The Interview

The elevator ride feels endless. My heart beats fast as I stare at my reflection in the shiny doors. My face looks tired, my blazer is borrowed, and my hands won’t stop shaking. I hold my résumé like it’s the last thing keeping me from falling apart.

It’s been five years since I left New York and since I left him.

Now I’m back, broke, scared, and praying that this interview will give me a second chance.

The company name on the paper says Blake Enterprises. My stomach tightens the moment I read it. Blake.

I tell myself it can’t be that Blake. The man I once loved. The man I ran away from.

The elevator stops. The doors open, and a rush of cold air hits me. The office is bright and expensive-looking glass walls, people in suits, quiet voices. Everything here screams success.

I walk to the front desk. “Good morning, I’m here for the marketing manager interview.”

The receptionist smiles politely. “You’ll be meeting Mr. Blake himself. Please wait a moment.”

My heart nearly stops. Mr. Blake himself.

I sit down, trying not to panic. My palms are sweaty, and memories rush back: his deep voice, the warmth of his touch, and the night I walked away carrying a secret that still haunts me.

After what feels like forever, the assistant says, “You can go in now.”

I stand up, fix my blazer, and follow her down a long hallway. My legs feel weak.

When she opens the last door, I freeze.

There he is.

Ethan Blake.

He looks even more powerful than before: taller, older, and dressed in a dark suit that fits him perfectly. His sharp gray eyes lift from the tablet in his hand and land right on me.

For a moment, the world goes quiet.

“Maya,” he says finally, his voice calm but heavy with something I can’t name.

My mouth goes dry. “Hello, Mr. Blake.”

He raises a brow. “So formal,” he says, gesturing toward the chair. “Sit.”

I do, because I can’t trust my legs to hold me up.

He studies me for a long moment before speaking. “Your résumé is impressive. But you’ve been off the radar for… what, five years?”

“Yes,” I manage to say softly.

“Why?”

I force a small smile. “I needed time away.”

His eyes don’t soften. “You’ve always been good at disappearing.”

The words hit harder than I expect.

He asks me about my work, my experience, why I came back to New York. I try to sound confident, but my voice shakes every time his eyes meet mine.

When the questions end, he stands and walks around the desk until he’s standing just a few feet away. His presence fills the room, just like it used to fill my world.

“You’re qualified,” he says. “Maybe too qualified.”

“I… I’ll do my best,” I reply quickly.

He looks at me for a long time before finally saying, “You’re hired.”

My eyes widen. “Wait, what?”

“You start Monday.” His tone leaves no room for argument.

“Why hire me?” I ask, confused.

He leans closer, his voice dropping low. “Let’s just say I like keeping an eye on old… employees.”

There’s a double meaning in his words that makes my skin prickle.

Before I can reply, he turns and walks back to his desk. “You can go now.”

I nod and start for the door, my pulse still racing.

But just as I reach it, his voice stops me cold.

“Oh, and Maya?”

I turn slowly. “Yes?”

Ethan’s eyes lock on mine, cool, unreadable, but dangerous in a way that makes my stomach twist.

“Next time you lie to me,” he says softly, “make sure I don’t already know the truth.”

The words hit me like a punch.

The door closes behind me, and I stand there in the hallway, barely breathing.

Does he know?

My secret, the one I’ve guarded for five years, can destroy everything if he finds out.

And something tells me… he already suspects it.