Selena sat at the small desk Jace had prepared for her, trying to ignore the weight of the luxurious office surrounding her. Everything shimmered with quiet power — the glass walls, the dark wooden shelves, the city skyline stretching endlessly behind them. It felt like stepping into another world, one she had no map for.
She was barely settling into her seat when Jace's assistant, Clara, approached her with a stack of neatly arranged files.
"These are your tasks for today, Ms. Ward," Clara said politely, but her eyes scanned Selena from head to toe, as if measuring how long she would last. "Mr. Ariston wants them sorted, labeled, and digitally organized."
Selena nodded. "Alright. I'll get started."
Clara didn't leave immediately. She leaned slightly closer and whispered, "A word of advice? Mr. Ariston doesn't tolerate mistakes."
Then, with a tight smile, she walked away.
Selena swallowed hard.
Of course he doesn't.
She opened the first folder, trying to understand the complex charts and financial terms she had never seen in her life. It wasn't just hard — it was intimidating.
Across the room, Jace worked silently, but she could feel his presence like a shadow. He didn't say a word, yet he watched her every few minutes, his cold eyes flicking toward her desk with unreadable expression.
Selena tried not to look back, but sometimes their gazes met. And each time, her heart thumped loudly in her chest.
After an hour of struggling through the documents, Selena stood and walked toward the printer. The device beeped loudly, snapping the silence in the office.
Jace lifted his eyes.
"Is something wrong?" His voice was deep, calm — but demanding.
Selena froze. "N-No. I just need to print something."
He raised a brow. "Then do it."
She quickly nodded and returned to her desk. But her hands were trembling a little, betraying her nerves.
After a few minutes, Jace stood up and walked toward her. His tall figure cast a subtle shadow over her desk.
"You're tense," he said, his voice low.
Selena blinked. "I'm… just trying to do a good job."
"Trying isn't enough here," Jace replied. "In this company, you perform."
His tone wasn't harsh — it was simply honest. That somehow made it worse.
Then he leaned slightly closer, his eyes locking onto hers.
"But I expect results. And I expect them today."
Selena clenched her fist under the desk, forcing herself not to look away.
"I'll do my best."
"You'll do more than that," he murmured, straightening up.
Then he returned to his desk, leaving her breathless.
The rest of the day moved slowly, filled with glances, tension, and moments Selena couldn't quite explain. Jace barely spoke, but his presence alone felt like an exam she couldn't prepare for.
Each time she made progress, she looked up — only to find him observing her again.
And each time, something unspoken passed between them.
Not anger.
Not dislike.
Something more dangerous.