CHAPTER 1: THE GIRL WHO CAUGHT THE CEO'S ATTENTION

Elaria's POV

"ELARIA SOLENNE VIRELLI!"

Napapikit ako nang marinig ang pangalan ko mula sa kabilang bahagi ng apartment.

Oh, no.

I knew that voice.

That was the voice of a woman who was about to kill me because I was, once again, running late.

"Five minutes!" sigaw ko habang sinusuklay ang mahaba kong buhok.

"Five minutes? Elaria, you've been saying that for thirty minutes!"

I rolled my eyes.

Grabe naman. Hindi ba puwedeng mag-enjoy muna ang isang tao sa umaga niya?

I looked at myself in the mirror. Suot ko ang cream-colored blouse, black trousers, at comfortable heels. Simple lang, pero presentable naman.

I fixed my hair and smiled at my reflection.

"Okay, Elaria. You can do this."

Huminga ako nang malalim.

Today was important.

I was about to attend my first official job interview at Thorne International Holdings, one of the biggest and most prestigious corporations in the country.

At kung matatanggap ako, malaking tulong iyon para sa pamilya ko.

Hindi naman ako nangarap na maging mayaman. Gusto ko lang magkaroon ng stable na trabaho, makatulong sa pamilya, at mabili ang mga bagay na hindi ko basta-basta nabibili noon.

Simple dreams.

But sometimes, even simple dreams require extraordinary courage.

"Elaria!"

"COMING!"

I grabbed my handbag, phone, and resume before rushing outside.

"Finally!" salubong sa akin ni Zephira Noelle Aster, ang best friend kong halos araw-araw ay sinusubok ang pasensya ko.

She crossed her arms.

"Girl, are you planning to get hired or attend a beauty pageant?"

I laughed. "Both. Malay mo, may bonus kapag maganda ang applicant."

"Delusional."

"Jealous ka lang."

She shook her head before handing me a sandwich.

"Here. Kumain ka muna. Baka mamaya, himatayin ka sa interview."

I accepted it with a grateful smile.

"Thank you, bestie. I love you."

"I know. Now go get that job!"

---

THORNE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS

Pagdating namin sa building, halos mapanganga ako.

The enormous glass building stood proudly in the middle of the business district. May mga taong naka-formal attire na naglalakad papasok at palabas.

Everything looked expensive.

Even the plants looked richer than me.

"Wow," bulong ko.

Zephira nudged my arm. "Welcome to the world of rich people, bestie."

"Please. Huwag mo akong iwan kapag may nakita kang billionaire."

"Girl, kung may billionaire akong makita, ikaw ang una kong ibebenta."

"Traitor!"

We both laughed.

After checking in at the reception, I was instructed to proceed to the thirty-fifth floor for my final interview.

I took a deep breath before entering the elevator.

"You can do this," I whispered.

But just as the elevator doors were about to close, a hand suddenly stopped them.

"Hold the elevator."

A tall man entered.

He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, a silver wristwatch, and an expression that could probably freeze an entire ocean.

I moved slightly to give him space.

"Thank you," he said without looking at me.

I nodded.

No problem, handsome stranger.

I returned my attention to my phone.

Until I noticed something.

The man beside me was staring at the floor indicator.

Thirty-fifth floor.

Same floor as mine.

Interesting.

I glanced at him again.

Tall. Handsome. Expensive-looking.

Probably one of the executives.

I quickly looked away.

Not today, Elaria. Focus on your interview.

---

AZRIEL'S POV

"Sir, the board meeting has been moved to ten o'clock."

I listened to my assistant through the phone while checking the documents on my tablet.

"Then move my appointment with the Singapore investors to eleven."

"Yes, sir."

"And make sure the revised acquisition report is on my desk before lunch."

"Understood."

I ended the call.

Another ordinary morning.

Another series of meetings.

Another day of dealing with incompetent people.

I hated wasting time.

Especially when people couldn't follow simple instructions.

The elevator stopped.

I stepped out, already checking my watch.

Then—

"OH, MY GOD!"

A loud voice echoed behind me.

I closed my eyes.

What now?

I turned around and saw the woman from the elevator rushing toward the reception desk.

She was holding several documents, her handbag slipping from her shoulder.

One paper fell.

Then another.

Then another.

I stared.

Unbelievable.

The receptionist immediately approached her.

"Ma'am, are you all right?"

"Yes! I'm perfectly fine. My papers just decided to have a vacation."

I frowned.

Vacation?

What kind of person was this?

I shook my head and continued walking.

I had more important things to do.

---

Elaria's POV

I wanted to disappear.

As in, literally disappear.

My interview was supposed to start five minutes ago, and I was still fixing my documents at the reception area.

"Ma'am, your interview is in Conference Room B," the receptionist informed me.

"Thank you!"

I quickly gathered my things and hurried toward the hallway.

Unfortunately, my heels had other plans.

One step.

Two steps.

And—

"Oh!"

My shoe slipped.

I stumbled forward, instinctively reaching for something to stop myself.

Unfortunately, that something happened to be a very expensive-looking man's suit.

My hand caught his sleeve.

And my handbag swung forward.

The contents scattered across the polished floor.

Silence.

Complete and terrifying silence.

I slowly looked up.

And there he was.

The man from the elevator.

The handsome stranger.

The walking definition of expensive.

His eyes moved from my hand gripping his sleeve to my face.

Then he looked down at the papers scattered around us.

"What exactly are you doing?"

I immediately released him.

"I'm so sorry!"

He adjusted his sleeve.

"Do you always run around without looking where you're going?"

I blinked.

Excuse me?

"I wasn't running. I was walking with enthusiasm."

His eyebrows lifted.

"Enthusiasm?"

"Yes. It's a thing. You should try it sometime."

The receptionist behind us looked like she was about to faint.

The man stared at me.

I stared back.

For some reason, I suddenly remembered that I was standing in front of someone who could probably fire an entire department with one phone call.

Oops.

I quickly bent down to collect my things.

"I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you."

He didn't answer.

Instead, he picked up a small pink notebook that had fallen near his shoes.

He glanced at the cover.

THINGS I WANT TO ACHIEVE BEFORE I TURN THIRTY.

My eyes widened.

"Oh! That's mine!"

I reached for it.

But he raised it slightly.

"Do you always carry a list of unrealistic dreams?"

I frowned.

"Excuse me?"

He opened the notebook.

My cheeks heated.

There were several things written on the first page.

1. Get a stable job.

2. Buy my mother a house.

3. Travel around the world.

4. Fall in love.

5. Eat at an expensive restaurant without checking the prices.

He looked at the list.

Then back at me.

"Ambitious."

I snatched the notebook from his hand.

"Thank you. At least someone appreciates ambition."

His expression remained unreadable.

"Try being more careful next time."

And with that, he walked away.

I stared at his retreating back.

"Wow. What a charming personality."

The receptionist cleared her throat.

I smiled awkwardly.

"Is he always like that?"

She hesitated.

Then whispered something that made my entire body freeze.

"Ma'am... that's Mr. Azriel Caelum Thorne."

I blinked.

Once.

Twice.

"Who?"

"THE CEO."

My jaw dropped.

The CEO?

As in THE CEO?

The billionaire?

The owner of this entire building?

Oh.

My.

Goodness.

I wanted to slap myself.

I had just argued with the most powerful man in the company.

And I had called him someone who needed to try enthusiasm.

Perfect.

Just perfect.

---

AZRIEL'S POV

"Sir?"

I looked at Sebastian, my executive assistant, who was following me with a tablet in his hand.

"What?"

He glanced toward the hallway.

"Was there a problem earlier?"

"No."

"Because I saw you talking to someone."

I stopped walking.

"Is that unusual?"

Sebastian immediately shook his head.

"Not at all, sir."

I continued toward my office.

But something bothered me.

That woman.

Her ridiculous comments.

Her scattered belongings.

And the way she looked at me without the slightest hint of fear.

Most people became nervous whenever they stood in front of me.

Some couldn't even maintain eye contact.

But she?

She had the audacity to argue.

Strange.

Very strange.

"Sebastian."

"Yes, sir?"

"Who is the woman who was at the reception earlier?"

He looked surprised.

"The applicant for the executive assistant position?"

I paused.

"Applicant?"

"Yes, sir. Elaria Solenne Virelli. She's scheduled for an interview today."

I looked at him.

"Elaria Solenne Virelli?"

"Yes, sir."

I remembered the pink notebook.

The woman with the ridiculous list of dreams.

Interesting.

"Did she pass the initial screening?"

"Yes, sir. She's actually one of the strongest candidates."

I glanced at the documents in his hand.

"Bring her application to my office."

Sebastian nodded.

"Of course, sir."

I entered my office and walked toward the enormous glass windows overlooking the city.

I didn't know why I was suddenly interested in an ordinary applicant.

Perhaps I wanted to see whether she was as careless during an interview as she was in the hallway.

Or perhaps I simply wanted to know if she would still have something to say when she discovered who I really was.

---

Elaria's POV

I sat outside the conference room, nervously tapping my fingers against my handbag.

My interview was finally about to begin.

I checked my reflection on my phone.

"Okay. Smile. Be professional. Don't mention the CEO. And definitely don't call him arrogant."

The door opened.

"Miss Virelli?"

I immediately stood up.

"Yes!"

"Please come inside."

I entered the room and greeted the three interviewers.

Everything seemed normal until the door suddenly opened again.

Someone walked in.

Black suit.

Silver watch.

Cold expression.

That familiar intimidating presence.

My smile disappeared.

No.

No, no, no.

Please tell me I'm hallucinating.

The man took his seat at the head of the table.

Then he looked directly at me.

His lips curved into the faintest, most dangerous smile.

"Well, well."

He leaned back in his chair.

"Look who's here."

I swallowed.

"Good morning, Mr. Thorne."

He opened my application folder.

"Miss Elaria Solenne Virelli."

"Yes, sir."

He studied me for a moment.

Then he said something that made my stomach drop.

"Let's see if your qualifications are as impressive as your enthusiasm."

I wanted to cry.

My first job interview.

My biggest opportunity.

And my interviewer was the man I had just insulted.

I forced a smile.

"Of course, sir."

He leaned forward.

"One question before we begin."

I nodded nervously.

"Why should I hire you?"

I took a deep breath.

"Because I may not be the most experienced person in this room, Mr. Thorne, but I can promise you that I'll work hard, learn quickly, and never give up just because something is difficult."

He stared at me.

I continued.

"And I believe that a person's abilities shouldn't be judged by their appearance or by the first impression they make."

For a brief moment, nobody spoke.

Then Azriel closed my application folder.

"Interesting answer."

He stood up.

"Congratulations, Miss Virelli."

My eyes widened.

"Wait... what?"

"You're hired."

I nearly jumped from my seat.

"REALLY?"

He raised an eyebrow.

I immediately straightened.

"Sorry. I mean, thank you, sir!"

He walked toward the door.

But before leaving, he glanced over his shoulder.

"One more thing, Miss Virelli."

"Yes, sir?"

"Try not to trip over anyone else in this building."

I pressed my lips together.

"Yes, Mr. Thorne."

He left.

I finally released the breath I had been holding.

I GOT THE JOB!

But my happiness didn't last long.

Because Sebastian approached me with another folder.

"Miss Virelli, congratulations. You'll be starting tomorrow."

I smiled.

"Thank you!"

He hesitated.

"There's just one important detail."

I tilted my head.

"What is it?"

He glanced toward the CEO's office.

"You'll be assigned as Mr. Thorne's personal executive assistant."

My smile slowly disappeared.

I stared at him.

Then at the office.

Then back at him.

"His... what?"

Sebastian nodded.

"His personal assistant."

I wanted to scream.

Of all the people in this building...

Why did it have to be HIM?

And from behind the slightly opened office door, I heard a familiar voice.

"Miss Virelli."

I turned.

Azriel was watching me.

"Welcome to my world."

His eyes met mine.

"And I suggest you learn how to survive in it."

END OF CHAPTER 1.