Standing across the road, Ariana stared at the towering glass building that pierced through the skyline of Los Angeles — Whittech Company Ltd.
For a moment, she hesitated.
Should she go in… or turn back?
The building radiated power and wealth. Expensive cars lined the entrance, and sharply dressed individuals walked in and out with confidence. Security guards stood like statues at the doors, their presence alone intimidating.
After a brief internal battle, Ariana tightened her grip on the business card and crossed the road.
Stepping inside the building, everyone seemed to halt from what they were doing and stared at her. It wasn't admiration — it was judgment. Her outfit stood out sharply against the polished elegance of the environment. Worn-out jeans with slight tears — what she proudly considered fashion, paired with a loose black T-shirt and slightly stained sneakers from her long walk. Still, she lifted her chin.
Adjusting her glasses, she ignored the stares and walked toward the reception.
"Good day, ma'am. How may I help you?" the receptionist asked, forcing a polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"I'm here to see your CEO, Sebastian Whitmore," Ariana replied calmly.
"Do you have an appointment?" she asked.
"No," Ariana said — and before she could be dismissed, she placed the business card on the desk.
"But I have this. You can confirm."
The receptionist reluctantly made a call. After some minutes, she returned.
"Take the elevator at the right corner. Top floor. Someone will meet you there."
"Thank you, ma'am." Ariana's lips stretched into a bright smile.
As she walked toward the elevator, her eyes wandered in awe. Everything looked expensive — the décor, the workers, even the air felt rich.
"They must pay really well here…" she murmured under her breath.
Her eyes sparkled.
"I won't let this opportunity slip away," she thought. Lost in admiration, she suddenly bumped into someone.
"Watch where you're going!" a cold voice snapped.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry, ma'am!" Ariana apologized quickly.
The woman stared at her up and down, her gaze filled with open disdain.
"Are you lost? What is someone like you doing in Whittech Company? We're not running a charity."
Ariana was slightly annoyed with her words but with the way she dressed and carried herself, she seemed like a woman of high authority.
"I'm here to see the CEO, Sebastian Whitmore," she replied, lifting her chin slightly.
The woman scoffed.
"Oh? So the CEO has started entertaining charity cases now? Interesting."
Ariana's patience snapped slightly.
"Please stop referring to me as a charity. I'm here for a reason. If you'll excuse me, I'm already late." She turned to leave.
"Who do you think you are?" the woman snapped. "You don't walk away without my permission. You look more like a thief than a guest. Oh yes, that must be why you're here."
"I'm not a thief," Ariana said firmly. "And I don't need your permission to walk away. You don't own my legs — or this building."
"You…!"
"Ma'am, the CEO has been waiting."
The sudden interruption came from a man who had just arrived — Ezra. Ariana didn't waste a second.
"Oh let's go," she said, ignoring the furious woman and the murmuring crowd.
Her chin lifted again. She had nothing to hide.
The elevator ride felt endless.
When the doors finally opened, Ariana stepped into what felt like another world. The top floor was breathtaking. Glass walls stretched from floor to ceiling, revealing the vast city below — moving cars reduced to nothing more than tiny moving dots. She slowly followed Ezra but tried not to lose him. Luxury surrounded her in its purest form.
They finally arrived. Suddenly, she felt a chill — her heart raced, she swore she could hear her heart beating so fast.
"Calm down Ari, this is your chance, don't lose this opportunity that presented itself on a golden platter. He's just a normal human like everybody else, so be calm! Don't show him you're weak." she thought as she motivated herself.
She lifted her chin, and put on a straight face as she waited for Ezra.
"Knock, knock," Ezra knocked.
Silence
"Come in." His deep, commanding voice echoed from inside.
Ariana swallowed.
"Focus!" She stepped in.
The office was even more breathtaking than she imagined. A massive glass wall that stretched behind his polished mahogany desk, showcasing not just the city and cars but also a perfect view of the ocean from afar.
Standing behind the glass was Sebastian Whitmore. He was putting on a white shirt paired with black trousers. His left hand was inside his pocket as he held a cup of coffee on the other. Strands of his hair falling at the side of his face. He looked distant — untouchable.
"Sir, she's here," Ezra announced before leaving.
Sebastian turned. Their eyes met.
For a second — everything stopped. His grey eyes locked onto hers, sharp and unreadable, as though he could see straight through her.
Ariana forgot to breathe.
His handsomeness was out of this world.
"You requested to see me. If it's about the compensation, I can clearly remember Ezra listing everything out and how to go about it," Sebastian said with authority as he approached his chair and gracefully sat down.
His tone was cold. Final.
Ariana snapped back to reality.
"Yes, I'm here to see you, and also, yes, it's about the compensation." Ariana said with a straight face, chin raised high.
Sebastian just stared at her, his face unreadable.
"Continue," he commanded.
"I'm actually here because I won't be able to afford or pay that huge amount of money," Ariana said, staring at his eyes.
"I expected as much," he said dryly. "Irresponsible actions tend to come with consequences. Walking drunk in the middle of the road… careless."
"I'm sorry for the damages I've caused but since I can't afford the amount, I'm here to render service as a worker in your company," Ariana said with a straight face.
A smile appeared on his face but immediately vanished. Only those who really paid attention could notice.
"And why on earth would I offer someone like you a job in my company? He said with a slight smirk on his face which made him look more dangerously handsome.
"I can assure you that you won't regret it, because I'm very hardworking, determined, confident, and amongst all, never intimidated — by anyone," she said, stretching the anyone, staring straight back into his eyes.
Something in her piqued Sebastian Whitmore's curiosity.
He rose, walked slowly towards Ariana. Ariana stood her ground, stared deeply into his eyes as she was determined to prove she wasn't intimidated by him.
"Hmm, I don't know if I should applaud you for your bravery or foolishness — all these qualities you mentioned weren't what I saw yesterday. It's all talk and nothing to prove it." Sebastian said, his face was an inch away from her.
"You can applaud for both, sir. As for yesterday, most responsible people get drunk, you just had to see me in that position at first, but that shouldn't be a valid reason to discard someone of worth." Ariana said, staring at his eyes.
For a moment — Silence.
"Such a brave fool," he thought with his right brow raised.
Sebastian chuckled, exposing his perfectly shaped white teeth. He turned, walking back towards the glass view with his back facing Ariana.
"I can't just employ anyone in this company, young girl," Sebastian said plainly.
"It's Ariana, sir — Ariana Ashford," she corrected.
"Just give me an opportunity, sir. I promise, you won't regret it," she insisted.
After a long silence.
"You want an opportunity right?
Six months.
Ariana's breath hitched.
I give you just six months to prove your worth. You'll be my Acting PA." Sebastian said without looking at her.
"And that will be all," he said, turning to face her. Leaving no room for argument.
Ariana tried hard to keep her expression calm — but inside, she was exploding with excitement.
This was it. Her chance.
As she walked out of Whittech Company Ltd, her lips slowly curved into a smile.
"Oh, Mr. Sebastian Whitmore…"
Her eyes gleamed with determination.
"Just you watch."