CHAPTER 3

EMILY

~NEW YORK~

~One month later~

~Monday~

I looked at myself for what felt like the millionth time in the mirror after ten different hairstyles and seven outfit changes. Finally, I was satisfied.

My hair pulled into a tight bun, and my white long-sleeved blouse looked modest enough for a first day while still fitting a little too well against my body. The matching pencil skirt hugged my hips perfectly, paired with sheer pantyhose and a nervous smile I couldn’t quite shake.

After several minutes of debating between contacts or glasses, I settled on contacts.

I ran my fingers over the sleeve of my right hand. The blouse was a last-minute choice after the first one got burnt.

I checked the time.

8:35.

“Crap,” I muttered. I was supposed to leave ten minutes ago.

My feet slapped against the cold tiles as I hurried across my small apartment, grabbing my purse and slipping into my heels.

I was halfway out the door when my phone buzzed inside my bag.

A lump instantly formed in my throat.

For a second, I considered ignoring it, but something in me told me to check. I pulled out my phone and smiled the moment I saw the message.

Mom: Had to wake up early to wish you a happy first day. Aria made a card, and also said hi! We can’t wait to hear how it went. Love you.

*Inserts a picture of the card*

That right there was the motivation I needed.

I tucked the phone into my purse and walked out of the apartment.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The lobby of Way’s Enterprise looked like something out of a movie—marble floors, glass walls, employees moving with purpose.

It felt unreal.

“Hello everyone, and welcome to Way’s Enterprise!”

A tall woman with sleek black hair and flawless posture smiled at us confidently.

“My name is Sara, and it is an honor to have new faces on board. I’m also Mr. Way’s assistant, and I’ll be your onboarding buddy for today.”

Her voice carried warmth and authority all at once. She had barely begun talking about the company when her phone buzzed.

“Sorry, guys, this one’s important.”

She stepped out.

Silence settled over the room almost immediately. Some people looked around excitedly while others sat stiff with nerves.

Honestly, I was both.

Sara returned a few minutes later with a stack of files in her arms.

“May I have everyone’s attention?”

The room quieted instantly.

“I’ll give you all five minutes to get to know each other before we continue.” She glanced at her watch. “Any questions?”

“None for now,” a man behind me answered.

“Yeah, we’re good,” another added.

Sara smiled. “Perfect.”

The moment she disappeared again, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.

“This place looks really great, right?”

I turned toward the voice and met the eyes of a light-skinned girl with a nervous smile and perfectly styled bob.

“I’m Annie,” she said, extending her hand. “Is this your first day? Because honestly, I might throw up.”

I laughed softly, immediately relaxing.

“I’m Emily. And trust me, I’m trying very hard not to pass out right now.”

“Good. At least I’m not suffering alone.”

For the next few minutes, Annie and I talked quietly about our nerves and how surreal everything felt. She mentioned it was her first time in New York, her words tumbling out so quickly it was almost impossible not to smile.

Sara returned right on cue.

“Ready?”

“Yes,” we chorused.

She led us around the building, showing us offices, meeting rooms, restrooms, and the cafeteria. Employees greeted us with polite smiles as they passed, the entire place buzzing with ambition and caffeine.

“And lastly,” Sara said, stopping in front of a large glass door, “this is the conference room where all board meetings are held… and where Mr. Way will address you.”

My stomach flipped.

This was it.

My first big girl job.

“I heard our boss is front-cover handsome,” a woman beside me whispered dramatically.

“So did I,” another sighed.

Annie and I exchanged a quick look.

“Some people genuinely lack priorities,” I muttered.

Annie snorted beside me.

“Okay, everyone,” Sara announced. “Go ahead and take your seats. Mr. Way will be with you shortly.”

Annie and I sat together, near the middle of the room. There was something calming about her presence that made the nerves easier to handle.

When she asked if I stayed at the employee accommodation building, I told her no and briefly mentioned working at the bar.

“I think there are still open rooms,” she said gently. “You should ask.”

I smiled tightly. “I’ll survive.”

Before she could respond, Sara re-entered the room with the same stack of files, placing one in front of each of us.

The whispers around the room slowly faded.

Then, the atmosphere shifted.

“Oh my God,” someone whispered.

Annie straightened beside me. “I think he’s here.”

Sara’s posture immediately stiffened.

“Mr. Way,” she said respectfully.

I leaned slightly, trying to see past her.

Then she stepped aside.

And the air left my lungs.

No.

My fingers tightened around the file in front of me as nausea twisted violently in my stomach.

It couldn’t be.

He stood at the front of the room, tall and composed beneath the morning light.

Dark hazel eyes. Black curls falling perfectly into place.

No.

It couldn’t be him.

But it really was.

The man from a month ago.

The same man I refused to believe was the man I was about to work for after Elle mentioned his name.

And the very same man who promised to ruin all hopes of me ever getting a career.

Sara’s voice cut through the ringing in my ears.

“Everyone, this is Mr. W—sorry, Mr. Cole Calloway, your boss.”

The name hit harder than seeing his face.

Calloway.

My pulse thundered as years of memories I had spent so long trying to bury clawed their way back to the surface.

Way’s Enterprise.

His name had been there the entire time.

And I never noticed.

Cole Calloway.

My high school bully.

His gaze swept across the room before stopping directly at me.

A slow smile curved across his lips, making every nerve in my body locked up.

His eyes never left mine as he addressed the room.

“Good day, everyone,” his voice was smooth, controlled. “Welcome. To. Way’s Enterprise.”

My vision blurred for a second.

Because he wasn’t just looking at the room.

He was looking at me like he had been waiting.