Chapter 2

Ravens & Co. was perched in the upper floors of 550 Madison Avenue, right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Two hours that’s how long it took me to get there from my apartment in Brooklyn. Two. Whole. Hours. That meant waking up at an ungodly hour, navigating a tangle of subway lines, and braving Manhattan’s pre-office chaos. I hadn’t even had time for coffee.

But I couldn’t deny it that the building was stunning.

Tall and gleaming under the early morning sun, it had to be at least twenty stories high. The sleek glass façade reflected the sky so perfectly.The entrance was wide and welcoming, with well-dressed employees flowing in and out like clockwork.

As I stepped through the revolving doors, the soft sound of ambient music greeted me, calming and luxurious, like the kind you’d hear in a five-star spa. Of course, the interior was just as beautiful ,no, more beautiful.

The reception hall was a masterpiece. The ceilings were impossibly high, adorned with crystal chandeliers that glittered. To the left was what looked like a small, curated mart complete with snacks and glossy magazines. To the right, a stylish, open cafeteria buzzed quietly with early morning chatter. Staff in crisp outfits sat at marble tables, sipping espresso.

I straightened my posture as I approached the receptionist, exuding the confidence I didn’t quite feel. No one needed to know I’d spent half the night agonizing over my outfit.

In the end, I’d gone with a dark moss-green flared skirt that hit mid-thigh, paired with a deep red blouse tucked in just right. My knee-length black boots added a little height, I’d piled my red curly hair into a messy bun that somehow worked, and my silver earrings brought out the colour in my golden-brown eyes making it look a little more fierce than tired.

I look smashing, if I do say so myself.

“Hello, I’m from City Luxury Marketing Firm. I’m supposed to be transferred here?” I said, approaching the receptionist.

She looked up at me with a warm smile and sparkling green eyes. She was older, maybe in her late fifties, and something about her reminded me of my mother. Maybe it was the gentle warmth in her gaze or the kindness in her voice.

I hadn’t thought about my mom in a while. My parents died when I was ten. They were murdered in our living room. I’d walked in from school and found them lying there, still, lifeless. That memory was carved so deeply into my mind I didn’t think it would ever fade.

Afterward, I was diagnosed with severe PTSD and anxiety. Therapy helped eventually. But the nightmares lingered longer than I’d admit. I was taken in by my aunt, but let’s just say she didn’t exactly raise me with love. I learned to survive on my own. I worked through college multiple jobs, scholarship programs, sleepless nights. I paid my own way. Built myself from the ground up.

I might not have luxury like I would want right now but I was free and stable 

I shook the thoughts from my head and focused on the present.The past can’t hurt me anymore 

“You’re quite early, darling,” the receptionist said kindly. Her voice had a soft Memphis accent. “Mr. Salvator will be meeting with you in a little while in the conference room.”

She pointed gently down the corridor. “Just go down the hall and take a right it’s the biggest room there. Can’t miss it.”

“Thank you so much, ma’am. I hope you have a great day,” I replied with a smile.

“Oh, don’t worry about it, sweetheart. And you can call me Cheryl,” she said, her grin widening as if we’d known each other longer than a minute.

Maybe this place won’t be as bad as it seems 

I stepped into the conference room, glancing around. It was sleek, modern, and impressive. A large projector screen dominated the front wall, and there was a raised platform just beneath it, clearly meant for presentations. 

Some of my colleagues from City Luxury were already seated, chatting in quiet voices. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a pair of hands waving excitedly in my direction.

I turned and smiled, relief washing over me when I saw Kam and Matt. I had been so glad when Aaron told me they were going to be part of the partnership exchange too. At least I wouldn’t be alone in this.

“Girl, we’ve been waiting for you! We even bought you a pink latte,” Kam said, handing me a warm cup 

I took a grateful sip, sighing as the sweet, creamy drink touched my soul. “You two are the absolute best. Thanks. When’s this thing starting?” I asked, sliding into the seat beside Matt and giving him a side hug.

Matt looked sharp in a forest-green two-piece suit, his blonde buzz cut giving him a clean, confident look. Kam, as always, was a walking fashion statement ,pink  tailored pants, a baby-blue blouse tucked neatly at her waist, and her striking red hair parted to the side, falling in soft waves. 

“It should be starting any minute now,” Kam said, glancing at her phone. “It’s almost eight.”

A few more employees filtered into the room, and Kam began telling me about her chaotic weekend with her loud neighbors and broken coffee machine.

Then, right on cue 8:00 a.m. sharp the doors at the side of the room opened with a quiet swoosh and Julain Salvatore walked in . 

He was wearing a deep burgundy three-piece suit that looked like it had been tailored specifically to frame his tall, sculpted body. His strawberry blond curls were slicked back with precision, giving him a polished look. God, honestly, took His time creating him.

The man was carved like a Greek statue broad shoulders, tapered waist, and the kind of build that screamed he obviously went to the gym .His skin had a warm, tanned glow that contrasted strikingly with the dark intensity of his eyes so dark they looked almost black. But despite all that perfection, the most annoying thing about him was the way he looked completely bored as he walked to the front of the room, 

He stepped onto the platform, buttoning his jacket with the confidence of someone who owned the building,well he did but that’s not the point .

“Good morning,” he said, his voice smooth and firm, with just a hint of disinterest. “I’ll keep this brief we all have work to get to.”

He scanned the room, not a flicker of emotion on his face.

“As you already know, this partnership between Raven & Co. and City Luxury is a strategic collaboration meant to expand our creative reach and market dominance. For the next year, some of you will be working outside your comfort zones, learning new systems, and adapting to unfamiliar expectations. That’s not a challenge it’s an opportunity.”

I swear our eyes met for a minute his, unreadable and cold, before moving on.

“I expect professionalism, efficiency, and results. Let’s make this partnership worth the risk it took to build. Welcome to Raven & Co.”

And just like that, he gave a short nod and stepped down, not waiting for applause or questions.I rolled my eyes.

I had barely finished rolling my eyes when Julian turned back to face the room.

“One more thing,” he said. “As part of this collaboration, a few of you will be working more closely with Raven & Co. executives. I’ll be assigning those roles shortly.”

He picked up a sleek tablet from the podium and started assigning the roles.Kam and Matt were placed under the B&R campaign 

“For those working on the B&R campaigns, report to Ms. Leona downstairs. You’ll get your briefs by noon.”

People around me murmured and nodded, typing notes into their phones.

“And,” he paused for just a moment, then glanced up, his dark eyes landing on me .“ Eva Rodríguez. You’ll be working directly under me.”

What.

I blinked. Sat up straighter. Maybe I’d misheard him?

“Wait, what?” I blurted before I could stop myself.

He didn’t even look fazed. In fact, I swear the corners of his mouth twitched, like he was amused.

“You’ll be acting as my personal assistant during the course of this project,” he repeated calmly. “If that’s a problem, take it up with your supervisor.”

I turned to look at Kam and Matt, both of whom looked excited like I had just gotten a Nobel price .

“But why me?” I asked, heart thumping. I wasn’t even sure who I was asking.

Julian raised an eyebrow. “Because I read your file. And your work is… competent. Efficient. I need someone who doesn’t need hand-holding. I expect you to be in my office by 12PM sharp”

He stepped away from the podium without another word, leaving the room buzzing behind him and me sitting there, stunned, with a pink latte going cold in my hand.

Which god did i piss off to land in this shithole !?