Chapter 1

Audrey's Point of View

“Miggy? What are you doing here?”

Out of all the places in the world, why him? My ex-boyfriend, standing right in front of me. I don’t even love him anymore. Honestly, maybe I never really did.

It’s not because I’m bitter. We only lasted a few months. He was nice, sweet, romantic, the usual, but he had this weird habit I couldn’t stand. Deal-breaker level is weird.

“I just have a secret job to do,” he replied, raising a brow like it was some big mystery. “Where are you off to? Come with me. I’ll take you.”

“No, thanks,” I said, shaking my head. “I have an orientation today. It’s right there.” I pointed at the enormous glass building behind me.

“Esqueza Corporation?” His expression changed. His smile faded like I’d just told him I joined a cult.

I just smiled and turned away. “Yup. I’m heading in. Bye!”

“Audrey, wait. ”

Nope. Not today. I was already late. This wasn’t the time to reminisce with my ex. And my head? Still pounding from Romeo’s birthday party last night. Blame my gay best friend for the tequila shots. But hey, he also works here, and thanks to him, your girl landed a spot at Gibson! HR superstar was incoming.

I was halfway to the building when the security guard stopped me.

“Miss, where are you headed?”

“Orientation,” I replied quickly.

“Your I.D.?”

“I.D.?”

“Yes, I.D.” She tapped the one hanging around her neck.

My heart sank. My I.D.! I totally forgot! Stupid hangover. I scrambled through my bag, panic rising. Where was it? When you’re rushing, everything hides on purpose.

“G-good morning, Sir…” the guard mumbled suddenly, looking past me.

Aha! I found it, wedged in the corner of my bag. I held it up triumphantly. “Here it is! Happy now, sir?”

But when I looked at him, his face went pale. His eyes darted towards someone behind me.

I frowned. “Are you okay?”

He didn’t answer, just handed me a pass and a clipboard. “Write your name here. Sign.”

Weird. But hey, I’ve learned not to push people for answers they don’t wanna give. At twenty-seven, I’ve had enough of that nonsense. Besides, I couldn’t afford to be late.

I scribbled my name, grabbed my pass, and dashed towards the elevator, catching the doors just before they slid shut.

“Stop! Hold the elevator!” I shouted, running at full speed.

A couple of guys near the door looked like they wanted to stop me, but they didn’t recognize me from earlier in line. Figures.

Thankfully, the guy inside pressed the button again. The doors slid open just enough, and I slipped in, panting. “Thanks,” I smiled, still catching my breath.

That’s when I saw him.

His hand, broad, clean, with veins running along his wrist, was still hovering near the button. My eyes trailed upward.

And I froze.

Oh. My. God.

It was like a magazine cover came to life.

Tall, broad shoulders in a sharp black suit that hugged every line of his body. His hair? Tousled perfectly, like he woke up flawless. His face? I swear, no filter is needed. Not a single flaw.

I gulped, forcing the word out. “Thanks.”

Then, his eyes locked onto mine.

For a second, I forgot how to breathe. My heart pounded like I’d downed six cups of coffee. Heck, forget coffee. It felt illegal for a man to look this good.

I shrank back a little, realizing I was staring. But when his eyes met mine again, I straightened my spine and silently told myself: Audrey, breathe. Don’t be a fool.

“Are you going to press the button or not?” His voice was low, calm, but flat.

I blinked, cheeks burning. “Huh?”

“Which floor?”

“Oh, 30th,” I mumbled.

Get it together, girl! I scolded myself. I’d seen handsome men before. On TV. At bars. But none of them had ever been this… close. And none of them looked like they walked straight out of a luxury billboard.

I glanced down at the panel. The 30th floor was already lit up. My nerves spiked. Was he going there too? Maybe a coworker?

I took a few deep breaths to calm myself. This was fine. If he was a coworker, better to introduce myself early, right? More friends, less awkwardness.

When I finally dared to speak, he was watching me with unreadable eyes. But the moment our gazes met, whatever question was in his eyes faded.

“Sort of,” he answered shortly.

I smiled, trying to break the ice. “Sort of? What, not sure if you passed the interview?” I gave him a playful look. “I bet they loved you here already.”

His brow furrowed. “Pardon?”

I laughed softly. “With that face? Please. I bet you didn’t even need to talk. They probably just hired you on the spot.”

His lips twitched. “Is that so?”

“Definitely,” I crossed my arms, feeling my confidence come back. “Me? This is the only company that called after all the resumes I sent. And guess what? I passed.”

To my surprise, he chuckled. It wasn’t loud, but it was real. I stared at the changing floor numbers, feeling proud I cracked him a little.

“You’re very lucky, then,” he commented.

“It’s not luck,” I teased. “And hey, sometimes you have to… stretch the truth a bit in interviews. Survival, you know?”

His eyes sharpened, amused. “You lied?”

“Tiny lie,” I defended, giggling. “Nothing scandalous. I didn’t say I was the CEO’s ex-wife or mistress or anything.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. His expression? Hard to read now.

“You did what?” he asked.

“Relax.” I leaned back against the railing. “I just tweaked my TOR a little. No harm done.” I smiled slyly. “Don’t judge. It’s not that bad.”

He said nothing right away. Just stared at me like I’d committed some unforgivable crime.

“Come on… You must be one of those high-IQ types. You don’t find that funny?” I teased, eyes wide. “Wait… you’ve never done that? Lied a little to get ahead?”

He shook his head, raising an eyebrow. “I believe there’s no shortcut to success. And integrity? It’s non-negotiable in this company. I’ve read their mission and vision. They value that a lot.”

Well… that shut me up.

“Okay, okay. I know I don’t have experience yet. I really need this job, alright? I’ve changed. I used to be all happy-go-lucky in college, but I regret that now.”

“You should,” he replied, studying me like I was some science experiment.

“Thanks for your understanding…” I muttered under my breath.

I knelt to fix my stockings, which were curling awkwardly around my ankles. Borrowed from my sister, Anya. A little old, but they’d do. At least I had my thesis defense outfit. Formal enough for today.

“You’re already late,” he pointed out.

I stood up, meeting his eyes, getting more comfortable with his ridiculously perfect face. “So are you.”

“I have every right to be late.”

“So do I,” I argued, lifting my chin.

“Were you drunk last night? Or… busy with someone?”

I blinked, surprised. “How’d you know I was drunk?”

A smirk tugged at his lips. “You look pale. And your eyes? Tired.”

I turned to the mirror behind me, smoothing my hair and patting blush on my cheeks. He watched me quietly. I smiled, feeling bold. “Do I look okay now?”

“Okay, it is an understatement,” he replied coolly. “Even with that hint of fatigue, you still look exquisite.”

I froze mid-motion, fingers tangled in my hair. Nerves crept back in. Had he really said that?

Trying not to let my hands shake, I turned to him. “I’m Audrey.”

His gaze lingered on me. “Audrey,” he repeated softly, then extended his hand. “Jazper.”

The moment our hands touched, a jolt shot up my arm. Electricity. I gasped and let go, my eyes darting to the elevator monitor like it could save me.

It surprised him too. He fell silent.

The elevator dinged open. Jazper walked out without looking back.

I exhaled, placing a hand over my face. His cologne still lingered in the air. What is happening to me? I felt like a teenager crushing for the first time.

When the doors closed again, I hit the button for the lobby and rushed to the receptionist, forcing a polite smile.

“Hi, I’m here for the orientation. Sorry, I’m… a little late.”

“It’s fine,” she smiled, dimples showing. “Name please?”

“Audrey Watson… but just call me Audrey.”

She typed on her screen, eyes scanning the monitor. “You’re late, but lucky. Our boss is in a good mood today. Might not even show up for orientation.”

“Wow, thank God for that,” I sighed in relief.

I glanced around, searching for Jazper. Weird… he vanished. Don’t tell me you’re a ghost or something…

“You should thank him,” she chuckled. “Anyway, go straight down the hall, right at the end. Second door.”

I followed her directions, nerves creeping in again. That was it. The room where my future depended.

As I entered, cold eyes followed me. The speaker paused mid-sentence. Great. I was officially “that late girl.”

Luckily, Romeo, my best friend and the speaker, flashed me a wicked grin, pointing at the empty seat in front of him. I slid into the chair, feeling every stare like a slap. I didn’t kill anyone, geez!

I tried to focus as Romeo continued. But my eyes drifted. Where’s Jazper? Was he here? In the back?

I stopped searching when someone knocked.

A woman in formal attire stumbled in, flanked by two men. Confusion filled the room. Romeo’s eyes widened as a third man entered.

My heart practically stopped.

Jazper.

He strode in, tall, sharp, confident, owning the entire room without saying a word. The atmosphere shifted instantly. Even my earlier nervousness around him felt small compared to this.

His eyes scanned the room, expression unreadable… until they landed on me.

I adjusted my seat, feeling tiny under his gaze.

Romeo cleared his throat. “Everyone meet the CEO of Gibson Corporation, our boss, Mr. Jazper Ray Gibson.”