Chapter 1: The First Day
The glass walls of Knight Holdings reflected the early morning sun, making the forty-story building look like it touched the clouds.
Employees in tailored suits hurried through the revolving doors, clutching coffee cups and tablets as they prepared for another busy Monday.
Standing across the street was Elena Brooks.
She took a deep breath.
"This is it," she whispered.
After months of job applications, interviews, and rejection emails, today was the beginning of her dream career.
She looked down at her neatly pressed beige blazer and black pencil skirt.
Everything had to be perfect.
Her phone buzzed.
Mom ❤️
«Good luck today, sweetheart. I know you'll do amazing. Don't forget to smile.»
Elena smiled as she typed back.
«Thank you, Mom. I'll call after work.»
She slipped her phone into her handbag and walked into the building.
The lobby was breathtaking.
Marble floors.
Crystal chandeliers.
A waterfall feature behind the reception desk.
She suddenly felt underdressed.
A receptionist smiled warmly.
"Good morning."
"Good morning. I'm Elena Brooks. Today's my first day."
"Welcome to Knight Holdings."
The receptionist handed her a visitor's pass.
"Human Resources is on the twelfth floor."
"Thank you."
Elena stepped into the elevator with several employees.
No one spoke.
The silence made her nervous.
The elevator doors opened.
The HR orientation went smoothly. She received her ID card, signed paperwork, and met a few other new employees.
Just before lunch, the HR manager, Mrs. Harper, approached her.
"Elena."
"Yes, ma'am?"
"The CEO's executive assistant resigned unexpectedly last week."
Elena frowned.
"I heard."
Mrs. Harper smiled.
"Congratulations."
Elena blinked.
"For what?"
"You're the new executive assistant."
"What?"
"The CEO specifically requested someone with your qualifications."
"My... qualifications?"
"You graduated at the top of your class, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"Excellent."
Mrs. Harper handed her a tablet.
"Thirty-eighth floor."
"The CEO?"
Mrs. Harper nodded.
"And one more thing..."
"Yes?"
"Don't keep Mr. Knight waiting."
---
Thirty-Eighth Floor.
The atmosphere was completely different.
No chatter.
No laughter.
Only quiet footsteps and the occasional ringing phone.
Everyone looked serious.
A young man approached her.
"You must be Elena."
She nodded.
"I'm Mason."
He extended his hand.
"I'm Mr. Knight's executive secretary."
"It's nice to meet you."
Mason lowered his voice.
"Quick advice."
She leaned closer.
"What is it?"
"Never interrupt him during meetings."
"Okay."
"Never argue with him."
"Noted."
"And..."
He hesitated.
"If he says no..."
"It means no?"
"It means don't ask again."
Elena laughed nervously.
"He sounds terrifying."
Mason didn't laugh.
"He is."
---
At that very moment...
Inside the boardroom...
Damien Knight stood at the head of a long black conference table.
Tall.
Impeccably dressed in a charcoal suit.
Calm.
Expressionless.
His voice carried quiet authority.
"Our profits dropped by three percent."
Nobody answered.
He looked around the room.
"Does anyone have an explanation?"
Silence.
Damien closed the report.
"If not..."
A loud knock interrupted him.
Before anyone could respond...
The door slowly opened.
Elena stepped inside, holding a tablet.
"I'm so sorry..."
Every executive in the room turned to stare at her.
Mason appeared behind her, looking horrified.
He whispered,
"Wrong room..."
Elena's face drained of color.
"I..."
She wanted the floor to swallow her whole.
Damien looked at her.
His dark eyes revealed nothing.
The room waited.
One executive quietly muttered,
"She's finished."
After what felt like forever...
Damien spoke.
His voice was calm.
"Miss Brooks."
"Yes... sir?"
"You've interrupted a board meeting."
"I'm terribly sorry."
"I know."
Another long silence followed.
Then Damien simply said,
"Next time..."
Elena held her breath.
"...knock and wait until you're invited in."
She blinked.
"Yes, sir."
"You may go."
"Thank you, sir."
She hurried out, closing the door carefully behind her.
The executives stared at Damien.
One of them finally spoke.
"You didn't fire her."
Damien picked up his report.
"She made a mistake."
"Most people don't get a second chance."
Without looking up, Damien replied,
"She won't make the same mistake twice."
Outside the boardroom, Elena leaned against the wall, her heart pounding.
"I almost got fired..."
Mason exhaled in relief.
"You have no idea how lucky you are."
"What do you mean?"
"I've worked here for six years."
"And?"
"I've never seen him let someone off that easily."
Elena looked back at the closed boardroom door.
Who exactly was Damien Knight?
And why did it feel as though her life had just taken a turn she never saw coming?
