HAPTER -3 P.O.V OF NILA

The next few days flew by in a haze of anticipation and anxiety. As I prepared to start my new job at V.T. Marquez Enterprises, I found myself oscillating between excitement and dread. The thought of working alongside Mikael was nothing short of intimidating, but the potential to grow in my career was too enticing to ignore.

“Are you ready for your big day?” Carmen asked, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm as we sat in our favorite café, sipping on our usual iced lattes.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied, forcing a smile. The reality of what awaited me loomed large in my mind. “I just hope the new CEO isn’t as terrifying as everyone says.”

Carmen raised an eyebrow. “You’ll be fine! Besides, you’ve handled Mikael. How bad could it be?”

“Famous last words,” I muttered, glancing at my watch. “I should probably head over now. Don’t want to be late on my first day.”

As I walked towards the towering glass building that housed the Marquez Enterprises, I took a moment to absorb the sight. This was it—the place I had dreamed of since I was a kid. The hustle and bustle of professionals going about their day filled me with a mix of inspiration and intimidation.

Upon entering the lobby, I was greeted by a sleek receptionist who directed me to the elevator. My heart raced as I pressed the button for the executive floor. What awaited me on the other side was an unknown that could either make or break me.

The elevator doors slid open, revealing a sleek, modern office space filled with people hustling around, immersed in their tasks. I took a deep breath and stepped out, scanning the area for any familiar faces. Just then, I spotted Mikael, leaning casually against a wall, scrolling through his phone. He looked up as I approached, flashing me a cocky grin.

“Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite personal assistant,” he teased, his voice dripping with mockery.

“Very funny, Mikael. I’m here to work, not to entertain you,” I shot back, trying to keep my composure.

“Let’s see how long that lasts,” he replied, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “I hope you’re ready for whatever surprises the CEO has in store for you.”

Before I could respond, a tall figure stepped out of an office nearby. He was impeccably dressed, with an air of confidence that demanded attention. My breath hitched as I realized this must be the new CEO.

“Good morning, everyone!” he announced, his voice smooth and commanding. “I’m Adrian Wolfe, the new CEO of V.T. Marquez Enterprises. I’m excited to meet each of you and see what we can achieve together.”

My heart raced as I watched him walk toward us. His presence was magnetic, and despite my nerves, I felt drawn to him.

“Mikael, I assume you’re still causing trouble?” Adrian asked, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Only the fun kind, boss,” Mikael replied, his tone teasing.

Adrian turned his gaze towards me, and I felt a jolt of electricity. “And you must be Nila. I’ve heard great things about you already.”

“Uh, hi, nice to meet you,” I stammered, feeling my cheeks flush.

“Let’s see if those praises are well-deserved,” he said with a hint of challenge in his voice. “I’ll be counting on you to keep things organized. I like to do things a bit differently around here, so be prepared for surprises.”

“Great,” I thought, my mind racing with possibilities.

As Adrian walked away to greet more employees, I felt a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Working for him could open doors I had only dreamed about, but what did he mean by surprises?

Mikael nudged me with a smirk. “Looks like you’ve caught the eye of the big boss. Good luck with that!”

“Shut up, Mikael,” I replied, but I couldn’t deny that I was intrigued by Adrian’s demeanor.

The rest of the day was a blur of introductions and meetings, each more daunting than the last. I tried to focus, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Adrian and what surprises lay ahead.

As I packed up to leave, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Mikael, a rare look of seriousness on his face.

“Hey, I know we’ve had our differences, but if you ever need help with anything, I’m here,” he said, his tone unexpectedly sincere.

I was taken aback by his offer. “Thanks, I appreciate it. Just don’t let it go to your head.”

He chuckled, the playful glint returning to his eyes. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

As I stepped out of the office building, I took a deep breath, ready to embrace whatever came next. Little did I know that the surprises were just beginning, and my life was about to take turns I could never have expected, all thanks to the enigmatic CEO, Adrian Wolfe.

With a determined smile, I walked away, my heart racing at the thought of what lay ahead. This could be the adventure of a lifetime, and I was ready for the challenge.