Aria Hale adjusted the strap of her tote bag and took a deep breath as she stood outside the towering glass building. The reflection of the city's skyline glinted off the polished surface, a perfect mirror for the world she was about to enter-a world she had always admired from a distance but never expected to touch. Today, she wasn't just visiting; she was stepping inside as the new personal assistant to Alexander Knight, the city's most intimidating and notoriously arrogant CEO.
Her stomach twisted in nervous anticipation. She had read every article about him, memorized every scandal and business manoeuvre he'd ever pulled off, and yet nothing could have prepared her for the icy sensation of stepping through the revolving doors.
The lobby was huge and sleek, all marble and steel, displaying a stark minimalism that screamed power. A receptionist barely looked up as she announced Aria's arrival.
"Your appointment with Mr. Knight is at ten o'clock," she said flatly, eyes flicking to her screen before returning to the task in front of her.
Aria nodded, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor as she followed the elevator signs to the upper floors. The elevator ride was quiet but for the soft hum of machinery; still, the tension in the air felt like static electricity. The palms of her hands were slick, and she found herself nervously wiping them on her skirt.
When the executive floor doors slid open, she was met with an office that would pass for a modern art museum. Glass walls, sleek black furniture, and clean lines gave the place an ice-cold feeling. And then there he was.
Alexander Knight.
He stood behind a polished mahogany desk, sifting through a stack of documents with a frown that intimated the weight of the entire city rested on his shoulders. Dark hair perfectly styled, piercing gray eyes that seemed to see right through her, and a tailored black suit that screamed authority. He didn't so much as glance up as she stepped in, but the aura of command surrounding him made Aria's stomach flip.
"I'm Aria Hale," she said politely, forcing herself to project confidence. "Your new assistant."
He finally looked up, and Aria's breath caught. His gaze was sharp, evaluating, like a predator assessing whether she was prey or threat. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, almost imperceptible, but it made her uneasy.
"Sit," he said, low and controlled, yet commanding. It wasn't a question.
Aria perched on the edge of the chair opposite his desk, hands neatly folded in her lap. Every muscle in her body felt tense, as if he could sense her heartbeat. She reminded herself to breathe.
"You're. young," he said, finally breaking the silence, gray eyes scanning her up and down like a critique on display. "And ambitious, I suppose."
Aria's eyes narrowed slightly. "I can assure you, Mr. Knight, I'm perfectly capable of handling whatever tasks you assign me."
A momentary pause. Then his smirk widened just that little bit. "We'll see."
That one, belittling phrase caused her blood to boil, yet she made herself nod serenely. He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers, studying her, as though searching for any weakness.
"Your first task," he began, "is to organize my schedule for the week. Meetings, travel, dinners--everything. No mistakes. I don't tolerate incompetence."
Aria straightened. "Of course. I'll make sure it's flawless."
"Flawless isn't good enough," he said, almost offhand, but the edge in his tone served notice this was no game. "It has to be perfect. If I have to correct even one detail, you'll regret wasting my time."
Her jaw tightened. She wasn't afraid, not precisely-but neither could she deny the challenge implicit in his words. "Understood," she said, making her tone steady.
Suddenly he leaned forward, his elbows propped on the desk, and for the first time, his expression softened, just a fraction. "You're feisty. I like that. Don't let it get you in trouble."
Aria blinked, surprised. He didn't give her time to say anything before his assistant poked her head into the office.
"Mr. Knight, your ten o'clock call is here. And the press liaison just emailed about tomorrow's gala."
Alexander straightened immediately, the predatory aura returning. "Send them in."
Aria sat back, her heart thundering. She'd survived the first verbal sparring, but this was only the beginning. Every fiber of her being told her that working for Alexander Knight would be more than just a job-it would be a battlefield, and she had no intention of backing down.
As she left his office, she could feel his eyes follow her out the door, the glance lingering a little too long for comfort. He's arrogant, impossible, and infuriating. She muttered under her breath. Perfect. Just the kind of challenge I need. Little did she know, that challenge would extend far beyond the walls of the office.