Signed to the ruthless CEO

Valerie woke up feeling energetic. Her house was a mess from all the takeout she’d been ordering, so she immediately set to work—cleaning, washing dirty plates, and doing her laundry. Once everything was in order, she headed to a nearby supermarket to get the essentials.

When she returned home, she made a quick dish while scrolling through her phone. Suddenly, she received an email from Noir Group. Her heart skipped a beat. She quickly opened it: they had offered her a job—but not the position she applied for. She was to resume as the C.E.O.’s personal assistant, at double the pay. Valerie was ecstatic. Finally, she could work instead of staying idle at home. She was set to start on Monday at 8 a.m.

Overwhelmed with excitement, she immediately called Nora. They talked for hours, laughing and celebrating. For the first time in a long while, Valerie prayed Monday would come quickly. She even visited a few malls, picking up new clothes, shoes, and other essentials before heading home.

Monday arrived. Valerie woke up early, eager and nervous. She wore a mid-length black office gown that hugged her figure perfectly, paired with black stilettos and her white office bag. The handkerchief she had returned to Ellan, she kept safely in her bag. After a quick breakfast of bacon and eggs and grabbing a coffee, she hailed a taxi and made her way to the company.

At the building, she walked in confidently, head held high. At the reception desk, she announced she was there to resume as the C.E.O.’s personal assistant. The receptionist, sizing her up from head to toe, directed her: “Go to the 123rd floor.”

Valerie noticed there were two elevators. She attempted to enter Ellan’s elevator—but a strong hand grabbed her arm.

“What are you doing?” a deep voice asked.

Valerie turned, startled. “I—I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

“No problem,” he replied. “But don’t make that mistake again. That elevator is strictly for the C.E.O. You can be penalised.”

“I—I understand,” Valerie stammered.

“I’m Eric, by the way. Are you new here?”

“Yes, it’s my first day,” she replied.

Eric was tall, muscular, and wore glasses. They rode the elevator together. “Your floor?” he asked.

“123rd,” she said. Eric raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment further. When they reached her floor, they said goodbye. “Hoping to see you around,” he said casually.

Valerie made her way to Ellan’s floor and met his secretary, a petite girl named Rose, who showed her to her office. She settled in, arranging her belongings, when the telephone on her desk rang.

“Get in,” a deep voice instructed.

Heart racing, Valerie scrambled to Ellan’s office. She knocked lightly. “Come in,” he said.

The office was spacious, elegant, and well-lit. Valerie stepped inside—and froze.

There he was—the man from the elevator. Ellan Noir.

“Good morning, sir,” she stammered.

“My schedule for today,” he said flatly. “You have a meeting in 15 minutes. Deliver some documents to the executives for signing.”

“Okay,” she replied nervously.

“Book my lunch at a five-star restaurant,” he added before she could say more. Valerie left, nervous and intimidated, remembering Eric’s warning about penalties.

Summoning her courage, she returned to Ellan’s office moments later. “Sir, I’m here to return this,” she said, placing the handkerchief on his desk. “I had no idea it was your elevator. I wouldn’t have entered. I’m really sorry.”

Ellan looked up for the first time, intrigued. She was stunning—beautiful, confident, and poised. “How do I make it up to you?” she asked, he stepped closer.

Valerie stammered, “I —really want to…?”

Before anything could happen, the office door flung open. Valerie froze.

It was Claire.