The door clicked shut behind her, and still, I didn't move.
I stared at the screen for a while, not seeing anything. My fingers hovered over the keyboard but didn't type.
Every part of me was buzzing like a live wire. I hated that. I hated that she had that effect. I hated that she walked into my building, my office, and made the air feel too sharp to breathe.
What kind of game was she playing?
She'd acted like she didn't know me. Like she was just another good person. But I knew better. I'd seen her in that hallway. I'd watched her glare like I was the worst thing that had ever happened to her. And now she wanted to be my assistant? pathetic.
Bullshit.
This wasn't a coincidence. It couldn't be. It reeked of manipulation. Like she'd waited for the perfect opportunity to claw her way into my space.
I leaned back in my chair and pinched the bridge of my nose.
God, what if she was really just that good at pretending?
No. I wasn't going to give her the benefit of that doubt. Not after the way she'd looked at me—challenging, like she could read me.
She didn't get to do that. Not here. Not in my world.
This was business. This was structure. Order. Power.
And she wasn't going to unravel that.
I picked up her résumé again. Her qualifications weren't bad. Maybe even ideal. But it didn't matter.
She was here for a reason. And I was going to find out what it was.
And if she wanted to play the long game? Fine.
I could play it better.
****@
Cameron knocked once before stepping into the office, tablet in hand.
"She passed the background checks. Everything's clean," he said, voice low. "Still want to go ahead?"
I didn't look up from my screen. "Yes."
He paused. "You sure?"
"I said yes." he is starting to piss me of with his question
Cameron nodded, lips pressed together, but didn't push. He handed over the file anyway. I scanned the approval form and signed it.
"She'll start Monday," I said.
"You want me to call her?"
"No," I said, voice flat. "Email. Standard template. Keep it formal."
He raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Got it."
When he left, I finally leaned back and stared out the window.
Hiring her wasn't weakness.
It was control.
She thought she could walk into my life, smile pretty, and win me over?
No. that is not gonna happen
This time, I'd be the one watching. Calculating. Waiting.
And when the mask slipped—when she showed who she really was—I'd be ready.
Let her step into my world.
Let her pretend she belonged here.
I'll make sure she remembers exactly who she's dealing with.
****
Isabella's pov
I was halfway through folding laundry—real stuff—when the email pinged.
I almost didn't check it. Probably another rejection. Probably another "we've gone with someone more experienced" wrapped in pointless HR language.
But then I saw the subject line.
"Vantage and cole – Interview Outcome"
My heart nearly stopped.
I wiped my hands on my jeans, sat on the edge of the bed, and opened the email like it might bite me.
Dear Miss Miller,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for the position of Personal Assistant to Mr. Adrien Walton, effective immediately. Your official start date is Monday at 8:00 AM.
Please find attached your onboarding documents. We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Human Resources
Vantage and Cole.
I blinked.
Read it again.
And then a third time.
They… they hired me?
they hired me!!
Adrien Walton hired me. He hired me.
Why?
After that cold, robotic interview… after that complete act like we'd never even met? Why did he?
He hadn't even looked like he remembered me. No smirk. No eye twitches. No dry sarcasm. He'd treated me like I was nobody.
And yet…
Now I was his assistant? My stomach flipped.
The email sat open on my screen, still glowing like it might disappear if I blinked.
I'd been selected. I got the job.
I swallowed hard and grabbed my phone.
Aria.
I needed her voice. Her squeal. Her "oh my God, Isabell, I told you!"
She picked up on the second ring.
"Hey—"
"I got it," I blurted out.
A beat. Then: "What?"
"I got the job, Aria. The personal assistant position."
Her scream nearly shattered my eardrum. "Shut up! Are you serious?!"
"I just got the email. I start Monday." I said.
"Oh my God, Isabella! That's amazing. I told you that you'd ace it"
"Yep," I said, flopping back on the bed.
"Girl! You're about to be in heels and blazers every day. Say goodbye to ratty hoodies and hello to overpriced coffee." haha very funny.
I smiled, but it didn't quite reach my chest. "Yeah… totally."
She went quiet for a second. "Okay, what's wrong?"
I hesitated. "Nothing. It's just... fast. And unexpected."
"Mhm. You're talking to me, Isabell. Try again."
I picked at a thread on my blanket. "It's just going to be… complicated. But I'll figure it out."
"Complicated how? Is the job weird?"
"No. Just… you know, corporate jungle stuff."
She didn't buy it, but she let it go. "Well, whatever it is, you've got this. You always land on your feet."
"Thanks, Aria."
"No problem. Now go celebrate before imposter syndrome shows up and ruins everything."
I laughed. "Too late."
Still, I hung up feeling a little bit stable. A little more sure.
All I need to do now is inform Pedro about it. I'm so much going to miss the bakery.