I followed the receptionist down a quiet hallway. The carpet was so soft my shoes barely made a sound, but my heart was pounding. I was sweating, even though the building was cool. My hands were shaking, so I wiped them on my coat when she wasn't looking.
"You can go in now," the receptionist said as she opened the door.
I stepped into the office.
It was big, far bigger than I expected. The office looked like it came out of a movie. The wall on the left side of the room was all windows, showing the New York skyline, the whole room felt expensive. Everything was dark and modern. It was neat, and very serious-looking.
There was a man standing near the window with his back to me.
"Mr. Knight will see you now," the receptionist said again before closing the door.
The man turned around.
And just like that, my breath caught in my throat.
He was tall and broad-shouldered. His black suit fit him perfectly. His hair was dark brown and slightly messy, in an imperfect perfect way. His face was handsome in a quiet, serious kind of way. But it was his eyes that got to me, cold, calm, and sharp. Like he could see everything. Like he could see through me.
"Miss Hart?" he said.
I nodded quickly. "Yes. I'm Amara. Amara Hart."
He pointed to the chair across from his desk. "Sit", he said rather coldly.
I sat down slowly, trying not to fumble with my bag. He returned to his chair and looked at me carefully. His face didn't show much. I couldn't tell what he was thinking.
But something about the way he looked at me made me feel strange. Like he was searching for something he already knew.
Like he knew me.
He stared at me for what seemed like an eternity while I shuffled nervously in my seat. I looked down the entire time, noticing all the scratches on my shoes.
I gathered all the courage in me and muttered, "my résumé sir," handing my documents to him.
"I've looked through them already", he says without looking away from my face. "That necklace, where did you get it?", he asked sharply.
I am caught off guard by the question, "my mom made it", I reply as politely as I can, still shocked by the question.
"Why are you in New York?"he asked, I heard a glint of concern in his voice, or so I thought.
"I came to New York for my father. He's sick. We needed better hospitals. I need a job that pays well. I'm trying my best," I added, my voice softer now.
He looked at me for another long moment, like he was trying to figure me out.
"This job isn't easy," he said. "I need someone who's smart, careful, and always on time. My schedule changes often. There will be pressure. And I expect full trust and silence when needed."
I nodded, my back straight. "I understand."
"And when things get hard, which they will, I need someone who can handle it."
"I can handle it," I said firmly. "I don't give up."
He leaned back in his chair. "Why should I hire you?"
I looked him in the eye. "Because I don't have the choice to fail."
His eyes didn't blink. He sat still for a moment longer, then said, "You're hired."
I blinked. "Wait, what?"
"You'll get the contract by the end of the day. You'll start tomorrow."
I stared at him. "Thank you. I… thank you."
"You may go."
I stood up, nearly knocking over my bag. My legs felt like jelly. "I promise, you won't regret this."
"Yeah," he said.
He stood, too, towering over me, walked towards the door and stood there. I try to open the door but it's awkward because he is standing right there.
"May I?", I ask.
"Oh, oh, yes"
As I stepped out, I caught one last look at him. He still wore that unreadable expression, a bit softer than before, like he was trying to figure me out.
The receptionist barely glanced at me as I walked past.
I made it to the elevator, and the moment the doors shut, I let out a long breath. I was still shaking. My reflection in the elevator wall looked shocked, like I'd just stepped out of a dream. Or a nightmare. I couldn't decide which.
Elan Knight was… something else. Calm, quiet, and kind of cold, but also powerful. There was something strange about the way he looked at me. Like he knew me. But I didn't know him. Not even a little. How would I know someone like that?
I pulled out my phone and texted Cassie
"I got it"
Immediately I hit send, my phone chimed. I look at my screen, it's Cassie.
"Oh my God!, come straight to my office right now, 12th floor!"
I smiled at my screen, feeling lighter now.
When the elevator doors opened, I followed the hallway signs toward the Public Relations department. Everything in this building was so shiny and big. I felt like I was walking through someone else's life.
As I turned the corner, still looking down at Cassie's text, I suddenly bumped into someone.
Hard.
My bag slipped from my shoulder, falling to the ground.
"Oh, sorry!" I said quickly, looking up.
I bent down to pick up my bag and the spilled contents. I stand up and feel myself falling down again, damn low iron, I'm fainting.
A man reached out to hold my elbow, steadying me. "Are you okay?"
He looked like he belonged on a magazine cover, blonde hair, clean suit, and a smile that seemed both kind and mischievous.
"I wasn't paying attention," I said, trying to lean on the walls of the elevator.
"No problem," he said. "You must be new here."
"Just started today."
He smiled wider and offered his hand. I'm Trevor. My mouth went dry. "Oh… I'm Amara."
"Nice to meet you, Amara." His eyes roamed over my face a little too slowly. "Mr. Knight hired you himself?"
I nodded.
"Interesting," he said, his voice full of something I couldn't name.
I forced a polite smile and shifted my bag higher on my shoulder. "I'm actually looking for PR. Cassie James?"
"Floor 12. You're close," he said. "Cassie's great. Everyone here knows her."
"Thanks."
He gave me a wink. "See you around, Miss..."
"Hart, Amara Hart", I reminded him.
"Okay, Hart, I'll do well to remember that."
Ding, the elevator chimed, 12th floor, "I'm here", I say as the elevator doors slid open. I walked away quickly, his gaze still burning on my back.
"See ya later," He called out.
I didn't look back.
Something about him felt… off. Too smooth and too friendly.
Day one, and I was already in over my head.