ROMANCE AND SECRETS

The morning I was supposed to start a new chapter of my life began with a cup of cold tea, a borrowed pair of heels, and a prayer I repeated so many times that I almost believed nothing could go wrong.

Almost.

I stood in front of the small mirror in my bedroom, staring at my reflection.

“Isabella, you can do this,” I whispered.

My hands were shaking slightly as I adjusted the collar of my blouse.

Today was my interview at Adeyemi Holdings.

I had heard enough about the company to know that getting a job there wasn't easy. It was one of those companies people talked about with admiration. Successful. Powerful. Well respected.

And today, I had a chance.

A real chance.

I couldn't afford to mess it up.

I grabbed my handbag, checked my documents for the third time, and hurried out.

The journey felt longer than usual.

Every few minutes, I checked the time on my phone.

“Please don't let me be late.”

I walked faster.

My mind was already inside that interview room.

What if they ask me something I don't know?

What if I embarrass myself?

What if they don't choose me?

I took a deep breath.

No.

I wasn't going to think like that.

I needed this job, and I was going to give it everything I had.

As I approached the building, I slowed down slightly.

Adeyemi Holdings was still a few minutes away.

I looked at my clothes and smiled nervously.

Everything was fine.

My blouse was clean.

My skirt was neat.

My shoes were polished.

My documents were safely inside my bag.

I was ready.

Or at least I thought I was.

Then I heard the sound of a car approaching behind me.

I moved slightly toward the side of the road.

The black luxury car came closer.

Much closer.

And before I could react—

SPLASH!

Cold, dirty water covered me from head to toe.

I froze.

For a few seconds, I couldn't even speak.

My blouse was soaked.

My skirt was covered in muddy water.

One of my shoes was splattered with dirt.

I looked down at myself in disbelief.

Then I looked at the car.

It had stopped a few metres ahead.

My heart was pounding.

“You have got to be kidding me.”

The driver's door opened.

A man stepped out.

Tall.

Well dressed.

Confident.

He looked like the kind of man who never had to worry about money.

His dark suit was perfectly fitted, and his expression was completely calm.

Not worried.

Not sorry.

Calm.

He glanced at me.

Then at the water dripping from my clothes.

Then back at me.

That was it.

No apology.

Not even a simple I'm sorry.

I stared at him.

“Are you serious?”

He raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

I almost laughed.

“What do you mean, what?”

He looked at me as though I were wasting his time.

“You just splashed dirty water all over me!”

He glanced at my clothes again.

“I can see that.”

My mouth dropped open.

“Oh, really?”

He didn't answer.

Instead, he checked his watch.

That made my anger rise even higher.

“I have an interview!” I snapped. “Do you understand that? I'm going for an interview!”

He looked at me again, completely unimpressed.

“And?”

“And you just ruined my clothes!”

“You'll survive.”

I stared at him.

You'll survive?

Who talks to people like that?

I stepped closer.

“You could at least apologize.”

He gave me a cold look.

“I don't see how apologizing will change anything.”

“Wow.”

I shook my head.

“You are incredibly rude.”

He said nothing.

“And arrogant.”

Still nothing.

“Actually, you're the most arrogant man I've met this morning.”

His jaw tightened slightly.

But instead of apologizing, he simply opened his car door.

I couldn't believe him.

“That's it?”

He paused.

“What exactly do you want?”

“An apology!”

He looked at me for a long moment.

Then he said calmly, “I'm in a hurry.”

I laughed bitterly.

“Of course you are.”

He got back into his car.

I stood there watching him.

“You know what?” I shouted as he started the engine. “Keep your apology! You clearly need it more than I do!”

The car pulled away.

I stood there, breathing heavily.

“Unbelievable.”

I looked at myself again.

My interview.

My clothes.

My morning.

Everything was ruined.

Or so I thought.

I pulled out my phone and quickly called a friend.

“Hello?”

“Please don't ask.”

“What happened?”

“A rich idiot just drove through a puddle and destroyed my clothes.”

“What?”

“I'll tell you later. I have to find somewhere to clean myself up.”

I ended the call and hurried toward the nearest restroom I could find.

By the time I reached Adeyemi Holdings, I had managed to clean most of the mud from my clothes.

Most.

Not all.

I stood outside the massive glass entrance and took a deep breath.

“Forget him.”

I straightened my shoulders.

“This is my opportunity.”

I walked inside.

The receptionist smiled politely.

“Good morning. How may I help you?”

“Good morning. I'm here for an interview.”

“Your name?”

“Isabella.”

She checked the list in front of her.

“Yes. Isabella. Please have a seat. Someone will come for you shortly.”

I thanked her and sat down.

My heart was racing.

I looked around the elegant reception area.

Everything about the building screamed wealth and success.

I clasped my hands together and silently prayed.

Please, God. Let this be my chance.

A few minutes later, a woman approached me.

“Isabella?”

I stood immediately.

“Yes.”

“Please follow me.”

I picked up my handbag.

As I followed her down the hallway, my nerves returned.

The woman stopped in front of a large office door.

“Mr. Adeyemi is waiting for you.”

My heart skipped.

“Mr. Adeyemi?”

“Yes.”

She opened the door.

I stepped inside.

“Good morning,” I said nervously.

There was no answer.

I looked up.

A man was standing beside the large windows with his back toward me.

He turned slowly.

My breath caught in my throat.

That face.

Those eyes.

That arrogant expression.

I knew him.

He knew me.

The man who had ruined my morning.

The man who had splashed muddy water all over me.

The man who couldn't even say sorry.

He stared at me.

For the first time that morning, his expression changed.

His eyes widened slightly.

“You?”

I swallowed.

“You.”

Silence filled the room.

Then my eyes moved toward the desk.

A nameplate sat neatly in front of the chair.

JUDE ADEYEMI — CEO

My stomach dropped.

The rude man from the road wasn't just some arrogant stranger.

He was the man sitting across from me.

The man who could decide whether I got the job.

And suddenly, I wished I had kept my mouth shut.

But it was already too late.

Jude leaned back in his chair, studying me.

A faint, unreadable smile appeared on his face.

“Please,” he said coldly, “have a seat, Isabella.”

I sat down slowly.

And for the first time, I wondered if coming to this interview had been the biggest mistake of my life.