Chapter 3 Three
Antonia’s heels clicked nervously against the marble floor as she stepped into Walton & Co. headquarters, her brand-new employee badge clipped securely to her blouse. She had spent the entire weekend alternating between excitement and dread, trying on different outfits in front of Helen and Ernest like she was walking a runway. Eventually, she settled on a soft blue blouse tucked neatly into a black pencil skirt, paired with modest heels. Professional. Polished. Safe.
Her palms were still clammy.
“Breathe, Antonia,” she whispered to herself as she rode the elevator up. “It’s just a job. A very important, career-saving, life-altering job with a boss who probably thinks you’re a lunatic vandal. But still—a job.”
The doors slid open, revealing a bright, open-plan office buzzing with activity. Phones rang, keyboards clattered, and the scent of fresh coffee drifted through the air. Employees moved briskly through the aisles, some laughing in clusters, others hunched over their screens like their lives depended on it.
Antonia hesitated at the entrance, suddenly aware of how new she looked, how freshly hired. Before she could second-guess herself, a bubbly voice called out.
“You must be the newbie!”
Antonia turned to see a petite woman with shoulder-length curls and a wide smile making her way over. She wore a polka-dotted dress and carried an aura of confidence that made Antonia instantly want to be her friend.
“I’m Sarah,” the woman said, sticking out a hand. “Marketing associate. Welcome to Walton & Co.!”
Antonia shook her hand, grateful for the warmth. “Thanks. I’m Antonia. Today’s… my first day, obviously.”
Sarah grinned knowingly. “Don’t worry, you’re not walking around with a neon sign that says newbie. Yet.” She winked. “Let me give you the quick tour before they bury you in paperwork.”
As Sarah led her around, she rattled off tidbits that were part orientation, part gossip. “That’s IT—they’re lifesavers, but never ask for help on a Monday morning. HR’s down that hall—avoid them unless you absolutely have to. And—oh—beware the breakroom fridge. Things mysteriously disappear. If you bring leftovers, guard them with your life.”
Antonia chuckled, the knot in her stomach loosening just a little. Sarah had that effect—easygoing, chatty, the kind of co-worker who made the office feel less intimidating.
“And of course,” Sarah said as they stopped by a sleek glass office, “that’s the dragon’s lair.”
Antonia’s brows furrowed. “The what?”
Sarah leaned closer, lowering her voice like she was about to share state secrets. “Mr. Kennedy Walton. Our beloved CEO. He’s brilliant, sharp, ridiculously handsome—don’t roll your eyes, I’m just stating facts—but he can also be terrifying if you’re on his bad side. The man doesn’t tolerate nonsense. Or tardiness.”
Antonia’s stomach flipped. Handsome, terrifying, and very much aware that she had vandalized his luxury car.
Sarah tilted her head, studying her. “Don’t look so scared. He only bites if you give him a reason. Stick to your work, smile politely, and you’ll be fine. Trust me, he barely notices most of us.”
If only that were true.
Before Antonia could reply, a deep voice carried from across the floor. “Miss Adams?”
She froze.
Everyone froze.
Standing in the doorway of his office, tall and commanding in a perfectly tailored suit, was Kennedy Walton himself. His presence sucked the air right out of the room. Conversations died. Heads ducked back toward screens.
And his piercing eyes were on her.
“Yes, sir?” Her voice squeaked embarrassingly, earning a sympathetic pat from Sarah before she slipped away.
“Step into my office, please.”
Her feet moved before her brain could catch up, carrying her into the glass-walled sanctuary of the CEO. The door shut behind her with a soft click, and suddenly it was just the two of them.
Kennedy stood by his desk, arms crossed, watching her like he could see straight through her carefully chosen outfit, her practiced composure, her very soul.
Antonia swallowed hard. “Mr. Walton, before we start, I—I just want to apologize. For the… incident. With your car.” She wrung her hands, words tumbling out in a rush. “I was angry, I wasn’t thinking, and it was stupid. I’m sorry. Truly. I promise I’ll pay for the damage, or—or make it up to you somehow. I owe you one.”
For a long moment, he said nothing. Just studied her with that unreadable expression, the one that made her knees wobble.
Then, to her shock, his mouth curved slightly. Not quite a smile, but close.
“I also owe you an apology,” he said finally. His voice was deep, smooth, the kind that lingered in the air. “I should have slowed down. I ruined your clothes that morning. And despite our… unusual first meeting, I believe you earned this job. Your qualifications spoke louder than that incident. And I don’t intend to let one bad moment deprive you of what you deserve.”
Antonia blinked, stunned. This was not the icy dismissal she had expected. He wasn’t firing her. He wasn’t demanding payment. He wasn’t calling her insane.
He was being… fair. Almost kind.
Relief flooded her chest, mixed with something more dangerous. Admiration.
“Thank you,” she whispered, trying not to sound too breathless. “I promise I won’t let you down.”
Kennedy gave a small nod, then turned back to his desk, already reaching for a file. “See that you don’t. Now, let’s get to work.”
As Antonia left his office, heart hammering, Sarah pounced on her near the break room.
“Well?” Sarah whispered eagerly. “Did the dragon breathe fire?”
Antonia shook her head, dazed. “No. Worse.”
Sarah frowned. “Worse?”
Antonia sighed, clutching her pounding chest. “He was… human.”
A very handsome human.