CHAPTER 1

                                                                                                                                                     30th July 1999

Aanya's POV:

"What do you want me to do, Chester?"

"Come and take care of our father. He took care of us when she left us, he did everything for us." Tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I kept them at bay because I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of making me cry. Even if he is on the other side of the phone.

"To take care of him, we need money, and that is what I am trying to do. To get the money, I need a job, and I have an interview to get that job today," I said in my most patient voice, but my brother got the point that he was pissing me off.

"Well, you need to hurry up 'cuz I am having a party at my friend's house, and I need to attend it," he said as if his life depended on that party.

"I will try to be there by 8. Take care." I hung up before he could say anything.

---

I stood in front of one of the most famous companies in the world – Rodriguez Industries, owned by Evan Rodriguez. He owns more than half of Earkria. A man I wouldn't dare cross paths with, but circumstances made me. He is known as cruel, heartless, and cold-blooded. Some even say he has his own mafia. He has connections in all the countries. There is even talk that people who work here walk on eggshells.

I walked through the front doors of one of his skyscrapers and went straight to the reception. I saw a lady, probably in her mid-twenties, in a turtleneck black top and stripe print midi skirt. When I reached the desk, she was busy typing away something on her computer.

"Hi, I am here for the interview for the personal assistant," I said. She looked up, assessed me from head to toe, and said,

"Hi, my name is Laurine. Take the elevators over there, 35th floor, take the right, and ask the lady at the desk." I murmured a thank you and went to the elevators, got in, and pressed floor 35. I was shocked to know there were 50 floors in this building.

I reached floor 35, took the right, and saw the lady Laurine had mentioned. I went to her and said hi.

She looked me up and down with a look of annoyance, then pointed to the left and said, "To the left and straight, you will see a group of people waiting. Wait there for your name to be called." I mumbled a quick thank you, still confused as to why she gave me an annoying look when we just met.

I took the left, went straight, and was shocked to see the number of people here for the interview. They were dressed like they came for a model audition. Some women were in office clothes, and some wore revealing clothes. Men were all in the best suits they could get. Now I was self-conscious about the way I dressed: a white top with half sleeves, a pencil skirt right above my knees, and stockings. There were still about 10-15 people. I stood in a corner and waited for my name to be called. To say I was nervous would probably be an understatement.

"Miss Aanya Grey?" I raised my head toward the sound of my name and saw a woman in her early thirties standing there. I stood up and went to her. She told me to follow her, and I did. We ended up in front of two doors. She opened one and went in, and, taking a deep breath, I followed her.

The first thing I noticed was the big brown desk, but there were only three people sitting there. The one in the middle was facing the windows on the opposite side. The one on his left was writing something down, and the one on the right was looking through some papers.

The woman who called me in was sitting at a desk a little bit away from the door. "Are you going to stand there all day, or do you want me to lay out roses and invite you to sit down?" the man on the left asked, which brought my attention back, and the guy in the middle turned back.

"Your resume, please?" the guy on the right asked me this time. I took a seat and handed it to him. He looked through it and passed it down.

"Hmmm... let's see. No prior experience, and you didn't graduate at the top of your class. So, why do you think this is a good job for you, Miss Grey?"

---

The interview was tense, but I knew I was doomed when the first question was asked. Rodriguez Industries always needed high-profile people, those who could meet the CEO's expectations. Even your appearance when facing staff members and guests would be evaluated.

The interview didn't last long. Now I am wandering through this maze of a building, trying to find the exit. Somehow, I ended up in a very dark but luxurious room. It looks like an office but only has a few pieces of furniture. A neatly arranged desk in front of an office chair has a window behind it that overlooks the city. A few paintings and some sofas in one corner, and another two doors on the other side of the room.

"You don't belong in here!" a voice behind me said. I hadn't heard him approach. He, according to his voice, was so close I could feel his breath on my neck. I turned around, and I was sure I hit his face with my hair. I tried to get past him but didn't have much space, considering two bodyguards were standing right behind him, one with a gun pointed right at my forehead.

"I-I-I'm sorry. I just got lost. I was trying to find my way out, but I-I-just got lost. Please let me go."

I turned around to find a pair of blue, icy eyes staring at me like I was an anomaly on earth. His black hair was neatly gelled back. He had a small but pointed nose and a sharp jawline. I couldn't look away from his eyes; they weren't enchanting but rather empty, with nothing in them.

"I will give you one minute to get out of this building." He looked to his bodyguards and said, "Make sure she gets out."

He definitely got up on the wrong side of the bed.

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Unknown POV:

She won't get that job. I will make sure of that.

They don't deserve her for treating her like that. 

She is a queen.