Maya Reed never imagined her life would fall apart in less than twenty-four hours.
One moment, she was a regular girl trying to balance school and survival. The next, she was standing outside her apartment, staring at the eviction notice taped to her door. Her chest tightened as she touched the paper. It felt cold, almost cruel. She had begged for more time, but the landlord didn't care about her tears or the fact that she had nowhere to go.
She folded the notice and slipped it into her bag.
There was no point standing there. No miracle was going to appear and fix anything.
Maya needed money. Fast.
Her phone buzzed as she walked down the street. It was a message from her friend, Tasha.
"I found you a job. High pay. Don't argue. Come to Cole Towers. 15th floor."
Maya frowned. She had heard of Cole Towers. Everyone had. It was the headquarters of Cole Enterprises—owned by Adrian Cole, the youngest billionaire in the city. Rumors about him filled every corner of the internet. He was brilliant, cold, dangerous, and impossible to work with.
Maya typed back.
"What kind of job?"
Tasha replied instantly.
"Assistant to the CEO. Just come."
Maya almost dropped her phone.
Assistant? To Adrian Cole?
She wanted to say no. She wanted to run in the opposite direction. But her bank account was almost empty. Her rent was overdue. Her life was turning into smoke.
She didn't have the luxury of saying no.
---
Cole Towers looked even more intimidating in real life. The glass building rose into the sky like a monument for people who didn't know how to fail. Maya felt small as she walked through the doors. Her clothes were simple. Her shoes were worn out. She didn't fit in, and every security guard could see it.
At the front desk, the receptionist looked her up and down.
"Maya Reed?"
Her tone held a judgment Maya didn't miss.
"Yes," Maya said quietly.
"You're late. He hates waiting." The woman handed her a visitor's pass. "Fifteenth floor. Don't speak unless he asks. Don't touch anything. Don't stare."
Maya blinked. "Don't stare?"
"You'll understand when you see him."
The elevator doors closed behind her, and her heart hammered in her chest. She tried to breathe, but every breath felt tight. The closer she got to the 15th floor, the more she questioned her decision.
When the doors finally opened, she stepped into a silent corridor. The air felt colder here. The walls were spotless, and the scent of expensive cologne floated in the air.
She knocked on the large black office door.
"Come in," a deep voice said.
Maya pushed the door open.
And saw him.
Adrian Cole stood by the window, his back turned to her. His suit fit him perfectly. His presence filled the entire office. He didn't look like a man—he looked like a threat wrapped in elegance. Without turning around, he spoke.
"You're the replacement?"
Maya swallowed. "I… think so."
He turned slowly. His eyes were dark and sharp, the kind that could see through lies in seconds. When his gaze landed on her, she felt the air shift. He looked at her like she was a puzzle he didn't ask for.
"You're young," he said.
"I'm twenty-two."
"That explains the shaking."
"I'm not shaking," she lied.
A small smirk touched his lips. "You are."
Maya lifted her chin. "Do you… want me to leave?"
Adrian walked closer. His steps were quiet but powerful. He stopped in front of her, close enough for her to smell the faint scent of his cologne.
"No," he said. "I want to see if you can last ten minutes."
"Ten minutes?"
"Every assistant before you quit in less than a week. Two cried. One fainted." His eyes held no sympathy. "If you faint, at least warn me so you don't fall on my floor."
Maya stared at him. Was he serious?
"Your job is simple," Adrian continued. "Do what I say, don't question me, and don't make mistakes. If you can handle that, I'll pay you more than anyone your age earns."
Her breath caught.
Money.
She needed money more than her pride.
"I can do it," she whispered.
Adrian watched her for a long moment. His expression didn't soften, but something in his eyes shifted—interest or curiosity or something she couldn't read.
"Good," he said. "Your ten minutes start now."
And just like that, Maya felt her life changing.
Not slowly.
Not gently.
But with the force of a man who didn't know how to be ordinary.