I arrived at the glass building feeling like I was about to face a battlefield. My palms were sweaty, and my stomach twisted into knots I couldn't ignore. The receptionist smiled politely, and I told her I had an interview. She handed me a visitor badge, and I walked down the long, sterile corridor, trying to calm my racing thoughts.
The door to the office opened before I could knock. "Ms. Daniels?" a deep voice called.
I froze. My heart slammed against my ribs. I knew that voice. I had heard it once before, in the dark, when the city slept. Alexander Blackwood. My stomach flipped, and I tried to steady my expression.
"Yes," I said, forcing my voice to be calm.
He stepped forward, tall and imposing in a tailored suit. His eyes scanned me, sharp and precise. He didn't recognize me, and part of me wanted to be grateful for that. Part of me wanted to scream and run.
"Good morning," he said, voice steady and cold. "Follow me."
I followed him into the conference room, my heart racing for reasons I didn't fully understand. He gestured to a chair at the far end of the table. "Sit."
As I settled, I noticed another woman in the room. Vanessa Sinclair. She leaned casually against the wall, perfect and radiant, with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. I felt it immediately, the subtle tension she radiated toward me. She was possessive without even speaking.
Alexander didn't introduce us, but Vanessa didn't need an introduction. Her eyes lingered on him with a familiarity I couldn't ignore. I bristled, even though I had no right to.
The interview began. Alexander asked questions, his tone neutral, sharp, and slightly intimidating. I answered carefully, measuring every word, trying not to show the panic threatening to bubble out of me. Every now and then, his gaze flicked to me in a way that made my chest tighten. There was curiosity there, buried beneath the cold. I tried not to notice it.
Vanessa spoke once, subtly, offering a comment meant to undermine me, I thought. I met her eyes and smiled politely, refusing to show that her words irritated me. I couldn't let her intimidate me. Not here, not now.
"Your resume is impressive," Alexander said, his tone clipped. "But tell me, why do you want this position?"
I swallowed hard. "I want to challenge myself," I said, keeping my voice steady. "I want to contribute to a company that values results and integrity."
He raised an eyebrow, studying me as if deciding whether I was lying. "Results are important," he said finally. "Integrity is subjective, depending on who defines it. Are you prepared for a world where people take shortcuts and expect compliance?"
I didn't hesitate. "Yes. I don't work to please people. I work to deliver."
For a moment, he was silent. Then he nodded slightly, almost imperceptibly. Something flickered in his eyes. Recognition? Curiosity? I didn't know. I couldn't know.
The interview ended. I stood, my legs trembling slightly, and Alexander didn't offer a hand or a smile. He simply said, "We'll be in touch."
I nodded, my heart pounding in my ears. As I turned to leave, I caught Vanessa's eyes again. She was smiling too widely now, her lips perfect, her gaze sharp. I felt a chill run down my spine. I didn't know her story, but I knew she would be a problem.
Outside, I leaned against the wall, letting out a shaky breath. I had survived the interview, but that was only the beginning. Alexander Blackwood was dangerous, magnetic, and I had no idea how close I would come to him again.
And somewhere deep down, I knew I wanted to find out.