Kaia arrived at Draevon the business hub of AURELIS.
A place where power lived.
The Blackwood Group owned an entire building here , while smaller companies would fight just to rent a single office.
Kaia parked in the guest section.
She checked herself in the mirror.
Once.
Twice.
Perfect.
She grabbed her bag—
and walked in like she belonged.
She approached the front desk.
"Good morning," she said.
Her eyes flickered to the name tag.
"…Christina."
Christina smiled politely.
"Good morning, ma'am. How may I help you?"
Kaia's eyes sparkled slightly.
Mischief.
"My name is Kaia Sterling," she said smoothly.
"…and I have a job interview with President Blackwood today."
Silence.
Christina blinked.
Then forced a polite smile.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but President Blackwood does not personally conduct interviews."
She kept her tone professional.
"Our HR department handles all recruitment, and there are no interviews scheduled for this quarter."
Kaia nodded slowly.
"…Impressive."
Christina paused.
"…Excuse me?"
Kaia smiled lightly.
"Your professionalism."
..
"Thank you, Christina."
Then—
"I'll just give him a call."
She turned and walked to the lounge.
Christina watched her go.
A hint of pity crossed her face.
Another one…
Scammed by someone pretending to know the president.
She sighed quietly.
Then—
Ding.
The private elevator opened.
Silence fell across the lobby.
Lucian stepped out.
Sharp suit.
Cold presence.
Beside him—
Bradley, his assistant.
At the same time—
a phone rang.
Lucian glanced down.
Caller ID:
Kaia.
He answered.
"…Hello."
Kaia looked up immediately.
"Look to your left."
Lucian turned.
And there she was.
Standing there—
calm.
Composed.
In a black-and-white suit that fit her perfectly.
Sharp.
He hung up.
"…You're late."
"To my defense," Kaia said, walking toward him,
"…you never told me what time to be here."
Lucian paused.
Then turned.
"…Follow me."
"Where are we going?"
"A meeting."
Kaia blinked.
"I just got here."
As they passed the desk, she waved slightly.
"Thank you, Christina. Have a nice day."
Then under her breath—
"…She's cute."
Lucian glanced at her.
"…You know her?"
"No," Kaia said casually.
"…I just met her. She's nice."
"…Oh."
A pause.
"You're late," he added.
"I'll brief you in the car."
The moment they walked out—
the lobby came alive.
Eyes followed.
Whispers started.
Christina stood frozen.
Two coworkers rushed over.
"Who is that?"
"How does she know the president?"
"Are they dating??"
Christina blinked.
Still processing.
"…She said she had an interview."
Silence.
Then—
"Oh."
Eye rolls.
"…Another one."
They walked away.
But Christina wasn't convinced.
Not anymore.
Inside the car
"Did you eat?" Lucian asked.
Kaia blinked.
"…No."
Lucian reached forward.
Bradley handed him a bag.
Lucian passed it to her.
"…Here."
Kaia took it slowly.
"…For me?"
But she was already opening it.
Inside—
neatly packed breakfast.
Still warm.
She paused.
Just slightly.
"…You prepared this?"
Lucian didn't look at her.
"…Eat."
A pause.
"We have twenty minutes before we arrive."
Kaia looked at the food.
Then at him.
Then back at the food.
"…You're full of surprises."
Lucian didn't respond.
But this time—
he didn't deny it either.