Ariana Lewis stepped out of the taxi, the morning sun bouncing off the sleek glass exterior of Blackwood Corp. She smoothed the front of her blazer, taking in a deep breath. This was it—the place where she would start her new life. At twenty-three, freshly graduated with honors in business administration, she knew the stakes were high. Landing a position at one of the city's most prestigious corporations was not just a career move—it was a chance to prove herself, to reclaim some sense of control after the chaos that had defined her childhood.
The revolving doors whispered as she entered the lobby, polished marble floors reflecting the crisp elegance of the towering office building. Security glanced up, giving a brief nod as she flashed her identification. A receptionist, mid-twenties with a polished smile, gestured toward the elevators.
"First day nerves?" the receptionist asked. "Don't worry. Damian Blackwood runs a tight ship, but if you're competent, you'll be fine."
Ariana's lips twitched into a polite smile. "I hope so."
She stepped into the elevator, pressing the button for the twenty-first floor. Her reflection in the mirrored walls caught her off guard for a moment. She looked composed, professional, but inside, her stomach churned. The Lewis family tragedy wasn't something she shared openly. The world didn't need to know how fragile her life had been, how at seven she had watched everything she loved crumble into dust.
The elevator chimed, and the doors opened to the office floor, a maze of glass cubicles, polished mahogany desks, and people hurrying between meetings. Ariana's heart raced. She had expected this. She had imagined it a hundred times in her head—but reality was overwhelming.
"Miss Lewis?" a voice called.
Ariana turned to see a young man approaching, his suit well-tailored, eyes bright and curious. "I'm Jordan, your orientation guide. Let me show you around before you meet Mr. Blackwood."
"Nice to meet you," Ariana said, shaking his hand. His grip was firm, reassuring.
As they walked, Jordan explained the office layout: conference rooms, the cafeteria, the break lounge. Ariana nodded, taking in every detail. She could feel the weight of every gaze, the subtle curiosity of seasoned employees, some impressed, some indifferent, and a few clearly judging.
Then, the hum of the office shifted. The air seemed to tighten, and Ariana froze for a brief second, like a memory she couldn't quite place brushing against her consciousness.
Jordan noticed her hesitation. "You'll get used to it. Some people can be… intense here. Especially Mr. Blackwood himself."
Ariana swallowed, steadying her nerves. "I'll manage."
The doors to the CEO's office opened automatically, revealing Damian Blackwood. He was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, the skyline behind him, tall, commanding, and impossibly cold. The kind of presence that made people hesitate before speaking, not out of fear, but respect—and a twinge of intimidation.
He turned slowly, his piercing eyes settling on Ariana. For a heartbeat, time seemed suspended. Damian's gaze was unreadable, detached, yet somehow assessing every nuance of her posture, her expression, the very energy she carried.
Ariana swallowed, forcing her expression to remain calm. She could feel the tension in her chest, the echoes of that old fear she had carried for so long—the fear of being powerless, of being overlooked, of losing everything again.
"Miss Lewis," Damian said, voice low, precise. No warmth, no immediate recognition, just authority. "Welcome to Blackwood Corp. Take a seat."
Ariana's fingers brushed the edge of the chair she was about to sit in. "Thank you, Mr. Blackwood," she replied, steadying her voice.
He didn't offer a smile or even a nod. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing as if calculating something in her demeanor. There was a faint crease of curiosity, fleeting, almost imperceptible. And then, as quickly as it came, it vanished, replaced by the usual cold professional mask that had made him infamous in corporate circles.
Jordan leaned in slightly. "He doesn't usually take a personal interest in new employees," he whispered. "Consider yourself… observed."
Ariana's lips twitched into a small, self-deprecating smile. "I can handle observation."
The next few minutes passed in a blur of introductions: HR protocols, office hierarchy, computer setups, security badges. Ariana absorbed everything, her mind sharp, her fingers taking mental notes. But all the while, Damian's gaze seemed to follow her, though he did not speak. There was something in that look, something she couldn't quite name—a curiosity? Or recognition? The faintest prickle of memory brushed the edge of her mind, but it was gone as quickly as it came.
Her first meeting with Damian ended with a crisp nod, and she was escorted back to her workstation. The office buzzed with activity, colleagues whispering, a few glances stolen her way. Her presence had shifted the atmosphere, subtle but noticeable.
Ariana sat at her desk, opening her laptop, fingers hovering over the keyboard. The hum of the office surrounded her, but she was alone with her thoughts. She allowed herself a brief moment of reflection—her life had been hard, and it was far from perfect now. But she was determined. Determined not to be intimidated, not to be broken again.
Yet, in the back of her mind, a small, persistent question lingered: Why had she felt that strange tug when Damian had looked at her? A memory, lost in the recesses of childhood, teasing her with its familiarity. She pushed it aside. She couldn't afford distractions, not now. Not with so much at stake.
The day moved on in waves of introductions, office briefings, and the quiet, constant presence of Damian in the periphery. Every so often, her gaze would meet his, and she would quickly look away. His expression remained unreadable, but she felt a subtle undercurrent—an intensity that made her pulse quicken.
By the time the workday ended, Ariana had survived her first encounter with the cold, commanding CEO, navigated the subtle politics of the office, and begun to understand the stakes of this new chapter in her life. She left the building with a deep breath, the city lights beginning to shimmer, reflecting off the glass towers around her.
She didn't yet know how much Damian Blackwood would become a part of her life—or how the past, buried and painful, would intertwine their fates once again.
But one thing was certain: this was the beginning of something that would change both their lives forever.