Chapter 15 FIRST DAY AT WORK
NOVA'S POV
Monday morning hit me like a truck.
I woke up at six, my stomach already twisted in knots. My alarm had been going off for ten minutes before I finally dragged myself out of bed.
First day at Blackthorn Industries. First day working under Callum's supervision. First day pretending I belonged in their world.
I stood in front of my closet staring at all the new clothes Riley and I had bought at The Arcanum. Black pencil skirt, cream silk blouse, matching blazer. The outfit looked expensive hanging there, like it belonged to someone else.
My phone sat on the nightstand, screen dark. I'd checked it twice already this morning. Nothing from Matthias. He'd given me his number three days ago and I hadn't heard from him since.
Not that it mattered. He was just some guy being friendly at a boutique. That was all.
I pulled on the outfit and stared at myself in the mirror. The clothes fit perfectly, made me look professional and put-together. Like I actually knew what I was doing.
The scar above my right eyebrow stood out against my warm brown skin. I touched it without thinking, remembering how Matthias had said it made me look like I had stories.
Stop thinking about him, I told myself. Focus on not completely screwing up today.
I pulled my natural curls back into a low bun, applied minimal makeup, and slipped on the black heels that were already making my feet hurt.
One more check of my phone. Still nothing.
I grabbed my new bag and headed downstairs.
\---
Callum and Elias were already in the dining room when I walked in. Both of them looked up immediately.
"Well look at you," Elias said, his hazel eyes scanning me from head to toe. "All professional and everything. You look good, Nova."
"Thanks," I said, sitting down across from them. My stomach was too knotted up to even think about eating.
Callum was staring at me with an unreadable expression. "The outfit works well on you. You'll fit right in at the office."
"I hope so, because I have no idea what I'm doing today." I poured myself coffee with shaking hands. "What exactly am I supposed to be doing? You never actually explained my job."
"You'll be working in acquisitions under my direct supervision," Callum said, setting down his own coffee cup. "We'll start with reviewing potential acquisition targets, analyzing their financials, and assessing whether they're worth pursuing."
"And if I'm terrible at it?"
"Then you'll learn until you're not terrible." His gray eyes locked on mine. "You're smart, Nova. Stop doubting yourself."
Elias leaned back in his chair. "I'll stop by your office around lunch. We can grab something to eat, I'll show you around the building properly."
"I'm taking her to lunch," Callum said without looking at his brother. "She needs to meet the department heads, and I can introduce her properly."
"She doesn't need you hovering over her all day," Elias shot back.
"I'm sitting right here," I said, looking between them. "And I can decide for myself where I'm eating lunch."
They both turned to stare at me.
"I'll probably just grab something quick from wherever is closest," I continued. "I don't need either of you watching over me on my first day. That's going to make everything weirder than it already is."
Callum's jaw tightened but he didn't argue.
Elias just grinned. "Fair enough."
Riley appeared with a plate of toast and fruit. "You should eat something, Miss Sinclair. It's going to be a long day."
"I'm not really hungry right now," I admitted, my stomach doing flips.
"Eat anyway," Callum said. It wasn't a suggestion.
I grabbed a piece of toast and forced myself to take a bite. It tasted like cardboard but I chewed and swallowed anyway.
My phone buzzed in my bag. I grabbed it way too fast, my heart jumping.
Just a reminder notification about a dentist appointment I'd forgotten to cancel.
I set the phone face-down on the table, trying to ignore the disappointment settling in my chest.
"Expecting a call?" Elias asked, watching me.
"No, just checking the time." I took another bite of toast. "What time are we leaving?"
"Twenty minutes," Callum said, standing up and buttoning his suit jacket. "I'll meet you at the car."
He left without waiting for a response.
I sat there for another minute, finishing my coffee. Then I grabbed my bag and headed out to the car.
\---
Blackthorn Industries was located in the heart of Meridian City's financial district. The building itself was impossible to miss—forty stories of glass and steel, the Blackthorn logo displayed prominently at the top.
Callum pulled into the executive parking garage and we took a private elevator up to the thirty-second floor.
"The Acquisitions department is on this floor," he explained as the elevator climbed. "My office is at the end of the hall. Yours is right next to mine."
"You put my office next to yours on purpose?"
"It makes training easier." The elevator doors opened and he stepped out. "Come on, I'll show you around before it gets too busy."
The office space was all glass walls and modern furniture. Everything looked expensive and carefully designed. People were already at their desks despite it being early, all of them dressed in suits and focused on computer screens.
As we walked down the hallway, staff members looked up. Several of them straightened immediately, some half-rising from their chairs.
"Good morning, Mr. Blackthorn," a young man said, bowing his head slightly.
Callum didn't even glance at him. Just kept walking.
"Mr. Blackthorn, the reports you requested are ready," a woman called out.
He ignored her too.
Another employee actually stood up and bowed. "Good morning, sir."
Nothing. Callum walked past them all like they didn't exist.
I could feel their eyes shifting to me, curious, whispering starting up behind us.
"Do you always ignore people when they greet you?" I asked quietly.
"They're not greeting me. They're performing." His voice was flat. "There's a difference."
He stopped in front of an office with glass walls and my name already on the door. "This is yours."
I stepped inside. The office was small but had a view of the city. Desk, computer, filing cabinets, everything I could possibly need.
"I'll be right next door if you need anything," Callum said from the doorway. "Someone will bring up your first assignment files in about thirty minutes. Get familiar with your computer login and email."
"Okay." I set my bag down on the desk.
He left without another word.
I spent the next half hour getting logged into various systems and trying to calm my nerves. My phone stayed silent in my bag.
Around ten, someone knocked on my glass door. A woman maybe in her late twenties with dark skin, natural hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail, and a genuinely warm smile.