Clara stepped out of the office looking like she had just been rebuked. Clara's face was unreadable at first, as she slowly turned to Alexa, who was sitting on a long steel bench outside the office.
Alexa stood, then tilted her head while still trying to read Clara's expression carefully. "Clara? Are you okay? Don't tell me I got rejected already?" The words came out too fast, betraying the calm mask she always wore.
But Clara suddenly grabbed her shoulders and shook her, as she spilled out all her emotions at once. "Oh my God, you actually impressed Mr. Delacroix! I can't believe it. All my years of hard work, and I've never seen him approve someone that fast. Do you know how long it took me to gain his approval? Six months, Alexa. Six months. And his trust? Six years. Six years of blood, sweat, and tears! But you—" she shook Alexa again, this time she was half laughing, half groaning, "you walked in there and in less than an hour, he… he…" Clara pressed her lips together, almost jealous. "I'm excited for you—but I'm also insanely jealous right now."
Alexa could only blink slowly, still trying to process what just happened. "So… I passed?"
"That's what I just said, genius!" Clara replied, rolling her eyes dramatically.
Just before Alexa could respond, the door behind Clara opened and Mr. Delacroix stepped out. He was tall and sharp while still in his black suit. His presence swallowed the hallway immediately. Both women immediately straightened, like they were on cue. Marcus' gaze then turned to Clara, who was already shaking nervously, and then he turned to Alexa, who didn't seem to even care or be affected by his gaze.
"Follow me," he said simply, his voice smooth yet commanding, leaving no room for hesitation.
Clara then nudged Alexa with a whisper. "See? That tone? That's him being impressed. Don't let it fool you, though, 'cause he's still terrifying."
"I've dealt with worse," Alexa said, smirking faintly, standing to her full height.
"God, you're either brave or just stupid," Clara muttered under her breath as she followed Marcus, who had started walking away.
Alexa soon followed; her footsteps were steady as she prepared her mind. She had survived interviews, missions, and the bloodiest nights of her life. But stepping into Marcus Delacroix's world felt different. This wasn't just survival. This was the start of something far more dangerous.
Alexa followed close behind as Marcus and Clara stepped into the sunlight. The sun was now getting brighter as the time was approaching evening.
The company's towering glass doors closed shut behind them, as it turned mute the bustle of the office. In the open-air parking lot, the silence was heavier, almost expectant.
Marcus adjusted his cufflinks as his wristwatch's glint caught the setting sun. He didn't even need to look at Clara when he spoke to her. "Clara, you'll handle the business paperwork inside. I'll check in later."
Of course, Clara could not hesitate because there wasn't room for any, not even an argument. All she could do was nod; her loyalty snapped her into place. She gave Alexa a kind of smile that said, "Don't get killed on your first day, " and good luck. In summary, it was a fleeting smile — half encouragement, half envy—before striding back into the building.
That left just Marcus and Alexa.
Marcus didn't need to rush things. He simply pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialed a number: Noah. Within minutes, a sleek black car purred into the lot and stopped right in front of them. Noah hopped out with a grin that was far too mischievous for someone in uniform.
"Boss," Noah greeted, as he gave Marcus a respectful nod before turning his attention to Alexa. His grin then widened as he opened the back door. "And this must be the young lady. Didn't know you had a taste for this age bracket, boss. You're usually all about business, no pleasure."
Alexa's eyes widened as her cheeks flushed crimson. She opened her mouth to protest, but nothing seemed to come out of it.
This made Marcus' jaw tighten. "Noah," he said with his voice like a whip, "Keep your assumptions to yourself, or you won't—" Marcus didn't finish, the message had already been delivered, and Noah was aware who was boss.
Noah, half-laughing and half-chastened, lifted his hands in surrender. "Yes, sir. My apologies." He turned to Alexa, lowering his tone. "I didn't mean any offense, miss."
Alexa then forced a polite smile. She was burning inside and wanted to smack his head against the car door, but that would just give her away. Wouldn't it?.
"It's fine." She quickly ducked into the car, as her fingers brushed against Marcus' when he guided her inside. The contact jolted her: brief but definitely undeniable.
Marcus slid in right after; his broad shoulders shrunk the space around them entirely. Alexa shifted slightly, as she tried not to look too aware of his nearness, she kept her hands on her lap and looked forward.
Noah climbed into the driver's seat. The car eased out of the parking lot, gliding smoothly onto the main road.
For a moment, the hum of the engine filled the gap of silence until Marcus spoke, but this time his voice was lower and more deliberate.
"Alexa. From this moment forward, you're stepping into a very, very delicate and important role."
She looked up, as her heart quickened. His gaze was sharp but not unkind.
"You're not just an employee. You're stepping into my household. Into my son's life. Aaron's life." He paused, as if weighing the gravity of his words. "He's… not an easy child. Brilliant, yes. But troubled. He's even had more nannies than I care to count, and none of them lasted long."
"Why?" Alexa swallowed, her hand tightening slightly on her skirt.
Marcus now leaned backward, his profile cutting sharp lines against the passing scenery outside. "Because Aaron doesn't trust anyone or anything easily. He resents interference. And he hates being told what to do." His eyes flicked to hers. "In that sense, he's very much like me."
The gravity of his stare made Alexa's breath hitch. She turned to the window as quickly as she could. "So.... what do you expect of me?"
"Patience," Marcus said simply. "And strength. He will test you. Push you. Maybe even try to break you. But you cannot afford to give up. Not with him."
The words hung heavy between them as Alexa's chest tightened, both with fear and now a lot of determination.
"I'll do my best," she whispered, more to herself than to him.
Marcus studied her in silence for a beat too long, his gaze tracing the resolve etched into her young face. Then, unexpectedly, his hand brushed hers again as the car curved sharply. The touch lingered a second too long before he drew back.
Noah, watching through the rearview mirror, smirked faintly but said nothing.
The air in the car was different now; it was a fragile mix of professionalism, unspoken boundaries, and something that neither Marcus nor Alexa dared name.