The morning sun poured through the towering glass windows of Ariston Enterprises, illuminating the polished floors and sleek modern interiors. The office buzzed with quiet efficiency, but when Melissa entered, the air shifted almost imperceptibly. She walked with calm assurance, heels clicking softly on the marble, her poise demanding attention without a word.
Though she had met Jace Ariston countless times in upper-class social circles, today was different. She was here in a professional capacity, to finalize a contract for the upcoming high-profile ad campaign. This wasn't a gala or a charity event—it was the inner workings of his empire, a world most only glimpsed from the outside.
Staff members couldn't help themselves. Glances darted her way, whispers spread like wildfire, and a few of the younger interns leaned closer to see her more clearly.
"She's really something," one whispered, unable to hide his awe.
"And she's signing a contract with Ariston Enterprises? This is huge," another muttered, practically bouncing in place.
Melissa ignored the whispers, moving confidently to the HR department. The manager greeted her with a professional smile, leading her to a small conference room where the contract was neatly laid out on the table.
"Welcome, Miss Melissa," the HR manager said, handing her the documents. "We're thrilled to have you on board for the campaign. Please take your time reviewing and signing the contract."
Melissa nodded gracefully. "Thank you. I'm excited to get started."
She read through each clause with practiced attention, her pen gliding across the signature line when she was satisfied. The process was formal but straightforward—she had handled contracts like this countless times before. Within minutes, she was finished, and the HR manager collected the papers with a smile of approval.
Melissa walked back toward the lobby after signing the HR contract, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. She hadn't glanced around; her focus was sharp, professional. She had one objective—And is to see Jace.
As she reached the reception, she spotted Clara, Jace's assistant, standing near the front desk. Melissa approached her with a polite, composed smile.
"Clara," she said smoothly. "Is jace in the office?"
Clara's eyes flicked toward her, professional but courteous. "He's in a meeting at the moment," she replied. "Would you like to wait?"
Melissa nodded, her voice calm and confident. "I'll wait"
Clara gave a small nod before heading back upstairs to the top floor—her office was there, right beside Jace's, as his assistant. The office itself was on the topmost floor, giving Jace a clear view over the city, and Clara had been managing his schedule meticulously for years.
Melissa waited in the lobby, her posture relaxed but her mind alert. She wasn't usually one to wait idly, but she had patience. She knew Jace would eventually step out.
Twenty minutes passed. Staff whispered among themselves, glancing at Melissa with barely concealed excitement. Finally, Jace emerged from the conference room, straightening his jacket and adjusting the cuff of his sleeve. Clara approached him immediately.
"Sir, Miss Melissa is waiting in the lobby to see you," she informed him.
Jace's brow furrowed slightly. "Why does she want to see me? She's signing with HR today?"
Clara nodded. "Yes, sir, but she signed the contract over twenty minutes ago. She's waiting to speak with you personally."
Jace paused, his expression tightening. He didn't particularly want to meet Melissa. Not today. Not when he had other matters on his mind. Yet, reluctantly, he nodded. "Bring her up."
"Okay, sir." She gestured for Melissa to follow, and the actress rose, walking confidently behind Clara as she led the way to the top floor.
Melissa adjusted her posture, subtly checking her makeup and smoothing her outfit as they approached Jace's office. She took a deep breath, clearing her voice, intending to call out to Jace in a tone that sounded sweet and calm.
Pushing the door open, she tried to summon her practiced charm. "Mr. Ariston…" she began, her voice soft and polite.
But before she could even finish his name, her eyes caught sight of something unexpected.
Selena. Sitting quietly in the far corner of the office, her posture calm but guarded, her focus on some paperwork in front of her.
Melissa froze mid-step, her hand hovering near the doorframe. Shock coursed through her. She hadn't expected to see Selena here, in the same office, in the same space as Jace.
Selena, sensing the movement, lifted her head and her eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected Melissa to appear here either. The tension was immediate, thick, and electric.
Melissa's mind raced back to the first time they had met—Mr. Climate's birthday party. She remembered seeing Jace and Selena together, the way he had brushed her off with a single sentence when she had tried to talk to him. She had thought then that Selena was just an assistant, someone peripheral in Jace's world. Melissa, never one to give in easily, had tried to probe Selena at the party, quietly approaching her in a corner while Selena nibbled on food.
Back then, Melissa had asked about Jace, curious about his relationship with this quiet woman. Selena had told her she was just Jace's secretary, and Melissa, thinking that was a cover, had kept her feelings and suspicions close to her chest. She had admitted her own attraction to Jace at the time, subtly hoping to stake a claim, even knowing that something about their dynamic seemed… unusual.
But now, seeing them in the same office—Selena sitting in the far corner, calm and composed, and Jace at his desk—Melissa felt a jolt of surprise. She hadn't anticipated this arrangement. Not here. Not now.
Clearing her throat, Melissa walked a few steps into the office, careful to maintain her poise. "Hello, Selena," she said evenly, her voice polite but tinged with subtle challenge. She didn't mention Jace yet, keeping her focus on the woman in front of her.
Selena blinked, a flicker of recognition and caution crossing her face. "Miss Anderson," she replied softly, her tone neutral, but her body tensed slightly. She had remembered Melissa from the birthday party—the probing questions, the subtle confidence, the unspoken challenge.