The sleek glass doors of H Star Movie Company slid open with a gentle hiss as Lila stepped inside. The morning light followed her, spilling across the polished marble floor and glinting off the silver accents of the lobby. Heads immediately turned. Conversations paused. The low hum of chatter that usually filled the space melted into a silence broken only by the click of her heels.
Lila adjusted the strap of her handbag and moved with a quiet confidence, though her heart beat faster than she cared to admit. She wasn't used to being the center of attention, and yet the moment she walked in, it was as if the entire building had shifted its gaze to her.
"Wow… who is she?" a young man near the reception whispered to his colleague.
"Look at her shape," another murmured, barely able to look away.
"She's stunning. I thought only actresses walked in here like that," a woman said, her tone laced with admiration tinged with envy.
Lila kept her eyes forward, her long skirt swishing softly with each step. The slit at the side gave her stride grace, the fitted cut emphasizing her slim waist and elegant figure. Her sleeveless top and tailored coat fit her like they had been made just for her, and her neatly tied hair revealed the fine structure of her face, sharp yet soft, exuding both innocence and allure.
Even the receptionist, usually efficient and unshaken by the endless flow of glamorous people who visited the company, faltered for a moment as she watched Lila approach. The woman quickly straightened, adjusting her headset and forcing a professional smile.
"Good morning, miss. Welcome to H Star. How may I help you today?"
Lila returned the smile, her voice calm though her fingers gripped her bag tighter. "Good morning. I'm new. I was told to meet the manager."
The receptionist blinked, surprise flickering in her eyes. New? She had assumed this beauty was an actress, a model, or perhaps even one of the VIP clients who occasionally dropped by. But a staff member? That was unexpected.
"Of course, miss. May I see your ID?"
Lila reached into her bag and slid out the card Adrian had arranged for her. The receptionist took one glance at the embossed H Star logo, her expression softening into a more genuine smile. "You're expected. Please follow the hallway to the left. Manager Collins's office is on the second floor."
"Thank you," Lila said politely, reclaiming her ID and moving forward. As she walked away, whispers rippled in her wake.
"Did you see her?"
"She looks like someone who belongs on screen, not behind a desk."
"Imagine if she's joining the writing team. Even the scripts will look pretty."
Lila kept her composure, but inside, she couldn't help feeling the weight of every stare. They're only looking because of how I look, she told herself. It doesn't mean anything. She pushed her nerves aside and climbed the staircase.
When she reached the second floor, she knocked gently on the frosted glass door marked Manager Collins – Head of Creative Writing Division.
"Come in," a deep voice called from inside.
She pushed the door open and stepped into a spacious office lined with bookshelves and framed movie posters. A man in his mid-forties, sharp suit and glasses perched on his nose, looked up from a stack of papers. His eyes narrowed slightly, not in displeasure but in appraisal.
"You must be… Lila Hart?"
"Yes, sir." She nodded respectfully.
He rose from his chair, extending a hand. "Collins. Welcome to H Star. Adrian Wolfe personally contacted me about you."
At the mention of Adrian's name, Lila's heart skipped. She hadn't expected Collins to say it aloud. She clasped his hand lightly. "It's an honor to be here."
Collins gestured for her to sit. "Adrian doesn't often get involved in personnel matters, you know. The fact that he recommended you says a lot. Naturally, everyone will be curious about you. But I expect you to focus on your work and not get distracted by the whispers. Can you handle that?"
"Yes," she said firmly, meeting his gaze.
"Good." Collins leaned back, his tone softening slightly. "We value storytellers here. Scripts are the lifeblood of this company. Movies, shows, even streaming—all of it begins with words. I hear you have a talent for weaving narratives?"
Lila hesitated, a blush rising to her cheeks. "I… I've always loved writing. It's been my escape since I was young. But this is the first time I'll be working in a professional environment."
Collins studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Passion matters. We can shape talent, but we can't teach passion. You'll be working under our senior writer, Ms. Claire Bennett. She can be strict, but if you listen, you'll grow fast."
"I understand."
Collins stood and walked her to the door. "Good. Let's introduce you to the team."
The moment Lila stepped into the writing department, the buzz of conversation died again. Several pairs of eyes lifted from laptops and notepads, locking onto her with the same curiosity she'd felt downstairs. Claire Bennett, a woman in her late thirties with sharp eyes and sleek hair pulled into a bun, crossed her arms and raised a brow.
"So this is the new recruit?"
"Yes," Collins confirmed. "This is Lila Hart. She'll be joining your team."
Claire's gaze swept over Lila from head to toe, not unkindly but with the weight of evaluation. "Pretty faces are common in this industry. Let's hope your words are as strong as your looks."
"I'll do my best," Lila said quietly but firmly.
Claire gave a small nod, then gestured to an empty desk near the window. "That's yours. Welcome to the team."
As Collins left, murmurs spread again among the staff. Some looked intrigued, others skeptical. Lila ignored it all, walking to her desk and setting down her bag. She booted up the computer, took out her notebook, and forced herself to breathe. You're not here to impress them. You're here to write.
Still, she couldn't help recalling Adrian's words that morning at breakfast.
"I found a place for you," he'd said, his voice calm but carrying weight.
"Where?" she had asked, curious.
"A company where your stories can breathe. H Star isn't just about movies—it's about the power of writing. You'll fit there."
At the time, she had wondered if he truly believed that or if he had simply arranged it to keep her occupied. But now, sitting at the desk, the hum of creativity around her, she felt a flicker of something deeper: belonging.
Her phone buzzed quietly in her bag. Pulling it out, she saw a message from her brother, Jake.
Jake: Sis! Heard you're working at H Star?? That's huge! Dad's happy to hear it, even though he didn't say much. Mom cried, of course. She said you finally found your place.
Tears pricked her eyes at the message. She typed back quickly.
Lila: Yes. Tell Dad I'll come by soon. And tell Mom not to worry—I'll make her proud.
She slid the phone away, straightened her shoulders, and opened a blank document on the computer. The cursor blinked, waiting. Words began to form in her mind—images, voices, emotions weaving into a story.
For the first time in a long while, Lila wasn't just existing. She was creating.
Across the city, Adrian sat in his office at Wolfe Enterprises, skimming through financial reports. But his mind wasn't entirely on the numbers. He kept picturing Lila—walking into H Star, standing among strangers, proving herself. He knew people would stare. He knew whispers would follow her everywhere. But he also knew she was stronger than she realized.
Nathan knocked and entered with a file, but Adrian's gaze remained fixed on the skyline outside his window.
"She'll surprise them all," he murmured, almost to himself.
"Sir?" Nathan asked, puzzled.
Adrian shook his head lightly, masking his thoughts. "Nothing. What's the next meeting?"
But deep down, one thought consumed him: he had confirmed she could make him sleep, yes, but now he was determined to confirm something else—whether she could conquer the world on her own terms.
And if she stumbled, he would be there to catch her. Always.
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