To Be Young

The night air buzzed with laughter and music as Aria stepped onto the balcony, her fingers gripping the cool metal railing. Inside, her friends were still celebrating-her seventeenth birthday, the moment she officially stepped closer to adulthood. Balloons swayed in the breeze, the scent of cake still lingering in the air. But despite the warmth of the party, something felt... off.

She should be happy. She should be excited. Yet, all she could think about was the future.

"Enjoying the party?" her best friend Mira called out, stepping beside her.

Aria forced a smile. "Yeah, just... thinking."

Mira rolled her eyes. "Let me guess-your internship?"

Aria sighed. "It's just-this is my first real step into the world. I want to do well. I need to."

Mira nudged her. "You will. And who knows? Maybe you'll meet someone interesting."

Aria laughed. "Mira, it's just an internship, not a fairy tale."

But she had no idea how wrong she was.

The Wrong Door

The towering glass building of Cross Enterprises loomed over Aria like a kingdom of power, gleaming beneath the morning sun. It was her first day as an intern, and though she had spent the past week convincing herself that she was ready, nerves clutched at her stomach as she stepped into the grand lobby.

Everything about the place screamed wealth and power-from the polished marble floors to the massive crystal chandelier hanging overhead. Businessmen and women in sharp suits moved with purpose, their heels clicking rhythmically against the pristine tiles. It was a world she had only ever seen in movies, a world that felt too big for someone like her.

Adjusting the strap of her handbag, she took a deep breath and made her way toward the reception desk. A woman with sleek black hair and a headset barely spared her a glance before responding in a clipped tone.

"Name and department?"

"Aria Carter. I'm an intern in the Marketing Department," she said, forcing confidence into her voice.

The receptionist nodded, scrolling through her screen. "Sixth floor, last office on the right. Welcome to Cross Enterprises."

Aria gave a polite smile and stepped toward the elevators. She pressed the button and inhaled deeply, trying to steady her heartbeat.

"This is it. My first step into the corporate world. Don't mess this up."

As the elevator doors slid open, she stepped inside, pressing the button for the sixth floor. She exhaled slowly, trying to push away the lingering nervousness. The ride up was smooth, and when the doors opened, she stepped into a long hallway lined with offices.

Determined to make a good impression, she walked briskly, counting the doors until she reached the last one on the right. Without hesitation, she knocked twice before turning the handle and stepping inside.

And that was her first mistake.

The office was nothing like she had expected. It was massive, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline. A sleek black desk sat in the center, surrounded by shelves filled with books and awards. The scent of expensive cologne lingered in the air, rich and intoxicating.

But it wasn't the luxurious space that made her heart stop-it was the man behind the desk.

He looked up from his laptop, his piercing gray eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. He was breathtakingly handsome in a way that was almost unfair. Dark hair styled to perfection, sharp cheekbones, and a suit that fit him like a second skin.

Aria's throat went dry.

This wasn't just any office.

And this wasn't just any man.

This was Damien Cross. CEO of the company. Billionaire. The most powerful man in the building.