The voice sent a shiver down her spine.
"...Yellow?"
Seraphina's head whipped around. And there he was—the man from the dawn road, framed in the dim light of the garage. Same icy eyes, same aura of untouchable arrogance.
Her chest tightened, not from awe, but from sheer displeasure. Of course it's him. Who else would my luck throw in my way again?
She frowned, clutching her scarf tighter. "You." The word came out flat, casual, as though she were addressing some nuisance on the street.
Cassian Vale raised a brow. He wasn't used to being spoken to like that. Behind him, his chauffeur stiffened, darting uneasy glances at his boss.
But Seraphina continued, her tone matter-of-fact, as though complaining to an old neighbor. "Ever since I met you, everything's gone wrong. My things got ruined, I couldn't get a job, and now this—" she tugged her stained shirt, glaring down at it. "It's like your presence is cursed. Honestly, I should've stayed in the countryside."
Cassian's eyes narrowed. His chauffeur nearly dropped the keys. Nobody—nobody—spoke to Vale Corporation's CEO like this.
Yet the man himself remained silent. His gaze followed her, sharp but unreadable, as though testing her audacity.
And Seraphina, blissfully unaware of who he was, tilted her head and asked lightly, "Wait—did you also come for the interview? Or do you already work here?"
For the first time in years, Cassian was caught off guard.
She smiled faintly at her own thought. "If you came for the interview too, then I'm glad they didn't pick you. At least you'd get to suffer this bad luck with me."
The chauffeur's eyes widened, horrified. Cassian's jaw ticked. He clicked his tongue, glancing at his wristwatch. Why was he irritated? Was it her endless chatter? Or the fact that she looked at him—and didn't recognize him at all?
"Sir," the chauffeur said softly, bowing his head, "your meeting."
Without a word, Cassian placed a hand on Seraphina's shoulder and moved her aside. She stumbled, staring up at him in disbelief as he opened the door of the sleek black car.
He slid inside without sparing her another glance. The chauffeur bowed apologetically before joining him, and within seconds, the car purred to life and drove away.
Seraphina stood frozen, her pulse hammering. She bit her lip, holding back the curse on her tongue. "What is wrong with the people in this city? Arrogant, every single one of them!"
Her scarf slipped against the stained shirt, the reminder of her humiliation pressing in. At last, she ordered another blouse with her cracked phone, the money in her pocket burning like shame.
Then, exhausted and disappointed, she made her way home—unaware that the city had only just begun to test her.
---
The night air was crisp, the glow of the city lights casting long shadows over the streets. She had spent the day searching, only to end up in the lobby of a five-star hotel and restaurant, desperately hoping someone would give her a chance.
But instead of opportunity, she met humiliation. The manager leaned back with a greasy smile, telling her bluntly that the only way she could work there was if she "pleased" the boss. Her stomach twisted in disgust. Without a second thought, she rejected the offer and stormed out, her pride intact but her spirit bruised.
As she tightened the yellow scarf around her neck and made for the exit, fate decided to mock her again.
She bumped straight into him.
Her eyes widened. His narrowed.
"You again," she muttered under her breath, stepping back.
Vale's gaze darkened as he looked her over. "Are you following me?" His tone was sharp, accusing, the kind that made even grown men falter.
She blinked at him, then scoffed. "Me? I should be asking you that. How is it that everywhere I try to find a job, you're there ruining it? Are you cursed—or am I just unlucky?" She pouted, her eyes flashing with frustration.
Vale raised a brow at her nerve, his expression unreadable. Beside him, his chauffeur shifted uneasily, watching the exchange. The girl didn't even realize who she was talking to—or maybe she didn't care.
"Sir, we're running late," the chauffeur reminded quietly.
Vale clicked his tongue, checking his watch. Without another word, he brushed past her, his presence cold and commanding, and slid into his car. His chauffeur bowed slightly in apology before following him inside.
The car roared to life, leaving her staring after it in disbelief.
"What is wrong with people in this city?!" she exclaimed under her breath, fighting the urge to scream. "Arrogant, self-centered…" She bit off the rest of her words and turned away.
But before she could take three steps, headlights washed over her again. The sleek black car reversed, pulling up directly in front of her.
Her heart skipped. Confusion spread across her face.
The tinted glass lowered slowly. His sharp gaze found her, pinning her in place.
"Are you back for more?" she stammered, half-nervous, half-defiant.
"Get in," Vale said coldly.
Her eyes widened. "Oh, now you want to kidnap me?"
His patience thinned, though his voice remained calm, dangerous. "Do you need a job or not?"
She gawked at him, trying to find the right words, when suddenly he leaned forward, pushed the door open, and with one swift motion, pulled her inside.
The car door shut with a final click.