Chapter 5

The following day, I felt a soft kiss on my forehead.

“Wakey, wakey...”

“Mom?” I groaned, my eyes still closed.

“Look who’s got an interview and is still in bed,” she teased, her voice light but pointed.

“What time is it?” I mumbled, half-asleep.

“It’s 8:30,” she said casually.

My eyes flew open. “What?!” I bolted upright. “The interview is at nine!”

“I know,” she replied, amused as she stepped back. “Which is why I’m here to make sure you’re not late. Now, hurry!”

The company I was interviewing for, Prestige Global, was one of the biggest players in the PR world. Landing this job could set me on a career path I’d always dreamed of.

I scrambled out of bed, my heart racing. After a record breaking shower and a messy attempt at makeup, I threw on my tailored navy blue blazer and matching trousers. My mind was buzzing, a chaotic mix of panic and self-pep talks.

Grabbing my bag, I paused as I spotted the keys to my black silk car sitting on the dresser. It was the car Mom had gifted me on my 20th birthday, a sleek and elegant ride that everyone else seemed to adore. But for me, it was just a reminder of something I couldn’t fully enjoy.

I knew how to drive, of course. But after the accident during one of my therapy sessions, driving had always filled me with unease. The thought of being behind the wheel stirred up flashes of broken glass and the sound of my own terrified screams.

“You’re going to be late, Eloise,” Mom called from downstairs, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Coming!” I yelled back.

Today wasn’t the day to confront my fear. Grabbing the keys, I rushed out, and as I climbed into the driver’s seat, I took a deep breath.

“You can do this,” I whispered to myself. My hands gripped the steering wheel as I started the engine.

The drive was tense but uneventful. My focus on the road was split with glances at the clock. I reached the towering silver building of Prestige Global at 8:58. My heart hammered as I handed my car over to valet parking, grateful I didn’t have to find a spot myself.

Inside the lobby, I adjusted my blazer and caught my reflection in the mirrored walls. I looked composed, professional exactly how I needed to appear.

“Miss Carter?” The receptionist called out, pulling me from my thoughts. “You’re here for the nine o’clock interview?”

“Yes,” I replied, my voice steadier than I expected.

“Right this way.”

I followed her to the elevators, my nerves growing with each passing second. As the elevator doors opened, I reminded myself of what was at stake.

This was my moment and nobody was going to throw me off my game, or at least I thought.

After the elevator dinged open, I followed the sharply dressed assistant down a long hallway. We passed smaller offices, open workspaces, and glass-walled conference rooms. The sleek, modern decor screamed power and influence, and I tried to steady my nerves as we approached a larger set of doors at the end of the corridor.

When the assistant pushed the doors open, I stepped into a pristine, modern office space. A large mahogany table sat at the center, surrounded by plush chairs. The panoramic windows offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

“Right this way,” the assistant said, gesturing toward the conference room. She smiled politely, her demeanor calm, while my heart pounded in my chest.

My breath caught the moment I walked in.

Sitting at the head of the table, flipping casually through a file, was Dino Alessandro.

He looked up as I entered, his dark eyes locking onto mine.

“Eloise Carter,” he said, his voice smooth and controlled, like he hadn’t just shattered my composure. He stood, offering a handshake, his mouth curving into the faintest hint of a smirk. “Welcome to Prestige Global.”

I rolled my eyes and scoffed. “Really?” I muttered, ignoring the handshake altogether.

Why is my life becoming such a mess? I thought to myself, feeling the tension rising in my chest.

Dino’s smirk didn’t waver, but his eyes glinted with amusement as he gestured toward a chair across from him. “You’re here for the interview. Please, have a seat.”

I hesitated, my heart hammering in my chest. Every fiber of my being wanted to turn around and bolt out the door, but I forced myself to step forward.

Sliding into the chair, I avoided his gaze, pretending to adjust my blazer. “So, you’re the one conducting the interview?” I asked, trying to keep my tone casual.

“Partly,” he replied, sitting down across from me and clasping his hands together on the table. “But don’t worry, Eloise. This is strictly professional.”

Strictly professional? The words felt laughable. How could anything be strictly professional when the person sitting across from me had been the cause of so much pain in my life?

“Well, let’s get this over with,” I said, folding my arms across my chest and leaning back slightly, trying to project confidence even though I felt like I was about to crumble.

Dino leaned forward, his expression unreadable now, though the faint smirk lingered. “Let’s,” he said smoothly, flipping open the file in front of him.