Chapter 1.

Lillian

I walked into the massive building, careful not to let the mud on my shoes stain the sparkling white tiles. I received an email yesterday that I had passed the job interview so here I was on my first day as a secretary.

 Walking over to a lady behind the reception, I gave her a sweet smile. “ Umm, excuse me. I'm Lillian Ace ”. 

She grasped.“ Ohh, our new employee!”. 

I nodded, still smiling even though my lips hurt.

“Give me a minute” she said then typed something on the computer before turning to face me again.

 She looked me up and down slowly with a smug smile on her face. I suddenly felt self-conscious. I was wearing a sunset yellow dress and a pair of white Stilettos. 

“ Is this how you dressed in your previous work?”. She snarled.

My previous work was at a café, I wore jeans every single day, but I wasn't going to blurt that out. 

“Well, it's decent enough”. I retorted.

She smacked her red painted lips shaking her head. “ Miss, we have a dress code here. All corporate wear, Monday to Fridays”. 

Swallowing the tantrum that was about to escape my lips I spoke.“This is a corporate dress”. 

She shook her head, disagreeing with me.“You are dressed like you're going to the beach, go home and put on something more appropriate”. 

I stared at her in disbelief. My house was an hour drive from here and the only money left with me right now was for groceries. If I go back home now, then I would have to walk for almost two hours to get back here. 

When she saw I was unmoving, she snapped. “ Do you want this job or not ?” Her voice high-pitched, attracting the attention of other people in the building.

I was embarrassed, I wasn't even sure I had the right outfit at home.“Well, where I live is pretty far. So, going back wouldn't be easy”.

She looked me up her down, her brown eyes brimming with disgust. Tilting her head, she scrutinized me.

“ Seems to me that you probably don't have any appropriate work clothes”. She walked around the desk and stood right in front of my face. “ Or you simply can't afford one”. 

She picked up the edge of my dress, holding it like it was shit. I finally flared up, this lady had been rude since the moment I walked in, and I wasn't going to let anyone belittle me.

 I slapped her hands off my dress. “ Don't touch me! “. 

   Deep down, I knew I didn't have any proper clothes. I wasn't rich or anything, but I could afford at least two-square meals a day. I was initially planning on calling Jade to lend me some clothes, she was a good friend of mine and my roommate. She worked at a decent company, didn't pay much, but she was still living her best life. 

“ You better hurry, the boss comes by 9 so you have less than 25 minutes left ”. She folded her hands on her chest, a smug smile on her face.

There was no way on earth I'd make it back in 25 minutes. The stubborn side of me wanted to just waltz out and never come back, but I knew better. Jobs like this were difficult to come by, if I let this one go, then I'm doomed. 

 As much as I hated to beg people, especially the likes of this receptionist, I had no choice. 

So I swallowed my little pride and tried reasoning with her. “ I could wear something better tomorrow, but today wouldn't work. I won't be able to get back in 25 minutes even if I used a jet ”. 

She snorted. “ Then fucking teleport! ”. Turning on her heels, she tossed her hair in my face and walked back behind the desk. 

 I stood rooted to the ground like a statue, not knowing what to do. I felt so many eyes on me, this was really embarrassing.

    The next moment I turned on my heels and exited the building. I walked as fast as I could, trying not to trip on my shaky heels. 

    I reached for my phone in my purse, wanting to call Jade. Her workplace shouldn't be far from here, if she could help me, then I'll kiss her toes when I get home.

 Tears were clouding my vision, I couldn't even see the screen properly. I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings and the next second I bumped roughly into someone, landing on my ass and smacking several office files on the slightly damp concrete floor. 

   My phone was tossed to one corner, probably broken too.

Scrambling to my feet, I began apologizing, picking up the already damp papers.

 I looked up from my squatting position to find a pair of gray eyes looking down at me. He was tall with a mass of black hair toppling over his shoulders. He was looking at me like he was about to snap my neck.

“ I'm sorry, I'm so sorry". I mumbled.

 It was then I noticed I had also smacked his phone to the ground. I stared in horror at the broken screen. This phone could cost my life. I had seen enough phones to differentiate between expensive and cheap ones. Mine was the cheapest, but this could cost a fortune. 

“Get up !”. His voice was hoarse. 

I rose to my feet immediately, holding a few papers that I managed to pick up.

“Do you know how long it took me to sort out those documents?”

I flinched.“ I'm sorry, I wasn't looking. I'm deeply sorry.”

He stepped closer, his cologne making my body go rigid.

“ Sorry, isn't going to sort the papers out. Do you know how long it took me to prepare this? Not only did you destroy my phone, but the papers are goddamn soaked! ”. He snarled. 

I was so unlucky, every day of my life has also been full of bad luck. There was never a day when things could go smoothly,I was still wondering why a plane hadn't crashed on my head yet .

I heard the clacking of heels and a grasp. “ You again! ”. The receptionist shrieked. 

I turned to look at her, my hands trembling. We were in the middle of a walkway. Some people were already turning their heads to stare.

“ Oh my god, sir …. I'm so sorry.” She walked up to where I stood. Grabbing the papers from my hands, she took a look. 

Her eyes widened as she barked at me. “ Isn't this .......you pest,I knew you were a nuisance !” 

I don't tolerate insults but right now, I am in the wrong so to minimize the situation, I'd rather accept whatever words she chose to throw at me. I had a feeling that if people weren't around, she would have slapped me hard. 

“ Mr. Kent, isn't the presentation tomorrow? What are we going to do?”

I blinked, realization dawning on me. I might have just ruined something critical, and I hoped my guts were wrong but from the looks of things. This man was probably the boss. 

“ You !" He pointed a finger at me. “ Come with me.”