ADRAIN 

The meeting with the school board had drained me, their persistent insistence on pre-selecting a candidate for the Sterling & Co. internship is clashing with my principles, I alone would choose.

Now, as I  walked through the parking lot, ethan by my side, the late afternoon sun catching the lines of my  suit. Each step was measured with an unspoken assertion of authority.

The parking lot stretched quiet under the afternoon sun. My car sat there four tires slashed. I stopped, letting my gaze settle on it for a brief moment. Irritation flickered, sharp and fast, but fleeting. This was nothing I couldn't fix.

"Ethan," I said, voice calm. "Arrange for another car. Tow this one."

He nodded immediately, moving to make the calls. I didn't linger, didn't fuss. The car was replaceable. The audacity behind the act? That deserved attention. That was interesting.

The replacement car arrived, and I stepped in, leaving the destroyed vehicle behind without a second thought. 

Today demanded my focus. The Sterling & Co. board awaited, and my attention shifted to the meeting, though a spark of curiosity lingered beneath my composed exterior.

Hours passed, discussion after discussion, and by the time I returned to my office, dusk had settled over the city. Ethan was waiting, tablet in hand. 

"Sir," he said quietly, sliding it across the desk. "You'll want to see this."

I raised a brow, expression neutral, but my interest was piqued. The footage played.

Her.

The girl who had dared to slash my tires. At first, I didn't recognize her. Then the memory of the earlier accident resurfaced the fear, the face from this afternoon. 

And then it hit me: the school's persistent recommendation. The one student they'd been insisting I consider for the Sterling & Co. internship.

A slow, deliberate smile touched my lips, controlled, mischievous.

"Inform the school," I said, voice low. "She will be selected. 

And... she will learn exactly what it means to provoke me."

Ethan's brow lifted, a mixture of amusement and caution in his eyes. "Understood, sir." He said as he left my office to make the necessary arrangements.

I leaned back, letting the thought linger for just a heartbeat. The car was nothing. The game? Everything.

The soft hum of my phone vibrating on the desk pulled me from my thoughts. Anthonio. I answered, voice low, measured.

"Adrian. Let's meet at Tyrel's tonight. I need a check-in. You, me, Tyrel... see how you're holding up."

I raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. "Very well," I said simply, ending the call.

By evening, we were seated in the private room of Tyrel's five-star restaurant. The thick wooden doors shut behind us, muting the clinks and chatter of the main dining hall. The soft glow of recessed lights created an intimate bubble, perfect for candid conversation.

Anthonio leaned back in his chair, that infuriating grin plastered across his face. "So," he began, eyes twinkling. "Your little car is vandalized. How does it feel to be taken down a notch?"

I let my fingers tap lightly on the polished table. My voice, low and calm, carried enough weight to hold the room. "It's... inconsequential."

Anthonio laughed, shaking his head. "Inconsequential? Adrian, you really aren't going to do anything?"

I let the silence linger, slow and deliberate, before responding. "Some things are better watched than fixed immediately."

At that moment, the tall, cool figure of Tyrel walked in, his calm presence carrying across the room. He greeted us with a smooth smile that didn't quite reach his cunning eyes, always observing. 

"Gentlemen," he said, sliding into the chair across from us. "What's all this? Secret meeting I should know about?"

Before I could answer, Anthonio leaned back, waving his hand casually. "Ah, Tyrel. Perfect timing. Adrian's car got vandalized today. Big deal. Laugh it off, right?"

Tyrel's smile widened slightly, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Vandalized, you say? That's... interesting. And how does Adrian plan to handle the culprit?"

I leaned back, letting the tension stretch, my voice slow, measured, and undeniably authoritative when I finally spoke. "That... will be handled in due time."

Anthonio burst out laughing, clapping me on the shoulder. "Oh, I like this version of you. Calm, collected, and deadly. Can't wait to see what you do next."

Tyrel's grin remained polite but sharp. "I'll admit, I'm curious as well. Watching someone like you in action is... entertaining."

I allowed myself a brief, satisfied smirk, letting them imagine all the possibilities while keeping my thoughts entirely to myself. The game had just begun.

 The waiter arrived promptly, taking our orders. Anthonio picked the flashiest dishes with a grin, Tyrel chose thoughtfully, and I kept my selection simple.

When the food arrived, I ate steadily. Anthonio laughed between mouthfuls, teasing Tyrel and me, while Tyrel's calm smile remained. 

The conversation was easy, light at times, with just enough tension beneath the surface to keep it interesting.

Anthonio leaned back after finishing, a teasing glint in his eyes. "That car of yours... still gives you trouble, huh?"

I paused, taking a slow sip of water, letting the moment stretch. "It's been dealt with," I said quietly, my voice calm but carrying weight.

Tyrel's smile curved, knowing more than he let on. Anthonio waved his hand dismissively, still grinning.

Once we were done, I set down my utensils carefully and stood. "Thank you for your company. I have business to attend to."

Anthonio's grin softened, sincere for a moment. "Careful on your way back and if you want to get a new one, my company is always open"

I allowed a faint smirk. "I'm aware."

Tyrel's sharp, calculating smile followed me as I left. 

Outside, the city stretched in quiet light. I slid into my car, as the driver drove off letting the night settle around me. 

Back at the penthouse, in one of my hotels where I made my home everything was still. Quiet. A perfect place to think, plan, and act. 

Tonight, my next move was already forming. I couldn't help but let out a little laugh.

ROSE

I walked across campus, my bag swinging lightly against my side. The morning sun warmed my shoulders, and I tried to focus on getting to class without thinking about the internship though, of course, Elsie had other plans.

"Rose! Did you apply for the Sterling & Co. internship yet?" she practically shouted the second I reached the steps. Her eyes were wide, sparkling with that impossible energy she always carried.

I laughed nervously, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Ah... I completely forgot. I was buried in studying last night." I answered walking into the lecture room with her.

Before Elsie could start her lecture, the lecture hall swung open, and Professor Hale's authoritative presence immediately commanded attention. "Good morning, class," she announced, and suddenly all the energy Elsie had tried to release was redirected into polite silence. I sank into my seat with a quiet sigh, grateful for the reprieve.

The lecture passed in a blur. I scribbled notes without really reading them, my mind spinning with thoughts of what Elsie would say about the internship and about everything else. When the bell finally rang, I felt my shoulders loosen.

As we stepped outside, Elsie linked her arm through mine. "Lunch?" she asked, practically bouncing. I smiled, letting her drag me toward the cafeteria.

Just as we passed the administration building, a familiar voice called my name. "Rose?"

I turned to see Mrs. Pamela, our guidance counselor, striding toward me. Her expression was kind but carried a sense of urgency that made my stomach twist. "Good morning, Rose. The school administrators would like to see you, they requested an audience."

I froze for a moment, unsure if I should panic or stay calm. "Oh... okay. Thank you for letting me know, Mrs. Pamela."

I glanced at Elsie, who had stopped beside me. "Sorry, I have to go. Something's come up," I said apologetically.

Her eyes widened, and she opened her mouth, probably to lecture me about the internship again. "Go on, then," she said, her voice softening. "Don't keep them waiting."

I nodded, giving her a quick smile, and began walking toward the administrators' block. My mind raced. Did this have something to do with Sterling & Co.? Could it be about the internship? My heartbeat quickened, and I realized I'd started walking faster without meaning to.

As I entered the building, I passed the polished floors and the familiar portraits of past school leaders. Everything smelled faintly of polished wood and fresh paper a comforting yet intimidating mix. I stopped at the front desk and was directed to the administrators' conference room.

Sitting there, waiting, I tried to calm myself, folding my hands in my lap. My eyes wandered over the room: tall windows letting in the afternoon sun, sleek chairs, and a long table that made the space feel serious, official. My thoughts kept flicking back to Elsie's warnings, the Sterling & Co. internship, and... well, everything I had yet to figure out about the future.

Finally, a door opened, and one of the administrators stepped in, giving me a small, encouraging smile. "Rose, thank you for coming. We have someone very important who would like to speak with you regarding an opportunity at Sterling & Co."

My pulse quickened. I straightened in my chair, trying to hide the mix of nerves and excitement that bubbled inside me. "Yes, sir," I said quietly, my voice steadier than I felt.

As the minutes ticked by, I tried to imagine who it could be, my mind racing through the list of names Elsie and I had discussed, the stories about the company, the few glimpses I had of their top executives. Whoever it was, I knew this meeting could change everything.

The door opened again. I held my breath, and my stomach tightened.

I froze.

Two men stepped in, their presence filling the room in a way that made the air feel heavier. The first tall, broad-shouldered, with an aura so commanding it was almost suffocating walked with the kind of confidence that didn't need to be announced. 

His dark eyes were calm but sharp, as though they saw through everything and everyone. Beside him was another man, slightly younger looking, with a composed expression and a sharpness in his gaze that told me he wasn't just a shadow he was someone who got things done.

My throat went dry.

It couldn't be...

My heart pounded against my chest as recognition slammed into me. The car. The black luxury car with the custom plate I had taken petty revenge on yesterday. The man with the silver-eyed stare that had left me fuming.

No. No. No.

I forced myself to sit straighter, gripping the edges of my chair so tightly my knuckles ached. Did they know? Had they seen? My mind flashed back to the hiss of air leaving the tires, the guilty thrill of satisfaction I'd felt scribbling my revenge. That thrill now curdled into dread.

"Rose," one of the administrators said warmly, completely oblivious to the storm raging in my chest. 

"Allow me to introduce Mr. Adrian Sterling, CEO of Sterling & Co., and his associate, Mr. Ethan Cole."

My stomach dropped so hard I thought I might faint. Sterling. CEO.

Oh, God. I had vandalized the CEO's car.

I forced a weak smile, praying it didn't look as terrified as I felt. My thoughts raced. Maybe they didn't know. Maybe they hadn't checked the dash camera yet. Maybe... just maybe...

But  Adrian's gaze landed on me, calm, unreadable. His eyes lingered a fraction too long, like he was piecing together a puzzle I didn't want him to solve. My skin prickled.

Don't look guilty. Don't look guilty. Just breathe.

Ethan leaned in slightly to murmur something to him, his expression neutral. I swallowed hard, wishing I could rewind time, wishing I had walked past that car yesterday instead of letting my temper win.

My heart screamed regret, but my face, I prayed looked calm.

Because if they knew? My little act of "sweet revenge" might just ruin everything.

Adrain looks at me once more before asking " Do you like cars miss rose".

......

That's it, I'm done.

ROSE

Adrian Sterling's gaze stayed on me. It wasn't rushed, it wasn't curious it was heavy. The kind of look that made you want to squirm in your seat, as though he already knew something you didn't want revealed.

Then his voice cut through the silence. Low. Calm. Deliberate.

"Do you like cars, Miss Rose?"

The question landed like a thunderclap in my chest.

Cars? Why was he asking about cars? Of all things. My breath caught, and for a split second, I actually considered crawling under the table and disappearing. My mind screamed, he knows. He knows what you did. He's just playing with you.

But I forced a smile, brittle at the edges. "Y-yes... I do. I like cars."

My voice sounded foreign to me, too thin, too high. My palms were damp, and I dug my nails into my skirt beneath the table, willing myself not to look away from him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the administrator frown in confusion. "Mr. Sterling," he started carefully, "I don't quite see what..."

Adrian lifted a hand, a small, controlled gesture that silenced the room instantly. He didn't even glance at the administrator, his eyes stayed locked on mine, steady, unwavering.

"I'd like to speak with Miss Rose alone," he said smoothly.

The administrator blinked, startled, then gave a reluctant nod. "Of course. I'll wait outside."

He gathered his papers and left, closing the door behind him.

The moment the latch clicked, the room felt smaller. Quieter. My heartbeat pounded so loudly in my ears I thought he could hear it.

And still, Adrian Sterling didn't look away.

The silence stretched.

Adrian Sterling leaned back slightly in his chair, his fingers resting against the armrest, his posture composed in a way that made it clear he owned every space he entered. Ethan stood just behind him, arms folded, expression unreadable, though I swore there was the faintest trace of amusement in his eyes.

I swallowed hard, wishing I could shrink into nothing.

Finally, Adrian spoke again, his voice quiet but edged with something I couldn't place.

"You said you like cars."

It wasn't a question, this time it  was a statement. A test.

I forced myself to nod. "Yes, I... I do." My voice cracked on the last word, and I hated it.

His gaze swept over me, steady, clinical, almost as though he were dissecting me with his eyes. "That's interesting."

I tried to laugh, the sound shaky and thin. "Is it?"

One corner of his mouth twitched though whether it was the ghost of a smile or a shadow of irritation, I couldn't tell. He leaned forward just slightly, resting his elbows on the polished table.

"Tell me, Miss Rose," he said, each word deliberate, "if you had the chance to... change something about a car, what would you do?"

My stomach flipped violently. Heat crawled up my neck. Was this a trap? Was he toying with me? Images of his car from yesterday, its four deflated tires, my guilty hands clutching a pocket knife, flashed like neon signs in my mind.

I clenched my hands together in my lap, praying he couldn't see them trembling. "I....I guess... maybe improve its safety? Make it more reliable."

Adrian tilted his head, eyes narrowing almost imperceptibly. "Hm."

Just that. A hum, soft but weighted, like he'd caught the lie hidden between my words.

The silence that followed pressed down on me, suffocating. I wanted to run, to burst out of the room and never look back. Instead, I forced another tight smile, my cheeks aching from holding it in place.

"Why... why are you asking me this?" I finally managed, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

For the first time since entering, his gaze softened but not kindly. No, it was sharper now, more dangerous, like a blade glinting in the light.

"Because, Miss Rose," he said slowly, his voice lowering, "I believe in understanding the people I work with."

Work with. The words snagged in my chest. My stomach sank as realization set in.

The internship.

Did I get it?

The word work echoed in my mind like a warning bell. My lips parted, but no sound came out. My chest felt tight, my pulse racing so fast I thought I might faint right there in front of him.

Adrian Sterling didn't move. He just studied me calm, unreadable, in control. Then, as if he hadn't just unraveled my nerves with a single sentence, he leaned back again, his voice smooth.

"The school submitted a list of candidates for our internship program," he said, pausing long enough for my breath to hitch. "And I've made my choice."

My heart plummeted. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to look away, but my eyes stayed locked on his, caught like a moth in flame.

He let the silence drag, his words sinking in slowly, deliberately. Then he delivered the final blow.

"You."

The room tilted. For a heartbeat, I thought I misheard him. "M-me?"

"Yes." His tone was matter-of-fact, final, as if there had never been another option. "You will be joining Sterling & Co. for the internship."

I blinked rapidly, my throat dry. A dozen excuses rushed to my tongue. I'm not qualified, surely someone else deserves this, I can't possibly but none of them made it out. He had spoken with such certainty that to argue felt impossible.

"But... why me?" The question escaped in a whisper before I could stop it.

Adrian's eyes darkened, though his expression didn't change. "You'll find out soon enough."

That was all. No explanation. No reasoning. Just that cryptic promise that churned uneasily in my stomach.

Ethan shifted behind him, and for the briefest second, I caught what looked like amusement flicker in his eyes. Almost as if he knew something I didn't.

Adrian rose from his seat then, his tall frame commanding the room. "That will be all for today, Miss Rose. Report to Sterling & Co. first thing Monday morning."

And with that, he turned toward the door. Ethan followed, sparing me one last knowing glance before stepping out behind him.

The room fell silent again. I sat frozen in my chair, my thoughts a tangled mess.

He had chosen me. Out of everyone, me.

And yet... something about the way he'd said it, the weight behind his gaze, made my stomach twist.

This wasn't an opportunity.

It was a trap.