The next morning, Selina woke up with a jolt. The sunlight filtered sharply through the thin curtains, striking her face. She blinked, disoriented for a moment, then sat up abruptly ,her alarm clock read 8:22 a.m.
Her heart plummeted.
"God, no, no, no!" she gasped, leaping out of bed. "I'm late!"
It was her first day at Vels Corporation, the biggest opportunity she'd had in years—and she was already behind schedule. Her hair was a wild mess, her heart pounded like a drum. She grabbed the first blouse she could find a white one slightly wrinkled but decent and paired it with a navy skirt that didn't quite match. She slipped on her shoes, barely managing to zip her bag before darting out of the door.
The morning streets were alive with honking cars, street vendors shouting prices, and people rushing to work. Selina's pulse raced as she squeezed herself onto a bus, muttering silent prayers that she wouldn't make a complete fool of herself on her very first day.
By the time she arrived at Vels Corporation, the glass building towered above her like a monument of success and intimidation. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she adjusted her blouse, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.
The lobby was breathtaking, polished marble floors, shimmering glass walls, and a faint scent of expensive cologne. Everyone looked perfect, efficient, polished. She instantly felt underdressed.
She pressed the elevator button, clutching her bag tightly. As the doors opened, her stomach dropped, Andre Vale and his assistant were stepping in.
Her breath hitched.
He looked sharp, commanding, as always. Black suit, silver watch, an aura that made the air around him feel heavier. She quickly bowed her head, pretending to check her phone, hoping he wouldn't notice her.
But the elevator doors slid shut, trapping the three of them inside.
The silence was suffocating. Selina's palms grew sweaty as she stood by the corner, trying to be invisible. She could feel his presence beside her tall, calm, powerful. The elevator hummed softly, rising through the floors.
Then suddenly, the elevator jerked slightly. Selina lost her balance and stumbled forward—straight into Andre.
His arm shot out instantly, gripping her waist before she could fall.
The world froze.
Her heart thundered as she looked up—straight into his eyes. Those same deep, unreadable eyes from the café. His grip was firm, steady, his face just inches from hers. The air between them grew heavy, almost electric.
Andre's assistant, standing awkwardly to the side, cleared his throat, trying to look anywhere but at them.
Selina's breath trembled. She straightened herself quickly, her cheeks flushed. "I—I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to—"
Andre's voice was low, calm, yet piercing. "Be careful next time," he said simply, stepping back, his expression unreadable.
Selina nodded quickly, heart hammering. The rest of the ride was pure silence, thick and tense.
When the elevator finally reached their floor, she rushed out, keeping her head low.
.........
At his office, Andre walked in first, setting his briefcase down. He removed his jacket, hung it neatly, and turned slowly toward her. His gaze was sharp, studying her from head to toe.
"You're late," he said, his tone cold and steady. "I told you to report at eight. It's past nine."
Selina swallowed hard. "I'm really sorry, sir. It won't happen again."
He didn't reply immediately. He walked toward her, step by step, each one echoing against the floor. She could feel the weight of his presence again—intense, unsettling.
"Sorry doesn't fix time," he said quietly, his voice almost a growl. "In this company, punctuality isn't a favor—it's expected."
Selina lowered her gaze, gripping the folder in her hands. "Yes, sir. Understood."
Andre's assistant entered briefly. "Sir, the meeting with Lang Corporation starts in thirty minutes."
Andre nodded, dismissing him with a glance. Then he looked back at Selina. "Bring me a cup of coffee before I leave," he said curtly.
Selina exhaled shakily once he turned away. She hurried to the small kitchen corner, preparing the coffee with trembling hands. "Just don't mess this up," she whispered to herself. "It's only coffee. You can do this."
But her nerves got the better of her. When she finally placed the mug on his desk, Andre lifted it to his lips and froze.
His expression darkened.
"This…" he said slowly, eyes flicking to her. "Is this what you call coffee?"
Selina froze, panic rushing through her veins. "I—I must've—"
He set the mug down sharply. "It's burnt." His voice dropped lower, dangerous. "Do you know how many people would kill to have this job, Miss Whyte?"
She flinched at the sound of her name. "I'm sorry, sir. I'll remake it right now—"
But before she could move, the mug slipped slightly on the table, spilling a bit of coffee. Some splashed onto his shirt sleeve.
Selina's eyes widened in horror. "Oh my God—I'm so sorry!" She grabbed a tissue instantly, reaching forward to dab it off.
Andre stood abruptly, towering over her. His sharp gaze pinned her in place, his jaw tight. For a moment, the room went still—his anger battling against some deeper restraint.
He caught her wrist gently, stopping her frantic motion. His voice, though low, carried a dangerous edge. "Don't," he said. "You've done enough."
Selina froze, breath shallow. Their eyes met again, his calm but burning, hers wide and apologetic.
For a long second, no one spoke.
Then, with a deep breath, Andre released her hand and straightened his shirt. "You'll have to do better than this if you want to survive here," he said coldly. "Clean it up and get out."
Selina nodded silently, her eyes glistening. She bent down, picking up the broken pieces of glass, feeling humiliation prick at her chest.
Andre turned away, his gaze fixed on the window overlooking the city. But inside, his thoughts were anything but calm. There was something about her, her stubbornness, her fragility that stirred something he couldn't explain.
..........
Meanwhile, in the Vele Mansion, Scarlett Vale sat at her vanity, brushing her long auburn hair. She glanced at the framed photo on her dresser , her brother Andre, and their parents.
Her lips curved into a small, fond smile.
"He's been avoiding home again," she murmured. "I wonder what's keeping him this time."
Scarlett stood up, tossing her brush aside. "Maybe I should just visit him at work. Surprise him for once."
She grabbed her bag and keys, her determination lighting up her face.
"Let's see how my cold, workaholic brother reacts when I walk into his empire," she said with a mischievous grin before walking out.
.........
Back at Vels Corporation, Selina stood by the coffee counter, her hands trembling. Her chest still burned with embarrassment, but somewhere beneath it, a strange spark refused to fade.
"Breathe," she whispered to herself. "Just… breathe."
Because somehow, even after all that, she wasn't planning to give up.