The alarm buzzed like a chainsaw, cutting through the quiet of Elena's small apartment.
She groaned, rolling over to slap it off. For a few seconds, she just lay there, staring at the ceiling, disoriented and lost between two worlds the one she'd run from and the one she was about to step into.
Her chest tightened as a familiar voice echoed in her mind: "You'll never make it without us."
She shut her eyes. Not today.
Elena threw the blanket aside and sat up. The air smelled faintly of detergent and rain; the window was cracked open, letting in a slice of pale morning light. It wasn't much barely enough to illuminate her one-room apartment but it was hers. The rent was cheap, the walls were thin, and the shower leaked, but this little place represented something she had never had before.
Freedom.
"New city, new start," she whispered to her reflection in the cracked mirror beside the bed. "No stepmother. No fake smiles. Just me."
She shuffled to the bathroom, yawning, and nearly slipped on the towel she'd left on the floor. "Perfect," she muttered sarcastically, catching herself against the sink. Her reflection looked back a twenty-three-year-old with soft brown eyes, messy hair, and a determined spark that no one could snuff out anymore.
As she brushed her teeth, she mentally went over her plans. It was her first day at Vale Corporation one of the biggest conglomerates in the city. Yesterday, she'd received the email confirming her position as the new Personal Assistant to the CEO, Adrian Vale himself.
Even thinking the name made her pulse quicken. Adrian Vale the youngest CEO in the company's history. Brilliant. Ruthless. A man who had built his empire before turning thirty. Rumor said he didn't smile, didn't forgive mistakes, and didn't tolerate incompetence.
Which meant, of course, Elena had every reason to panic.
After a quick shower, she got dressed in her only professional outfit: a white blouse, black skirt, and beige heels she had bought from a clearance rack. She tied her hair back into a neat ponytail, dabbed on a little lip gloss, and smiled weakly at herself.
"You look like someone who might actually get through the day alive," she told her reflection.
Five minutes later, she was frantically searching for her bag. "No, no, no where did I put that stupid letter?" She found it under the pillow, crumpled but intact.
Congratulations! You have been selected as the new Personal Assistant at Vale Corporation. Please report to the main building at 8:30 a.m. sharp.
She checked the clock. 8:02.
"Crap!"
Her burnt toast flew into the trash as she grabbed her bag and ran out the door, nearly tripping on the stairs. The landlady gave her a sympathetic smile as she raced past.
"First day?"
"Yeah! And probably my last if I'm late!"
The bus ride was a blur of traffic, honking, and her heart pounding in her chest. She clutched the strap of her bag tightly, whispering to herself like a mantra: "You're not that scared little girl anymore. You worked for this. You belong here."
When the bus finally stopped in front of a sleek, glass skyscraper, she almost forgot to breathe. The name VALE CORPORATION gleamed in silver letters above the entrance, bold and untouchable.
Inside, everything screamed perfection polished floors, expensive suits, and the faint scent of coffee and ambition.
Elena swallowed hard and approached the front desk.
"Good morning," she said, trying to sound confident. "I'm Elena Gray, the new personal assistant."
The receptionist smiled politely. "Welcome, Miss Gray. Mr. Vale's office is on the top floor. You can take elevator A."
Her palms were sweating. Top floor. Of course.
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, revealing a sleek, mirrored interior. She stepped inside, her heels clicking against the floor. Her reflection stared back an impostor in a world of power.
The doors began to close
and a strong hand stopped them.
A tall man stepped in, the air around him shifting instantly. His tailored suit fit perfectly, dark charcoal against a crisp white shirt. His tie was perfectly knotted. He carried an aura of quiet authority that made everyone instinctively straighten their posture.
Elena moved to the side, clutching her bag, eyes down. The scent of his cologne cool, subtle, expensive filled the space.
He didn't look at her, but she could feel his presence, calm yet commanding.
When the elevator stopped at the top floor, he stepped out first. She hesitated for a moment, then followed, her heels echoing softly behind him.
The receptionist on that floor immediately stood. "Good morning, Mr. Vale."
Elena froze. Wait....Mr. Vale?
Her heart skipped. The man from the elevator------
The one she had been sharing an awkward silence with------
was Adrian Vale himself.
He stopped near his office door, finally turning his head slightly toward her. His eyes met hers gray, cold, unreadable. For a moment, she forgot how to breathe.
"You're late," he said, his tone quiet but sharp.
Elena's throat went dry. "I—uh—I came as fast as I could, sir. The bus—"
"I didn't ask for excuses."
His voice was calm, deep, and absolute. The kind of tone that didn't rise, but still carried the weight of authority.
He turned and entered his office without another word. The glass doors closed behind him.
Elena stood frozen in place, heart hammering, humiliation burning her cheeks.
Welcome to Vale Corporation, she thought grimly.
Welcome to your new life.