Chapter Ten

Aurora's POV

It was a new day, and I had finally decided to confront Ryan about the job offer. I was scared to go to him but I had to. My body still ached, every bruise a reminder of the life I was trying to leave behind. I moved slowly, careful not to aggravate the wounds that hadn’t yet healed. The thought of facing Ryan again made my chest tighten, but I didn’t have a choice. This job might be the only chance I had to survive.

I folded the expensive clothes he had bought me and packed them into a bag. There was no way I could keep them. They were too much…too luxurious for someone like me. Returning them clean was the least I could do.

As I stepped out of my rundown apartment, I bidded madam rose my landlady goodbye. As I walked down the street, I saw Inez walking briskly down the street, heading toward the bar. I called out to her, hoping for even a small exchange of words after what happened, but she barely acknowledged me. Her eyes flicked over me like I was a stranger.

“Inez!” I called again, a little louder.

She hesitated for a second, her shoulders stiffening, but then continued walking as if she hadn’t heard me.

The cold indifference stung more than I expected. We weren’t best friends, but we had shared conversations, moments of understanding. What has changed? She didn't help when they beat me up, but it wasn't her fault. I wish I could talk to her. The pain in my chest deepened, but I shook it off. I couldn’t afford to dwell on it now. Today was about survival, not emotions.

I flagged down a cab, the journey to Ryan’s penthouse costing more than I liked. Every dollar spent gnawed at me, but I promised myself it would be worth it if I landed this job. The ride was quiet, giving me too much time to think.

Would Ryan still want to hire me? Was I even fit for this kind of work? And what if he laughed in my face or sent me away?

When we finally pulled up to the sleek building, my stomach churned with nerves. It was massive, towering over everything else in the area. The kind of place that screamed wealth and power, a world far removed from my own.

I approached the entrance hesitantly. Two security guards stood near the doors, their presence intimidating. I stopped, unsure of how to proceed.

“Miss, are you here for someone?” one of them asked, his tone polite but firm.

“Yes, um… Ryan,” I said, clutching the bag of clothes tighter.

The guard nodded as if he’d been expecting me. “Penthouse. Last floor. The elevator is to your right.”

I blinked. They were letting me in without a fuss? Had Ryan told them about me? Swallowing my anxiety, I muttered a quick thank you and headed toward the elevator.

The elevator loomed before me, a gleaming metal box that seemed out of place in my world. It was my first time stepping into one, and as the doors closed behind me, my heart pounded. The sensation of being lifted off the ground was unsettling, and I grabbed the railing for support.

By the time the elevator doors slid open, I felt lightheaded but determined. The hallway stretched out before me, its carpet plush beneath my worn shoes. The room numbers were easy to spot, and I quickly found the one I was looking for.

I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. A few seconds passed before the door opened, revealing a man I recognized instantly.

“You…” I blurted out, my voice catching.

It was one of the men who had saved me that night. His sharp features and piercing gaze were impossible to forget.

He didn’t respond to my outburst, instead raising an eyebrow as if waiting for me to speak.

“Is Ryan here?” I asked, clutching the bag closer to my chest.

“He’s not here right now,” the man replied curtly. “I’ll call him for you.”

“Oh… okay. Thank you,” I said awkwardly.

As he stepped aside, I remembered his face from that night. “Wait, it was you, wasn’t it? You were there that night when—”

He cut me off with a glance that silenced me immediately. It was clear he wasn’t interested in talking.

He gestured for me to step in and i did, unsure of what to do next. The place was vast and intimidating, every inch of it screaming luxury. My nerves were on edge as I waited for Ryan, wondering what he’d say when he saw me.

And why had this man ignored my question? Why wouldn’t he acknowledge that he’d helped me? Something about his demeanor sent a shiver down my spine, but I couldn’t dwell on it. Not when the real challenge was yet to come.

Would Ryan even listen to me?

As I waited for Ryan, I couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and nervousness. The minutes seemed to stretch endlessly, and I began to wonder if the man had actually informed him of my arrival. After what felt like an eternity, I mustered the courage to approach him again.

"Excuse me," I said softly, "have you had the chance to call Ryan yet?"

He looked up from his phone, his expression unreadable. "Yes, I have. He should be here shortly."

I nodded, feeling a bit foolish for doubting him. "Thank you."

I returned to my seat, trying to calm my racing thoughts. The opulence of the penthouse was overwhelming, a stark contrast to my modest living conditions. I couldn't help but feel out of place, like an intruder in a world that wasn't mine.

After what must have been about thirty minutes, the elevator doors chimed open, and Ryan stepped out, accompanied by Caleb. His presence seemed to command the room, exuding confidence and authority.

"Aurora," he greeted, a hint of surprise in his voice. "I wasn't expecting you."

I stood up, clutching the bag containing the clothes he had given me. "I'm sorry for coming unannounced. I... I came to talk about the job, if it's still available.”."

He gestured for me to sit, taking a seat across from me. "Of course. But first, how are you feeling? Are you recovering well?"

I offered a small smile. "I'm doing better, thank you."

As if on cue, my stomach let out a loud grumble, betraying my hunger. I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. "I'm sorry," I mumbled.

Ryan's eyes softened. "When was the last time you ate?"

I hesitated, not wanting to admit the truth. "Yesterday," I said quietly.

He exchanged a glance with Caleb, who nodded and left the room. "We'll get you something to eat," Ryan said gently. "In the meantime, let's discuss the job in my office.

I nodded and followed him down a corridor as he gestured me to, my nerves fraying with each step. The opulence of the penthouse was overwhelming, each detail a testament to wealth and power. I felt small and insignificant, a stark contrast to the grandeur surrounding me.

We entered a spacious office, and Ryan gestured for me to sit. I perched on the edge of the chair, my back straight, trying to project confidence I didn't feel.

"So, you're interested in the position," Ryan began, his gaze intense.

I nodded eagerly. "Yes, I am. May I ask what the position entails?"

He leaned back, studying me intently. "I need a personal assistant. Someone I can trust to handle various tasks and assist me directly."

The weight of his words settled over me. A personal assistant to someone like Ryan was a significant responsibility. I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. "I... I would be honored," I said softly.

Before I could ask about the specifics, Caleb returned with a tray of food, placing it in front of me. The aroma was tantalizing, and my stomach growled again in response.

"Please, eat," Ryan urged. "We can discuss the details afterward."

I hesitated, but the hunger was too overwhelming. I picked up the fork and took a bite, savoring the rich flavors. It was the best meal I'd had in a long time. I'm sorry to say that I was a little bit uncomfortable with someone staring at me while eating, but I devoured the food like there was no tomorrow.

As I ate, Ryan explained the duties of the position. It was demanding, but I was determined to prove myself capable. When he finished, he asked, "Do you have any questions?"

I wanted to ask about the salary but felt it would be inappropriate as he just saved my pitiful life. Instead, I shook my head. "No, I understand the responsibilities."

He seemed to sense my unspoken concern. "The compensation will be more than fair, I assure you."

Relief washed over me, and I nodded. "Thank you."

After I finished eating, I reached for the bag beside me. "I also wanted to return these," I said, handing it to him.

He looked inside, then back at me.

“What are those?” He asked.

“Ummm the clothes you got me while I was unconscious,” I said softly.

"They're yours to keep, Aurora. I won't take them back."

I felt a lump in my throat, overwhelmed by his generosity. "Are you sure? I'm sorry I mean thank you," I whispered.

He stood, offering his hand. "Welcome aboard. We'll start on Monday. Caleb will give you the details."

I took his hand, feeling a spark of something I couldn't quite identify. "I won't let you down."

After some minutes with Caleb, he explained some necessary things and I was grateful for how he explained some of the things pretty well.

As I left the penthouse, clutching the bag of clothes and the card with my new job details, I felt a surge of hope. For the first time in a long while, the future seemed bright.

I couldn't wait to begin this new chapter of my life.