Chapter 5

~Camelia POV~

*One Week Later*

I took in a deep breath, exhaling softly the moment I came out of the cab, my fingers tightening slightly around my bag as I stared at the building in front of me.

It was tall, all glass and steel, gleaming in the morning sun, its sleek lines towering over the street below. My reflection shimmered briefly across the mirrored surface, pale and anxious, but I tried not to look too long.

Because if I did, I might start to feel uneasy with my thoughts, wondering if I would get the job or not. Even though Becca had already assured me that I would, I was still unsure.

"I can do this. Just go inside, tell them I'm here for an interview, and then get the job," I reassured myself.

Running my fingers over the hem of my brown pencil skirt, I stared at the building once more before walking toward the entrance.

After everything that had happened over the past week of my life, the last thing I wanted was to be rejected.

"Just go in. You have no choice but to do so anyway. You need this job," I repeated in my head, trying to muster the courage.

I walked further toward the door, and it slid open, giving me a clear view of the lobby. The building looked unlike any place I had ever been in.

And a part of me started to doubt if I would even get the job.

"Good morning, miss, how may I help you?" a red-haired lady standing by the reception desk said, and I walked over to meet her.

"I'm here for the interview," I said, my gaze briefly catching on her calm expression before I looked away. "Camelia Stewart."

Her fingers moved quickly across the keyboard, eyes scanning the screen before she gave a small nod.

"Yes, Miss Stewart. You're expected. Please take the elevator to the top floor. The CEO is waiting for you."

The CEO.

The words sat heavily in my chest, making my fingers tighten slightly around my bag again.

"Thank you," I managed to say, my voice coming out softer than I intended.

She gave a polite smile, already looking back at her screen, and I turned away, my steps slow at first before I forced myself to keep moving.

The elevator stood just ahead, its doors opening with a quiet sound as if it had been waiting for me. I stepped inside and pressed the button for the top floor, my reflection staring back at me from the mirrored walls.

I looked… nervous. More than nervous.

My lips pressed together as I looked away quickly, my fingers brushing against my skirt again as if it would somehow steady me.

"You’re fine," I whispered under my breath. "Just answer the questions and leave."

The elevator moved, smooth and quiet, but my stomach didn’t settle. If anything, it twisted more with every second that passed.

When the doors finally opened, I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I had been holding and stepped out.

A woman sat behind a desk a few steps ahead. She looked up the moment she noticed me, her eyes scanning me quickly before she gave a small nod.

"Can I help you?"

"I'm here for the interview," I said. "Camelia Stewart."

Her expression shifted slightly, like she had been expecting me.

"Yes. Please, come with me."

I followed her down the hallway, my heels making soft sounds against the floor, each step feeling louder than it should.

We stopped in front of a large door. "He's inside," she said, stepping aside.

I nodded, my hand tightening slightly around the strap of my bag before I reached for the handle.

For a second, I just stood there. Then I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The office was large, the kind that made you feel small without even trying. My eyes moved slowly across the space before landing on him.

He sat behind the desk, flipping through a file, his expression calm, almost unreadable.

For a moment, I just stood there, watching him. Something about him felt… familiar.

I couldn’t place it.

It was in the way he sat, maybe. Or the familiar scent of lavender and manly cologne lingering in the office.

Could he be the guy I had one night stand with?

I shook the thought away the moment it came. Thinking about everything that had happened was the last thing I wanted right now.

"Have a seat," he said without looking up.

His voice pulled me out of my thoughts, and I quickly moved forward, sitting down across from him. My hands rested on my lap, fingers lightly pressed together to keep them from shaking.

He flipped one last page before finally looking up.

Our eyes met. For a brief second, something shifted in my chest, something I didn’t understand.

But it was gone just as quickly.

"Miss Stewart," he said, his tone even. "Why do you think you're fit to be my office assistant?"

My lips parted slightly as I prepared to answer, my mind quickly trying to gather the words I had practiced over and over again.

"I—"

The door burst open.

The sudden sound made me flinch slightly, my words cutting off as both of us turned toward the entrance.

A woman walked in, her heels sharp against the floor, her presence filling the room like she belonged there. She looked perfect. From her hair to her outfit, everything about her seemed carefully put together.

But the look on his face changed the moment he saw her.

A slight frown.

"You shouldn’t be here," he said, his tone colder now.

She didn’t seem bothered. If anything, she looked annoyed.

"Really?" she said, crossing her arms. "Because I’ve been trying to reach you, and you keep avoiding me."

My eyes moved between them, unsure of what to do. I felt like I wasn’t supposed to be there for this, like I had just stepped into something that had nothing to do with me.

"I’m busy," he replied.

"Busy?" she let out a small laugh, but there was no humor in it. "Busy enough to ignore my father?"

His expression didn’t change. "I already gave him my answer."

"And I’m here asking you to reconsider it."

Silence filled the room for a second, thick and uncomfortable.

I shifted slightly in my seat, my fingers pressing together harder now. Maybe I should leave. Maybe I should pretend I wasn’t here at all.

"I’m not interested," he said simply.

Her jaw tightened. "You’re rejecting the proposal just like that?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

His gaze didn’t waver. "Because I already have someone I intend to marry."

The words hung in the air.

My brows furrowed slightly, confusion slipping in before I could stop it.

Her eyes widened just a bit. "What?"

I stayed still, trying not to react, trying not to get pulled into whatever this was.

But then, his hand reached out.

Before I could react, his fingers wrapped around mine, firm and warm, pulling me slightly forward.

My breath caught. Everything in me stilled at once.

"Gwen," he said, his voice calm, like what he was doing was normal, like this wasn’t completely out of place. "Meet my fiancée."

My heart skipped.

My eyes widened as I turned to look at him, my thoughts stumbling over themselves.

"Camellia Stewart."

For a second, I couldn’t speak or move. The word didn’t even feel real in my mouth.

"I'm sorry, what?" I said, the sound barely above a whisper, shock clear in my voice as I stared at him, my hand still in his.