CHAPTER 5

NEW JOB

Aurora wanted to scream in pain, but no sound escaped her throat. The thick reek of gasoline and blood filled her senses as her chest seized up, making every breath an agonizing struggle. She tried to lift her hands, but her body felt shattered.

Opening her eyes, horror seized her at the sight of her own blood pooling across the wrecked interior of the car.

"No!"

Aurora gasped, snapping her eyes open as she bolted upright in bed. Sweat drenched her nightgown, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs as her eyes swept over her modest bedroom.

"It was just a nightmare, Aurora... just a nightmare," she whispered, dragging a trembling hand across her forehead.

The nightmare hadn't haunted her like this in a long time. But going to bed with that blue-eyed billionaire on her mind had reopened old wounds. His questions about Florence had rattled her to the core. Her physical injuries had healed years ago, but the emotional scars remained raw.

She still remembered waking up in the hospital bed five years ago, feeling hollowed out and broken.

“We’re so sorry, Miss. You lost one of your babies. We did everything we could, but only one survived the accident. It’s a miracle he made it.”

Those words from the doctor still haunted her. Her close friend, Sophia, had found her that night and pulled her from the wreckage moments before the vehicle exploded into flames.

Severe trauma from the impact had wiped away her memories of the hours leading up to the crash, including the stranger she had saved in the cemetery.

All she knew was that the Moretti family had tried to erase her, forcing her to assume a new identity as Aurora Perez to keep herself and her surviving child safe.

Aurora let out a tired sigh. "Don't think about it anymore. It's over, Aurora. The Moretti family is dead to you," she murmured, pulling herself out of bed.

"Mommy, where's my shirt?"

Aurora's lips curved into a soft smile at the sound of her son's voice. She walked into his room and found him attempting to button up a crisp white collared shirt.

"Morning, darling. Did you sleep well?" she asked, kneeling down to kiss his cheek.

Noah paused his attempt at tying a miniature tie. "Yes, Mom. But I'm running late because I can't find my black shirt," he answered seriously.

Aurora raised an eyebrow, looking at him dressed like a miniature corporate executive instead of his usual superhero T-shirts. "Why are you dressed like this today, sweetheart?"

"Because I'm the man of the house, Mom. And the man of the house dresses like this," he announced proudly.

A poignant ache bloomed in Aurora's chest. She knew where this was coming from. Noah was trying to emulate his classmate's father.

Though he rarely voiced it, he longed for a father figure, a void Aurora worked endlessly to fill, even knowing she couldn't replace the fatherly bond he craved.

She gently smoothed his hair. "You are the man of the house, Noah, but there's no official uniform for that. You can wear whatever you like, especially your favorite superhero shirts."

"But Oliver's dad wears suits every day. Oliver said real men wear business suits."

Aurora's throat tightened. She placed her hands on his small shoulders, shaking her head gently. "No, champ. You can wear whatever makes you happy. You're going to preschool, not a board meeting, so let's save the suits for when you're older. Now let's grab breakfast before we're late."

After dropping Noah off at school, Aurora arrived at the hotel, quietly praying she wouldn't encounter the intimidating blue-eyed guest again. But the moment she stepped onto the floor for her shift, the hotel manager, Samuel, flagged her down.

"What are you doing in your uniform, Aurora?" Samuel asked.

Aurora frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You're no longer working as a waitress. Starting today, you report directly to the new owner."

"The new owner?" she repeated, bewildered.

"Yes—Mr. Alessandro De Luca, the gentleman you served yesterday. He officially bought the hotel. He asked for your employee file yesterday afternoon, and he personally requested to promote you to his executive assistant."

Aurora's stomach churned. The memory of his intense questioning flashed through her mind. Something wasn't right.

"Wait, I didn't apply for—"

A sharp knock at the office door cut her off. Damien, Alessandro's right-hand man, stepped inside.

"Mr. De Luca is waiting for you, Miss Aurora," Damien said, his tone polite yet firm.

"Why?" Aurora asked guardedly.

Damien kept his expression unreadable. "He will explain your new role himself."

"Go on, Aurora," Samuel urged with an encouraging smile. "You shouldn't keep Mr. De Luca waiting."

Unfastening her apron, Aurora handed it to Samuel and followed Damien down the corridor. As they approached the heavy mahogany doors of the penthouse office, panic flared in her chest. Why me? Did the Morettis send him? Is he tracking me down?

She forced herself to take a deep, steadying breath. She couldn't run forever. If this man was connected to her past, she needed to know.

Knocking once, she pushed the door open and stepped into the grand office.

Alessandro looked up from a document on his desk. His icy blue eyes locked onto hers, tracing her posture as she approached. He closed the file and leaned back in his leather chair, watching her intently.

"Mr. Alessandro," she said, her tone stiffer than intended. Catching the cool edge in his eyes, she quickly corrected herself. "Good morning, sir."

Alessandro gave a single, measured nod, his gaze softening almost imperceptibly. "Your manager informed you? You begin today as my personal assistant, Miss Aurora. Damien will outline your daily responsibilities."

"Why?" Aurora asked directly, unable to hold back.

Alessandro arched a dark eyebrow. "Why what, Miss Aurora?"

"Why give me this position? I'm not qualified for executive administration, and I didn't ask for a promotion. I don't want it."

A faint spark of amusement crossed Alessandro's features. "So you prefer serving tables to working directly alongside the owner? I reviewed your academic file. Your qualifications are exceptional. Don't you want to advance your career?"

Aurora had deliberately omitted her higher education and past career from her basic resume when she sought low-profile employment after the crash, wanting only a quiet life. How did he get access to her full background?

Clenching her hands into small fists, Aurora met his gaze squarely. "I prefer my current position. I am turning down the offer."

"Then give me a valid reason for refusing," Alessandro said calmly.

Aurora opened her mouth to snap, but checked herself. Demanding answers from a man who commanded so much authority was dangerous, and she had no plausible cover story to offer without raising suspicions. She went quiet, looking away.

A low, deep chuckle rumbled in Alessandro's chest at her silent resistance.

Aurora glanced back up as he offered a slight nod. "Take twenty-four hours to reconsider your decision, Miss Aurora."

"Why are you so insistent on hiring me when I've clearly refused?" she pressed.

The corner of Alessandro's mouth twitched upward. "I have my reasons. You are dismissed for now."

His dismissive, commanding tone set her blood on fire, but he had already returned his attention to the papers on his desk, ignoring her presence entirely. Frustrated and unnerved by the aura of power he radiated, Aurora turned on her heel and strode toward the exit.

She yanked the heavy door open—and collided straight into a broad chest.

"I'm so sorry—" Aurora began, stepping back to adjust her clothes.

The apology died in her throat. The color drained completely from her face as her heart violently slammed against her ribs.

Standing in the doorway was the man from her worst nightmares.

Leonardo Moretti.