%At home %
Lilly was deep asleep when her phone began to ring. She stirred slightly but didn't bother to reach for it, half-convinced it was part of a dream she didn't want to wake up from. The ringing stopped then started again. This time, more insistent. With a groan, she slowly opened her eyes and fumbled for the phone on the bedside table. Still drowsy, she lifted it and pressed it to her ear, her eyes already trying to close again.
"Are you Lilly?" a calm, unfamiliar voice asked from the other end of the line.
"Yes," Lilly replied softly, her voice thick with sleep as her mind struggled to catch up. Who could be calling this early?
"Congratulations, Miss Lilly. You have been employed by Kingsley Empire."
"What?" Lilly sat bolt upright, the fog of sleep instantly clearing. "How?" she asked, her heart pounding. "But I was told there were no vacancies," she added quickly, disbelief lacing her voice.
"Yes, that is correct," the voice answered evenly. "However, the CEO specifically requested that you be employed."
"The CEO?" Lilly repeated, her brows knitting together as confusion flooded in. She searched her memory desperately. "But I don't even know the CEO. Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
"Yes, Miss Lilly Harper," the voice replied firmly. "And if you don't mind me asking, when would you be ready to resume work?"
"I'm—" she paused, swallowing hard as excitement rushed through her chest, "I'm more than ready to start immediately, please," she said, already swinging her legs off the bed and rushing toward the bathroom, her heart racing with joy and disbelief.
"Very well," the voice said. "We'll be expecting you."
The call ended.
Lilly stood frozen for a moment, phone still pressed to her ear, her heart pounding wildly. Then a smile broke across her face wide, breathless, hopeful. For the first time in a long while, it felt like life had finally decided to answer her.
She stepped under the cold shower and let the icy water pour over her head, down her shoulders, washing away the last traces of sleep. Ten full minutes passed, yet her mind refused to quiet. No matter how hard she tried to focus on the present, one thought kept resurfacing—the CEO.
Why would the CEO personally request me?
"Maybe he's a friend of my dad," she murmured to herself, rubbing her arms against the cold. "Or an old acquaintance… or maybe someone who knew me from before."
None of the explanations felt convincing, but she clung to them anyway. With a deep breath, she shut off the water, wrapped herself in a towel, and shook her head as if to clear her thoughts. Don't overthink it, Lilly. Just be grateful.
She dressed quickly, barely checking her reflection, grabbed her bag, and dashed out of the house, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.
At the office, the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. Standing right in front of her was a young, pretty girl—probably a little younger than Lilly dressed neatly in corporate attire, a bright, welcoming smile lighting up her face.
"Are you Lilly?" the girl asked warmly.
"Yes," Lilly replied, surprise flickering across her features as she stepped out of the elevator.
"You're welcome, Miss Lilly. This way, please," the girl said, turning smoothly on her heels and gesturing for Lilly to follow.
Lilly hesitated for half a second, then walked after her, her palms suddenly damp with nerves. Each step down the polished hallway felt heavier than the last, her heart thudding loudly in her chest. This is really happening, she thought, glancing around at the sleek glass offices and bustling employees. I actually work here now.
The girl led her toward the inner offices, where the air seemed quieter, more serious toward a place Lilly couldn't yet see, but somehow felt would change everything.
"This is your office now. I'll help put you through a few things before I leave," the girl said politely, stepping aside to reveal the spacious, neatly arranged room.
Lilly stood frozen at the doorway, her eyes widening as she slowly took everything in the sleek desk, the leather chair, the neatly stacked folders, the nameplate already bearing her name. Her breath caught in her throat.
"A… secretary to the CEO?" she muttered under her breath, disbelief lacing every word as she stepped inside.
"Yes," the girl reassured her with a calm smile, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. She turned as if to leave, but Lilly quickly gathered herself and spoke up.
"Please," she said softly, her curiosity finally overpowering her nerves, "who is the CEO?"
The girl paused, then smiled again—this time knowingly. "You'll get to meet him in person. Don't worry," she said before turning and walking away, leaving Lilly standing alone with a thousand questions echoing in her mind.
Hours passed slowly as Lilly tried to settle into her new role, flipping through files, organizing documents, and familiarizing herself with the office. Her mind, however, kept drifting back to that unanswered question. Who exactly is he?
A few hours later, the girl returned, holding a slim file in her hand. "Please take this to the CEO's office for him to sign," she said, placing it gently on Lilly's desk.
Lilly looked up, startled. "I… I don't even know where the CEO's office is," she admitted honestly.
"Follow the hallway," the girl explained calmly. "It's the second office on your right. That's his office."
Lilly nodded, picked up the file with slightly trembling hands, and stood up. As she stepped out into the hallway, her heart began to pound harder with every step. This is it, she thought, clutching the file to her chest. I'm finally going to meet him.
She finally gathered her courage, pushed the door open, and stepped inside. The room was quiet, too quiet. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and opened her mouth to speak, but the words died on her lips.
"Drop the file on the table and leave," a deep voice said from behind the large desk.
The man was seated with his back to her, his chair turned toward the floor-to-ceiling window, broad shoulders rigid, his attention fixed on the city below. He didn't turn. He didn't even acknowledge her presence beyond the command.
Lilly hesitated, uncertainty washing over her. For a brief moment, she wondered if she should introduce herself, if this was her chance to finally know who he was. But something about the authority in his voice—cold, distant, final—made her swallow her words.
She walked forward quietly, her footsteps soft against the polished floor. Carefully, she placed the file on the edge of the desk, her fingers lingering for a second longer than necessary.
Before she could gather the courage to say anything else,
"Please leave," the voice said again, firmer this time, cutting through the air like a blade.
Lilly stiffened. Her heart sank, a mix of disappointment and confusion tightening in her chest. She nodded instinctively, even though he wasn't looking, turned on her heels, and walked out of the office—unaware that the man behind the desk had frozen the moment the door closed, her presence already stirring something he hadn't felt in years.
On her way out of the office, still shaken by the cold encounter, Lilly turned the corner—and suddenly collided with someone hard enough to make her stumble back.
"How dare you!" the woman snapped instantly.
Lilly looked up to see a tall, elegant lady standing before her, dressed in a fitted designer outfit that screamed wealth and power.
The woman's face twisted in anger, her eyes scanning Lilly from head to toe with open disgust.
"Why are you so clumsy?" Ava continued, her voice rising sharply. "Can't you see where you're going? Are you blind?"
"I—I'm so sorry, ma," Lilly said quickly, bowing her head in apology. Her heart pounded as she tried to steady herself. "I didn't mean to—please forgive me."
But Ava wasn't done."you this low life I don't want to ever set my eyes on you again. With that she left with so much anger. Her lips curled into a sneer as she adjusted her clothes, clearly more offended by the contact more than the impact. She hissed and walked pass Lilly into the CEO office.
Lilly stood there for a moment, humiliation burning in her chest. She clutched her hands together, forcing herself to stay composed as Ava walked away, heels clicking sharply against the floor—each step echoing the unspoken warning that this was a world Lilly did not belong to.