ROSE

Saturdays were supposed to be for breathing, no rushing to class, no professors lurking with assignments but today my chest still felt tight. Elsie had dragged me out for brunch, insisting we celebrate her internship news, and I couldn't exactly say no.

When I got to the café, she was already there, waving like she owned the place.

"Finally!" she grinned as I slid into the seat across from her. "If you had been any later, I would have ordered for you and pretended to eat both."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Please, like you need an excuse to eat two plates."

Her mock gasp earned a chuckle from the waiter who came over to take our order. Elsie, true to herself, asked for waffles and a side of fries, while I stuck with pancakes and iced tea.

As soon as the waiter left, she leaned forward, her eyes dancing with excitement. "So... guess who got accepted into B&S Law Firm for her internship?"

I blinked. "Wait.....you?!"

"Me!" she squealed, covering her mouth as a few people glanced over at us. "Can you believe it? They actually want me. This is like... top tier."

A genuine smile spread across my face. "Elsie, that's amazing. Congratulations."

"Thank you," she said, practically glowing. "But what about you?  tell me how prepared you are for sterling & Co."

My fork paused halfway to my mouth. The knot in my stomach twisted tighter. I forced a small smile, trying not to sound as nervous as I felt. "Yeah... Sterling & Co."

Her jaw dropped as she studied me. "Wait. Why don't you look excited? This is every business student's dream. You should be screaming, not... frowning into your food."

I tried to laugh it off. "Maybe I'm just overwhelmed."

The truth was, I wanted to dig a hole under the café table and hide. All I could see was Adrian Sterling's piercing eyes, the way he'd looked at me like he already knew I'd slashed his tires. And now... now I was going to be working under him.

"Overwhelmed?" Elsie scoffed, snapping me out of my spiral. "Girl, if I were you, I'd frame that acceptance letter. I mean. Sterling & Co.?" She leaned back with a dreamy sigh. "This is history."

I smiled weakly and sipped my iced tea, praying she wouldn't notice how shaky my hands were.

History, yes. Just not the kind Elsie was imagining.

I laughed weakly, but the knot in my stomach only grew tighter.

"Alright spill the tea, what's going on" she said suddenly, her grin fading. 

I hesitated. She was my best friend, and it was hard hiding everything from her. But how could I admit that I'd vandalized the CEO's car just days ago?

"I just..." I toyed with my straw. "I met someone from Sterling before. It... wasn't a pleasant encounter.Now I'm scared they'll remember me and hold it against me."

Elsie blinked, then waved it off with her usual boldness. "Rose, come on. Big executives meet hundreds of people. Why would they remember one random student?"

"Yeah," I murmured, trying to smile, though my chest felt heavy.

Elsie reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "Listen. You deserve this. So don't psych yourself out before you even start, okay?"

I nodded, grateful but still unsettled.

History, Elsie  had called it. And she was right. I just didn't know if mine was about to be written in gold or in fire.

When we were done eating, Elsie leaned back in her chair, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.

"Let's go shopping," she announced suddenly, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I blinked. "Shopping?"

"Yes, shopping. You're about to start at Sterling & Co., and I'm about to start at B&S. We need clothes that scream future power women. Plus..." she added with a dramatic flip of her curls, "retail therapy is good for the soul."

I laughed, shaking my head, but deep down I couldn't help admiring her.

Elsie always carried this lightness with her, like the world couldn't weigh her down. She had a way of walking into a room and filling it with energy. Her big brown eyes seemed to sparkle with mischief, framed by a cascade of curls that bounced with every movement.

She wasn't just "pretty." Elsie had this quiet kind of allure, cute and sweet, yes, but there was something undeniably captivating about her, almost seductive without even trying. She could be silly one moment and enchanting the next, and she never even noticed the effect she had on people.

"Come on, Rose," she tugged at my wrist as we left the café. "We're buying at least one outfit each. No excuses."

And even though my mind was still tangled with nerves, I found myself smiling.

Because with Elsie, it was impossible not to.

The city center was alive with weekend chatter, couples holding hands, families strolling, friends weaving in and out of boutiques. Elsie practically dragged me from one shop to the next, her curls bouncing as she yapped about fabrics and colors like she owned the place.

"Try this on!" she squealed, shoving a cream blazer into my arms.

I groaned. "Elsie, I'm not even sure I can afford all this."

"Rose." She gave me the most serious look she could muster, which only lasted three seconds before her lips curled into a grin and pulled up a card that was clearly her dads. "This isn't spending, it's investing. Big difference."

I laughed, rolling my eyes, but still slipped into the fitting room. The blazer hugged me perfectly, giving me a sharpness I didn't feel on most days. When I stepped out, Elsie gasped dramatically and clutched her chest.

"My friend, the future executive," she said, bowing like she was at a royal court.

"Stop," I said, fighting a smile.

She twirled in her own choice a fiery red dress that hugged her curves and made heads turn, even from strangers passing the shop window. Elsie didn't even notice the stares. She was too busy striking silly poses in the mirror, puckering her lips like a model.

That was Elsie completely at home in her own skin. Her beauty wasn't just in the way her curls framed her face or how her brown eyes seemed to light up every space. It was in how effortlessly she carried herself. She was cute, enchanting, playful, and magnetic all at once. People wanted to be near her, to bask in her glow. And here I was, quietly tagging along, wondering if I'd ever learn to be that free.

By the time we staggered out of the fifth shop, both of us carrying more bags than we'd planned, Elsie looped her arm through mine.

"See?" she chirped. "Successful women need their armor. And clothes are armor."

I smiled softly. "You really think so?"

"I know so." She tapped my shopping bag. "Besides, you're going to need every bit of confidence when you step into Sterling & Co."

Her words made my stomach clench, but I forced a nod. "Yeah... I guess you're right."

We spent the rest of the afternoon strolling, sipping bubble tea, and laughing over silly things. For a while, I almost forgot about Adrian Sterling, about the tires, about the way his eyes had felt like they could strip away my excuses.

But when I finally got home that evening, laying my new clothes across my tiny bed, the weight returned. 

Tomorrow was one day closer to Monday. And Sterling & Co. suddenly felt like both a dream and a trap.

ROSE

Monday morning came faster than I wanted. My alarm blared, but instead of springing up like a responsible adult starting her first internship, I hit snooze. Twice.

By the time I sat up, sunlight was already slicing through my curtains.

"Oh no, no, no..." I scrambled out of bed, nearly tripping over the shopping bags from Saturday. My mind was spinning, first impressions mattered, and I was about to make mine with Adrian Sterling.

I rushed through my tiny bathroom routine, brushing my teeth with one hand while trying to tame my hair with the other. 

My straight, midnight-black hair tumbled down to the top of my bum, refusing to cooperate. I pulled a brush through it desperately, watching how it caught the light in strands that looked far too polished for how rushed I actually felt.

By the time I slipped into my blazer, I was sweating, my long lashes clumped with a quick swipe of mascara, blue eyes wide with panic. My reflection stared back at me, lips glossed, cheeks flushed. My face, no matter how flustered, always carried that sharp edge people whispered about, that look of seduction I could never quite turn off.

My body didn't help either. The fitted blazer hugged my waist, dipping into curves I had no time to think about, the soft lines of my hips outlined against the pencil skirt I'd chosen. Everything felt too tight, too noticeable, to me.

"Great," I muttered. "Perfect start. Distracting for all the wrong reasons."

I grabbed my bag, shoved my notebook inside, and sprinted out the door.

The bus delay nearly ended me, but somehow, by some miracle, I reached the sterling & Co stoping in front of the lobby as I took in a deep breath taking in my surroundings , this place looked surreal. 

I looked back catching a glimpse of Ethan walking in with  Adrian.

I froze, trying to catch my breath, smoothing down my blazer. And then he stepped into view.

Adrian Sterling.

Even from across the hall, I felt his gaze cut through me, sharp, unreadable. My heart stuttered, because the way his silver-gray eyes lingered made it feel like he saw everything. My hair, still damp at the ends from my rushed morning. My lips, parted as I struggled to breathe. The curve of my waist, the sway of my hips as I forced myself to walk forward.

For a split second, I wished I could disappear into the ground.

But instead, I straightened my shoulders, tried to smile, and prayed he couldn't hear the thunder of my heartbeat.

At least I made it. Just barely.

The elevator ride to the top floor felt endless. My palms were slick with sweat, my heart pounding against my ribs. By the time the doors slid open, I was sure everyone in the hallway could hear it.

I stopped just outside the massive glass doors of Adrian Sterling's office. The air felt heavier here, like even the walls respected him. Ethan gave me a quick glance before nodding to the secretary seated nearby, who then gestured for me to wait.

So I stood there heels pressing into the polished floor, fingers twisting the strap of my bag. My throat was dry. What if he knew? What if the dashcam caught everything? What if he'd seen me laughing as I vandalized his car like a reckless child?

"Rose?" The secretary's voice pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts. "You can go in now."

My legs wobbled, but I forced them to move. The door shut softly behind me, sealing me in with him.

Adrian Sterling sat behind a sleek black desk, posture relaxed, yet everything about him screamed authority. His suit was flawless, his expression unreadable. Those silver-gray eyes lifted to meet mine, steady and sharp.

For a moment, silence stretched between us. He didn't rush. He didn't need to. When Adrian finally spoke, his voice was low and smooth, yet it carried enough weight to make me feel pinned in place.

"From today," he said, "you'll be working directly under me."

My lips parted in surprise. "U-under you?"

His gaze didn't waver. "As my secretary. At my beck and call." He leaned back slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching, not a smile, but something sharper, unreadable. "Every schedule. Every document. Every request. You'll handle it."

My stomach dropped. Secretary? That wasn't what I signed up for. But his tone left no room for argument. It wasn't a suggestion. It was a command.

I forced myself to nod, though my throat felt tight. "Yes... sir."

His eyes lingered on me, quiet and calculating, as if he already knew every thought rushing through my head.

For the first time, I realized this internship wasn't going to be about learning. It was going to be about surviving Adrian Sterling

The words "my secretary" still rang in my ears, heavy and suffocating. I barely had time to process them before Adrian's gaze shifted toward Ethan, who entered with a stack of files. Adrian didn't look at me when he spoke, but his tone left no doubt who the command was directed at.

"Sort those," he said. "By priority, department, and urgency. Ten minutes."

My eyes widened. The files looked like a mountain thick folders, clipped documents, numbers and contracts spilling over. Ten minutes? My throat went dry.

I stepped forward slowly, taking the stack from Ethan, who gave me the faintest look of pity before stepping aside. My hands trembled slightly as I placed the files on the edge of Adrian's desk.

This was insane. I wasn't trained for this at least not like this. My first day, and he wanted me to dive straight into chaos. Was this punishment? Did he know what I'd done?

My heart screamed walk out, but instead, I pulled the files closer, flipping them open with shaky fingers. Numbers, names, deadlines, everything blurred for a moment, but I forced myself to focus.

I muttered under my breath as I worked. "Okay... department here... urgency marked in red... contracts to be signed today go first..." My mind raced, piecing it together like a puzzle. My chest burned with panic, but I refused to let it show.

When the ten minutes ticked by, I stacked the files neatly, exhaling as though I'd just run a marathon.

Adrian reached forward, his movements calm, unhurried. He lifted the first file, skimming the labels I had made. For a long moment, silence filled the room. I felt the weight of it pressing down on me, each second dragging like an eternity.

Finally, he set the file down, his eyes lifting to meet mine. His expression gave nothing away, but something flickered in those gray eyes, amusement, maybe, or approval, I couldn't tell.

"You're not as fragile as you look," he said quietly. His tone wasn't praise exactly, but it wasn't dismissal either. More like... acknowledgment.

Relief washed through me, though I tried not to show it. I straightened my back, meeting his gaze even though my knees wanted to buckle.

"I can handle it," I managed, my voice steadier than I felt.

Adrian leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping the armrest once. Then, with that same unreadable expression, he spoke again.

"Good. You'll need to."

ROSE

The tension in Adrian's office still lingered on my skin as I stepped out. My knees felt weak, but I didn't dare stumble not here, not now. Ethan was waiting just outside, ever composed, as if this was just another ordinary day.

"Come with me," he said simply, his tone clipped but not unkind.

I followed him down the corridor, my heels clicking against the polished marble floor. Sterling & Co. was a world of glass walls, muted colors, and quiet authority.

Ethan stopped before a sleek glass door and opened it. Inside, four workstations stood neatly aligned, sunlight spilling through tall windows.

Three women looked up from their desks as we entered. They were poised, elegant even their smiles seemed polished.

"Ladies," Ethan said, his voice carrying a quiet authority, "this is Rose. She'll be working under Mr. Sterling as his secretary."

I felt the weight of their eyes sweep over me, assessing, measuring. One of them, a tall woman with striking blonde hair and red lipstick, leaned back in her chair.

"Well," she said smoothly, "welcome to the lion's den."

The others chuckled softly. A petite woman with glasses offered me a genuine smile. "I'm Amelia ," she said warmly. "If you need help finding your way around, just ask."

I gave her a polite smile before thanking her.

The third, who looked as though she had walked out of a fashion magazine with her sleek bob and sharp eyeliner, only gave me a polite nod.

"Rose will take the empty desk near the window," Ethan continued, gesturing toward the neat workstation set up with a laptop, files, and a phone. "Get her settled in. Mr. Sterling doesn't tolerate mistakes. Make sure she learns quickly."

And with that, he left, his footsteps fading down the hall.

My desk, right by the window, caught the best of the sunlight. A little potted plant on the corner, it was the first thing I looked at, reminding me to breathe before diving into the mountain of files stacked neatly in front of me.

I sat at my new desk, smoothing my palms over the surface as if to steady myself. The laptop blinked to life, sterile and unfamiliar.

"Don't look so nervous," Claire whispered from across the room. "The first day's always rough. You'll get used to it."

Her kindness made my chest loosen a little, but the blonde whom I later learned was Kara , arched an eyebrow, smirking.

"Or you won't. Depends on how long you last."

I forced a small smile, refusing to show how her words stung.

"Smile, listen, and give your best," I told myself. "One day at a time, Rose. You've got this."

The sunlight streaming through my window felt like a blessing, warm against my skin. I decided to take it as a sign: today was a fresh start. Mistakes would happen, yes, but I'd learn. I'd grow.

Minutes ticked by as I tried to make sense of my new reality. My hands hovered over the keyboard when a message suddenly pinged across the shared system:

From: Adrian Sterling

To: Rose

Bring the files Ethan gave you. Ten minutes.

My stomach dropped. Another test.

With shaky fingers, I gathered the stack I had sorted earlier, my breath shallow as I headed back toward his office. The secretaries' eyes followed me, and I felt their unspoken thoughts prickling behind my back.

This was it, the real beginning.

The corridor leading back to Adrian's office felt longer this time, as though each step stretched endlessly. My heels clicked softly against the marble floor, but my heartbeat was louder, echoing in my ears.

I stopped just outside his door, clutching the files tight against my chest. My palms were damp, and my throat felt tight.

What if he knows?

The thought cut through me like a blade.

What if this entire "internship" was just a trap?

I closed my eyes for a moment, pressing my forehead lightly against the cool wall. No. Calm down. He doesn't know. He can't.

A secretary's words replayed in my head, depends how long you last.

I straightened my shoulders. I'll last.

Taking a steadying breath, I knocked gently.

"Come in," his voice commanded from the other side.

I pushed the door open.

Adrian Sterling sat behind his massive mahogany desk, the skyline of the city sprawling behind him through floor to ceiling windows. His presence filled the room without effort, calm, controlled, quietly powerful. 

Ethan stood near the corner, sorting something on a tablet, but it was Adrian's gaze that pulled me in like gravity.

"Close the door."

I obeyed.

"Sit." He didn't raise his voice, yet it carried a weight that made my knees feel weak.

I lowered myself into the chair across from him, balancing the stack of files carefully on my lap.

His eyes lingered on me for a moment, unreadable, before shifting to the documents. "Place them here."

I slid them across his desk. His long fingers flipped through the first file with deliberate precision, and then he set it aside

"Do you know why I asked you here?"

My mouth went dry. "To... to bring the files, sir?"

A flicker of something, amusement, maybe, tugged at the corner of his lips, but it was gone as quickly as it came.

"Not entirely." He leaned back in his chair, studying me the way one might study a puzzle. "If you're going to be my secretary, you need to be more than a runner of papers. You need to be fast, sharp, and unflinching."

My stomach twisted, but I nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Good." He slid a single sheet from the pile toward me. It was dense with numbers and legal terms. "Summarize this. Right now. Keep it under five  minutes."

I blinked at him, my heart dropping. He must be joking right five minutes... to summarize this stack of papers.."

"Is there a problem?" His voice was calm, but his gaze was piercing.

I straightened my back, forcing myself to breathe. "No, sir."

I lowered my eyes to the document, scanning the paragraphs. My nerves screamed, but I pushed through them, gripping the paper tightly.

Five minutes . I had five minutes to prove I wasn't just another intern.