Chapter 2

“Wake up!”

Something soft landed directly on Amara's face.

She groaned and pulled the blanket over her head.

“Go away.”

“Amara!”

Another pillow hit her.

She finally sat up, her hair a complete mess.

Javey stood at the foot of her bed with his hands on his hips, looking like he had personally been offended by her existence.

“Do you know what time it is?”

Amara glanced at the clock.

“Six fifteen.”

“Exactly.”

“My job starts at eight.”

“And?”

“I have plenty of time.”

Javey rolled his eyes.

“You have your first day at Pablo Innovations today. You need to look perfect.”

“I always look perfect.”

“That's debatable.”

Amara grabbed the pillow and threw it at him.

Javey ducked.

“Violence before breakfast. Lovely.”

The bedroom door opened and Nora walked in carrying a cup of coffee.

“Here.”

Amara immediately reached for it.

“My hero.”

“You're welcome.”

Javey snatched the cup away.

“No coffee.”

Amara stared at him.

“Give me my coffee.”

“No. You'll be drinking enough of it at work.”

“Javey.”

“No.”

“Give it to me.”

“No.”

Nora took the cup from him and handed it back to Amara.

“Don't start your day by fighting.”

Amara smiled triumphantly.

“Thank you.”

Javey pointed at Nora.

“You always take her side.”

“Because she's usually right.”

“That's exactly why I don't like you.”

Nora laughed.

Amara climbed out of bed and headed toward her closet.

Javey followed.

“We picked your outfit.”

Amara stopped.

“We?”

“Yes. Nora and I.”

She looked at the clothes laid out on her bed.

A cream blouse.

Black tailored trousers.

A fitted black blazer.

Black heels.

Amara nodded approvingly.

“Not bad.”

“Not bad?” Javey repeated. “I spent an hour choosing that outfit.”

“Then you need a hobby.”

“I am a fashion designer...hellooo!!"

“Exactly. You should be used to it.”

Nora laughed.

After a shower , Nora did her hair  and since she disagreed on wearing makeup. She wore the outfit they chose for her.

“You look beautiful in it.”

Amara smiled.

“Thank you.”

Javey sat on the edge of the bed.

“Now, rules.”

Amara groaned.

“I hate rules.”

“You need them.”

“I don't.”

“Rule number one, don't flirt with the brothers.”

“I wasn't planning to.”

“Rule number two, don't argue with them.”

Amara looked at him.

“That one might be difficult.”

“Why?”

“Because I don't like people talking down to me.”

Nora gave her a look.

“Then try not to give them a reason to.”

Amara picked up her handbag.

“I'll be fine.”

Javey followed her toward the door.

“Call us during lunch.”

“I'll be working.”

“Then call during your coffee break.”

“Fine.”

“And if either brother makes you uncomfortable—”

“I'll handle it.”

Javey smiled.

“I know.”

Amara kissed Nora's cheek.

“See you later.”

“Good luck.”

She looked at Javey.

“You too.”

He frowned.

“why do i need it?”

“Because you're going to spend the whole day worrying about me.”

“That's true.”

Amara laughed walking towards her car.

☆

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PABLO INNOVATIONS

Pablo Innovations was impossible to miss.

The towering glass building stood in the heart of Elaris's business district, surrounded by some of the country's biggest companies.

Amara parked her car underground and took a moment before getting out.

She looked at the building through the windshield.

This was it.

Her first real job.

Not because her family needed her to work.

Not because she needed money.

But because she wanted something that belonged entirely to her.

She stepped out of the car, adjusted her blazer and headed inside.

The lobby was busy.

Employees moved quickly through the building, most of them carrying laptops, documents or phones.

Amara approached the reception desk.

“Good morning.”

The receptionist looked up.

“Good morning. How can I help you?”

“I'm Amara Val. I'm starting today as the Pablo brothers' assistant.”

The receptionist's expression changed slightly.

“Oh.”

Amara raised an eyebrow.

“Is that a bad oh?”

“No.”

The woman quickly smiled.

“Someone will take you upstairs.”

A few minutes later, the elevator doors opened.

Amara stepped out onto the executive floor.

A man was standing near the windows with his back toward her.

Tall...nice physique

Dark suit.

Completely still.

The receptionist's assistant lowered his voice.

“Mr. Lorry Pablo.”

Amara looked at him.

So that was Lorry.

He turned.

His eyes immediately landed on her.

Cold and unimpressed.

He looked at her for a few seconds before speaking.

“You're Amara Val?”

“Yes.”

“Come.”

That was it.

He turned and walked away.

Amara followed.

She noticed the employees they passed.

Everyone became quieter whenever Lorry walked by.

Nobody stopped him.

Nobody tried to make small talk.

The man clearly commanded the entire floor without needing to say much.

They reached his office.

He opened the door.

Amara stepped inside.

His office was large and minimalist, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.

Lorry pointed toward another door.

“Nick's office.”

Then he pointed toward the room beside theirs.

“Yours.”

Amara looked inside.

Her office was beautiful.

A large desk.

Computer.

Bookshelves

Everything she needed.

She turned back.

“Thank you.”

Lorry didn't respond.

Instead, he looked at her again.

“why do you even need your own office anyway"

It wasn't a question.

Amara blinked.

“Why are you even here?You don't even have experience"

“Because mother recommended her.”

The voice came from the doorway.

Another man entered.

Nick Pablo.

Unlike his brother, Nick walked with an easy confidence.

His suit was immaculate, his dark hair slightly messy, and the smile on his face was completely different from Lorry's expression.

“Mother recommended her,” Nick repeated.

Lorry's jaw tightened.

“And we're yet to find out why.”

Nick looked at Amara.

“I'm Nick.”

“Amara.”

He smiled.

“Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

Lorry looked between them.

“Yeah she won't last a week.”

Amara's eyebrows rose.

Nick looked at his brother.

“Lorry.”

“She has no experience.”

Amara crossed her arms.

“I learn quickly.”

Lorry looked at her.

“We don't have time to teach you.”

“who said aything about teaching me?"

Nick's smile widened.

Lorry's expression didn't change.

“Being recommended by our mother, doesn't mean you're qualified.”

“I didn't say it did.”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“Good.”

He picked up a folder from his desk and handed it to her.

“Tomorrow's schedule. I believe you've been given today's schedule"

Amara took it.

“Thank you.”

“Learn it.”

He turned away.

Amara looked at the folder.

Then at him.

“Anything else?”

“Get lost.”

He walked back to his desk.

Dismissed.

Amara turned toward the door.

Nick followed her out.

The moment they stepped into the hallway, he chuckled.

“Don't take it personally.”

“I don't.”

“Lorry doesn't like surprises.”

“I'm not a surprise.”

Nick looked at her.

“My mother recommending an inexperienced assistant without telling us is definitely a surprise.”

Amara smiled.

“Then I suppose I'll have to disappoint your brother.”

“How?”

“By lasting longer than a week.”

Nick laughed.

“I like you already.”

“That's unfortunate.”

“Why?”

“Because I'm your assistant.”

Nick leaned slightly closer.

“That doesn't mean I can't like you.”

Amara gave him a look.

“Mr. Pablo.”

“Just Nick and no need for the Mister.”

“Nick.

“You're going to be fun Amara.”

“I haven't even started working.”

“Exactly...my gut never lies.”

He walked toward his office.

“See you around, Amara.”

She watched him disappear behind his door.

Then she looked down at the folder in her hands.

She opened it.

Her eyes widened.

There were meetings scheduled from eight thirty in the morning until almost five.

She looked toward Lorry's office.

The man hadn't even bothered to tell her that she was expected to manage both of their schedules.

Fine.

If he thought she wouldn't last a week, she would make sure he regretted saying it.

Amara sat behind her desk and turned on the computer. She went through the computer learing about the company and everything else. Looking at the time half past eight. Staff meeting in thirty minutes.

The meeting was short, just Amara being introduced to the staff and being welcomed properly"

Proving Lorry wrong has officially become Amara's new mission. She spend most of the day learning about her job and the notes left by the last assistant. She learned the brothers schedules which wasn't difficult because they attend most of the meetings together. However answering the phone and responding to emails is one of the things she doesn't like but anyway it is part of her job and there's nothing she can do because giving up on her first job is not an option either.