Chapter 1 - Meeting The CEO

Jenna

This is the most important day of my life—if I don't get this job, I won't be able to pay rent, which would be horrible. I don't want to ask my parents to send me more money. Big girls can handle themselves!

And I can't wait to turn independent! But, first, I need to convince the CEO of this company that I'm worth the job, and then I won't have to depend on my parents.

I walk inside the magnificent building with confidence but instantly lose my ability to breathe—stepping into the enormous hotel is like walking into another world, one where everyone wears top hats and fancy dresses.

Did I walk into the wrong hotel?

The walls are never-ending, and I swear to god, all the people inside are beautiful and tall as trees, exactly how I imagined snobs.

"Wow," I whistle in amazement and spin around like a dancer. "This place is amazing..."

I take in the room with great eyes; even the air feels different here, cleaner somehow.

I try my hardest to ignore my heels clicking against the marble floor as I openly stare at everything. Some guests give me the stink eye, but I'm too taken by the furnishing to pay them any attention.

Everything inside this hotel is beautiful and bright, way brighter than my future. Yet, I wonder what all of this cost?

Stunned and a little distracted, I make my way to a sandstone desk.

There is a beautiful, older lady standing behind it, perfect smile, flawless teeth. She looks picture-perfect; even her hair makes it seem like she could be a famous movie star.

"Good morning, miss," The lady's voice comes out smooth and friendly, not an octave too high. "How may I help you today?"

I tap my screaming pink nails against the desk and center on the ceiling with saucer eyes; if someone stole that chandelier, they probably would never have to work again.

"Um... I'm here to see Mr. Archer. My name is Jenna Ellis, and I'm here for a job interview,"

"Oh, that's wonderful! Give me one moment, dear,"

Nervosity enters my lungs as I listen to her tap on her keyboard.

In the last couple of months, I've had five different jobs, and I lost all of them because I can't keep my stupid mouth shut.

But come on! When that newspaper director groped my butt and whispered: "Baby girl, you look so sexy in that dress," into my ear, I deserved every right to punch his face!

Sexual harassment is never okay, not even when you are working as the director's assistant. I Metoo'd the shit out of him too, filed a report and everything.

Unfortunately, I don't know what happened to my case. It probably got ignored, considering I'm no one special. People never seem to notice me in the ways I want. Strangers accidentally crash into me on the street all the time, but people never pay notice to my brain.

Imagine my surprise when I found an invitation for a job interview with the CEO of this company. Ariel Hotel wants to hire me to work in their kitchen, serve wine to their wealthy customers, and take orders, and I couldn't be happier!

"We expect you, Miss Ellis," The kind woman hands me a paper to sign. I fill in my name without her telling me what to do, which earns me a smile.

"And where can I find the man?" I ask.

"You want to ride the elevator to the thirteenth floor, and trust me, you can't miss his office, Miss Ellis,"

I lift a skeptical eyebrow at the woman's words but ask no further questions. Her smile tells me I need to see for myself.

"Thank you,"

I head over to the elevators, passing three guards who are happily drinking coffee and chatting away about last night's football game.

Sucks to be them; working when another big game is being played must be painful. The Raccoons are facing The Beverly Hills Werewolves later this afternoon.

"Oh, excuse me!"

I grimace at an old lady tackling her way out of the elevator. She is wearing an expensive fur coat; even her dog looks fancy and spoiled with its pompous dress. And I didn't know this place allowed dogs, but I guess money can buy you anything.

"Come, Mr. Pumpkins, this way, boy!"

I pass the old lady a friendly smile when she looks me up and down with judging eyes, and once she is out of sight, I immediately enter the elevator.

The doors close behind me, and that's when everything heads south.

After I press the button, the hem of my skirt gets stuck between the closing doors.

Then, as the elevator heads up, the doors rip the fabric to shreds with a loud: "SHHHRRRIIIPPP!" and then I'm standing there, screaming because I realize I'm not alone in the elevator!

A tall man is staring at me with wide eyes, and his jaw dropped to the freaking floor!

"OH MY GOD!" I exclaim. "No-No-No-No! This can't be happening!"

The second I'm left without a skirt is the moment I want to die. I'm now wearing skirt-rags that are scandalously showing my polka-dotted granny panties. My cheeks flush hot, and my heart skitters recklessly in my chest.

Don't panic, Jenna, don't panic.

Instead, I scream upon noticing the stranger is facing me.

Why is he looking at me?!

I'm left with no other option than try to shield my panties from the stranger's eyes by covering up my neither regions with my shaking hands.

"Um, are you alright?"

With growing panic, I stare at the ceiling, almost fainting at the sight of half my skirt being stuck in the door's corner. A million plans of getting it down run through my head. But then, right on cue, the elevator tumbles violently before it stops moving altogether. Terrific.

"Miss?"

I lift my chin by instinct into the eyes of the stranger, and then I scramble back like a frightened animal upon noticing his smiling face.

Admiring another man when I have a boyfriend is terribly wrong, but Jesus Christ! The guy in front of me looks like sex-on-a-stick with hair so thick my fingers are tingling, practically begging me to run them through his hair. He is even wearing a navy suit—my greatest weakness!

I can't pry my eyes away from him.

During my distraction, I somehow hit the back of my head against the elevator doors. A couple of swear words escape my mouth as my eyes close, and the guy in front of me chuckles in amusement, definitely entertained.

"That must have hurt," He comments.

A groan escapes my lips, and I angrily massage the back of my head with my fingertips. The fancy suit has backed a little, but I'm still met with the marvelous sight of his broad chest and muscular arms.

I swallow thickly, too aware of him to properly function. This hotel sure got everything: luxurious furniture, rich guest, and stunning guys in elevators.

"Yeah, it definitely wasn't painless," I mumble.

The stranger hands me a charming smile and removes his jacket. The action makes my eyes bulge out of my head.

What is he doing?!

"Why are you taking off your clothes?!" My eyes dart around the elevator, trying to find a hidden camera. This might be a prank.

"Here," The man hands me his jacket with a glittering smile. "To cover up with,"

I blankly stare at his face, wholly dumbfounded, until his laughter fills the elevator. He tries to muffle it with his hand, but nothing can cover the amusement from his face. The man finds the situation hilarious, and that realization makes my skin blaze bright and red.

This day couldn't get any worse...

"Take it," He says.

I stare up into his face with hot cheeks and abruptly take the jacket from his hands. The man laughs again in his smooth, charming voice.

And I try to focus on anything else than him laughing at my expense while I tie his jacket around my waist. "Thank you..." I mumble.

"You're welcome," The stranger says.

Silently, I glance down and instantly notice he is wearing a thick ring around his finger; it's the shape of a dragon slithering around his finger to form a circle with two rubies for eyes. The design is flawless and beautiful. Merely looking at it sends one icy shiver down my spine.

"Your ring is beautiful," I speak without reflecting my words, another habit of mine. And then I reach out my hand to take the man's much larger hand in mine to better see his ring. "I love the design,"

The man gasps in shock at the sudden touch, but surprisingly, he doesn't withdraw his hand. "Thank you... It's a family heirloom,"

I find his eyes and need to set an anchor to not drown in them.

His eyes, god, his eyes are a strange grey mixed with a hazy blue that brings my thoughts to thunder clouds and storming oceans.

"I love the design," The longer I study him, the more attractive he becomes. It's like there is an invisible string pulling us together—fire and flames arousing in my chest.

"Thank you," The stranger withdraws his hand and then looks around the elevator. He seems to be under distress. "And while I don't like to be the bearer of bad news, I assume we are going to be here for a while,"

I had completely forgotten about our situation, but one glimpse at the panel that flashes the same number repeatedly tells me he is right.

I sigh and sink down to the ground. "How long do you think it will take before get out of here?"

The man shrugs before he takes a seat in the furthest corner away from me. I feel he is trying to avoid me but failing tremendously—his eyes constantly flick to mine.

"I don't know, minutes? Maybe hours?"

I plaster a smile on my face. "Great."

The man laughs at my fake enthusiasm. "Why? Are you in a hurry?"

"As a manner-of-fact, yes, I'm in quite a hurry," I suck oxygen into my lungs dramatically.

I watch the man struggle to get comfortable against the wall. He is attractive; I have to give him that, and when he notices me looking at him, I'm rewarded with a knowing, dimple-filled smile of his.

"I see," I hate how I react to his voice; my body behaves as if he owns me already. "And if you don't mind me asking, where are you headed, and why are you in a hurry?"

I grimace. "I came here for an interview with the CEO, but he probably won't hire someone who shows up late,"

The stranger arches a single eyebrow. "Have you considered the option of him, maybe understanding the situation if you told him what happened?"

I giggle at his question. "Good point, but rich people rarely care about us small fry,"

A chuckle. "You have some strong opinions,"

I shrug. "It's true, though..."

"Let me guess, you are speaking from experience?"

I challenge his smirk with one of my own. "Yes, I might not express wealth with my bold choice of clothes, but my parents were rich,"

"Were?"

Another grimace. "I don't keep in touch with my parents unless I desperately need them. They aren't a fan of me coloring my hair in bright colors, neither do they support my choices in life," I have no clue why I'm telling him this.

"Oh," The stranger looks apologetic. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked such a personal question,"

"No biggie," I make a brushing motion in the air to show him I'm fine. "I didn't have to tell you anything, but I did,"

The man smiles kindly and reaches out his hand. "My name is Ariel,"

I have to scoot forward to take his hand. "Jenna,"

"Nice to meet you, Jenna,"

I laugh at his formal voice. "Drop the tone, mister. We are going to be here for a while so give up the formality. I don't want our conversation to be stiff and boring,"

Surprise momentarily touches his face before his lips settle into a faint smile. "You're an interesting person, Jenna,"

For some inexplicable reason, I spray crimson. I can't believe this man so easily complimented me without even knowing me. Jake never does that. I don't even remember Jake ever being nice to me, even if I like to go around bragging to my friends about him.

I'm kinda glad we don't live together anymore.

When we lived together, everything was about Jake. For example, we painted the walls blue because it was his chosen color, and I used to cook him pasta because, again, it was his favorite, and I assumed it was my job to please him.

Not anymore. We are still together, but this year is going to be all about me.

"I'm not an interesting person," My voice is earnest. "But thank you regardless for your kind words,"

Ariel looks directly at me with his intense eyes. "You are interesting, though. Special too, but I guess you aren't aware of that yet,"

Now I'm sure I'm dreaming. The most gorgeous guy I've ever seen just called me unique. That can't have happened.

I must hallucinate from having eaten way too much yogurt this morning. That sugar-free kind is hazardous—my grandma warned me about it, and she was right. I honestly don't know what they replace the sugar with, but considering my behavior, the replacement could be drugs.

I avert my eyes from Ariel. "Okay, what do you want? Why are you giving me so many compliments?"

Ariel is playing with his ring. "Have you ever heard of the creatures of the night, Jenna?"

I resist the urge to snort. This dream keeps on getting weirder.

And yes, I know about the creatures of the night. They are on the news all the time, werewolves attacking innocent girls on the street and vampires sucking the blood from strangers. It's chaotic out there! I don't dare leave my apartment after nine.

"Yeah," I give Ariel a suspicious glance over. He looks friendly, but his eyes are lonely and distant somehow. "Haven't everyone heard of them? Both the werewolves and the vampires are out of control,"

A brief smile touches his face. "Long ago, there used to be dragons and witches to keep them in order,"

Ariel looks at me, his eyes silently waiting for my reaction. I can't do anything else other than stare at him, and once I've processed his words and taken in his deadpan expression, I burst out laughing.

"Good one!" I can't stop myself from shedding tears. Ariel is a funny guy. "I almost fell for it, but dragons? Come on, everyone knows dragons are a pure myth. And everyone knows witches only care about their own covens,"

"You think dragons are a myth?"

I smile at him. "Absolutely!"

We both glance up when the elevator moves again. Suddenly we are traveling through floors, and then the elevator opens on the thirteenth floor.

I stare at the walls outside the doors with a frown. "Looks like the elevator brought us to the floor where I'm getting out," I give Ariel an apologetic smile. "Let's hope the elevator works well enough to bring you to yours,"

Ariel stands up to his full height with a smirk. He brushes invisible dust from his clothes and then strides for the doors like a man with a purpose.

"No worries, I'm getting out here too," He says.

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. "You are?"

Ariel turns around, and I reel back from the sheer pressure of having his smile aimed my way. He is way taller than me, more expansive too, with muscled arms that are busily fixing his tie. It's such a harmless action, and yet for some incomprehensible reason, I blush.

"Yes," Ariel says in his smooth and very amused voice. "I believe we have an interview to take care of, Miss Ellis,"

Ariel winks at me, causing me to turn into stone.

I stare after his back and feel like an idiot. This beautiful, beautiful man couldn't possibly be the CEO? Please, someone, tell me he isn't the goddamn CEO! He has seen me in my polka-dotted underwear!

"Oh, and please call me Ariel," Ariel smiles wickedly. What a bastard. He must know his own charm. "I kinda like having someone who doesn't call me Mr. Archer,"

Irritated, and not to mention embarrassed, I speechlessly follow Ariel into his office.

"Take a seat, Miss Ellis," Ariel nods at a leather chair on the opposite side of his expensive wooden desk. I watch him gracefully dip down into his own chair, where he spins around to face me.

Swallowing, I take a seat and glance around his office. Ariel seems to be good at reading other people. His eyes are very observant, but I'm having a hard time reading him.

I could be wrong, but in my eyes, the man is like a wall, one who keeps his heart hidden from the world around him. While Ariel seems friendly, but I can't see him letting people close. I don't know why, but it looks as if his stormy eyes are sheltering a million secrets.

"Comfortable?"

I nod. I couldn't possibly lie and tell Ariel how nervous his intense eyes are making me.

"Good," Ariel's face takes a polite expression. "Is there anything I could get you? Coffee?"

"N-No, thank you," I stutter, perplexed by his burning gaze.

Ariel looks amused. "Not much of a coffee drinker?"

I almost want to tell him: "No. I drink coffee, but I'm self-conscious and nervous sitting here in your office while wearing your jacket. And you being disturbingly handsome isn't helping the situation!"

I push away my troublesome thoughts and fake a smile. "I just don't want coffee right now," I'm not lying.

Ariel nods slowly. His eyes are still watching me like a hawk, and I fight like hell to not pass out from the sheer intensity. I study his furniture to busy myself, anything to not pay attention to the gorgeous man in front of me.

"Do you like my office?"

I catch his eyes and smile anxiously. Some people say a person's personality is reflected by their choice of clothes and furniture, but those people had never stepped into Ariel's office.

There are no photographs, or weird statues, not even any paintings on the walls. Instead, everything is clean, and to be honest, it's boring.

"Your office needs some color," I seek his eyes and regret it when my heart does this little flip-flop. It's no secret I find Ariel attractive—he must have noticed the way I'm acting around him too. The bastard. "And a bit of personality,"

Ariel looks surprised by my honest opinion. His finger touches his lush bottom lip, and I find myself taken by the tipping smile taking over the left side of his face.

I wonder how old he is?

"All right," Ariel says, looking at me. "What color do I need more of?"

"Green," I tell him quickly and fight like hell to not stare at his widening smile. "The color of the forest would fit in here,"

"Great, I will head to the flower shop tomorrow and buy some plants,"

"Buy a carpet too,"

"Which color?"

"White, one of those fluffy ones they got over at IKEA,"

He smiles wider. "Okay, anything else?"

"Maybe a painting..."

By now, the man is grinning, and sparks fly through me in response. It's too easy bantering with Ariel. He is the company's CEO that I would like to hire me, but here we are, flirting with each other, and it's scarily natural.

"I will grab a painting too,"

"Awesome," I say and try to sound like my usual cherry-self.

"As for the job, it's already yours," Ariel smiles warmly at me. "I know you don't have any experience in serving wine to customers, but Linda will teach you everything you need to know,"

I tilt my head. "Linda?"

"Linda is in charge of the kitchen. She is strict and consistent, but I'm sure the two of you will get along,"

I keep a smile on my face while I grimace inwardly. Linda doesn't sound like the type of person who would get along with me. I'm the complete opposite of order, but I can't tell Ariel that since I need this job more than anything.

"Okay,"

"I need you to meet Linda too... But not today," Ariel looks meaningly at my self-made jacket-skirt, and I flush.

"Right," I don't dare meet his eyes, afraid I might drown.

"I want you to come in at the same time tomorrow to meet Linda. First, the two of you will examine your schedule, and after that, she will hand your clothes and show you to your locker. After that, you will go through the basics of being a server at our hotel, and if you have questions, Linda will answer them for you. Does that sound good?"

I nod my head. "Yes,"

"Excellent,"

I stare down at his jacket still wrapped around my waist, and Ariel silently follows my eyes. He says nothing, but the amusement finding its way into his face makes shame overwhelm me like a river. Why did I have to embarrass myself in front of the big boss?

"You can keep my jacket," Ariel smiles then, and I know the bastard is silently laughing at me. My cheeks scald at my observation, and I try to sit taller, appear less nervous when his eyes roam all over me. "You need it more than me,"

"Thank you," I mumble.

"No problem, Miss Ellis,"

There it is, that smooth accent again that makes every hair on my body stand on edge.

Will it be long before I get to hear it again?

Dumbly, I let my eyes dart to Ariel's blue, and then I swear inwardly when I find myself unable to look away. Ariel is beautiful in this annoying way that makes it near impossible to tear one's gaze away from him.

"What?" Ariel tilts his head. "Is something the matter?"

"No, I just spaced out..." I was totally checking him out.

Ariel smiles and gets up from his chair. "I will follow you to the door,"

The second his towering frame approaches me, panic floods to the surface of my mind. I immediately back towards the door, hating how I act around Ariel.

"No-no-no!" I assure him. "I can walk out on my own!"

I don't know why being close to Ariel awakens this weird current in the air between us. I can't breathe around him; every inhale is tense and forced like something is stuck inside my throat.

It must be his elegance and position, I tell myself fiercely. I'm not used to being around rich, beautiful people who own fancy hotels.

"Let me escort you outside,"

"I can't have you do that; it would be too much to ask for," I tell him.

His lips quirk up higher on his face. "But I want to escort you, Miss Ellis. It would be the most natural thing to do, and I honestly don't want you to end up stuck in the elevator all by yourself,"

"That's very considerate of you," I try to hide my nervosity by speaking formally, but my voice ends up sounding unstable instead of professional. Ariel could probably hear my heartbeats if he listened. "But I can handle myself,"

Ariel looks amused, and I quickly head for the door without looking back.

It seems the man ignored my wishes—I can hear Ariel laugh in delight as he follows me to the elevator. I'm hyperaware of his footsteps but try to suppress my emotions by rapidly pressing the elevator button.

"I don't expect it will get here any faster no matter how many times you press the button,"

"You never know," I snap.

Ariel chuckles. I can sense his sturdy frame behind me. The man is a monolith, casting me in his shadow while we both wait for the elevator.

Why does he have to be so tall?

I stare at the number on display. When it pings on our floor, I need to swallow, not to puke. I can't wait to get the hell away from here, away from this beautiful man who makes me act tense and strange.

"Did you take the train here?"

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. This man is hard to deal with. I want Ariel to stop talking already because whenever he opens that mouth, my mind goes on a trip.

"Yes," I tell him flatly. "I live on the other side of the city,"

"I see," Ariel hums. "Do you want me to drive you home, Miss Ellis? Your skirt no longer exists, and I don't like the idea of you wearing something that barely covers your legs on the train. I would definitely be more at ease if you sat in my car,"

Wordlessly, I stare at the floor like I've turned into a statue, but inwardly I'm laughing.

I would definitely prefer sitting in a car seat, but the headache is riding with a man who makes me nervous by simply looking my way. It wouldn't surprise me if I passed out during the ride home in this man's presence.

"Thank you," I can't get inside the elevator fast enough when the doors open. "But I will be fine, so please don't bother following me downstairs. The offer is nice, but I can take care of myself,"

"Are you sure?" Ariel gives me a small smile. "I genuinely don't mind driving you,"

I plaster a smile on my face. "Yes, I'm sure,"

Ariel places one hand against the wall and leans forward to close the distance between us. He is looking at me from his imposing height, these beautiful blue eyes peering directly into mine. It's distracting, and suddenly breathing isn't an option.

"As you wish," Ariel's lips curl slightly by the corners, and his intense eyes ruin me from within. "Goodbye, Miss Ellis,"

I stare at him, barely able to focus. "Goodbye, Ariel,"

Ariel leans back as the doors close, and once I'm alone, I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding.

Ariel, that man, he makes my heart pound without even trying. And for some incomprehensible reason, there is a hollowness in my chest when I can no longer see his face.