Chapter Thirteen

Aurora's Pov

After Ryan offered me the job, I felt a mix of emotions…relief, anxiety, and excitement. I still couldn’t believe I was about to work for someone like him.The weekend felt like an eternity, but I decided to use the time wisely.

With the little cash I had left, I headed to a thrift store. I knew I needed to look professional, or at least presentable. I managed to find two decent outfits and a pair of shoes. They weren’t anything fancy, but they were neat and functional. As I walked home with my purchases, I made a mental note: First paycheck = better clothes.

I didn’t even have a phone to check work emails or take calls. If this job paid well enough, then maybeI could manage to buy a simple one. It won't be much, but it would be a start. I could finally start planning my life, even if it was just in small steps.

The weekend flew by with me rehearsing how I’d act on my first day. Confidence didn’t come naturally to me, but I’d fake it if I had to. This job was too important to mess up.

Finally, the day arrived. I woke up before dawn, nerves jangling in my chest. My new clothes were neatly ironed and laid out on the chair by my bed. I slipped into them carefully, making sure I looked as polished as possible.

With a deep breath, I stepped outside and hailed a cab. It was a long ride, and the fare ate into what little I had left. I’d have to budget even more tightly now.

When the building came into view, my heart started racing. It was enormous, far grander than I’d imagined. The sleek glass exterior reflected the morning sunlight, making it look even more intimidating.

You can do this, Aurora, I told myself as I stepped through the revolving doors.

As I walked into the building I was confused at first. The moment I stepped inside, I felt utterly lost. The towering ceilings, the gleaming floors, the rows of immaculate desks—it was all so overwhelming. I didn’t know where to go or what to do. My stomach churned with unease.

Caleb was nowhere to be found, and I had no idea how to find Ryan. As I moved further into the office, I noticed people stopping what they were doing to look at me. Their eyes were piercing, filled with curiosity and something else I couldn’t quite place. It felt as though I’d done something wrong, like I’d already failed before even starting.

Summoning every ounce of courage I had, I cleared my throat and said, "Hi, everyone."

They stared for a second longer before turning back to their work as if I hadn’t spoken at all. Heat crept up my neck.

Just when I thought I might die of embarrassment, a young woman probably no older than 22 walked up to me. She was tall and impeccably dressed, her sleek ponytail swishing as she moved. She looked me up and down, and I instantly felt her judgment. Her eyes lingered on my thrift-store outfit, and I knew exactly what she was thinking.

"I’m Pamela," she said, her tone clipped. “Come with me, I’ll show you around."

"Thank you," I replied, forcing a smile despite the clear disdain in her expression.

As she guided me through the office, her demeanor remained icy. She rattled off information about different departments, pointing out various rooms and amenities with a tone that was more condescending than helpful. I nodded along, trying to absorb everything, but it was hard to concentrate under her judgmental gaze.

Finally, she led me to an office near the far end of the floor. When she opened the door, my breath caught in my throat.

It was enormous, luxurious, and utterly stunning. The walls were lined with bookshelves, the desk was sleek and modern, and the chairs looked more expensive than my entire wardrobe. A large window offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

"This is your office," Pamela said, her voice dripping with bitterness.

I blinked at her, unable to believe that this space was meant for me.

"Wow," I whispered. "This is... amazing."

Pamela’s lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She turned to leave but paused in the doorway.

"There’s something you should know," she said, her voice low and sharp. "I was the personal assistant before you. For whatever reason, Our boss decided to give my position to you. I’m just following his orders by showing you around, but don’t think for a second that I’m happy about it. You’ll regret taking this job."

Her words hit me like a slap.

"What?" I managed to say, but she was already walking away, her heels clicking against the floor.

I sank into the plush chair behind the desk, her words echoing in my head. Did Ryan really remove her to give me this job? That wasn’t right, and it didn’t sit well with me. If that was true, I needed answers.

After a few minutes of sitting there in confusion I decided to go check if my new boss was at work to ask questions about where to start and why he gave out an already occupied position.

I didn't know where to look or who to ask about his whereabouts, at that moment a woman approached me. She was older, perhaps in her early thirties, with a warm smile.

"Hi, I’m Sophia," she said. "Sir Ryan hasn’t arrived yet, but his office is right next to yours. If you need anything before he gets here, just let me know."

"Thank you," I said, grateful for her kindness.

I decided to wait for Ryan, but my mind was racing. If Pamela’s words were true, I couldn’t just ignore them. I needed to talk to him, to understand why he’d made this decision, and to make it clear that I didn’t want to be the cause of anyone losing their job.

*****

I waited for what felt like forever. The minutes dragged on as I sat in my office, unsure of what to do. I had peeked through some files on the desk, but nothing made sense yet. I wasn’t sure where to start, what was expected of me, or even what my first task would be. Anxiety gnawed at me with each passing second.

What if I wasn’t good enough for this? What if I messed up and disappointed Boss Ryan or worse, got fired before I even had a chance to prove myself?

After about 45 minutes, Sophia appeared at my door, her smile kind and reassuring.

"The boss is here," she said. "He wants to see you."

My heart immediately began to race. I swallowed hard and nodded. "O-Okay. Thank you."

Walking to his office felt like walking to my doom. My hands trembled as I approached the door, my breath shallow and quick. I raised my fist to knock but hesitated. What if I made a fool of myself? Shaking my head, I took a deep breath and knocked softly.

"Come in," came the deep, commanding voice.

Slowly, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. My palms were sweaty, and I felt painfully small in his presence.

"Good morning, Sir," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "You sent for me."

Ryan…no, Boss Ryan, was seated behind an imposing desk, his sharp eyes fixed on me. His presence was overwhelming, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.

"Good morning, Aurora," he said, his tone calm but firm. "How are you settling in? How do you find the environment so far?"

I fidgeted with my hands, unable to meet his gaze for long. "It’s... um, it’s very nice, Sir. The office is beautiful, and everyone seems busy."

His lips curved slightly, not quite a smile but something close. "Good. Pamela will walk you through how things are done here and ensure you understand your responsibilities."

I hesitated, my stomach twisting. Now was my chance to ask. "Sir, may I... may I ask you something?"

His brows lifted slightly, curiosity evident on his face. "Go ahead."

"Um," I stammered, my fingers twisting nervously. "I was just wondering... Pamela mentioned earlier that she was the personal assistant before me. Is that... true?"

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharp and unreadable. "Why do you ask?"

I hesitated, feeling like I had already crossed a line. "Because she said so, Sir. I just... I didn’t mean to pry."

For a moment, he said nothing, and the silence felt suffocating. Then he picked up the phone on his desk and pressed a button.

"Send Pamela in," he ordered, his voice cold and clipped.

Panic surged through me, and I stepped forward, my words tumbling out in a rush. "I’m sorry, Sir. I didn’t mean to overstep or ask unnecessary questions. Please, it’s my fault."

His eyes flicked to me, his expression softening slightly. "Aurora, sit down."

I obeyed immediately, sinking into the chair across from him, my heart pounding in my chest.

A sharp knock on the door made me jump, and Pamela entered, her posture stiff.

"Yes, Sir?" she asked, her voice a little too sweet.

Ryan’s tone was icy. "Why did you give Aurora that information? What exactly were you trying to achieve?"

Pamela’s eyes widened, but she quickly masked her surprise. "I was just…"

"Apologize," he cut her off, his tone brooking no argument. "This minute."

Pamela shot me a look that was anything but apologetic before muttering, "I’m sorry."

I nodded quickly not knowing what to say, my voice trembling. "It’s okay."

Ryan dismissed Pamela with a sharp gesture, and she left the office without another word.

"You have nothing to apologize for, Aurora," he said, his tone gentler now. "If you have questions or concerns, come to me directly. Understood?"

I nodded, my voice barely audible. "Yes, Sir. Thank you."

"You’re here to do your job, not to worry about office politics," he added. "Focus on your work and let me handle the rest."

"Yes, Sir," I whispered again, feeling a mix of gratitude.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should ask another question. But I needed to know how to begin…what to do next.

"Um, Sir," I said softly, my voice still shaky. "If Pamela isn’t... going to assist me, then who will walk me through your schedules and everything I need to know?"

He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk. His sharp eyes studied me for a moment, and I felt my cheeks flush under his intense gaze.

"I will do that," he said firmly.

My eyes widened in surprise. "Y-You, Sir?"

"Yes, Aurora. I’ll walk you through everything you need to know. Now, go back to your office, settle in, and return in two hours. We’ll start from somewhere."

I blinked, feeling a mix of awe and nervousness. "O-Okay, Sir. Thank you."

He gave me a curt nod, and I took that as my cue to leave. My mind was spinning as I walked back to my office.

Two hours. Two hours to calm my nerves and prepare myself for this new job, a job where I would be working so closely with him. The thought both excited and terrified me.