03
That night I lay on my bed unable to sleep with thoughts swirling around my mind.
I got the job.
I had been constantly pinching myself throughout the day every time I'm reminded of the fact that I wasn't unemployed now. In fact I was hired in one of the most powerful business industry in the country.
You deserve it Lenora, my mind has been repeating. Of course I did. But for what awaits me tomorrow had be in a million thoughts.
In another life I aspire to be a designer, specifically focusing on becoming an interior designer but here I had different things planned by god.
The last thing on my mind before sleep took over me was the excitement for what is to happen tomorrow.
I woke up earlier than usual, around 6:00am wanting to make sure I had everything ready and perfect on my first day. My mind was all over the place as I got dressed and did my makeup keeping it all simple and professional.
What if I stutter.
What if I mess things up.
Since the only work experience I had was via internet getting out of my comfort zone and having to work with real people stresses me out.
You can't always keep ignoring the outside world Lenora, I tell myself.
I took the uber to reach my destination since it was a ten minutes ride while the subway pass would take at least twenty minutes. Being late wasn't an option, and being late on my first day was definitely not going to end well.
The elevator ride to the top floor felt longer than it should have, though I knew it wasn't the elevator—it was my nerves.
I clutched my notebook tightly to my chest, palms slightly damp despite the best efforts to steady them.
The soft ding of the elevator reaching its destination made me jump, as I quickly adjusted my blouse, soothing myself to stay calm.
This was my opportunity.
But stepping into the headquarters of Maroni Industries felt more like walking into a lion's den. The sleek marble floors, the glass walls, the hushed tones of the staff—it was all so clinical, so intimidating.
And then there was him.
I was no one new to have had heard the stories about Luca Maroni long before I accepted the position. He was a legend in the corporate world, known for his razor-sharp mind and even sharper tongue. Cold, ruthless, and impossibly brilliant.
The kind of man who could build empires with one hand and destroy them with the other.
After the man from yesterday who had introduced himself to me as Rick Paloma showed me the way towards the office, I took a deep breath and starting walking towards the direction.
I smoothed down my skirt one last time and stepped through the open doors, my breath catching as I took in the office.
It wasn't just an office—it was a statement.
Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a commanding view of the city, the furniture was minimalist but impossibly expensive, and the air seemed to hum with authority.
And then my eyes found him.
He was standing by the window, his back to me, a silhouette of unyielding power against the gray skyline. His tailored suit fit him perfectly, the dark fabric emphasizing the broad lines of his shoulders. When he turned,
oh.my.god.
I was struck by the intensity of his gaze—cool, assessing, and far too sharp.
"Good morning, Mr. Maroni," I said, surprised at how steady my voice sounded.
Good job Lenora keep it up.
For a moment, he didn't respond, his piercing eyes sweeping over me like I was an equation he was calculating. I fought the urge to fidget under his scrutiny, reminding myself that I'd earned this chance.
"Lenora Williams," he said finally, his voice low and deliberate.
Dear lord his voice.
Something about his voice made me internally flush for unknown reasons. Out of all things I didn't expect Luca Maroni to be an attractive man.
Maybe the most attractive one I've laid eyes on.
"Yes," I replied, forcing myself to meet his gaze cancelling out my inappropriate thoughts.
"I'm your new personal assistant."
He stepped closer, the air between us suddenly feeling thinner. His presence was overwhelming, as though he could bend the room to his will simply by existing in it.
"You're younger than I expected," he said, his tone flat.