The hallway was quiet, the sound of Aya's heels echoing against the marble floor. She clutched her CV tightly. She glanced at her reflection in the shiny glass wall — crisp white blouse, navy blue skirt, neat low sleek bun. She looked like she belonged here.
But inside? She felt like a mess.
"Breathe, Aya," she whispered to herself.
This interview meant everything. After months of job hunting, sleepless nights, and rejected emails, this could be her breakthrough. Cole Enterprise wasn't just any company — it was the company. Tech giant. Billionaire-owned. Dream job.
She walked faster, hoping to find the HR department on the 14th floor without looking lost. Her heart thudded like a drumline in her chest.
Then —
"You're standing in my way."
The voice was sudden, sharp, and deep. It sliced through the air like a cold blade.
Aya spun around.
A man towered behind her — tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit. His hair was dark and slicked back, and his eyes were steel gray: cold, unreadable…
And pissed.
"Excuse me?" Aya asked, confused.
"You're in my way," he repeated, like she was deaf. "Some of us have important places to be," he added.
She blinked. Was this guy serious?
"I didn't realize the hallway had a king," she muttered, stepping aside.
He walked past her, brushing her shoulder intentionally, then paused. "People like you should learn to watch where you stand," his voice dipped with condescension like he was swatting away a fly.
Aya's eyes narrowed. There it was again — people like you.
What did that even mean? Was it the way she dressed? The confidence in her stride? Or just the fact that she hadn't cowered before his presence?
She planted her foot firmly. "People like me? You mean people who don't bow at your feet or worship your designer shoes?"
He turned, arching an eyebrow. There was a flicker in his eyes — like she'd surprised him. Like most people just lowered their gaze and moved aside.
But not her.
"Watch your tone," he warned, voice low and smooth, but edged with steel.
"Watch your ego," she snapped.
Aya didn't know what came over her. Maybe it was the nerves. Maybe it was the way he walked, like he owned the building — and everyone in it.
But she wasn't going to let a man with a jawline and attitude bully her.
He leaned in slightly, his smirk returning.
"You've got guts, I'll give you that,"
"And you've got a superiority complex," she shot back, "but you might want to try losing it before throwing attitude at strangers."
He let out a short, humorless laugh and walked away without another word. But she felt his gaze burning into her back until the elevator doors closed behind him and vanished.
Aya let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.
What an arrogant prick.
She shook off the encounter and adjusted her blouse. She was here for an interview — not to trade insults with some suit-wearing demon