CHAPTER 1

ARIA

 

Rule number one: Never be late for a job interview.

Rule number two: If you're already late, don't call a stranger an asshole.

 

Unfortunately...I managed to break both rules before ten o'clock in the morning."Move! Sorry! Excuse me!"

I squeezed through the crowded sidewalk, clutching my folder to my chest while trying not to trip over my own feet.

 

My alarm had gone off. The bus had broken down. Then I'd spilled coffee on my only white blouse.

If the universe wanted me unemployed, it could've just said so. I glanced at my phone.

9:54 A.M.

 

My interview was at ten. "No, no, no..."This wasn't just any interview.

This was Blackwood International. One of the biggest companies in the country. I finally reached the towering glass building.

 

For a moment, I simply stood there, trying to catch my breath. The skyscraper stretched so high that I had to tilt my head back. "Wow..." I whispered. "This building is so tall it probably argues with aeroplanes."

 

I laughed at my own joke. Then remembered I was late."Oh no!" I rushed inside. The lobby looked more like a luxury hotel than an office.

 

Expensive suits everywhere. Even the air smelled expensive. I looked down at my slightly wrinkled blouse. "I already don't belong here."A woman behind the reception desk smiled politely. "May I help you?"

 

"Interview!" I panted. "Marketing department. Aria Bennett."

 She checked her computer. Then looked at me. Then at the clock. Then back at me. I knew that look. Late, “thirty-second floor”, she said. "The interview has already begun."

 

My heart nearly stopped. "Thank you!" I grabbed my folder and sprinted toward the elevators. The doors were already closing. "No!" I ran even faster. A tall man in a perfectly tailored black suit stepped inside. Without looking up, he pressed the button to close the doors.

I sprinted. "Hold it!"  The doors shut. Right in front of my face. I stared at my reflection in the polished metal. "Asshole." The word slipped out before I could stop it.

 

The elevator doors instantly slid open. I froze. Inside stood the man. He was... unfairly handsome. Dark hair. Sharp jawline. Grey eyes that looked cold enough to freeze fire, and those eyes were currently fixed on me. His charcoal suit probably cost more than my entire wardrobe.  

The corner of his mouth twitched."Asshole?" "No..oo, I-I mean... I wasn't talking about you," I mumbled, wishing the floor would open up and swallow me whole. One dark eyebrow lifted.

 

"Really?" "No." She sighed dramatically. "I was definitely talking about you." To her surprise, he laughed. Actually laughed. A deep, rich sound that made her stomach do something strange. "At least you're honest."

 

“I try." The man pressed the button to keep the elevator open. "Coming?"I quickly stepped inside. "Thank you."

 

The doors closed again. For a moment, silence settled between us. Then he glanced sideways. "Running late?" "Is it that obvious?" "You looked like you were being chased." "I practically am. This interview could change my life.”

 

He studied me, "Nervous?" "Terrified." "Good." I  frowned. "Good?" "The people who aren't nervous usually think they're smarter than they are." I blinked. That actually made sense.

 

"Well, I'm definitely nervous." "Then you have a chance." I smiled.”That's surprisingly encouraging." The elevator climbed steadily upward. I glanced at him.

 

"So what do you do here?" "I work here." "Obviously." His lips twitched again. "You ask a lot of questions." "I've been told it's one of my talents."

 

"And your weaknesses?" "Being late." "Clearly." I  gasped dramatically. "Wow. You don't know me well enough to insult me."I think I know enough."

 

Before I  could respond, the elevator jerked violently. The lights flickered. I stumbled forward. A strong hand caught my arm.

 

His fingers wrapped around my arm, and a strange jolt shot through me. My breath caught. Every nerve seemed suddenly aware of his touch, and my heart skipped a beat.

 

Why was such a simple touch affecting me so much?  The elevator stopped. Completely.  My heart skipped.

 

"Oh no." The lights flickered again. Then everything became still. Very still. The man immediately pressed the emergency button.

 

Nothing happened. I swallowed. "We're stuck, aren't we?" "It appears so." "Great." I dropped my head against the wall. "My interview is ruined."

 

"Maybe not." I looked up. He was still standing straight, completely calm, as if being trapped in a broken elevator was part of his daily routine.

 

"How are you so relaxed?" I asked. His eyes flicked toward her.“I’ve learned something over time.” “What?” “Panic rarely solves problems.” I scoffed lightly. “Well, I’ve learned that panic is free. And right now, I can afford it.”

That surprised him. A small pause. Then.  A soft laugh escaped him. A real one. I blinked. Something inside her chest shifted slightly, and she quickly looked away like she hadn’t noticed. But she had.

 

The silence after that didn’t feel uncomfortable anymore. The next twenty minutes passed surprisingly quickly. We talked about work, my university graduation, and his opinions on leadership. Somehow, the intimidating stranger became easier to talk to than most people I knew.

When maintenance finally got the elevator moving again, I almost felt disappointed. The doors opened on the thirty-second floor. I stepped out first.

 

Then I turned toward him. "Well, Mr Asshole."His eyes sparkled with amusement. "Still calling me that?" "Maybe." He chuckled. Then he straightened his suit jacket. "Good luck with your interview, Aria."

"Thanks." He started walking away. Then, it suddenly stopped. Without looking back, he said, "Don't worry." I frowned.

“About what?" His voice was calm. Confident. Dangerously confident. "We'll be seeing each other again." Before I could ask what he meant, he walked away.

 

I stared after him. Confused. A few minutes later, I entered the executive conference room for my interview. Three empty chairs sat on one side of the table. I took a nervous breath. The door opened. I looked up. And nearly fell out of her chair.

The man from the elevator walked inside. Not as a candidate. Not as an employee. Not as a visitor. Heat rushed to my cheeks as every word I’d said replayed in my head.

 

Of all people, I had argued with the CEO. Wonderful. I was fired before I was even hired. Everyone in the room immediately stood. "Good morning, Mr Blackwood." My eyes widened. My stomach dropped.

 

Mr. Blackwood? The billionaire CEO? The owner of the entire company? The man I'd called an asshole? Damien Blackwood slowly sat down at the head of the table.

 

Then he looked directly at me. A slow smile appeared on his face. "Miss Bennett." I wanted to disappear; I wish all of this were just a dream, but, unfortunately, this wasn't a dream."

 

"Let's begin your interview."