RULES!

The next morning, I woke up determined to make the best of my new life.

For once, I had something to look forward to.

A job.

I still couldn't believe it.

After taking a quick shower, I dressed in my best outfit, carefully smoothing the fabric before checking my reflection in the mirror.

I brushed my hair and gave myself an encouraging smile.

"You can do this, Bianca."

I was applying my lip gloss when a loud car horn blared outside.

I hurried to the window.

The moment I pulled the curtain aside, my mouth fell open.

A shiny black limousine was parked in our driveway.

Beside it stood a man dressed in a black suit, wearing dark sunglasses and holding the back door open.

I blinked.

"Oh my gosh! My ride is here already! A limo?! I have never been inside one before!"

I grabbed my handbag, checked that I had my phone and notebook, and rushed out of my room.

As I hurried downstairs, I nearly tripped over my own feet. I wasn't going to let anything ruin this day.

The moment I stepped outside, the chauffeur straightened.

"Good morning, Miss Bianca."

"Good morning!"

He opened the door for me, and I climbed inside, trying desperately to look as though riding in a limousine was something I did every day.

It wasn't.

I was still admiring the luxurious leather seats when I glanced toward the house.

Larissa stood by her bedroom window, staring at me.

I smiled and waved.

She stared back with an expression that could sour milk.

Then she yanked the curtains shut.

My smile disappeared.

Seriously?

Couldn't she pretend to be happy for me?

I sighed and settled into my seat.

Our parents hadn't gotten home yesterday. I guessed they would be back today—they had paid our grandparents a visit and still weren't back.

"Miss Bianca."

A female voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I turned so quickly that my handbag nearly slid off my lap.

Only then did I realize that a woman was seated directly opposite me.

She looked to be in her early thirties, with perfectly styled dark hair, expensive makeup, and a designer outfit.

"Y-yes, ma'am?"

"I'm going to explain your responsibilities before we arrive at the residence."

I immediately pulled out my notebook.

She glanced at the notebook, then at me.

"Your primary responsibility is the CEO himself. You will manage his schedule, organize his appointments, monitor his medication, and ensure that his daily needs are taken care of. You will be with him at all times until he dismisses you."

I nodded rapidly, scribbling down every word.

"Most importantly, you must never allow him to run out of his suppressant medication."

My pen stopped.

"Suppressant medication?"

Her eyes narrowed.

"You're an Omega, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Then you should understand the importance of suppressants."

"Of course," I answered quickly, even though I suddenly had a very bad feeling about where this conversation was going.

She leaned back against her seat.

"The CEO is an exceptionally powerful Alpha. His pheromones are much stronger than those of an ordinary Alpha. When his suppressant medication wears off, the intensity can become unbearable. So a mask is mandatory."

"A mask?"

She reached into her handbag and produced a small, neatly packaged mask.

"Keep it with you at all times. You will also receive emergency supplies when you arrive."

I accepted it carefully.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. I'm not finished."

I immediately straightened.

She continued.

"For an Omega, working beside an Alpha with such a high pheromone concentration, the effects can be particularly intense. You might feel intoxicated, become confused, or struggle to think clearly. In extreme cases, you could collapse. His pheromones can also affect your judgment. Do not mistake a biological reaction for affection, attraction, or an invitation to behave foolishly. If you begin feeling dizzy or unusually overwhelmed, leave the area immediately and alert security."

I nodded so hard that my neck almost hurt.

The woman folded her hands over her knees.

"Now, there's something else you need to understand about the CEO."

I looked up.

"He is not a friendly man. He doesn't tolerate incompetence, unnecessary conversation, or people who cross professional boundaries."

"Understood."

"He also has absolutely no patience for women who deliberately apply for positions near him because they find him attractive."

I nearly choked.

"Not me!"

Her eyebrows rose.

"I mean, I wasn't even applying to be his assistant! I applied to be a cleaner!"

For several seconds, she simply stared at me in silence.

Then she slowly tilted her head.

"A cleaner?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"And somehow, you ended up as the CEO's personal assistant?"

"I know! It's shocking, isn't it?"

I laughed awkwardly.

She didn't look shocked—she looked offended.

"The CEO has dismissed more than twenty personal assistants in one month."

My mouth fell open.

"Twenty?"

"Twenty-three, to be precise."

Wow.

"Most of them were Omegas who couldn't control themselves around him. They became distracted by his pheromones, attempted to flirt with him, or deliberately created situations that irritated him."

She paused.

"If you value this job, maintain your professionalism. Don't stare at him. Don't ever touch him not even by accident. Don't dare flirt with him. And above all, don't maintain eye contact with him. He hates that."

I nodded solemnly.

"I won't let you down."

She studied me for another moment before giving a dismissive wave.

"This is only the basic information. If you pass your first assessment, you'll receive a complete briefing on your responsibilities."

I brightened.

"Thank you for the opportunity, ma'am."

"Don't thank me. I wouldn't have hired you for this position."

My smile faltered.

"Oh."

"I applied for this position myself and was rejected."

I blinked.

She had applied for the personal assistant job?

"I see," I murmured.

Her gaze traveled over me again, and her lips curved into a faint, unpleasant smile.

"However, I can understand why management selected you. You won't be much of a distraction because you're not what most Alphas would consider attractive."

Insults, already?

Unfortunately, I needed this job. Desperately.

So I sat back, clutched my notebook, and decided that I would survive the woman sitting across from me.

I would survive the CEO, too.

How difficult could one man possibly be?