Chapter One: Ex Marks the Spot

“You’ll be working with GreyCorps on the Jourdan project, Kat. Your transfer has been processed, and you'll be resuming on Monday,” Rowland, her boss, said, passing her a brown envelope.

Kat’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean, transferring me to GreyCorps?” Her brow shot up as she opened the envelope.

Maybe he was high or didn’t know what he was saying. Kat stared at Rowland, his perfectly styled hair and neat appearance somehow making the whole situation feel even more surreal. Rowland blew loose strands of hair from his face and crossed his fingers. He was always meticulous about his appearance—no surprise, considering he was the team leader of the creative and styling unit at one of the biggest fashion companies in the country.

“You’ll be working as a creative manager to Levi Grey. Everything you need will be sent to your email, and Gloria will hand you a package,” he added casually.

The words hung in the air, heavy and ominous. Levi Grey? Kat’s mind raced. The Levi Grey of GreyCorps?

The memory of his smirk flashed in her mind, that same infuriating grin he wore the last time she saw him. Just thinking about him made her blood boil.

“Wait. I don't understand. Why am I being transferred to GreyCorps all of a sudden? We secured this deal here, in Valtara, and not with GreyCorps.”

“Kat, I understand that this might be a surprise to you. This wasn't my decision alone. Think of it as a life-changing opportunity, Kat,” he said with a smile. “You still get to work on the project. It’ll shoot your career to the top, and who knows, it might even get you a top spot in the designer world.” He assured her.

She couldn't believe her ears. It felt like she was being betrayed and sold off to some wicked slavemaster, only finding out about it two days before.

“But—”

“Trust me, Kat. You'll love it.”

The problem wasn't even working or transferring to GreyCorps, but working with Levi Grey. Levi Grey? She could clearly picture his arrogant, self-absorbed face, probably smirking or laughing right now.

Her grudge against Levi Grey had been brewing for years. A traitorous ex-boyfriend, a self-obsessed charmer, and a breathtakingly handsome seducer—that’s who Levi Grey was.

Kat took a long look at the paper in front of her and then at her boss. Nobody knew her history with the traitor they were sending her to, and they had no idea they were waking the sleeping tiger.

But she had to keep her cool, at least, to not blow away the big chance she had to shoot her career to the top. It was choosing between the devil and the deep sea—refuse to work with him and lose the project or risk making peace with her enemy to advance her career.

As soon as she left Rowland's office, Gloria handed her the package he had talked about and gave her a fist bump. It was real. The contents of the package were paperwork on the project and her name boldly written on the ID card of GreyCorps.

“Kat Murphy. Creative Assistant. GreyCorps.” Kat read to herself as she sank into her seat. She needed some quiet, even if it was just for a moment to process everything.

They couldn't even make it a better position, but an assistant? Kat shoved the box away and stared at the high ceilings.

Everything was happening so fast. Working on the Jourdan project was confidential and highly important, but she still didn't understand. It just didn't make sense to have it transferred to GreyCorps with no prior notice to her and even why. GreyCorps was a tech company that focused on creating accessories that brought people together—apps, love bracelets, lamps but nothing in the category of clothing designs.

Kat’s moment was abruptly interrupted when Rosa quickly grabbed a chair. “Tell me this isn’t real!” Her best friend said sliding her chair close to Kat. “You’re going to GreyCorps?” Rosa’s eyes widened in shock. But then, almost immediately, a grin spread across her face. “That’s amazing!”

“You know about it?” Kat asked in surprise. Rowland had said she was the only one besides him who knew about the transfer.

“You know Gloria knows everything that happens around here,” Rosa chided. “She told me all about it! When are you leaving?” excitement bubbling in her voice.

Kat sighed and turned a weary face at her friend, “On Monday.”

“Are you serious?” Rosa gasped. “How can Rowland do this? You worked so hard to get this project, not to mention talking to Freya Jourdan.”

“I know, Rosa, I know. Why does it have to be GreyCorps?” She whined and rested on her friend. “There are other people they could give it to; why does it have to be him?”

“How are you gonna survive? The two of you literally hate each other, and the fact that he's your…” Rosa looked left and right, then whispered, “Ex.”

“I don't know, Rosa. Help me.”

Rosa put her hands on her cherry-red lips. Her long black hair caught in between her hands, getting in her face.

“I can't believe this, Kat. You’re so screwed. You two hate each other.”

Kat looked at her friend and opened her mouth to make a cry. There was no way to start processing how screwed she was.

“Kat…” Rosa put her hands on her friend's shoulder. “Isn't this looking like a story where the female lead has no choice but to work with the male lead she hates the most, who is also her ex, and then they fall in love all over again?”

“Are you crazy?” Kat asked, shooting her a glare that could have put holes in her if it were a gun. “In all the years I’ve known you, I never realized you could be this dumb. You’ve really outdone yourself.”

“Chill, chill. I was only imagining,” she laughed. “I really can't picture the look on his face when the two of you see each other.”

Kat let out a deep breath. This couldn't be happening. There's no way. How does she face him without him getting on her nerves? How were they even supposed to work together without being at each other's throats?

“It'll only be that irritating look he always has on his face.”

“You call that irritating, Kat? Heaven knows how badly even I want to see that face look at me. Do you even know what you're talking about?”

Kat looked at her friend, then brought out some sweets from her pocket.

“Look at me, Kat. You got to date the hottest guy in all of Metrovia without doing too much. Do you know how many women would die for that opportunity?” Rosa said, taking the sweet from her and throwing it in her mouth.

“What’s that got to do with taking my sweet? And besides, it ended when the idiot left without saying as simple as a goodbye”

“Kat, we both know that Levi is a hot cake. I still don't understand exactly why the two of you broke up, but whatever this is, it looks like a second chance to bring the two of you together again.”

Kat threw her head back in laughter. “First of all, Miss Fortune-Teller, that is no way possible on earth. He literally has women around him. Then second of all, there's no way this is a second chance at whatever you might be dreaming about.”

“How about we make a bet on it? My senses are tingling that this is going to be a long ride.”

“No way possible, Miss Spidey Senses.” Kat laughed and continued with her work. “No possible way.”

“Nevertheless, you can do this, Kat. Everyone at Valtara believes in you.” Rosa gave her a big hug. “How about I treat you to dinner tonight? Steak and champagne to celebrate your win?”

Kat hesitated. The idea of celebrating felt absurd, but maybe that’s exactly what she needed—one last night of normalcy before everything changed. She nodded. “Yeah, steak and champagne sounds perfect.” At least some champagne would help to drown away the reality of what's to befall her in two days from now.

“Gotta go now. Nate's calling for a meeting.” Rosa said and kissed Kat's cheek. “I'll pick you up by seven!” She waved and ran off.

She would miss everything, everyone. Especially Rowland's usual complaints when things weren't the way he wanted. She would miss the gossip, the celebrity trending news that Gloria always knew before anybody else.

The day went by quicker than she had imagined. Her phone buzzed with Rosa's message. She was almost done rounding off the pending tasks she had to attend to, and the only thing left was to pack her things and say her goodbyes.

This wasn’t just a transfer—it was a step into enemy territory. She could refuse, but no, the project was as important as her career was at stake. Could she really do this?