CHAPTER 2
"Omg! I can't believe it!" I blurted out, my heart racing as I stared at the screen of my phone. I blinked a few times to make sure I wasn't seeing things. There it was—an email with the subject line "Interview Invitation"
I sat up straight in bed, suddenly wide awake, my mind racing. The interview. *For the job*. The one I'd applied to weeks ago, the one I thought had zero chance of going anywhere. And now here it was, in black and white: Interview scheduled for 2 PM today.
I could feel my palms getting sweaty. "What the heck? I wasn't even ready for this!" The panic was real, but I tried to calm myself down. I mean, I had to, right? I couldn't mess this up.
But then, my mind wandered back to last night. Everything that had happened. The rude customer, the fight, the frustration. I had been so close to just losing it, but then that guy stepped in. The stranger. He was so... composed, and he just—he took control of the situation like it was nothing. His calm words kept replaying in my mind. "She's doing her job. And she's doing it just fine."
I hadn't had the chance to thank him. I never even got his name. But now, thinking about it, I felt a little lighter. Like maybe I wasn't as incapable as I had believed. Maybe I could do this job, maybe I was good enough for it.
Then I remembered Josh. He had come out after the scene with the customer, giving me that tired, yet comforting smile. He'd just said, "You can skip today. I'll cover for you. You've had a tough day. Go home. Rest."
I didn't know whether to be relieved or guilty, but now, with this interview hanging over me, I could see the opportunity I had to grab.
I shook myself out of the daydreams. "Okay, focus. Let's get ready. No backing out now."
I slipped out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom. After a quick shower to wash off the exhaustion and nerves, I headed to the kitchen. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee instantly made me feel a little better.
Sipping my coffee, I opened my laptop and checked the email again, making sure it wasn't a mistake. It was real. This was happening.
I closed my eyes for a second, trying to ground myself. Last night's moment of kindness from a stranger, the words of reassurance... they echoed in my mind. Maybe I wasn't as small as I thought. Maybe I could nail this interview.
***
I stepped into the office building, my heart pounding against my ribcage, and I took a deep breath as I approached the reception desk. The building looked so sleek, so professional. It wasn't like anything I was used to, and it felt like I was stepping into another world entirely. The receptionist smiled at me, and I smiled back, nervously running my fingers through my hair.
"Hello. I'm Amelia, here for the interview," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
She gestured toward the waiting area. "Please have a seat. They'll call you soon."
I nodded and moved to a corner where a row of chairs lined the wall. The waiting room wasn't full, just a few people. I felt my nerves creep back in as I sat down, my fingers tapping restlessly on my lap. I glanced at the clock, and it was almost time. The seconds felt like they were stretching, every one of them bringing me closer to the moment that would change everything. I had to nail this.
As I sat there, trying to calm my mind, I couldn't help but replay the events of last night. How everything had gotten so messed up with the rude customer. And how the stranger had helped me. I kept wondering if I'd ever see him again. But I had to focus on this moment now. The interview. This was the opportunity I had worked for.
The door finally opened, and a lady in a smart suit stepped out of the office. She smiled at me as she passed by, and I gave her a nervous nod. I stood up and walked into the office as I was called. The atmosphere inside was pristine, modern, and efficient—exactly the kind of place where I imagined working. I swallowed the lump in my throat.
There were four people sitting at the table, all looking over their papers. They smiled as I entered. I didn't recognize any of them, but the energy in the room was intimidating.
I took a deep breath, my voice shaking slightly as I said, "Good morning. I'm Amelia."
"Please, have a seat," one of them, a middle-aged man, said, gesturing to the empty chair at the table.
I sat down, trying to compose myself. The questions started flying. What experience did I have? What made me think I was qualified for this position? What strengths did I bring to the table? I answered them the best I could, with all the knowledge I had in my head.
For the most part, I was doing well. The questions were standard—nothing I hadn't practiced for—but there was a part of me that couldn't shake the nerves. I'd made it this far, but was I really going to get the job?
They were about to ask me another question And then, the door opened again.
Everyone turned, and I froze.
A tall figure walked in, his presence demanding attention the moment he entered the room. He was impeccably dressed, with an air of authority that seemed to radiate from him. His gaze swept across the room, landing on me for a split second before the others stood up to greet him. The man moved with ease, his every movement confident and controlled, as though he were used to being in charge.
The room fell silent.
"Sorry I'm late," he said, his voice smooth and steady. "I trust the interview's going well?"
The interviewers nodded quickly, but my focus was entirely on him. His face was familiar, but I couldn't place it like I had seen him some-other place apart from the magazines. I felt a slight flutter of recognition, but I brushed it off as I tried to stay composed.
The man took a seat, and the interview continued. He didn't say much at first, just listened as the others asked questions and jotted down notes. When it was my turn again, I answered with confidence, providing clear and thoughtful responses to each question.
His eyes were fixed on me for most of the conversation, his expression unreadable, though I could feel a slight tension in the air as I spoke. Despite his calm demeanor, there was something about him that made me uneasy. Maybe it was just the fact that he was the CEO, but something about him seemed… different.
Finally, after a few more questions, he leaned forward, giving me a small nod. "You're hired, Amelia," he said, his voice carrying a quiet authority. "But not as an intern. You've earned yourself the position of my assistant."
I blinked in surprise. "Wait, what?"
He smirked slightly, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "You're more than capable. Consider this an opportunity to prove yourself. I expect nothing less than excellence."
I was stunned. A million thoughts rushed through my head, but all I could do was nod.
"Thank you," I managed to whisper, still processing what had just happened.
---
The others stood up, offering polite smiles as they filed out of the room, leaving me alone with Levi. My hands still trembled slightly from the shock of being hired, and my mind was racing with a hundred thoughts. I was trying to absorb everything, but all I could focus on was the fact that I was now working for *him*. *Levi Banks*. The man who I never expected to see again.
He turned to leave, his movements smooth, confident, and as composed as ever. But just as he reached the door, he stopped and glanced back at me with that unreadable look in his eyes.
"Oh, and Amelia?" He spoke casually, but there was a hint of something deeper beneath his tone.
I raised my eyebrows, the sound of my name in his mouth unexpectedly grounding me in the moment.
"I also love coffee," he said, giving me a slight smirk. "Since you're so good at making it. I mean, it's O'Neil's standard coffee, right?"
For a second, the words didn't register. I blinked at him, feeling a jolt of recognition. His words... O'Neil's standard coffee…Wait. It hit me.
That was it
Suddenly, the fog in my mind cleared, and everything clicked into place. The coffee shop, the stranger... HIM. My heart stopped for a moment, and my breath caught in my throat as realization washed over me.
The person who had helped me that night, the one who had defended me when I was completely caught off guard, the man who had stood up to that rude customer and treated me like a human being... was no other than Levi Banks
It was him. THE Levi Banks. The CEO, the enigmatic, no-nonsense business mogul who had just hired me.
I stared at him, my mouth going dry as the pieces of the puzzle finally came together. I must have looked like a deer caught in headlights because Levi's eyes flickered with a slight, knowing smile.
"You alright there, Amelia?" His voice was smooth, but there was a hint of amusement in it, like he knew exactly what had just clicked in my mind.
I stood frozen for a moment, trying to form words, but my brain had momentarily short-circuited. All I could manage was a weak, "You're... You're the guy from the coffee shop?"
Levi gave a brief nod, still with that calm, almost teasing expression on his face. "Guilty as charged."
My mind was spinning. The stranger I'd thought I'd never see again, the one who had defended me in a way that no one else had, was now my boss. The man whose presence had unnerved me that day in the coffee shop, now standing in front of me as my new employer.
It was a lot to process. A whole lot.
"I never made the connection," I finally managed, still processing everything. "I had no idea you were... you were him."
He chuckled softly, walking toward the door, turning back to glance at me one last time. "Well, now you do. And I must say, I have an appreciation for good coffee. And good people who know how to make it."
His gaze lingered for just a moment longer before he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me standing there in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.
The man who had been kind to me in the chaos of that coffee shop... was now my boss. This was insane. And yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something much bigger than I could have imagined.
I took a deep breath, trying to regain some control over myself. *Levi Banks* was no longer just a stranger to me. He was my CEO, my boss, and somehow, I had just stepped into a whole new world.
I got home feeling elated, I couldn't wait to share the good news.
I sat in my chair, still trying to process everything. It felt unreal. I was staring at the letter, my official offer to work as Levi Banks' personal assistant, and I couldn't help but grin like a fool.
The adrenaline rush of being hired hadn't quite worn off, but I knew I needed to tell someone. I grabbed my phone, dialed Josh's number, and waited for him to pick up.
"Hello?" His voice came through the speaker, sleep still evident in his tone.
"Josh!" I couldn't keep the excitement out of my voice. "Guess what? I got the job!"
There was a brief silence, and I could practically hear him sitting up straighter on the other side of the phone. "Wait, what?! No way, Aubrey! You're kidding me, right?"
I laughed, clutching the phone tighter in my hand. "I'm serious! I'm the new assistant to Levi Banks!"
Josh's shocked silence made me laugh even harder. "That's incredible, Amie! I knew you could do it! But wait, Levi Banks? The Levi Banks? Like, the CEO?"
I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. "Yes! That one! And get this—he didn't even hire me as an intern. He hired me as his assistant!"
Josh let out a loud whoop on the other side of the phone. "Amelia, you just hit the jackpot! I knew you had it in you! That's huge!"
I smiled, feeling the weight of it all slowly sink in. "I can't believe it either. It's so crazy."
Josh's voice softened, filled with pride. "You deserve it, Amelia. I'm so proud of you. Just remember, when you become the big boss one day, don't forget about us little guys."
I rolled my eyes, grinning. "Don't worry, I'll bring you all coffee whenever I can."
"Deal," he said, clearly still in shock. "I'll let you go now, go celebrate, and don't forget to tell me all the juicy details later!"
"Wait Josh, one more thing!" I shouted in happiness as i told josh the about Levi being the person who stood up for me that night.
I let out a nervous laugh. "I know right? It's crazy! I didn't even recognize him at first during the interview. I had no idea I was sitting right in front of him. And then—get this—he was the one who hired me! Just... out of the blue. And I didn't even know it was him at first. The guy I helped at the coffee shop... it was him!"
Josh chuckled. "Talk about fate, huh? So, you're telling me that the guy who helped you make the best cup of coffee in your life is now your boss? Wow, Aubrey, that's wild!"
I laughed too, but Myra's message popped up at that exact moment: "Call me right now. I need all the details!"
I hit 'call' on Myra's contact, and she picked up almost immediately. "Ames, spill it. What the hell happened?" she demanded, already knowing I had some serious news.
I took a deep breath, the excitement coming through as I recounted everything. "So, it all started today when I went in for that interview. I thought it was just for an internship, right? But then, during the interview, this amazing CEO walked in, and guess who it was? LEVI BANKS!
And thats not the crazy part!This was the same man who helped me with that rude customer the other day!"
"Wait, WAIT!" Myra shouted. "The guy who helped you with your coffee? THE Levi Banks?!You are telling me that they are the same person?!!" She paused for dramatic effect. "Amelia, you're really living the dream. This is insane!"
I could hear the disbelief in both of their voices, but I knew they were both as excited as I was. I kept rambling on, detailing how he hired me, how I was still in shock, how everything felt like a dream.
"I can't believe this is real," I said, sitting down on my bed. "One minute, I'm struggling to make ends meet, and now I'm working for Levi Banks. I really don't know what to think right now."
Myra's voice softened, but there was a knowing tone. "Girl, this is huge. I mean, it's crazy, but it's your shot. You're finally getting the recognition you deserve. And who knows, maybe this could be the start of something big."
Josh chimed in. "I'm proud of you, Amelia. This is just the beginning, I can feel it."
I smiled at their words, feeling a warmth inside. With my friends cheering me on, I suddenly felt like I could take on anything. I had no idea what was going to happen next, but I was ready for it.
---