The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.
I stepped out and the executive floor swallowed me whole.
Everything here felt quieter, Sharper. Like even the air knew where it was. The glass walls reflected my nervous expression back at me as the assistant beaconed to me to follow him.
I followed the assistant down the hall, my heels sounding too loud in the silence.
We stopped in front of a wide door.
He knocked once.
"Come in."
The moment I walked inside, I felt it.
Alexander Thorn was standing by his desk, jacket off, sleeves rolled, posture relaxed but his eyes were not. They lifted to me instantly and stayed there. No politeness,No distraction. Just a slow, deliberate stare that made my steps falter for half a second.
He didn't look away.
I was very aware of it.
"Mr Thorn" the general manager said smoothly, stepping in beside me. "This is Lila, the new PR and Marketing Coordinator"
Alexander's gaze moved over my face, down to my hands, back up again. Like he was committing me to memory.
"I know" he said calmly.
The words shouldn't have sounded intimate. Somehow they did.
"Have a seat" he added, still looking at me.
I sat.
"She stood out immediately" the general manager continued. "Strong instincts, excellent awareness of brand positioning..."
Alexander lifted a hand cutting him off without looking away from me.
"I'll take it from here"
The general manager paused, then nodded. "Of course"
Alexander finally shifted his attention. "You may leave us"
The assistant and manager stared at each other
The door closed softly behind them.
Silence settled.
He walked toward me slowly like he already owned the space between us. I stayed seated, my spine straight, my pulse anything but slow.
"You look exactly like someone who knows why she's here" he said.
"I do," I replied though my voice came out softer than I meant it to.
A corner of his mouth lifted. "Good. I don't like uncertainty"
He stopped in front of me, close enough that I had to tilt my head to meet his eyes. His stare was intense now—open, assessing, unmistakably interested.
"I expect loyalty," he said. "confidentiality And excellence. If you work for me, you represent me"
Something about the way he said me sent a shiver down my spine.
"I won't disappoint you," I said.
"I believe that," he replied quietly.
Then his hand lifted.
Two fingers touched my chin, tilting my face up just slightly. The touch wasn't rough,it was controlled. Possessive in a way that felt intentional.
"You're beautiful" he said, as if stating a fact. "But don't mistake that for what caught my attention."
My breath caught.
"You carry yourself well," he continued. "That matters to me"
His thumb brushed away as he stepped back, eyes never leaving mine.
"When we're alone" he added, "you can call me Alex."
I hesitated. "Then you can call me Lila"
His gaze darkened just a fraction. "No" he said softly. "I prefer Lia."
My heart skipped.
"I'll be seeing you often," he said, returning to his desk. "Very often"
That wasn't reassurance,it sounded like a claim.
As I turned to leave, his voice followed me.
"Welcome to The House Of Thorn, Lia"
The door closed behind me, but his presence didn't fade.
Not even a little.