The smell of sizzling eggs filled the small kitchen as I stirred the pan, trying to make breakfast before the others woke up.
"Good morning," Maria said with a soft smile as she walked in, rubbing her eyes.
"Morning," I replied, still focused on the food.
"Jessica, you don't know how hungry I am," Rose groaned dramatically as she joined us, holding her stomach.
I placed the food carefully on the table while Maria poured tea into the cups. The three of us sat down together, just about to eat, when a loud knock echoed through the door. At first it was gentle, but it grew harder and harder, each bang shaking the walls.
Maria frowned. "I'm sure it's that guy again."
Rose peeked through the small crack of the curtain. Her face tensed. "It's Hason."
From outside, his voice boomed, "Jessica! Open the door. I know you're inside!"
My chest tightened, but I forced myself to stand. Slowly, I walked to the door and pulled it open. Hason barged in without waiting, his bodyguards following close behind. He dropped heavily onto our sofa like he owned the place.
"Jessica," he said coldly, "you will finish this mission, or I'll kick you and your roommates out of this house. Don't forget—you're not even paying rent."
I clenched my fists, trying to keep calm.
"Are you serious?" Rose snapped, glaring at him. "Last time Jessica was already close to trouble."
"Yeah," Maria added, her voice trembling. "She was almost thrown in jail."
The room fell silent, the tension so thick it was hard to breathe.
"Shut up," Hason snapped, his voice sharp and commanding. He tossed a photo on the table, his finger tapping it hard. "You're going to MECH Corporation. I want you to steal this file. Bring me what's inside."
"MECH?" Rose's eyes widened. "Are you serious? That's dangerous!"
Hason leaned forward, his glare like fire. "Then if you don't do it, be ready to sleep on the streets."
Fear twisted in my stomach, but I forced myself to speak. "No… no, I'll do it. Show me the file again."
He slid the photo toward me, his lips curling into a smirk. "This is what I want. Don't mess it up."
"Why do you even need MECH's file?" Rose pressed, folding her arms.
"We got a buyer," Hason said proudly. "He's offering 4.5 million. Do you even know how much that is?"
"Six digits," Maria whispered, her voice uneasy.
"Why would he want the file?" Rose asked again, her suspicion clear.
Hason's eyes narrowed. "It's none of your business. Just do what I told you."
He threw a set of notes across the table, scribbled maps and instructions. My heart pounded as I studied them, knowing there was no turning back.
That night, I slipped on a pair of glasses and made my way to MECH Corporation. My pulse raced with every step. Inside, I sneaked into the cleaners' changing room, quickly switching into their uniform. With a mop bucket in hand, I blended in and moved toward the elevator.
Nobody stopped me. Nobody looked twice.
The elevator carried me up to the CEO's floor. The moment the doors slid open, my nerves spiked. His office was just down the hall. Quietly, I slipped inside, shutting the door behind me.
The office was spotless, with shelves lined perfectly. I searched frantically, looking for the file that matched the photo, pulling drawers open, scanning cabinets. Then I spotted a hidden door.
I hurried to it, but it had a keypad lock. My fingers froze—I didn't know the code.
Just then, the sound of the office door clicking open made my blood run cold.
Panic rushed through me. I grabbed the mop and pretended to clean the floor, my hands trembling.
Two men walked in. The first one was tall with a sharp jaw, dressed in an expensive suit. His presence was commanding, the kind that made the room feel smaller. Behind him stood another man, probably his assistant.
The sharp-jawed man's eyes locked onto me.
"What are you doing in my office?" His voice was deep, suspicious.
"I… I…" My throat went dry. "I'm the new cleaner."
He stepped closer, his gaze heavy.
"New cleaner?" he repeated.
My hands shook. I tried to steady my breathing.
"No one is allowed in the CEO's office at this time," the assistant snapped, narrowing his eyes.
"Why were you hired without knowing the rules?" the man with the sharp jaw demanded.
"I… I apologize," I stammered.
"Go to the finance department and collect your day's pay. You're fired." His voice was cold, final.
Fired? I wasn't even hired in the first place.
"Okay," I muttered, keeping my head down.
I hurried out, rushing back to the cleaners' room to change clothes. My heart was still racing, but I hadn't found the file. Frustration burned in my chest.
Once I was out of the building, I slipped on my glasses and tried to act normal. My phone buzzed. Hason.
I answered reluctantly.
"Did you find it?" His voice was sharp.
"No… I was nearly caught," I admitted.
"You're telling me you didn't find it?" he barked.
"Yeah," I whispered.
"Damn it, Jessica!" he shouted and hung up.
I sighed heavily. As I turned, a large screen outside the building caught my eye. The news banner read: MECH Corporation now hiring: Assistant to the CEO.
A crazy idea hit me. Maybe… let me try this.
I walked back inside, keeping my head low. At the front desk, I registered for the interview. The receptionist told me to return the next day.
When I got home, Maria was gone, but Rose was there.
I sank into the sofa, exhausted.
"Did you get the file?" Rose asked immediately.
"Rose, I was so close to being caught. If I hadn't thought of the cleaner disguise, I'd probably be in jail right now."
"Wait—if he saw you as a cleaner today, and he sees you again tomorrow, he'll put it together," Rose warned.
"No, he won't." I forced a smile.
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because he already fired me," I said with a laugh.
Rose burst out laughing. "Girl, you got fired before you were even hired!"
"Yeah, yeah, I know how funny it sounds," I chuckled with her.
Her smile faded. "So, what are you going to do about Hason?"
"I'm going back tomorrow. I registered for the CEO's assistant interview."
"Are you serious?" she asked, shocked.
"I am."
"For what position?"
"For the CEO's second assistant."
"Jessica!" Rose threw her hands in the air. "Today he saw you as a cleaner, and tomorrow he'll see you sitting in an interview for his assistant!"
I shrugged. "I don't think he'll remember me."
Rose shook her head. "Okay… let's say you actually get hired. Then what's your plan?"
"Simple. I'll gain his trust. Once I do, I'll have access to that file."
"May God help you," she murmured.
"Don't you have work today?" I asked.
"My shift is later," she replied.
"Oh. Do you know where Maria went?"
"She said she had lessons."
"Alright," I said softly.
Rose stood. "Do you want some tea? I was about to make some."
"Sure."
She walked into the kitchen, and I leaned back on the sofa. Suddenly, loud knocking rattled the door—louder and louder, like before.
"Who is it now?" Rose called from the kitchen.
I opened the door and froze. It was Hason, his face dark with anger. He pushed his way inside, sitting heavily on the sofa without a word.
"Jessica, your mission is incomplete," he said coldly.
"Mr. Hason, that man was about to catch me," I argued.
"Then how did you escape?" he asked suspiciously.
"Thank God I was disguised as a cleaner."
"She even got fired without being hired," Rose teased, handing me my tea.
"Want some?" she asked Hason casually.
"No need. I'm already burning," he growled.
"Jessica, do you think I'll forgive you just because you offered me tea?" Hason snapped.
"No, no—that was me," Rose said with a cheeky smile.
"Do you think this is a joke?" Hason's voice rose, echoing through the room. "This job is worth 4.5 million dollars!"
"I tried my best," I said quickly. "I even registered for an interview at MECH Corporation."
"I didn't tell you to get a job," he shot back. "I told you to bring me that file."
"Mr. Hason, listen—if I get hired, I'll be close to the CEO's office. That means I'll have a chance to earn his trust… and eventually, get the file."
He narrowed his eyes, then finally leaned back. "Do whatever you want. But I need that file within four months. That's enough time."
Without waiting for a reply, he stormed out with his bodyguards.
The next day, I dressed formally for the interview and returned to MECH.
"Hello," I said politely at the front desk.
"Welcome to MECH Corporation," the receptionist smiled. "How may I help you?"
"Could you tell me where the interview for the CEO's second assistant is?"
"One moment, please." She flipped through a file, scanning the names. "Can I have your name?"
"Jessica."
She nodded. "Ms. Jessica, your interview is on the 28th floor."
My stomach dropped. The same floor as yesterday.
"Thank you," I said, forcing a smile.
I rushed to the elevator. Just as the doors were closing, I saw him—the same man from yesterday. His assistant held the door for me.
"Thank you," I said quickly, stepping inside. The doors slid shut, and I reached for the panel, but the button for floor 28 was already lit.
I swallowed hard, trying to act calm.
The elevator jerked suddenly, the lights flickering before cutting out. Shocked, I stumbled, nearly falling. Strong arms caught me before I hit the floor.
When the lights returned, I found myself staring into the sharp-jawed man's eyes. He was holding me.
For a second, neither of us moved. His gaze was steady, unreadable, and I felt frozen in place.
"Are you planning to stay in my arms forever?" he asked dryly.
Heat rushed to my cheeks. I scrambled to stand upright. "Thank you," I muttered.
He said nothing, only returning his attention to the tablet in his hand as if nothing had happened.
Do these people not know the words 'you're welcome'? I thought.
The elevator doors opened. He and his assistant walked out, their footsteps echoing down the hall. I exhaled and followed, heading straight to the waiting area. I sat down nervously in front of the interview room, my heart still racing.