The room carried a heavy, controlled silence.
The air smelled faintly of old wood, polished leather, and expensive whiskey.
Soft light from the chandelier above and the tall windows settled over the room, giving everything a calm yet serious tone.
An old man in his late fifties sat in a grand black chair, facing another man almost as old as he was.
They sat across a heavy mahogany table, discussing matters that were far from trivial.
The other man felt tense, though he kept a straight face.
"The rumors speculating about Ethan are getting beyond control. Some goods might even be suspended," Chairman Roth said, his tone slightly higher than normal.
Eric Blackwood leaned back in his chair calmly.
"Relax your nerves. He'll do something about it. I handed over the conglomerate because I knew he was capable. He has proven himself more than once."
Chairman Roth adjusted his tie.
"Okay… but I have a suggestion. My daughter is a very renowned journalist. She's in Italy presently. What if I propose a union?"
Eric's expression remained unreadable.
"That's for Ethan to decide."
Chairman Roth's face twisted slightly.
His hand folded into a fist under the table, though he masked it quickly with a polite smile.
"I'll take my leave now, President."
He bowed slightly and left.
Stepping into the hallway, his eyes met a familiar face… Sharp, cold and aloof.
Ethan Blackwood walked toward the room with his usual calm dominance.
Chairman Roth quickly averted his gaze.
Ethan walked past him without sparing him a glance, as if he didn't exist.
Behind him, Sebastian gave Roth a small nod before following.
Chairman Roth blinked slowly.
A thin smile crept across his lips, one that did not reach his eyes as the elevator doors closed.
Moments later Ethan entered the office.
Eric's face brightened immediately.
Though Ethan was his adoptive son, he treated him better than many fathers treated their own children.
"Finally, both of you decided to give me a grand visit," Eric said teasingly.
Both men sat across from him.
"You know I always love visiting you. Ethan just wouldn't let us come," Sebastian said, faking a sad face.
He glanced at Ethan.
The death stare he received made him quickly adjust his glasses.
"Really?" Eric chuckled.
"Yes, of course."
"Ethan, are you alleging what he said?" Eric asked.
"You already know his words are nothing but lies."
Ethan didn't even look up.
"He wasn't able to come because he was busy visiting different brothels."
"What?!" Sebastian's jaw dropped.
"So who do you want to believe?" Ethan asked calmly.
Sebastian stared at him.
"Didn't know you could cook up lies like this," he said while shaking his head.
Eric laughed.
"You two haven't stopped these banters. It's good to see you."
He leaned forward slightly.
"By the way, Chairman Roth and I just had a conversation."
"The rumours?" Ethan asked.
"Yes, he suggested marriage. His daughter."
"I'm not interested in any union," Ethan replied flatly.
"Sebastian and I already discussed it. There will be a solution."
Eric nodded slowly.
"I'll go with whatever you decide."
"I believe this would work." Sebastian nodded
Eric leaned back slightly in his chair.
"By the way, Ethan… your sister called me earlier."
Ethan's expression did not change.
"Aria?" Sebastian asked, raising a brow.
Eric nodded slowly.
"She sounded… upset. She said the rumors about you are everywhere now."
He paused before continuing.
"She kept asking why people think you prefer men."
Sebastian coughed lightly, clearly trying not to laugh.
Ethan's eyes turned colder.
"She shouldn't concern herself with useless gossip," he said flatly.
Eric sighed.
"You know how Aria is. She has always been… overly attached to you."
"Just give her a niece and nephew"Sebastian suggested, his gaze fixed on Eric instead while Eric kept chuckling
"Why not give her?" Ethan stated
"Alright, you won" he rolled his eyes.
—-------
While plans were being made in quiet luxury,
somewhere else in the city someone was fighting a very different battle.
"You're overqualified."
"Your experience has gaps."
"We'll call you."
Those words replayed in the mind of Mia like a broken record.
That was the seventh place she had gone looking for a job.
"Job hunting is really something," she muttered while slouching onto her creaking couch.
"I'm too qualified to be an attendant, cleaner or storekeeper. I need to get a proper job. Brielle's time is ticking."
Suddenly loud laughter erupted from next door.
"That crazy lady again… why does she enjoy polluting the environment with noise?"
She slipped off her shoes and marched to their door.
Her hand was about to knock when she suddenly stopped.
"Blackwood Conglomerate," Maxine laughed while checking her phone.
"I wonder how many candidates have applied already. The link is on their site but it will close soon. It's past 10 p.m.," Claire said.
"Well I'm already in their cosmetic department," Maxine said proudly.
"But I'd still apply just to see the face of his P.A."
"That guy is freaking hot."
Mia blinked.
They had no idea she had been eavesdropping.
She carefully moved away, nearly colliding with a pile of boxes beside the door, but she balanced herself.
Back inside her apartment she quickly grabbed her laptop.
"Blackwood… Blackwood…" she muttered while typing.
"That name sounds weird. Why would someone be black and also wood?"
She scoffed.
"Oh wait… I've seen that name before."
"A billboard."
"A domineering figure stood there too… didn't see his face clearly."
"Maybe that's their CEO."
Her fingers moved quickly across the keyboard.
The moment she submitted the application the site shut down.
Mia blinked.
"Wow…"
She leaned back slowly.
"Have you been waiting for me?"
"Maybe this is a sign."
When a notification appeared, she opened the email.
Her eyes widened.
"Tomorrow is the interview?!"
Her heart raced.
"God… please let me get this one."
Exhaustion slowly pulled her into sleep as she whispered quiet prayers.
Morning arrived more quickly than expected
The alarm rang, Mia shut it off immediately.
She jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom.
Within minutes she was dressed.
Pencil skirt.
Neat shirt.
Her dark hair tied in a ponytail.
"Oh gosh I need to catch the early bus."
Her heels clicked rapidly across the floor as she rushed out.
On the way to the subway, a passing car ran through a puddle.
Splash.
Dirty water landed directly on her skirt.
"What the heck! You bad-luck stop!" she yelled.
"Sorry miss," the chauffeur mouthed.
Inside the car Ethan glanced up slightly.
"What's the noise?" he asked.
"There is a woman…"
"Move."
The chauffeur obeyed immediately.
Through the mirror Ethan briefly saw her yelling.
"A lot of crazy people out there," he muttered.
Not long after Mia stood in front of the towering glass building of Blackwood Corp.
She swallowed nervously and entered.
"Please, where is the interview taking place?" she asked the receptionist.
"Third floor."
"Thank you."
The floor was crowded with applicants.
Mia eventually found a seat.
"Only God knows when it will get to me," she muttered.
The woman beside her scoffed loudly.
"They say the CEO doesn't normally interview applicants himself," she said arrogantly.
"But this position must be different." She crossed her legs.
"If he's here personally, then it means it's a big opportunity."
Her eyes slid to Mia's stained skirt.
"Someone like me must get it."
Mia glanced at her calmly.
"Try not to stare too hard, you might ruin your make up."
The waiting area burst into laughter.
"You… bitch," the woman mouthed.
"That should be your mother's name," Mia replied indifferently.
Soon the woman's name was called.
She walked in proudly and came out almost immediately.
Mia laughed quietly as she passed.
Two hours later Mia was still waiting.
Most applicants came out with gloomy faces.
"Were they beaten up there?" she wondered.
"Mia Williams."
She stood and walked in, the room felt cold.
She lifted her head and met the sharp gaze of Ethan Blackwood.
She didn't avert her gaze, but beneath that stubborn stillness… her fingers tightened slightly.
Her heels almost betrayed her but she steadied herself.
"Are you here for a staring competition or a job?"
"Besides… you look dirty."
His husky voice filled the room.
"First of all it wasn't a staring competition sir," she replied.
"Secondly I'm not dirty. It's just a stain, I take my hygiene seriously,"she continued
"An ass-wipe ruined my dress while I was coming," she added.
Ethan looked at her again.
Recognition flashed. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You were the one causing scene this morning."
"Then you must be the one responsible… figures."
Sebastian nearly laughed out loud.
"You dared talk to me like that?"
"Oh… that's supposed to be a question? It's just common courtesy. Apologize when you're wrong."
Ethan leaned back slightly, his gaze turning colder as he studied her for a brief moment.
"I don't recall asking for entertainment."
A brief pause.
"Remove her,"he said flatly.
"At least check my application," Mia said quickly.
The guards approached.
"Alright, fine. Don't touch me. I'll leave."
She turned, but her heel slipped.
She fell to the floor.
Sebastian bit his lip trying not to laugh.
"Perfect," she muttered under her breath. "Exactly how I planned it."
Her face reddened.
She grabbed her file quickly.
She was about to leave when she heard it
"Stop."
"You're not suitable for this job,"
She stilled.
"But.."
His gaze lingered.
"There might be something else you're suitable for."