ALEX & RUBY

CE ENC

r bag. Her chest thumped with her heartbeat. She arrived at the interview just fifteen minutes late. It is a major transgression in the corporate world. Her anxious steps

nd black heels that was on sale las

tary position," she said barely

trying to adjust her outfit and remain calm. The mirror-lined wall revealed her freckled face. She had put her

e designated room and froze when she saw a man standing next to the floor-to-ceiling window. His tailored

stermind and youngest billionaire of Thompson Industries. His chipped jaw an

to face her. His voice was cli

" Ruby stammer

es on her as he folded his arms across his chest. "You have

he was not ready for this. But then wasn't

I am not incapable. I worked hard to get here. And if y

d, but he was quick to conceal it

t think for a second that I can tolerate mediocr

ess. Hired? Just like that? Before she could even comprehend what was happening,

exited the building that afternoon. She was hired by

reets of Manhattan, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she had just stepp

*

ed back-not physically. But the memory of the nights under the neon lights, dancing for strangers just to pay the bills. She ha

he history of the company. Brushed up on workplace etiquette and practiced how to answer cal

struggled at first, feeling the heat of his gaze every time she did something wrong. But beneath his cold exterior she began to

nding on a razor's edge. One mistake can bring you down. But she wou

, but his sharp eyes didn't miss anything. If he asks for coffee, it must be strong, black, and just the right temperatu

ents, and practicing how her voice should sound when answering calls. For the first time she went a d

like we have

ly against the elevator wall. She didn't notice him app

tted, "I think I did e

"But don't get comfortable. Success is

alked away without another word. Leavi

*

y one step ahead. He was still a mystery, though, but she saw a small crack on his armor-on the rare oc

ky Lee, reappeared in his life. Her presence was like a storm cloud, creating doubt and tension. But e

he beginning of a fight for his place