Cayla was seated in the sleek, glass-walled conference room, with her hands folded tightly in her lap. The actual interview was about to begin. The air in the room was cold and sterile. Three representatives of the Arison Enterprise executives were seated in silence before her. Their silence felt louder than the bustle of traffic outside.
The man seated in the middle finally acknowledged her presence as he slowly looked up from her résumé. He had sharp features and a pale face as though carved from marble. There was no beating around the bush as he went straight to business in a professional tone. It was so natural as though he had asked the question several times before.
"Why did you choose Arison Enterprise?"
The question cut through the tension in the air like a scalpel. Cayla didn't flinch as she was prepared and ready for whatever came her way.
"I chose it because I want to work where the future is built. And that is because Arison doesn't just lead industries - it redefines them, and I want to be a part of that.
His brows twitched barely before handing her file to the woman seated to his left. A gorgeous, tall, and elegant figure in a crimson pantsuit. She had an air of professionalism and perfectionism and seemed to pay great attention to detail.
"You studied economics and public policy," the woman said after scanning the résumé before her. "Why not work in government?"
Cayla smiled faintly. "Because policy without execution is unrealistic. It's fiction. I want to work in a place where plans become real. Arison is the place where 'real' happens."
The third executive, the HR director, asked practical questions about availability, prior experience, relocation flexibility, and salary expectations.
Cayla answered each question with poise. She maintained a steady voice even though her spine burned with nerves.
Then they asked the final question.
"Do you know anyone here at Arison?" The first man in the middle asked. "Personal Connections."
"No," Cayla said. "None at all."
There was a small pause and then a faint, unreadable smile.
"Thank you, Ms. Hart. We'll be in touch."
Cayla stood calmly, nodded with a polite smile, and walked out as confidently as she could manage. Her heart was thudding in her chest, and her hands were slick with sweat. However, her voice didn't crack and she didn't stumble.
And that in itself had to count for something.
~~~
The elevator door opened with a gentle ding, depositing her into the vast lobby of Arison Tower. The lobby was lit up by the sun that filtered through the glass and bustling with activity as more and more people turned up at work. The floor-to-ceiling windows turned the space into a glass cathedral of ambition. Sleek marble floors reflected the golden mid-morning light. Her heels echoed faintly as she stepped from the elevator, with the adrenaline still crackling through her limbs.
She needed a second or two to breathe. Then, she recalled that she hadn't texted her mother to inform her that she made it on time and was done with the interview. She moved towards a quiet corner and reached into her bag for her phone. Her mind still buzzed from the post-interview anxiety.
There was a sudden shift in the air, and the people reacted strangely. The security guards at the front desk stiffened, and the receptionist suddenly stood a little straighter, even though it seemed impossible.
Someone important had just arrived.
The tall glass doors at the entrance of the tower whooshed open with authority, if that was even possible. A black suited aide entered first. Then came the man himself.
Governor Rafael Leviste.
Cayla froze with her phone in one hand and her open bag in the other.
It was him. The man who nearly ran her over a few hours prior. Here he was standing in Arison Enterprise in the flesh. His earlier friendly ambience vanished without a trace. He looked fierce and imposing, like a governor should. He was focused and charging into Arison Tower like he owned it.
He wasn't alone. Two aides flanked him on the side. The governor walked with confident strides. The unmistakable gravity of a man used to controlling people, rooms, buildings, and entire cities.
He didn't notice her at first. But his sharp and assessing eyes swept through the lobby and stopped, right on her.
"You again," he said, his voice carrying across the marble with ease.
Cayla's spine went rigid. "Yes, Sir, I'm sorry about earlier—"
"You're applying here?" He interrupted.
"Yes. I just finished my interview," she said, careful not to let her nerves show.
He walked toward her. His presence was heavy, but not hostile. More curious than angry now. "I was impressed — I am impressed by how you handled this morning's incident. You handled it well. Quick reflexes. Most people in your place would have frozen."
"I didn't want to be late."
That got the faintest smile from him. "Good answer."
He studied her for another moment—long enough that she felt pinned by it. Then he reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a card.
"I'm looking for a new personal assistant," he said flatly. "Someone fast, sharp, and unafraid. You have the face of a survivor, Ms—?"
"Hart," she said. "Cayla Hart."
"Hart," he echoed. "That's a good name."
She took the card with both hands as a sign of respect. It was something she learned from her mother. Most especially when dealing with powerful people.
"Call that number, my Cape office. Be there Monday morning. You'll get more experience there in six months than in three years here."
It would have been weird if the executives who interviewed here earlier were there. Taking what she said during her interview into consideration.
"I—but—sir, I haven't heard back from Arison yet."
"Now you have options and don't need to hear from them," he said curtly, walking past her. "Skilled people always do."
And just like that, the governor and his entourage disappeared behind the private elevator. Leaving Cayla, frozen in place. With his business card clutched tightly in her hand. The onlookers stared at her with varying emotions.
Some with shock and surprise. Others envied and were jealous, and with others admired her luck. She had just been given a job to work directly with the governor with no effort, application, or interview whatsoever. Her luck was shining.
She stared down at it.
Office of the Governor — Cape. Rafael Leviste.'
Had that just happened?