Chapter 6

Sophia POV

The skyscraper of Hayes Global enterprises towered over me, so tall that it almost felt like Brooklyn could have been on another planet.

The mirrored glass sheets caught the morning light, reflecting the cold Manhattan sky, polish and intimidating.

I smoothed my blazer, adjusted the strap of the folder, I was carrying. Taking a deep breath, I started making my way towards the building.

As I reached near the main revolving door of the Hayes Global, the world tilted or it was just me who froze there, I saw a man came walking towards me fastly, coffee cup in one hand, phone in the other, not even looking where he was going.

Before I could move out of the way.

Splash!!!!

A hot liquid poured down on my blouse. I gasped, feeling the sting of it deep through the thin fabric as a brown stain spread across the pale material.

“Oh, hell!!” he muttered, finally looking up.

I blinked at him; he was tall, well dressed with dark messy hair that somehow looked perfectly intentional.

His eyes fixed at the stain, as he muttered something under his breath, and then sighed.

“Sorry” he said, carelessly as he pulled out his wallet. He pressed few crisp dollar into my hand before I could even react.

“Here, get it cleaned, or you can get a new one.”

I stared down at the money.

What the hell

Is this his apology?

As I raised my eyes, he was already walking past me, putting his phone back into his pocket as he sipp his coffee,and heading to the doors as though nothing had happened.

Jerk!!

I was on the point of screaming after him, but I had only to draw a long sigh and enter the lobby.

I requested some guidance to the washroom and attempted to clean the spot, although it was not that helpful. It was a lighter mark now, however it was there--a faint brown spot that was not going to fade.

I considered going home and changing now but I did not have much time.

I straightened my shoulders, threw up my head, and had a ride up to the top floor in the elevator.

I wasn't letting this spilled coffee stain by some arrogant man, ruin it

I waited for the next 10 minutes outside Edward Hayes office, when a lady in her mid-forties called my name and showed me the way to Edward Hayes room.

It was just the office I had imagined and even better than what I hace imagined. Great windows allowed me to view the city; the cityscape was like it was his. His table was in good order, of the smooth mahogany, with a stack of papers in a heap and a fountain pen neatly in place.

Edward Hayes sat on the other side of the table when I entered. Silver hair, a sharp suit that fit like power itself, and eyes so focused they almost made me stumble.

He extended a hand, steady and firm.

“Miss Rivera. Welcome.” I took his hand, trying to ignore the faint coffee stain still visible on my blouse.

Of course, he noticed. His gaze dropped, sharp and assessing.

“A mishap?”

“Just a run-in with a stranger. Nothing serious.”” I said quickly with a small forced smile.

He gave a slight raise of his brow,.

“Let’s get to the interview, Miss Rivera.”

Within few minutes interview started, straight to business.

“If Hayes Global were to extend our textile division into Europe,” he said, leaning forward.

“What would be your main concern?” My heart was pounding, but my answer came out clear.

“Supply chain differentiation,” I said.

“We’d need to focus on sustainable sourcing. European consumers are leaning toward eco-luxury. If Hayes Global can position itself as both premium and responsible, we’ll build loyalty that no price competition can touch.”

He leaned back, studying me carefully. “And manufacturing? Domestic or outsourced?”

“Domestic for couture and high-value lines,” I said quickly, my voice picking up with conviction.

“That’s where brand integrity matters. Outsourcing for volume lines, but only under strict ethical standards. One labor scandal could destroy a hundred years of reputation.”

For a long moment, he just watched me. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Then, the faintest hint of a smile curved his lips.

“You’re thinking like a strategist, not just an employee. That’s rare.” The air left my lungs in a quiet rush. 

“Miss Rivera,” he said with a serious look on his face,

“Welcome to Hayes Global. You can start working with us from Monday.” The words hit me like sunlight after rain, warm, bright, electric.

"T.. Thank you, Sir" I replied as relief spread through me.

And then, the door opened. I turned… and my breath caught.

Him

The coffee guy. The one who’d soaked my blouse and tossed money at me like I was a problem to solve.

His eyes were keen, black, and good-humored. He had the same itchy smirk on his face as though he were the owner of the place.

“Miss Rivera,” Edward Hayes said, turning toward me, “I’d like you to meet my grandson, Damian Hayes. He will oversee our international operations.”

The name struck like a bolt. Hayes. My mind scrambled for composure, but it was too late, because he was already stepping closer.

He looked me over. His eyes slid down to my shirt collar during half a second.

The stain remained. His eyes moved to mine.

"You've got to be kidding me." Damien muttered,

Edward's eyes moved between us toward something, sensing something. “Something wrong, Damian?”

Damian gave a short laugh, smooth but sharp at the edges.

“No, just... surprised, I guess.” He folded his arms.

“You’re saying she’s the new associate?”

Edward’s gaze hardened a little. “Yes. Miss Rivera will be joining your team on the textile expansion project.”

For a heartbeat, the room went silent, and then Damian’s polite façade cracked.

“With all due respect, Grandfather,” he said, his tone laced with disbelief, “Hayes Global has a reputation to uphold.

“We don’t hire.” He hung it a moment or so, glancing around at me as though he was attempting to determine whether I had just fought with a coffee machine.

It felt as if my chest was on fire, but before I could utter even a single word, I was interrupted by the voice of Edward.

“Behave, Damian!!!”

Damian’s jaw flexed, but he kept going, his arrogance unbothered.

“I mean, surely there are better candidates, people with experience, people who.”

“Think like strategists,” Edward interrupted, his tone cool but firm. “Miss Rivera just impressed me with a level of insight and composure most executives here lack. She earned this position.”

Damian let out a low laugh, shaking his head. “Composure? You call that composure?” His voice dripped with mockery now. “You should’ve seen her outside, Grandfather. She was trembling over a coffee stain. I was kind enough to offer her money to fix it.”

My breath caught.

The audacity.

Edward’s expression froze, then slowly darkened. “You what?”

Damian shifted, realizing his mistake too late. “It was nothing; she ran into me, Clumsy girl.”

“No,” I said sharply. “You ran into me.”

There was silence to be choked afterwards. I stood there holding my folder.

"All due respect, Mr. Hayes, a drop of spilled coffee is no judge of how good a person is or what kind of thing he can do." I said, looking full at Damian

I quickly took out the dollars from my bag that he gave me earlier in the morning.

"And talking about the money, I think you need it more in order to fix your attitude." I said angrily while shoving the money back 

His face even changed for a moment, and he returned to being proud.

Edward finally spoke, his tone decisive. “Miss Rivera will start Monday."

"And Damien, you’ll work together with her for the textile expansion phase.” 

“With her?” Damian’s head snapped toward him. 

“Consider it an opportunity to learn humility, something this company could use more of.” Edward spoke back.

Damian was as surprised as possible, his mouth open and wide, and 

I simply felt this little, silent thrill jump inside.

He might simply have stumbled over me

But this time, I was intruding into his world.