60. The Man Behind The Table.

Rose POV

I stood outside the building for a long time.

Too long.

People walked past me, entering and leaving like it was nothing. Like this place didn’t hold the power to change a life. Like it wasn’t intimidating.

The building was tall.

Glass everywhere.

Clean.

Perfect.

I hugged my file closer to my chest and took a deep breath. My hands were shaking a little, and I hated that. I had promised myself I wouldn’t be scared. I had promised myself I would be brave in this new city.

I whispered to myself, “You can do this.”

This interview mattered.

I had already left my old job. I had already left my old city. There was no turning back. If I failed here, I didn’t know what I would do next.

I walked inside.

The air was cold, and the floor reflected my shoes as I walked. Everything looked expensive. The people looked important. Everyone seemed to know where they were going, except me.

I checked the directions on my phone again and followed the signs until I reached a waiting area.

Other people were there.

They were dressed well. Some looked confident. Some looked calm. Some looked like they had already imagined themselves getting the job.

I sat down quietly.

My heart was beating too fast.

I tried to distract myself by looking around. The walls were white. The chairs were neat. Everything smelled clean and new. It felt nothing like the places I had worked before.

Minutes passed.

One by one, names were called.

Each time someone stood up and walked through the door, my chest tightened.

I thought about my mother.

About her voice.

About how she would tell me to sit straight, smile politely, and never look afraid.

Finally, I heard my name.

“ Miss Rose?.”

I stood up quickly, almost tripping over my own feet. I followed the woman down a long hallway. My mind was racing.

What if I mess up?

What if they don’t like me?

What if this was a mistake?

We stopped in front of a large door.

“Good luck,” the woman said.

I nodded.

Then I pushed the door open.

And everything stopped.

Because sitting in the middle of the room was Damien.

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

It was him.

The same man from the woods.

The same man from the bar.

The same sharp eyes.

The same pale skin.

The same calm, dangerous presence.

He looked different though.

More powerful.

More in control.

He wasn’t standing or leaning casually like before. He was seated between two women, both dressed in serious suits. They looked important. They looked like people who made decisions.

My stomach twisted.

What is he doing here?

Our eyes met.

His expression changed for just a second.

Surprise.

Then nothing.

I suddenly felt very small.

The woman on the left spoke. “Please, take a seat.”

I walked forward slowly and sat down.

My hands were folded in my lap, but they were shaking. I tried to calm myself. I tried to act normal.

But my mind was screaming.

This is bad.

This is very bad.

The woman on the right picked up my file. “You’re applying for a senior position.”

“Yes,” I replied.

She nodded. “Tell us about your experience.”

I answered carefully. I talked about my past job, my responsibilities, my skills. I spoke slowly, clearly, trying not to show how nervous I was.

Damien didn’t say anything at first.

He just watched me.

His eyes never left my face.

Then he leaned back in his chair.

“Why did you leave your previous job?” he asked.

His voice was calm. Sharp.

I froze for half a second.

I couldn’t tell the truth.

I forced a smile. “I wanted to grow. I felt like I had more to give, and I needed a place that would challenge me.”

It was a lie.

But it was a safe one.

He stared at me.

Long.

Too long.

The room felt heavy.

Then he spoke.

“You have the job.”

I blinked.

The two women turned to look at him.

“ Sir..” one of them started.

“She’s qualified,” he said calmly. “That’s enough.”

Silence filled the room.

I stood up slowly. “Thank you,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“When can you start?” he asked.

“Tomorrow,” I replied without thinking.

“That’s fine.”

I turned to leave, my head spinning.

“Rose,” he called.

I turned back.

“Come to the bar tonight,” he said with power, with confidence.

I smiled. “Okay.”

And then I left.

Still confused.

Still shocked.

Damien POV

The moment she walked in, I felt it again.

That strange feeling.

That emptiness.

She didn’t smell like anything.

Not human.

Not vampire.

Not wolf.

Not demon.

Nothing.... I couldn't even hear her thoughts, Strange!.

That alone made her dangerous.

And interesting.

I watched her carefully as she answered the questions. She was nervous, but she was smart. Her heart beat faster when she noticed me. Her breathing changed.

She remembered me.

Good.

When I gave her the job, my subjects were shocked.

I didn’t care.

After she left, one of them spoke.

“Why her?”

I stood up slowly.

“She’s strange,” I said. “I tried feeding on her once. I couldn’t.”

Their eyes widened.

“That’s impossible,” one whispered.

“Exactly,” I replied.

I wanted answers.

And Rose was the question.