The alarm exploded into the stillness like a siren from another world. I jolted awake, heart pounding, breath caught in my throat. For a moment, I lay frozen beneath the covers, trying to hang onto the last threads of sleep, soft, warm, and slipping fast.
But today wasn't a day to linger.
I threw off the blankets and stepped onto the chilled wooden floor, the shock grounding me. In the bathroom, steam rose like morning mist. The hot spray of the shower cleared away the final traces of sleep, replacing grogginess with an electrifying jolt of awareness.
Wrapped in a towel, I padded back into the room. Morning birdsong danced through the open window, a crisp breeze carrying it in. Something about the air felt different, fresh, and charged. Like something important was about to begin.
I dressed quickly: black cargo pants and a crisp white shirt. My hands trembled slightly as I buttoned the cuffs. It was nerves, but not just nerves. It was that peculiar buzz that comes before a leap into the unknown.
Downstairs, the scent of warm pastries and coffee drifted up to meet me. My heartbeat slowed as I descended, comforted by the familiarity. The golden morning light poured into the kitchen, painting everything with a glow. My grandma and Aunt Amelia were already seated, their voices soft and full of life.
A genuine smile touched my lips. "Good morning," I said, still husky from sleep.
A chorus of warm greetings met me. It felt like safety.
Aunt Amelia leaned in, her eyes gentle but alert. "Did you sleep well, Ravenna?"
"Like a baby," I said, matching her warmth.
And then Ella breezed in, all sunshine and confidence. "Good morning, everyone!"
I laughed softly. "Good morning, cousin."
Ella grinned and flopped into a chair. "Are you ready to conquer the world today? Let's get to work."
I blinked. "Wait… you work there too?"
Her eyes sparkled. "Of course! I'm an architect."
A slow smile crept across my face. "I should've asked. That's amazing. You working there definitely ups the fun factor."
"Oh, fun?" she teased. "Let me tell you, things are never boring when I'm around."
We shared a laugh, and then, just like that, she grabbed my hand. "Alright, cousin. Time to rise and shine."
Her car roared to life as we sped down the road, music thrumming through the speakers. She hummed to the rhythm, tossing me mischievous looks every few beats. I couldn't help smiling.
"You're going to love this place," she said, voice light but full of certainty. "Trust me."
"I want to," I admitted, watching buildings blur past. "We'll see."
And then, we stopped.
I stepped out of the car and froze. My breath caught as I stared up at the towering structure before me. All glass and gleaming angles, it looked like it belonged in a magazine. Elegant. Bold. Visionary.
"Lumina Design?" I gasped. "This is my grandfather's company? This is the Lumina Design?"
"The one and only," Ella said, her laughter bubbling out. "Didn't know you'd heard of it."
"I didn't just hear of it," I murmured. "It's the top architecture firm in the country. I… I can't believe I'm standing here."
She squeezed my hand. "And soon, you'll be working inside it. Don't freak out. You've got this. You're talented. And hey, with me around, what could possibly go wrong?" She winked.
Maybe she was right.
The doors whooshed open, and cool air wrapped around us. The interior was sleek and modern, buzzing with energy. I could feel it in my skin, this place pulsed with purpose.
"Your meeting's on the ninth floor," Ella said, her voice steady but excited. "Go kill it. I'll catch up with you later."
She vanished into the crowd like she belonged there. I took a deep breath and headed to the elevator, my reflection flickering across the polished metal walls.
As the elevator climbed, so did my nerves.
Ninth floor. This was it.
I stepped out into a softly carpeted corridor and approached the reception desk. The woman behind it looked up with a bright, professional smile.
"Good morning! How can I help you?"
"I'm here for the interview," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Name?"
"Ravenna Miller."
She typed something, glanced at me, just a flicker of curiosity in her eyes, and then smiled again. "Please, take a seat. You'll be called shortly."
I nodded and sat down, heart thudding. I whispered the name to myself again, testing it on my tongue. Ravenna Miller. It still felt foreign.
My name echoed across the room.
I stood, legs shaky, and followed the assistant through a door that opened into an elegant office scented with leather and old books. The man who rose to greet me wore kindness in his expression, like someone I could trust.
"Please, sit," he said, gesturing warmly.
"Thank you," I managed, settling into the chair.
"No need to be nervous," he said, his smile reassuring. "May I see your resume?"
I handed it over, watching as he skimmed the details. "Art history, Stanford… and a doctorate by twenty-three?" he said, raising his brows.
I met his gaze with a small, knowing smile. "I was fast-tracked in middle school for academic performance."
A flicker of impressed surprise passed over his features. "Impressive," he murmured. "Though… I see no job experience."
"I just graduated last year," I explained. "And I only moved here this week."
He leaned forward, eyes lighting up. "That makes sense. In fact… we might have just the role for you."
My breath hitched. "Architectural designer?"
"Exactly." He grinned. "Would you like to start today?"
I practically jumped out of the chair. "Yes! Absolutely!"
He chuckled and picked up the phone. "Maya, can you come in for a moment?"
A knock. The door opened. A young woman entered.
"Maya," he said, "please escort Ms. Miller to the design floor."
Back in the elevator, my pulse quickened again. This time, not from nerves but from exhilaration.
On the top floor, Maya led me through a hallway and knocked on an office door.
"Come in," came a rough voice.
She opened the door. "This is the new architectural designer."
I stepped inside… and froze.
Lucas.
He looked up, eyes wide, then burst into a surprised laugh. "Thanks, Maya," he said. "We'll take it from here."
She slipped out, and silence settled.
Lucas leaned back in his chair, smirking. "So… you're the new hire?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Is that a problem?"
He grinned. "Not at all. Let's see what you've got."
He stood and strode down the hallway. I followed, heart pounding, not quite sure what I was walking into, only that it felt right.
He opened the door.
My breath caught. Floor-to-ceiling windows, clean lines, and organized shelves stacked with blueprints and design books. A desk that practically whispered, "Create something great."
"This is it," he said, motioning me in. "Your new kingdom."
I stepped in, feeling something click into place.
He winked. "Everything you need is already on your desk. Welcome to Lumina, Ravenna." And with that, he was gone.
I stared after him, then turned to the desk. I dropped my bag, grabbed a pen, and sat down. This was real. This was happening.
The blank page in front of me was like the beginning of a brand-new life, mine to fill.
Two hours later, my head throbbed gently. I pushed back from the desk, stretched, and reached for my coffee cup. It was empty.
Time for a refill and maybe, just maybe, a moment to breathe
I shot to my feet, a sharp wince slicing through me as stiff muscles protested the sudden movement. Damn it. I still needed to copy those papers. The copier sat at the end of the hall, a brief escape from the mental marathon this report had become.
I gathered the documents into a neat stack, clutching them tightly to my chest as I slipped out of the office and into the corridor. My mind was still buried in calculations, figures, and the deadlines breathing down my neck. So when I turned the corner, I didn't see him.
Until I slammed into him.
The impact was a thunderclap against my chest. My breath caught as I staggered backward, heels scraping against the floor. Papers burst from my grip and flew through the air like startled birds, fluttering to the ground in a chaotic storm.
A gasp tore from my throat. My heart was racing, fury sparking like flint. I looked up, ready to spit fire—
And froze.
He stood there like something carved from shadows and starlight. Towering. Still. Dangerous. His eyes, impossibly dark blue, glinted like storm-lit oceans, deep, wild, and all-consuming. They locked onto mine, and for a heartbeat, I forgot how to breathe. His black hair fell across his brow in just the right way, messy but deliberate, framing a face that looked like it had been sculpted to ruin good judgment. There was something in his presence, something electric and untamed. A gravitational pull I couldn't fight, even if I wanted to.
And I wasn't so sure I wanted to.