Chapter 1 — Welcome to Hell, a.k.a. Your First Day
If confidence had a scent, mine would've been a mix of vanilla perfume and mild panic.
The elevator doors slid open, revealing the 23rd floor of Cross & Co. Marketing, one of New York's most elite firms — and my new workplace. I stepped out, clutching my coffee like a talisman against failure.
"This is it, Lina," I whispered to myself. "New job, new you, new—oh my god."
Because right in front of me stood him.
Ethan Cross.
CEO.
Professional heartbreaker.
Certified pain in my beautifully stressed-out neck.
And — cherry on top — the guy who once called my college presentation "cute but naïve" in front of a hundred people.
My blood pressure spiked. The universe clearly had jokes.
He hadn't seen me yet, thank God. He was leaning against the glass office wall, scrolling through his phone — tall, broad-shouldered, perfectly put together in a charcoal suit that screamed money, power, and zero sense of humor.
I ducked behind a potted plant. Because yes, that's the level of maturity I operate on.
"Brooks?" a voice called.
I straightened instantly, nearly spilling my coffee. Jess, the HR manager — bubbly, pink-haired, and already my favorite person here — waved from the reception desk.
"Come on! Ethan's waiting to meet you!"
Of course he was. Because fate wasn't just cruel — it was dramatic.
I plastered on my best fake smile and followed her into his office, praying he wouldn't recognize me.
Spoiler: he did.
Ethan looked up, eyes narrowing just a fraction. His gray gaze swept over me, professional but assessing. Then his lips curved slightly — the kind of smirk that used to make girls trip over their words.
"Lina Brooks," he said slowly, like he was savoring the name. "Well, this is…unexpected."
Oh, great. He remembered everything.
"Mr. Cross," I said, with the tightest smile in the history of smiles. "Small world, huh?"
"Apparently," he replied, setting his phone down. "I didn't know HR had such a sense of humor."
Jess laughed awkwardly. "You two know each other?"
Ethan's smirk deepened. "Let's just say Ms. Brooks once gave me the most entertaining business pitch I've ever seen. Something about selling umbrellas that compliment your mood?"
I wanted to crawl into a hole and live there forever.
"It was a prototype project," I muttered. "In college. Where creative risks are encouraged."
Ethan leaned back in his chair, studying me with maddening calm. "Then let's hope you've learned a few things since college. Cross & Co. doesn't do prototypes — we do perfection."
I bit my tongue so hard it almost qualified as self-defense.
After Jess left us alone, Ethan gestured for me to sit. "You'll be joining my team directly. You'll handle client copy for the new 'KissMe Cosmetics' account."
"KissMe," I repeated dryly. "Fitting."
His eyes flicked up. "Excuse me?"
"Nothing," I said quickly. "Just… catchy name."
He didn't look convinced, but continued. "Your desk's right outside my office. I like my team close."
Oh, wonderful. Trapped in the same airspace as the man who made sarcasm sound like an art form.
I nodded, pretending not to notice the heat creeping up my neck. Ethan Cross had a way of making simple words feel like double meanings.
"Any questions?" he asked.
"Just one," I said. "How do you prefer your coffee? So I know what to not bring you."
His jaw ticked. "I don't mix business with caffeine sarcasm."
"Good," I said sweetly. "I'm allergic to egos before 9 a.m."
His lips twitched — not quite a smile, but dangerously close.
The rest of the morning went as well as one might expect from two people who'd rather argue than breathe.
By noon, I'd spilled coffee on my report, insulted his favorite slogan idea ("Love in Every Swipe? Sounds like a dating app, not a lipstick"), and gotten into a ten-minute debate about the difference between romantic and cheesy.
And the worst part?
He seemed to enjoy it.
"Your problem," he said finally, leaning over my desk with that infuriatingly smug expression, "is that you think you're funny."
"I am funny," I shot back. "People laugh."
"At you, maybe."
"Oh please, you laugh never. You probably schedule joy into your calendar."
He folded his arms, amused. "You done?"
"Not even close."
Something flickered in his eyes — challenge, interest, maybe both.
Then he said, softly but deliberately, "Careful, Brooks. Keep talking like that, and people might think you're flirting."
My pulse stuttered. "You wish."
He leaned closer, his voice low. "You have no idea."
At that exact moment, Jess popped her head in. "Hey, guys! Lunch break!"
Saved by HR.
I bolted up. "Perfect timing! I was just thinking about food and not losing my job."
Ethan chuckled under his breath as I fled the room. The sound was warm, unexpected — and way too attractive for someone I'd sworn to hate.
As the elevator doors closed behind me, I caught my reflection — cheeks flushed, heart racing.
Damn it.
It was only Day One.
And I was already in trouble.
End of Chapter 1