Chapter one

Sara’s POV

Stepping off the plane at the airport, I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Returning to New York was like coming home, but the weight of my impending job interview hung heavy in the air. Glancing at my watch, I realized with a sinking feeling that I was running late. I fastened my pace, weaving through the crowded terminal, my mind consumed with thoughts of the interview.

Rounding a corner, I collided with something solid. Stumbling backward, I blinked in surprise, my gaze locking with the most stunning pair of eyes I had ever seen. The man before me was tall and imposing, with a presence that demanded attention. His jawline was sharp, his dark hair ruffled in a way that added to his rugged charm. Sharp cheekbones framed his face, adding to his striking appearance, and the gentle beard growth on his jaw added to his rugged good looks.

But any admiration I might have felt vanished as his expression darkened with annoyance.

"Watch where you're going, clumsy," he snapped, his voice cutting through the air like a whip.

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I stumbled for words. "I-I'm so sorry," I stammered, my heart pounding in my chest.

His lips twisted into a sneer, and a rush of anger rose within me. Who did he think he was, speaking to me like that?

"Sorry doesn't undo the fact that you nearly knocked me over," he retorted, his tone dripping with condescension.

My jaw clenched, my patience wearing thin. "Maybe if you weren't blocking the entire walkway, this wouldn't have happened," I shot back, my voice laced with irritation.

His eyes narrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. "Typical," he muttered under his breath. "No manners whatsoever."

My temper flared, my pulse pounding in my ears. "Excuse me?" I exclaimed, my voice rising with indignation. "I said I was sorry, but I don't appreciate being spoken to like that."

He sneered, his gaze icy. "Well, maybe if you paid more attention to where you were going, we wouldn't be having this conversation," he shot back, his tone laced with disdain.

Before I could respond, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the bustling terminal. As I watched him go, a mix of frustration and disbelief washed over me. Who did he think he was, storming off like that? Something clicked in my head and before I could think or process it, I was already acting on it.

I ran to him and pushed him just a little bit, we were not done with the conversation. What happened next shocked my entire existence. The rude man fell down and dragged someone with him, a man to be precised and their lips connected.

“Is he gay? Oh Sara what did you just do?” I muttered asking my self these questions.

Before I could even reply myself, I saw camera clicking, flash lights here and there. I felt stupid and embarrassed and I just pitied the man. I could’ve done better.

The rude man pushed the other man away but it was too late. People gasped and were saying all sort of things. I overheard when a lady informed her friend that she had already posted the picture on the internet and she was getting engagement.

What is wrong with people and don’t they understand the meaning of privacy? I stood there dumbfounded and I tried apologizing to the rude man who was now on his feet and was giving me murderous looks. He looked at me as if he was ready to kill me on that spot.

“I…I…I….am…very…”, I stammered before I could finish, he stormed off.

I quickly asked God for forgiveness and removed the whole scenario from my memory even when my conscience was judging me so bad. I remembered the interview I had and quickly made my way towards the exit.

Arriving at Zack Enterprise, I was greeted by the sleek, modern architecture of the building, towering above me in impressive grandeur. The lobby was adorned with minimalist décor, exuding an air of sophistication that spoke volumes about the company's success. My nerves fluttered as I stepped through the glass doors, feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

Approaching the reception desk, I was met by a friendly smile from the receptionist who introduced herself as Jane. "Welcome to Zack Enterprise, my name is Jane Gabriel. How can I assist you today?" she asked, her voice warm and welcoming.

Returning her smile, I replied, "Hi, I'm Sara Miles. I have an interview scheduled for the accountant position."

Jane's eyes sparkled with recognition as she glanced down at her computer screen. "Ah, yes, Ms. Miles. Please take a seat, and we'll call you in shortly."

I nodded gratefully, feeling a flutter of excitement mingled with nerves. As I settled into one of the plush chairs in the waiting area, I couldn't help but steal glances at the other candidates waiting alongside me. Each one looked just as eager and determined as I felt, adding to the tension that hung in the air.

Fidgeting with my portfolio, I reviewed my resume and notes, mentally preparing myself for the interview questions I might face. The sound of my own heartbeat echoed in my ears as I tried to steady my nerves, reminding myself of the importance of this opportunity.

Minutes stretched into what felt like hours, each second ticking by agonizingly slow. Finally, Jane called my name, and I felt a surge of adrenaline course through me as I rose to my feet, my palms sweaty with anticipation.

But as I turned to make my way toward the interview room, my breath caught in my throat. There, standing in the lobby, was the same man I had collided with at the airport. His presence seemed to fill the room, his commanding aura drawing the attention of everyone around him.

My heart hammered in my chest as panic surged through me. Had he followed me here? Was he here to take revenge? My mind raced with a whirlwind of questions, each more frantic than the last. Before I could stop myself, I spun around and hurried back to Jane, my voice trembling with urgency.

"Jane, you have to call security," I whispered urgently, my eyes wide with fear. "That man, he's here for me. We had a very bad encounter this morning and I’m very sure he’s here to take revenge”

Jane's brow furrowed in confusion as she followed my gaze to where the man stood, his expression impassive as he scanned the room with cool detachment. With a soft chuckle, she gently placed a hand on my arm, her tone laced with amusement.

"Oh, you must be talking about Mr. Samuels," she said, her voice tinged with amusement. "He's not a stranger, dear. He's the CEO."

My heart sank at her words, a sense of dread settling in the pit of my stomach. This couldn’t be happening. I felt a surge of despair wash over me as I realized that my chances of getting the job had just dropped to zero.

As if on cue, Zack approached me, his expression cold and indifferent. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the clumsy one,” he said, his voice dripping with disdain.

I became tensed at his words, my temper flaring once again. “I’m here for an interview,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the tremor of fear that ran through me.

Zack’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “Oh, I’m well aware of that,” he said, his tone mocking. “And I’ll be conducting the interview myself.”

My heart sank at his words, a sense of hopelessness washing over me. This was it. I was doomed. I wanted to run, to escape from this nightmare, but something inside me urged me to stay and face my fate.

As Zack turned to walk away, I felt a surge of indignation rise within me. I couldn’t let him get to me. I had to stay strong, no matter what. Taking a deep breath, I followed him into the interview room, steeling myself for whatever was to come.