Elena's POV
The moment I stepped into the glass tower of Wolfe & Co., my breath caught.
It was… stunning.
The kind of place you imagine in dreams—floor-to-ceiling windows, sharp-dressed people, soft piano music humming through the lobby. My heels clicked on the glossy floor as I followed the receptionist's directions, my nerves tying themselves into knots.
I could do this. I had to.
"This way, Ms. Reyes," an assistant smiled, leading me down a sleek hallway toward a private interview room.
But just as I passed a glass-walled conference room, I stopped in my tracks.
Wait. No way.
My eyes locked on a familiar face—sharp jaw, neatly styled hair, suit jacket slung over the chair behind him.
Zay.
The stranger from the flight.
He was sitting at a table, scrolling through a tablet like he belonged there.
I blinked, almost laughing. What were the chances?
Then he looked up. And saw me.
For a split second, something flashed in his eyes—shock, amusement, maybe a little panic. But before I could react, the assistant opened the door to a smaller room beside his and motioned me in.
"He'll be with you shortly," she said. "Your interviewer is the head of the marketing department."
Wait.
He?
No.
No, no, no…
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Zayden's POV
This wasn't supposed to happen.
Elena was supposed to go to a different department. One I had nothing to do with. I had told HR to spread the interviews across the team, not drop her in front of me like fate was playing a joke.
But here she was.
Elena Reyes. Applicant.
And I was about to interview her… while pretending to be someone else.
I ran a hand through my hair, threw my suit jacket back on, and took a deep breath. Then I stepped into the smaller interview room, putting on the version of me I hadn't used in years.
The low-profile, chill manager version.
She turned as I entered, and her eyes widened.
"You?" she whispered.
"Hey," I said casually. "Small world."
"What… what are you doing here?"
"I work here," I replied, smiling. "I head the marketing department. Today's interviews fell under me."
She stared. "You said you were in… consulting."
"I am," I said smoothly. "Marketing consulting. Technically accurate."
She narrowed her eyes, trying to process it. I could practically see the wheels turning in her head.
"So you're not… like… the CEO or something?"
I chuckled—too quickly.
"No," I lied gently. "Definitely not the CEO. Just your average department guy."
She visibly relaxed.
And something in my chest twisted.
Because lying to her felt wrong.
But I couldn't lose the way she looked at me. Like I wasn't a walking headline. Like I wasn't just a number on Forbes.
I needed to keep this—us—normal. For now.
---
Elena's POV
Zay—Zayden, apparently—was asking me questions like a real interviewer now. Professional. Calm. Polished.
But his eyes kept doing that thing… like he was listening to my words but also memorizing the way I said them.
I answered every question as best I could, heart pounding. My mind was racing, not just about the job… but him.
He wasn't a stranger anymore.
He was the boss.
Or… part of the boss structure?
Still, the image of him letting me sleep on his shoulder flashed in my head every time he smiled.
"I think that's all for now," he said finally, standing up.
I stood too, clutching my folder like a lifeline. "Thank you. For… everything."
"Of course," he said, then paused. "You did great."
There it was again—the plane version of him slipping through the mask. Softer. Realer.
As I turned to leave, I heard him add under his breath:
"I'm glad it was you."
I froze in the doorway.
But when I turned back to look, he was already seated again, tapping at his tablet like nothing had happened.
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