Ellie
I kept my face down, fingers nervously curling in my lap.
This is an interview, I told myself firmly. You have to look confident. Raise your head!
But my hands were trembling.
The man who introduced himself as Mr. Gray cleared his throat, dragging my attention up.
"So, you're Ellen Michaels. Am I right?"
"Y-Yes, sir."
"Applying for the secretarial position, isn't that right?"
"Yes, sir."
He nodded. The others beside him—three men and one woman—scribbled notes. Lilian, the only woman there, gave me a small smile. Encouraging. But I already felt like I was drowning.
"You're aware, Miss Michaels, that this position is extremely demanding?"
"Um... very much, sir. But I'm sure I'll be able to cope—"
"Being sure isn't enough," he interrupted flatly. "CMI is growing fast. It's not enough to think you can cope. You have to know."
"I was just trying to—"
"I'm sorry, Ellen. The position's been filled."
What?! My chest tightened.
"But... I was told there would be a high chance for me to—"
"No, I think there was a—" he began, but Lilian jumped in.
"You're jumping to conclusions, Gray. She fits every requirement."
"Her CV was impressive," he admitted, "but she's not the type. CMI needs people who can speak."
"I can speak," I said quickly.
Just not in this room, in front of these people, I added silently.
"I'm sorry, Miss Michaels," Gray said again, but Lilian wasn't having it.
"What are you doing?" she asked him, her voice rising.
He ignored her. "You're not cut out for the position."
"But..." I whispered.
"You may leave."
Lilian snapped, "We're supposed to make a universal decision."
Gray shot her a warning look. "The decision has been made."
To me: "You may leave."
Please... please don't do this, I wanted to say. But I just stood there.
I swallowed. "Sorry for wasting your time."
I walked out. Fast. Blinking away the sting behind my eyes.
Kate had fought hard to get me this interview. And now I had blown it. Again.
The receptionist glared at me. Some guy in an Armani suit looked through me like I was invisible. I kept walking—straight into someone.
"Sorry," I blurted.
I didn't even look up. Just reached for the door—
A hand caught my arm.
He turned me gently but firmly, and suddenly I was looking up into the most magnificent blueeyes I'd ever seen.
Tousled black hair. Cold, sharp gaze.
Chase Carson.
"Is there a problem, Miss?"
His voice was deep. Smooth. It made me forget how to breathe. So deep. It felt like plunging into the sea.
Which would've been bad - I couldn't swim.
His eyes held mine, and for a moment I couldn't look away. Something in them made me want to fall forward and disappear.
No. No, snap out of it.
"No—nothing!" I stammered.
So embarrassing.
"I just came here for my interview."
He studied me. Too long.
Then, turning: "Follow me."
"But I'm—"
He didn't stop.
I glanced at the door. Then at him.
Second chances don't come twice.
I followed him.
He didn't speak as we entered the glass elevator. We rode in silence.
Up. Up.
Top floor.
His office.
He sat behind a sleek glass desk. I stood awkwardly until he gestured to the chair opposite.
I sat.
"So," he said, leaning back. "You're Ellen Michaels."
"Yes"
"Why CMI?"
"I... I wanted to work here"
A ghost of a smile."So do half of the world"
I hesitated. "I thought I could learn. I want to work hard. I know I don't have experience, but I want to be better and I learn fast. I'm very hardworking too."
He watched me. Silent.
"They turned you down, didn't they?"
"Yes."
"And you stayed."
I nodded. "I didn't know where else to go."
More silence. Then:
"You're hired."
I stared at him. "I... what?"
"Executive assistant. Start tomorrow. 7:30 a.m."
My mouth opened. Then closed.
"You're serious?"
"Very."
I stood, too fast. Nearly dropped my bag. "Thank you—thank you so much."
He said nothing.
"Really I'm very grateful"
He smiled and just nodded once. "Go home, Miss Michaels."
Kate was waiting with noodles and sarcasm.
"You WHAT?!"
I grinned. "I got the job."
She blinked. "They rejected you. Then you ran into Carson. And he HIRED you?!"
"Basically."
Kate narrowed her eyes. "That man doesn't hire anyone himself. You shook his damn world."
"No, Kate. I just—"
"Ellie," she said, mouth full of noodles, "you bewitched the ice king."
I laughed. Tired, relieved.
I had no idea what tomorrow would bring.
But I got the job.
That was enough for me