Chapter 5

Edwin's POV

He gestured toward the chair opposite his desk without so much as glancing up.

As I moved closer, I noticed him squinting at something on his desk. When I finally reached him, I saw it was my resume he was scrutinizing.

“Edwin Reed,” his deep, gravelly voice resonated in the room, causing a shiver to run down my spine. “Tell me about yourself.”

I looked at the golden nameplate on his desk Daniel Cheslyn. When he finally looked up, our eyes locked for a tense, uncomfortable moment. I could tell right away he recognized me. There was a flicker of hesitation in his gaze, just a split second, but I caught it. My throat felt dry, and I was momentarily fixated on his perfectly chiseled lips.

“Go on,” he prompted, voice steady but expectant.

Embarrassment made me blink rapidly. I cleared my throat. “Um, I’m a business student. I’ve always been fascinated by communication and marketing. Those areas just kind of drew me in.”

His captivating hazel eyes, like a setting sun, held mine. God, he was stunning. This man was an absolute specimen.

He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing slightly as he studied me more intently. “And what is it about marketing that excites you?”

“The logic behind it, I suppose,” I replied, voice trembling a little. “The idea of connecting with an audience, making them feel something, convincing them to part with their hard-earned money. It’s about more than just selling, it's a form of communication, a way to influence and engage people.”

He remained silent, his expression unreadable, which only made me more anxious. “And what do you hope to get from this opportunity?”

I straightened up, trying to appear confident. “I’m passionate about this field, and I want to learn from the best. That’s what EmpireStark is known for. I don’t want to just stand on the sidelines, I want to be involved, contribute, and make a real impact while I’m here.”

His gaze lingered on me, and I could feel my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it.

He picked up a pen and quickly jotted something on a notepad. Then, he pushed it across the desk to me. “Go downstairs, ask for the manager, and give this to her,” he instructed, then lit a cigarette with a slow, deliberate motion.

I watched the smoke curl around his face, sensing that his aura was almost intoxicating far beyond the rich scent of tobacco.

“Thank you, sir,” I managed to say, though he was already lost in his own thoughts.

He definitely knew who I was. I was certain of that. But why hadn’t he said anything? The room was awkwardly silent, like nothing had happened between us, even though I knew the truth.

I met the manager. She was a no-nonsense woman with a stern expression. Everyone here seemed so intimidating, but I was used to that. I spent the day running errands printing documents, stacking papers until exhaustion set in as the workday finally ended.

When I stepped outside the towering nine-story building, I was stunned to see it was already dark. The sky rumbled ominously, heavy clouds promising a storm. Frustration crept in as I searched for a cab, but none appeared. So, I decided to walk.

Soon, droplets of rain began pelting down on my shoulders. My anger flared. Why today, of all days, did I have no umbrella and just bought new shoes?

“For fuck’s sake,” I muttered under my breath.

The rain intensified, soaking me within seconds. Just as I was about to duck into a supermarket, I saw a car broken down in the middle of the street.

It was a sleek, green Rolls Royce. I was about to ignore it when I spotted a figure holding an umbrella beside the luxurious vehicle. My breath caught where he was. Daniel Cheslyn.

I hurried over, and he looked genuinely surprised to see me. “Hello, sir. Struggling with your car?”

His face twisted into a frown, an expression that felt like a dagger through my chest. “No. Just go away,” he snapped sharply.

I hesitated. “I really might be able to help. I have some experience with”

“I’ve already called my mechanic,” he cut me off coldly. “He’ll be here shortly. Just go.”

Dejected and soaked through, I turned away. But how could I just leave him out here in this storm?

Without thinking, I examined his tires thoroughly, rain pounding on my shoulders.

“What the hell are you doing?” he demanded, voice sharp.

“Open the hood,” I said calmly, standing in front of the car. “Let me take a look.”

He wanted to protest, but with an impatient snarl that sent a thrill through me he climbed into the driver’s seat and popped the hood open.

I quickly identified the problem and fixed it within a minute. When I looked up, he was watching me intently.

“Start the engine,” I told him.

The engine roared to life instantly. A small, triumphant smile crossed my face. He beckoned me to the driver’s seat, and I climbed in feeling the overwhelming scent of him in the luxurious interior. 

“I’m sorry for getting your car wet,” I said, noticing the water dripping onto the plush carpet.

He shot me a glance. “How does a marketing student even know how to fix cars?”

“I thought I’d learn a skill before college,” I explained. “Cars were always a hobby of mine when I was younger.”

He hesitated, then said, “Where do you live? I’ll give you a lift.”

When I told him, I saw his expression darken.

He remained silent, and I saw an opening to remind him of last night. Maybe he’d forgotten my face, or... something.

“Uhm, sir,” I started slowly, “you remember me, right? From last night, when we”

Suddenly, he slammed the brakes, and I nearly flew forward. His hand shot out, grabbing my neck in a grip that felt like icy steel. His eyes burned with fury.

“Don’t you ever speak of what happened that night,” he growled through clenched teeth. “Take it to your grave. If you even gossip about it, I will ruin your life. You’ll never get a job again. Clear?”

I nodded frantically, heart pounding in terror. He released me, and I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

The car doors unlocked with a click.

“Get out,” he commanded coldly.

I stumbled out into the relentless rain, drenched not just by the storm but by a crushing sense of shame watching his expensive car pull away