Chapter Three: The New Beginning

Monday morning arrived sooner than Emily had expected. She stood in front of the small mirror in her bedroom, smoothing the sleeves of her borrowed navy-blue blazer with smiles all over her face. Her nerves were almost as strong as they had been on the day of the interview, only that this time, she had a reason to smile because she had a job. A real job at Sterling Group.

Her father was already awake when she entered the living room.

“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice weak but warm.

Emily smiled.

“Beautiful and terrified.”

He chuckled softly.

“You'll be fine.”

She leaned down and kissed his forehead.

“I'll call you during lunch.”

“Don't worry about me. Go show them what you're capable of.”

Emily nodded before leaving. She checked her reflection one last time before grabbing her handbag. She was so excited that she didn't feel like having breakfast before leaving for work. With one final look at him, Emily picked up her handbag and headed for the door.

For the first time in months, she walked out of their apartment with something she hadn't felt in a long time. She wasn't leaving home to search for another opportunity, but she was finally going somewhere she belonged at least. That's what she believed.

Sterling Group looked different on a Monday morning. The quiet building she had visited for her interview was now filled with employees rushing through the lobby, carrying files and coffee cups while phones rang continuously. Emily stepped through the glass doors and took a deep breath.

Here we go.

She approached the reception desk, and after confirming her name, she was directed toward the Human Resources department. A young woman named Sophie welcomed her and handed her a temporary identification card.

Sophie welcomed Emily warmly and assured her that feeling overwhelmed on the first day was completely normal. Emily gave a nervous laugh, still trying to take everything in. Within minutes, she was introduced to her new department and colleagues, and her desk was well arranged for her.

It wasn't large or particularly impressive, but it was hers. Emily placed her handbag beside the computer and looked around, and for the first time, she wasn't imagining what her future could look like. She was finally beginning it.

A computer sat neatly on the desk beside a stack of files. Emily ran her fingers lightly across the surface. She had worked hard for this, and she wasn't going to waste the opportunity.

Several floors above her, Alexander stood in his office reviewing documents. His attention, however, wasn't entirely on the paperwork.

Through the glass wall of his office, he could see employees moving through the department below. Daniel entered carrying a folder.

Her first day is going well, he said.

Alexander looked up. He had already received the morning report on how she arrived on time, how she had completed her orientation, and had met with her colleagues. Nothing unusual and exactly what he expected. Yet when he saw her sitting at her desk, carefully organizing the files she'd been given, his attention lingered longer than necessary. She looked completely different from the frightened woman he'd encountered in the rain. She was more confident and composed.

Alexander looked away. He reminded himself why she was there. The photograph from her file still troubled him, and there were too many unanswered questions.Until he found the answers, he couldn't afford to let his guard down.

By midday, Emily had settled into her work. She was reviewing a report when a shadow fell across her desk. She looked up and saw that it was Alexander. She immediately sat straighter. He glanced over the documents, checking her progress before asking about her first day. Emily assured him that everything was going well and that she had no problems so far. Alexander nodded and began to walk away but stopped when he noticed the time. It was almost one, and Emily hadn't eaten. She admitted that she had been too focused on finishing her work to notice the time. Alexander gave her a brief but concerned look and reminded her not to skip meals because of work. Emily smiled and promised to remember. He nodded before continuing down the corridor. Emily watched him disappear around the corner. For a moment, she found herself wondering if the intimidating CEO she had imagined was actually very different from the man she was beginning to see. She couldn't help but smile. For someone everyone described as intimidating, he wasn't particularly difficult. In fact, he seemed almost considerate. She quickly returned her attention to her computer but didn't notice the curious looks from two coworkers nearby.

Later that afternoon, Emily was carrying a stack of documents toward the records room when she heard Alexander's voice coming from an executive office. She wasn't trying to listen, though, but she simply stopped when she heard her own name.

Emily Carter.

Emily froze, and something about his tone made her pause. She couldn't make out everything that was being said, but she clearly heard him insist that whatever they were discussing should remain confidential.

Her heartbeat quickened as curiosity got the better side of her , and Alexander's voice followed.

“Keep it confidential.”

Her heartbeat quickened.

She took a step closer, but before she could hear more, the door opened as Alexander stepped out. Their eyes met, and for a second, neither moved. To stop the awkwardness, Emily immediately stepped back and glanced at the documents in her hands.

“I was just taking these to the records room.”

Alexander glanced at the documents in her arms.

“I know.”

His expression was calm, too calm for her liking. Emily nodded and walked away as Alexander's eyes followed her briefly before he calmly walked away, but something about that brief conversation stayed with her.

Why had he been discussing her?

And what exactly was he trying to keep confidential? Her mind was in a mess, but she didn't want anything to take her mind off her work.

That evening, Emily packed her things as she was prepared to leave. Once she reached the elevator, her phone vibrated. A message from an unknown number appeared on the screen.

You should be careful about the people you trust at Sterling Group.

Emily stared at it. Not again, she muttered to herself as she clutched her tightening stomach. She looked around the emptying hallway looking for who might have sent her the message, but no one seemed to be watching. While being scared,another message appeared.

Especially your boss.

Emily's fingers went immediately cold. She slowly looked toward Alexander's office and saw that the lights were still on. Through the glass walls, she could see his silhouette standing alone, and he seemed to be looking directly toward the elevator.

Emily quickly locked her phone as the elevator doors opened. She stepped inside, and just before they closed, her eyes met Alexander's across the hallway. Neither of them looked away, and then the doors slid shut.

Emily leaned against the elevator wall, her heart beating faster. She had barely been at Sterling Group for one day, and already, someone was warning her about Alexander.

The funniest part is that she has no idea whether the message was meant to protect her or frighten her.