Chapter 2 – Hired… and Embarrassed

Isabella Monteiro was still trying to gather her thoughts when Alexander Carter opened the door and led her into the meeting room.

The building's wide corridors seemed larger than ever. Each footstep echoed on the marble floor, accompanied by the firm click of the CEO's expensive shoes. Isabella felt far too small in that space, as if she were merely a spectator who had accidentally stepped onto the main stage of someone far more powerful.

"Calm down, Isabella... you just need to maintain your composure. Don't do anything stupid," she repeated mentally, trying to control her racing heart.

When they entered, the room left her speechless.

It was a luxurious space, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering a panoramic view of the city. The long, gleaming conference table reflected the natural light like a mirror. Modern paintings in bold colors broke the monotony of the white and gray walls. Everything there screamed power, wealth, and authority.

In the center, the most imposing detail: Alexander's black leather chair, positioned like a throne.

He gestured elegantly.

"Please sit."

His voice was firm, but carried a soft, almost velvety timbre. Isabella walked to the chair in front of the desk, carefully adjusting her skirt before sitting. Her hands were cold, but she tried to keep them steady in her lap.

Alexander watched her silently, his blue eyes piercing, as if they could penetrate every layer of her soul. It wasn't just a look; it was a meticulous analysis. He studied her, weighing every gesture, every breath, every tiny detail.

"So... do you like a challenge, Isabella?" he asked finally, breaking the silence that seemed to suffocate her.

She swallowed hard, remembering the answer she had given minutes before, but now, in his presence, she felt she needed to be even more convincing.

"Yes, sir." — She tried to keep her voice steady. — I'm ready to give my best.

Alexander tilted his head slightly, as if testing the authenticity of her words. For a moment, silence filled the room again. Then, his lips curved into a subtle smile. It wasn't an ordinary smile; there was something there… a hidden, almost intimate tease.

"Good," he said, leaning back in his chair. "That's exactly what we're looking for."

Isabella blinked in surprise.

"You mean… I was accepted?" Her voice was hesitant, as if she didn't dare believe it.

Alexander crossed his arms, his gaze steady.

"Exactly," he replied, serious now. "You start tomorrow. I want to see you ready to make a difference from day one."

The words echoed in Isabella's mind as a relief, but also as a burden. Her entire body vibrated with pent-up joy, and she had to force herself not to smile too much.

"Thank you so much, sir," she said with sincere gratitude. "I promise I won't disappoint."

Alexander stood. The movement was calculated, almost feline, conveying an energy of absolute dominance over the space. He walked slowly to the door, and Isabella followed him standing. When they were close, he stopped, as if he'd remembered something at the last moment.

He glanced at her, his expression enigmatic.

"Before you go…" he began.

Isabella's eyebrows arched, curious but also tense.

"Yes?" she asked, trying to sound natural.

He smiled again, but this time, it held a hint of challenge. His eyes sparkled slightly, and the sentence came like a soft but sure blow:

"If you're as talented as you are beautiful… I'll have to keep an eye on you."

The world seemed to stop for a second.

Isabella felt her face instantly burn. A blush rose to her cheeks, betraying the avalanche of emotions she couldn't control.

"He didn't say that… did he?"

Her heart raced. That sentence sounded like a compliment, yes, but there was also a teasing tone, something that escaped professionalism. Something that completely confused her.

"I-I… thank you, sir." She stammered, stumbling over her words like a teenager caught off guard.

She wanted to bury her face in a hole. How could someone sound so awkward in front of a man who clearly knew exactly how he was affecting her?

Alexander simply maintained a discreet smile, saying nothing. It was as if he'd said it on purpose, just to see her reaction. And the result, judging by his satisfied look, seemed to have amused him.

He opened the door naturally, as if nothing had happened.

"See you tomorrow, Isabella," he said, with the calm of someone in control.

She simply nodded, suppressing the urge to run away. Her steps hurried down the hallway, as she felt the curious glances of a few passing employees.

But nothing mattered. His words still echoed within her, repeated like a song impossible to ignore:

"If you're as talented as you are beautiful... I'll have to keep an eye on you."

Each time she remembered, her face heated up again.

When she finally left the building, she took a deep breath, the cool street air smacking against her skin. She looked up and saw the skyscrapers silhouetted against the blue sky. The city seemed different now. More vibrant, more challenging… and much more dangerous for her heart.

Isabella leaned back on a nearby park bench, resting her briefcase on her lap.

“You did it, Isabella. You got the job. This is the chance you’ve been waiting for.”

But even with the joy, there was something else. An uneasiness that settled like a shy but insistent flame.

Alexander Carter wasn’t just a boss. He was… an enigma. A man who exuded power and seduction, capable of unbalancing anyone with just a single sentence.

And now, she was officially trapped in his orbit.

Hired… and embarrassed.

Little did Isabella know that that first compliment—bold and provocative—would be just the beginning of a relationship far more intense and dangerous than she could have imagined.