Ayira
As I walked down Willow Creek Lane, humming softly to myself, I headed toward the main road to catch a taxi to Elmspring Road.
That was where Mrs. Cole and Winslow lived. They were middle-class residents, and I still didn't understand why they continued to patronize us when so many people were already in the business. There were countless expensive soap and skincare brands out there, yet they still chose ours.
Maybe it was because my mom was exceptional at what she did. Even though sales had dropped drastically, she always made sure to use high-quality, expensive chemicals in her soaps. She never compromised on quality.
When I got to the road, everywhere was busy, but there was no sign of a taxi. I waited for a while, watching people rush past. A few minutes later, one finally appeared. I flagged it down.
"Elmspring Road, mister. How much?" I
asked before opening the door.
"Five velars," he replied.
I entered the taxi, relieved. I had learned my lesson the previous day after arguing endlessly with a driver simply because I hadn't asked the fare beforehand.
I sat by the window, my favorite spot, beside another woman. The warm hum of the taxi, the faint smell of gasoline, and the occasional honk of impatient drivers made me feel both connected and detached from the city. I stared outside, lost in thought
I needed a job, urgently. We couldn't afford to lose our house. I needed to help my mom. She had done so much for me already. I had to get a job by next week. I had to.
I got down at Elmspring Road, paid the driver, and walked into the estate. I couldn't help admiring the place, silently wishing that one day we would be able to live somewhere like this.
The estate was a bustling middle-class neighborhood, with neatly lined houses, paved roads, and small green spaces where children played. It had a lively yet orderly atmosphere, comfortable without being extravagant.
Mrs. Cole's house was the first stop. Since she and Winslow were neighbors, I delivered to both of them. They paid me twenty velars each, and then I headed to Rayen's house.
Rayen had been my friend since high school. We also graduated together from Eastbridge University. She studied Architecture and now worked at one of the biggest real estate empires in Norwind, Thorne Legacy Properties.
The company was owned by Roderic Thorne, one of the most influential men in the country. Rayen was lucky; her father was a professor with strong connections. She had promised to inform me whenever a job opportunity came up.
When I got to the gate, I knocked twice before the gatekeeper opened it.
"Good morning, Miss Ayira. You look good as always," he said.
I smiled. "Good morning, Daren. You never get tired of complimenting me. Is Rayen at home?"
"Yes, she is. You're welcome."
I entered the house but didn't see anyone in the living room. Maybe Rayen's parents weren't around. I walked toward her room, knocked, and received no response. I pushed the door open,it was empty.
Then I noticed the study room door was ajar. I peeked inside and saw Rayen typing furiously on her laptop, like her life depended on it.
I tiptoed closer and covered her eyes.
"Riri?" she said immediately. "I know it's you. I can already smell your cologne."
I laughed and removed my hands. "Of course you can. You have the nose of a dog."
She turned, stood up, and hugged me tightly.
"Riri, I'm tired. I'm really tired. I wish I could quit, but you know this is what I love doing. This project is wrecking me. Bosszilla is after my life."
"I understand you, Rae," I said. "And I wish I felt the same way. At least you have a job. I'm just here, unemployed and drifting."
"You're not lazy," she said firmly. "You just haven't found the right job yet, and you will. I promise."
"My mom is exhausted," I admitted quietly. "The loans keep increasing, and she's tired. For her to complain to me about it means she's really worn out."
"I understand, Riri. I really do. I wish I could help more."
I noticed the house was quiet. "I didn't see anyone when I came in."
"My parents traveled for a seminar," she replied.
"Oh, okay."
"What would you like to eat?" she asked. "I'm sure you haven't had breakfast."
I smiled. "Anything is fine."
Rayen called Mrs. Kate to prepare breakfast, then returned to her desk.
"So, what are you working on?" I asked.
"There's a new project," she explained. "I'm designing the launch strategy, but Mr. Thorne keeps rejecting it. I'm supposed to be done by Monday."
"I can help," I offered. "I'll be here till evening."
Her eyes lit up. "Riri, thank you. You have no idea what this means to me."
"You don't need to thank me," I said softly. "You've always been there for me since high school. Especially financially. I don't take that lightly."
She smiled. "Stop it. I value our friendship too."
I sat beside her and started working on the laptop. My fingers tapped nervously at first, then settled into rhythm. The soft hum of the computer and clicking of the keyboard became oddly comforting, a small pocket of control in my chaotic life.
Ten minutes later, Mrs. Kate knocked and brought in scrambled eggs, toast with jam, and black tea. We ate quickly and continued working.
An hour later, we finished at the same time.
"This is really good," Rayen said, reviewing the work. "Mr. Thorne will definitely approve this. I don't understand why companies aren't hiring you with such qualifications."
"Well," I smiled, "I don't know who knows who."
She was about to reply when her phone rang.
"What? Are you serious?" she exclaimed.
"I have someone in mind… I'll ask her first."
She hung up and turned to me, eyes wide.
"Mr. Kael fired his secretary today. They're looking for a replacement."
I froze. "Are you serious? I'm ready. I don't care how cold or grumpy he is, I can handle it."
"Riri, he's very annoying," she warned.
"You're emotional. Are you sure?"
"I don't have a choice," I said firmly. "I'll work for two months, clear our loans, and then leave if I must."
"The interview is Monday," she said. "We'll go together."
I thanked her and left shortly after.
*****
When we arrived at Thorne Legacy Properties, my mouth fell open. The headquarters was a towering glass-and-steel skyscraper, modern, intimidating, and powerful. Inside, luxury met control: marble floors, minimalist art, and tightly secured access points.
Over fifty applicants were already waiting. I received number 53. My palms were sweaty, and my heart thumped loudly. I forced myself to breathe slowly, trying not to tremble in front of the crowd.
When it was finally my turn, I entered the interview room. A handsome man sat in the center, flanked by two women. I answered every question honestly, even admitting I lacked professional experience. I went home convinced I wouldn't get the job.
Later that evening, my phone rang. I answered.
"Yes, this is Ayira Weslyn… What? Are you serious? Thank you so much!"
I ran into the kitchen, screaming, "Mom! I got the job!"
****
The Next Day at the Company
The woman that called me took me up to his office,she showed me the tablet that contains whatever I need to know, and the rules and regulations.
The first time I saw Mr. Kael Thorne, I didn't see him.
I froze in front of him.
I had been seated at my desk, trying to look like I belonged there,like my palms weren't sweaty, like my heart wasn't pounding, like I hadn't spent the last five minutes rehearsing how to breathe normally in a building that smelled like money and pressure. The entire floor felt too polished, too quiet, too important for someone like me.
Then the glass door opened.
And he walked in.
Not hurried. Not loud. Just… present. Like the room adjusted itself around him without being asked.
He was dressed in black,of course he was,tailored so perfectly it looked unfair. His shoulders were broad, his posture straight, and the way he moved was calm and exact, like he never wasted energy on unnecessary steps. Even his silence felt expensive.
And his face...
God.
His features were clean and sharp, not the gentle kind of handsome that makes you smile. This was the kind that made you stare before you could stop yourself. A strong jaw, smooth skin, lips set in a firm line, and eyes that were the most unsettling shade of green I'd ever seen,cold, focused, and unreadable, like he didn't carry emotions, he carried decisions.
He didn't smile. Didn't greet anyone. Didn't even glance around like normal people do when they enter a space.
He walked like someone who already knew he was the most important thing in the room.
I watched him without blinking.
It wasn't intentional,I swear it wasn't. My eyes are just… stuck. Like my brain couldn't process that a man could look like that and still be real. Like he belonged on magazine covers, not behind a desk signing documents and making people nervous with a single look.
I even forgot the fear I'd been holding all morning.
For a few stupid seconds, all I could think was: So this is him.
This is the man everyone whispers about.
This is the one Rae warned me about like he was a storm you couldn't predict.
He passed my desk, and I held my breath like a child trying not to get caught doing something wrong. My gaze followed him,his watch flashing briefly under the lights, the slight tightening of his jaw as he adjusted his cuff, the quiet confidence that clung to him like perfume.
I didn't even realize I was staring until he stopped.
Not fully turning,just enough to let his eyes slice in my direction.
And when those green eyes landed on me, it felt like the room snapped back into focus all at once.
Like I'd been caught in a daydream I didn't ask for.
His voice came out calm, but sharp enough to cut.
"Are you here to work… or to stare at me?"
My stomach dropped straight to the floor.
Heat rushed into my face so fast I almost panicked. I looked down immediately, gripping the edge of my desk like it could save me.
"I….I'm sorry, sir," I managed, barely above a whisper.
He didn't respond right away. I felt his gaze on me for one long second,measured, cold, and too aware.
Then he turned and continued walking into his office like I hadn't just embarrassed myself in front of the most intimidating man I had ever seen.
But even after he disappeared behind the glass, my heart didn't calm down.
Because the truth was…
I wasn't just nervous.
I was affected.
And that scared me almost as much as he did.
Then the office phone rang I picked it up and it was him.
"I need my daily schedule and all meetings for today in the next two minutes," he continued coldly. "I don't joke with my time."
Two minutes?
I sat down immediately, heart pounding as I searched through the laptop. I had already seen the schedule earlier, I just needed to present it properly.
Remembering everything I'd heard about him, I knew one thing for sure: I could not afford to get on his bad side on my first day.
Tablet in hand, I hurried to his office.
I knocked.
No response.
I stood there, waiting, expecting him to call me in. Seconds passed. Then a full minute. Then another. My anxiety rose with every tick of the clock.
After exactly two minutes, I gently opened the glass door and stepped inside.
He was seated at his desk, focused on his laptop. The faint smell of coffee lingered in the room, and the sharp clack of his fingers on the keyboard echoed in the quiet space.
"So," he said without looking up, "you really want to start getting on my nerves on your first day?"
"I knocked, sir, but you didn't answer," I said softly.
His head snapped up.
"You do not talk while I'm talking!" he thundered. "Do not ever try that again, or you'll see the other side of me. Don't you ever open your stinking mouth when I'm talking!"
"UNDERSTOOD?"
My chest tightened painfully. Tears burned behind my eyes as I nodded.
"Answer with your mouth,"
he snapped.
"You're not a lizard!"
"Understood, sir," I whispered.
"Get the hell out of my face."
I turned and left, holding back the tears that threatened to fall. The moment I reached my office, I shut the door, sank into the chair, and broke down.
I might act like a strong girl, but not when I'm being shouted at like that. This was just my first day, and I was already crying. Can I really do this?