CHAPTER 3

ARIA

 

 

Have you ever smiled… even when your stomach was tying itself into knots? That was me. Standing outside Blackwood International at exactly 7:30 a.m., thirty minutes earlier than my reporting time.

 

After yesterday's disaster, I had made myself one promise. I would never be late again. I looked up at the glass skyscraper, its windows reflecting the golden morning sun.

 

"Okay, Aria," I whispered, taking a deep breath. "New job. New beginning." A grin tugged at my lips. "Just don't call anyone an asshole today."

 

The receptionist greeted me with a warm smile. "Good morning, Miss Bennett." I smiled."Good morning."

"Congratulations on your new position." "Thank you." She handed me an access card. "The executive floor. Mr Blackwood is already here." Of course he was.

 

I was beginning to think the man slept in his office. The private elevator carried me to the top floor in complete silence.

 

I muttered to myself. "You can do this." I cleared my throat and practised. "Good morning, Mr Blackwood."I shook my head. "Too formal."

 

I tried again. "Morning, Mr Blackwood." "No... too casual." One more time. "Good morning, sir." I smiled proudly. "Perfect."

 

When the doors slid open, I froze. The executive floor was unlike the rest of the building. Soft marble floors stretched beneath my feet. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city.

Employees moved quickly, carrying files and tablets, each one focused on their work. Even the silence felt expensive. Wow...

 

This place could fire me just for breathing too loudly. The moment I stepped onto the executive floor, every head turned toward me. Whispers filled the hallway.

 

"That's her..." "The new assistant." "So she's the one Mr Blackwood hired?" I shifted uncomfortably. Were they talking about me?

 

I forced a smile, pretending I couldn't hear a word. I tightened my grip on my bag and walked toward the reception desk. Before I could introduce myself, a burst of laughter echoed through the quiet hallway.

It was warm and confident.

 

A man leaned casually against the reception counter, talking to the receptionist as though they were old friends. He wore a navy-blue suit that looked custom-made. His dark hair was slightly messy in the most effortless way. His jawline was sharp.

 

His smile could probably convince people to confess crimes they hadn't even committed.

When he laughed, tiny lines appeared beside his hazel eyes, making him look even more charming. He looked up. Our eyes met. For one embarrassing second...

 

I forgot how to blink. A slow grin spread across his face. "Careful," he teased. "If you keep staring at me like that, I'll start charging you." Heat rushed to my cheeks.

"I wasn't staring." "No?" "No."  He folded his arms dramatically. "That's disappointing." I frowned.

 

"Why?" "I was hoping my face was finally paying rent." A laugh escaped before I could stop it.

"You're very full of yourself." "I prefer 'confident.'" "I prefer 'delusional.'" He pressed a hand against his chest.

 

"Ouch." "You've known me for ten seconds, and you've already hurt my feelings." I couldn't help smiling. He was nothing like Damien. Where Damien was cold... This man felt like sunshine.

 

Before I could say another word, the large office doors opened. The entire floor instantly fell silent. Heavy footsteps echoed across the marble floor.

 

I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. "You should probably stop smiling."The cheerful stranger whispered beside me. "Why?" "Because the Ice King is here." I glanced over my shoulder.

 

Damien Blackwood walked toward us in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, his expression unreadable as always. His sharp grey eyes swept across the hallway before stopping on us. Specifically...On me.

 

For some reason, my heartbeat stumbled. His gaze shifted toward the smiling stranger. "You're early." The stranger laughed. "That's the first nice thing you've ever said to me."

 

"It wasn't a compliment." "I'll take it anyway." Damien sighed, already looking tired of him. "You've been here for three minutes." "And you've already distracted my staff."

 

"I was welcoming your new legendary assistant." I frowned. "Legendary?" He laughs. Damien finally looked at me. "I hope he wasn't successful."

 

The stranger gasped dramatically. "You wound me, Damien." Without changing his expression, Damien said, "Miss Bennett."

 

"Y-Yes, sir?" "My office." I nodded immediately. As I walked past the stranger, he leaned closer and whispered, "Don't worry." "He only looks like he bites."

 

Unfortunately... Damien heard him. Without even turning around, he replied, "I do." The stranger burst into laughter. I had to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing too. Just before I entered Damien's office, the man extended his hand.

 

"I'm Ethan." "Damien's best friend." "And the only reason he hasn't turned into a robot." I shook his hand. "Aria." His smile widened. "I have a feeling we're going to get along."

For some reason...I smiled back.

 

Taking a deep breath, I knocked twice. "Come in."His deep voice sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. I slowly pushed the door open.

 

The office was breathtaking. Everything was spotless. Perfectly organised. Exactly like its owner. Damien stood by the window, one hand in his pocket, reading a file.

Without lifting his eyes, he said, "You're early." I couldn't help smiling. "I didn't want to be late twice."

 

Damien asked, "Bring me the blue file." I looked everywhere. There are twenty blue files. I picked one. Wrong. He doesn't yell. He simply said, "Observation is more valuable than intelligence." I feel embarrassed.

 

Then notices... Every file has a tiny colored sticker. Lesson learned. Damien notices that I figured it out myself. He doesn't praise me.  Damien leaves for a board meeting. I start organising files. One drawer won't open.

 

Locked. I don't touch it. But she notices... A small silver key lies under a folder. Just as I reach for it. A voice behind me, "Curiosity gets people into trouble." I spin around. It's Damien.

 

Standing in the doorway. Watching me. I quickly step back. "I wasn't.." "I know." He picks up the key. Puts it in his pocket.

 

Then quietly says, "Some things stay locked for a reason."