Chapter 6 Chapter 6
Amelia stopped so abruptly her heels nearly slipped against the floor. Her pulse pounded loudly in her ears as she slowly turned around.
The man behind the desk watched her calmly with an unreadable expression. He looked exactly the same as he had five years ago, only now he looked even more dangerous sitting behind his desk.
The assistant standing near the door looked between them awkwardly, clearly sensing the sudden tension in the room. Adrian finally leaned back in his chair.
“Close the door on your way out, Marcus.”
The assistant, Marcus, nodded once.
“Yes, sir.”
The door clicked shut behind him and now, it was just the two of them. Amelia’s fingers tightened around the strap of her handbag.
Every instinct screamed at her to run but his words echoed in her head.
If you walk out of this building, consider it the end of your career in this city.
Morgan Industries wasn’t just another company. It was one of the biggest corporations in the country. If Adrian decided to blacklist her professionally, finding another decent job would become nearly impossible. And she couldn’t afford that, not with Mila depending on her.
So despite the embarrassment crawling through her chest, Amelia forced herself to walk back toward the desk. She stopped in front of him.
“Good morning, sir.” Her voice sounded painfully stiff.
Adrian studied her for a long moment before gesturing toward the chair across from him.
“Sit.”
She obeyed quietly and folded her hands tightly in her lap to stop herself from fidgeting.
Adrian opened her file on his desk.
“You applied for the role of PR and Media Strategist.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ve reviewed your credentials.” His tone was completely professional now. “You have experience managing digital campaigns for several small brands. Your former employers described you as creative, adaptable, and effective under pressure.”
Amelia nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
Adrian’s gaze lifted to hers.
“But qualifications on paper only tell me so much. I prefer hearing from people directly.”
He closed the file slowly.
“Convince me.”
Amelia blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Let me know why you deserve this position.” He said calmly. “Why should I hire you?”
Amelia stared at him. Part of her wanted to tell him exactly where he could shove the job. But another part, the practical side that had spent five difficult years struggling to survive, knew she needed this opportunity. So she inhaled slowly and straightened in her seat.
“With all due respect, sir,” she began “your company doesn’t need someone who can simply make things look good online.”
“You already have influence, power, and visibility. What Morgan Industries needs is public trust.”
He said nothing so she pressed on.
“Most corporations focus too much on appearing perfect, but audiences are smarter now. They respond better to transparency and emotional connection.” She paused. You asked why you should hire me, because I understand how people think.”
“People don’t support companies because they’re rich. They support them because they feel connected to them.”
A flicker of amusement crossed Adrian’s face and that encouraged her so she continued.
“Your company has influence, but your public image is cold, intimidating. Efficient, yes, but not relatable.”
His eyebrow lifted slightly.
“You’re criticizing my company during an interview?”
Amelia’s heartbeat quickened but she held his gaze anyway.
“I’m identifying its weakness.”
Surprisingly, the corner of Adrian’s mouth tilted faintly upward. The expression vanished almost immediately, but Amelia still caught it.
Adrian tapped his fingers lightly against the desk.
“What would you change first?”
“Visibility.” Amelia answered instantly.
“Elaborate.”
“You rarely appear publicly outside business events.” she explained. “People know your name, but they don’t know you.”
“And why would I want them to?”
“Because mystery creates distance, and distance creates suspicion.”
She leaned forward slightly, growing more confident.
“You’re one of the most powerful CEOs in the country, but the public only sees headlines about profits and acquisitions. Nothing human.”
For a long moment, Adrian said nothing. Then he closed the file completely.
“You start on Monday.”
Amelia blinked.
“That’s it?”
Adrian picked up another document.
“Marcus will contact you with the details.”
The dismissal was clear. But Amelia remained seated for a minute longer.
That was it? No acknowledgement whatsoever? It was almost insulting how composed he looked. Meanwhile her entire nervous system felt like it was collapsing.
She finally stood.
“Thank you, sir.”
•••
The moment the elevator doors closed, she let out a shaky breath.
“Oh my God.”
Her face burned with humiliation. Of all the companies in the city, of all the people. Why him?
The elevator reached the lobby. Amelia walked outside the building in a daze before pulling out her phone immediately.
She opened her messages and texted Tessa.
•••
By the time evening arrived, Amelia had managed to cook dinner while Mila sat at the kitchen counter drawing with crayons.
“Mama” Mila announced proudly, holding up her paper, “look!”
Amelia smiled tiredly.
It was a drawing of three stick figures. One tall, one medium and one tiny.
“What’s this?”
“That’s me” Mila said, pointing proudly. “And you.”
Amelia pointed to the third figure.
“And who’s this?”
“My future daddy.” Mila replied casually.
Amelia nearly dropped the spoon in her hand. But before she could respond, the apartment door opened.
“Auntie Tessa is home!” Mila yelled excitedly.
Tessa walked in and immediately narrowed her eyes at Amelia.
“You!” She pointed.
Amelia sighed. “Not even hello?”
“No. Explain the mysterious text message immediately.”
Mila giggled. “I think Mommy is in trouble.”
“Exactly.” Tessa agreed
Amelia laughed. “Go wash up first.”
“Absolutely not. I want to hear everything. Now!”
“No, later. I mean it.”
Tessa looked like she wanted to argue but she eventually caved.
“Fine.”
Twenty minutes later, Mila was asleep in her room after dinner while Amelia and Tessa sat on the couch.
“Okay. Talk.”
Amelia inhaled deeply.
“Sooo, I got the job.”
“I knew it!” Tessa squealed.
“But…”
Tessa narrowed her eyes instantly.
“The CEO interviewed me personally.”
“Okay?”
“How do I put this?” Amelia sighed. “My boss is the man from five years ago.”
Realization suddenly flashed across Tessa’s face and she gasped loudly.
“No freaking way.”
“It was him.”
Tessa slapped a hand over her mouth.
“The one-night-stand guy?”
“Yes.”
“The mysterious hot stranger?”
“Yes.”
“The father of your child?”
Amelia groaned. “Yes!”
Tessa stared at her in complete shock.
“You’re joking.”
Amelia rubbed her forehead. “I wish I was.”
“Oh my God.”
Tessa immediately grabbed a pillow and hugged it dramatically.
“This is literally the plot of one of those crazy romance movies.”
Amelia glared at her. “This isn’t funny.”
Tessa laughed before becoming serious again.
“So what happened?”
“Nothing. He just told me to leave after the interview. He didn’t even act like he knew me.”
“That’s insane.”
“I know.” Amelia leaned back against the couch miserably. “I work for the father of my child now.”
“Are you planning to tell him?”
“Hell no!.”
Tessa looked confused.
“Amelia, the man is rich. Why wouldn’t you want him to know?”
“Because it was a one-night stand. No one wants a child from a one-night stand.”
Tessa’s expression softened.
“He doesn’t even know me.” She continued. “What if he thinks I’m trying to trap him?”
“But what if he deserves to know?”
Amelia looked away. That question had haunted her for years but the truth was complicated. She had tried searching for him after that night, but she’d had nothing to go on. Now suddenly he was back, not just as anyone, but her boss.
Tessa nudged her shoulder lightly.
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Mila is doing fine with just the two of us anyway.”
Amelia nodded slowly. Remembering what Mila had shown her earlier, it wouldn’t take long before she starts getting curious about her father.
Amelia barely slept that night.
