Chapter 40: First Day
Amelia's POV
The imposing glass tower of Westbrook Industries loomed ahead as I stepped off the bus. My palms were already sweaty despite the cool morning air, and I clutched my new leather portfolio tighter, feeling the gift box nestled safely in my purse.
"Just breathe," I whispered to myself, smoothing down my silk blouse and adjusting the waistband of my pencil skirt.
I pushed through the revolving doors into the marble-floored lobby, trying to project confidence I definitely didn't feel. After all, this was just another job with just another boss... who happens to be my fated mate, who I've kissed, who saved my life, who I've fought with constantly, and who's engaged to someone else. Totally normal.
The blonde receptionist looked up as I approached, her professional smile not quite reaching her eyes. "Good morning. How may I help you?"
"I'm Amelia Throne. Today's my first day. I'm—" I swallowed hard. "I'm the Executive Assistant Intern to the CEO."
Something flickered in her eyes—curiosity, maybe suspicion. "I see. Do you have your offer letter?"
I fumbled through my portfolio and handed over the document. She examined it carefully, her manicured nails tapping against the letterhead.
"Everything appears to be in order." She lifted her desk phone. "Human Resources? The new EA intern is here." After a brief exchange, she hung up and turned back to me. "Someone will be down shortly. Please take a seat."
I perched on the edge of a sleek leather sofa, trying not to fidget. The receptionist kept glancing my way when she thought I wasn't looking. I had a feeling my arrival would be whispered about before lunch.
---
"Ms. Throne? I'm Janet from Human Resources."
The middle-aged woman who appeared before me had a no-nonsense attitude written all over her pressed pantsuit and efficient bob. Her handshake was firm.
"Welcome to Westbrook Industries. If you'll follow me, we'll get you set up."
The elevator ride to the HR floor was silent and tense. Janet seemed to be studying me without actually looking at me.
"You've caused quite a stir," she finally said as we walked into her office. "We don't usually hire executive assistant interns without extensive experience."
I fought to keep my expression neutral. "I understand the position is unusual. I appreciate the opportunity."
Janet handed me a plastic bin containing various items. "Your employee ID, electronic access card, temporary system password, and company handbook. Your ID badge is... different."
I looked down at the badge with my awkward photo. Unlike the standard white badges I'd seen in the lobby, mine had a thin blue border.
"Blue designates executive floor access," Janet explained, her tone suggesting this was highly irregular. "Most interns have green badges. Most executives have red." She paused. "I've never seen a blue badge issued to a new hire."
The weight of Alexander's special treatment was becoming uncomfortably obvious.
"Melanie will show you around," Janet said, gesturing to a younger woman waiting by the door. "She'll take you to your workspace."
---
"So you're the new EA intern everyone's talking about," Melanie said as we walked down a corridor. Her tone was friendly but curious. "When they told us Mr. Westbrook hired a second assistant, we couldn't believe it."
"So I'll be working alongside Seraphina," I said, trying to sound casual while my stomach twisted at the thought.
"Exactly. She's been with him for years."
As if summoned by her name, a sharp voice cut through the air from an office we were passing. "This is completely unacceptable! Do you understand what's at stake here?"
I jumped at the venom in those words. Through the partially open door, I glimpsed a striking woman with jet-black hair pulled into a severe bun, looming over a cowering man. I recognized her immediately as the woman who had escorted me to Alexander's office during my interview.
Melanie pulled me along quickly. "That's Seraphina Voss," she whispered. "Executive Assistant to the CEO. Mr. Westbrook's right hand."
"We've met," I said quietly, remembering her icy demeanor during my interview.
"She sounds... intense."
"She's brilliant but terrifying. Word of advice?" Melanie's voice dropped even lower. "She doesn't like any woman who gets close to Mr. Westbrook. Especially young, pretty ones. She's driven out three female executives in the last year alone."
Great. Another powerful woman who would hate me on sight. And this one might see me as direct competition for her job.
"Why does she care so much about who works with him?"
Melanie shrugged. "Some say she's in love with him. Others think she's just protecting her territory. Either way, watch your back. She won't be happy about sharing her role with anyone."
---
When the elevator doors opened to the executive floor, I felt like I'd entered another world. Plush carpeting, wood-paneled walls, and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing a panoramic city view.
"This is the executive suite," Melanie explained, swiping her card at a security door. "Only senior management has access."
"Then how will I...?" I held up my blue-bordered badge.
"That's what I meant about your badge being special. Blue gives you access here." She gave me a curious look. "Which is strange for a new hire."
We turned a corner, and Melanie stopped in front of a small but elegant office. "This is your workspace."
My jaw nearly dropped. The office was beautiful—a glass desk, ergonomic chair, and a window with a stunning view.
"And that—" Melanie pointed to an imposing door just feet away, "—is Mr. Westbrook's office."
My stomach flipped. "I'm right next to him?"
"Standard placement for an executive assistant. But still..." She didn't finish the thought.
Melanie had instructed me to wait in my office. "Someone will notify you about the new employee orientation shortly," she'd said. "In the meantime, familiarize yourself with the handbook. Good luck."
With that, I was alone, sitting in my unexpected office, hyperaware of Alexander's presence just beyond that wall.
---
Two hours later, I was still alone. No orientation notification. No further instructions. The handbook was thorough but dry, and I'd flipped through it three times already.
I couldn't help wondering if Alexander knew I was here. Had he forgotten? Was he deliberately ignoring me? Maybe he was in meetings all day.
Or maybe this was all a test.
I glanced at the gift box sitting on my desk. I'd intended to give it to him properly after getting settled, but this silence was becoming unbearable.
Screw it. I stood up, smoothing my skirt and checking my reflection in my phone camera. If Mohammed wouldn't come to the mountain...
I rehearsed what I'd say as I approached his door. Professional. Grateful. Composed. Everything I definitely wasn't feeling.
Standing before the heavy wooden door, my courage nearly failed. What was I doing? But then I thought about sitting alone for another hour, and before I could talk myself out of it, I raised my hand and knocked.
Silence stretched for what felt like eternity. Then, a deep voice that sent shivers down my spine:
"Come in."