

Amber’s POV

I knew the moment I stepped into that office that today was going to ruin me. Not because of the interview nor because of the building.

Because of him.

He was sitting behind the desk like he belonged there, like the entire world bent itself around his existence yet somehow, I wasn’t surprised.

Of course he was rich, he was powerful. Of course the man I had a one-night stand with had to be him, Adrian Volkov, my potential boss.

My stomach twisted, what was the point of this interview anyway? I shouldn’t have given in to Vee now look at where this got me.

His eyes were on me now. Calm and Unreadable, like last night didn’t happen.

“Miss Amber,” he said, voice smooth, almost indifferent, as usual. “You’re late.”

“I…” I swallowed quickly. “I’m not late. I was told to come in at…”

“You were told to be prepared,” he cut in.

My lips pressed together.

Okay. So this was how it was going to be.

Professional. Cold. Like he didn’t have his hands on me just hours ago.

“I…” I exhaled softly. “About last night…”

“Nothing changes,” he said flatly.

The words hit harder than I expected, it did something to me that I didn’t understand.

“I didn’t know,” I added quickly, heat rising to my face. “If I had known you were…”

“My identity doesn’t concern you,” he interrupted again, this time leaning back in his chair. “You’re here for a job, Miss Amber. I suggest you act like it.”

Something in me snapped, not loudly. Just enough to put me in check.

“Fine,” I said, straightening slightly. “Then let’s proceed with the interview.”

For a brief second, something flickered in his eyes. Interest? Then it was gone.

“Good,” he said. The interview started immediately after that, it was brutal. Not because he was asking impossible questions but because he was watching me like he was trying to peel me apart layer by layer.

Every answer I gave, he challenged. Every hesitation, he noticed. Every strength he tested.

“You claim to be detail-oriented,” he said at one point. “Convince me.”

“I don’t need to convince you,” I replied before I could stop myself. “My work speaks for itself.”

Silence.

Oh God, what did I do ?

But instead of anger, the corner of his mouth tilted slightly.

“Confidence,” he murmured. “Interesting.”

I forced myself not to react.

The interview went on for what felt like hours, but slowly, something shifted. I wasn’t nervous anymore, more like I was focused.

Answering and standing my ground, I didn’t want him to see how intimidated I felt. And for the first time since I walked in, I forgot about last night.

Forgot about him, Until…

“You’re hired.”

I blinked. “What?”

“You heard me,” Adrian said calmly, already reaching for a file like the conversation was over.

“You start tomorrow.”

Just like that? No smile, no congratulations. Just a decision.

“And yes, you are to move in with me.”

I stood there, unsure whether to feel relieved or confused.

“Thank you for the job but why do I have to move in, sir ?” I said finally.

“You are my assistant, remember? You are to be with me at all times and guide me on all my appointments. I thought you were smart ?”

“I’m smart, that information just sank in differently plus I don’t think it’s necessary. Can I please think this over ?”

“Whatever you want.”

As I turned to leave, his voice stopped me.

“Miss Amber.”

I paused.

“Try not to confuse this with anything other than work,” he said. “I don’t mix business with… distractions.”

Distractions ? That’s what it was to him ? Not pleasure ? I thought the words were pleasure so why would he call what we did a distraction?

The words were deliberate, sharp. Like he wanted it to hurt and annoyingly, it did.

My fingers curled slightly at my sides.

“Then we won’t have a problem,” I replied, without turning back.

And this time, I walked out without looking at him.

Adrian’s POV

She was not what I expected.

Not last night and definitely not today. I leaned back in my chair, staring at the door long after she had walked out.

Amber.

Even her name didn’t fit neatly into anything predictable.

Last night, she had walked up to me with reckless honesty, looked me in the eye, and asked for a price like she had nothing to lose.

No games, no pretenses, no hesitation. Just boldness. It was refreshing. I mean, it’s always the other way, women throwing themselves cheaply at me with no effort but she was different.

Dangerously so. And now?

Now she stood in my office pretending she had no idea who I was, or maybe she really didn’t. That was the problem. I couldn’t tell.

My jaw tightened slightly. If it was an act, it was a good one, too good. But then again, there were moments.

The way her voice shook just slightly when she tried to explain. The way she pushed back when I challenged her. The way she refused to shrink, even when I gave her every reason to.

That wasn’t calculated, that was real. And I don’t trust real.

I tapped my fingers lightly against the desk, she passed the interview easily. More than easily.

She was smart, observant and composed under pressure. Exactly what I needed.

Which made this inconvenient, very inconvenient. A personal assistant who had been in my bed hours ago?

Unacceptable and yet I had hired her anyway.

A slow breath left me, because despite everything, I was curious. And curiosity is a liability I can’t afford but something told me Amber wasn’t going to be easy to ignore. For the first time in a long time,

I wasn’t sure if that was a problem or a mistake waiting to happen but whichever way, I will deal with it.