Chapter 2 Weird dream

"You're hired, Miss Carter."

Ella blinked, her breath caught in her throat.

Did he just say that?

She stood frozen in the middle of the office, her resume crushed in her hands. Her palms were already sweaty and Her heart thudded against her ribs. She expected him to laugh, or throw her out. Maybe even ask about the kiss from last night. But no. Liam was calm, cool, and serious.

"I'm... I'm hired?" she asked quietly.

Liam nodded once. "Yes. You can start Monday."

He leaned back in his leather chair, arms resting on the table like he hadn't just dropped a bomb on her. His sharp suit made him look untouchable. His face didn't show anything...not even a flicker of emotion.

"Th-thank you," Ella whispered, still in shock.

She just couldn't believe what was happening.

"My assistant will show you out," he said. That was it.

His eyes stayed on her for one more second. Then he looked down, back to his papers. Conversation over.

Ella walked out slowly, like someone waking from a strange dream. The office smelled like coffee and leather, and her legs felt shaky.

As soon as she stepped outside, she grabbed her phone and texted Ava:

"Got the job. But the CEO... he's the guy from last night."

Ava's reply came fast:

"Are you serious?,and he actually gave you the job?"

"I didn't expect that,he acted as if nothing happened yesterday, I almost froze to death"

"Spicy!! Come to the company party tonight. Celebrate with me."

Ella stared at the screen, unsure.

She didn't want to go, Ava actually works at the same company and she's hesitating because she didn't want to see him, not anytime soon.

But Ava was already sending follow-up messages.

"You have to come. What if he does remember? Maybe he liked it."

Ella rolled her eyes but sighed.

"Stop, that's not even possible"

***

That night, the company office was transformed. The lights were low, the music soft but lively. Tables were filled with snacks, drinks, and way too many wine glasses.

Ella wore a simple black dress. It fit her well, but still, she felt plain next to the others in glittering outfits and expensive suits. She tugged at her sleeves nervously, wishing she could disappear.

She didn't have anything fancy. She stood near a wall, holding a drink, feeling so small.

Ava appeared beside her, already smiling.

"You made it! You look cute, girl."

"I feel weird," Ella said. "Like I don't belong."

"Please," Ava snorted. "You're the mystery girl who kissed the CEO. You belong more than anyone. Shake off those feelings okay? I wish you could see how pretty and sexy you look"

Ella laughed nervously and took a sip of the wine. It was sweet, smooth, but made her feel warm right away.

She felt it again...eyes on her.

She looked across the room.

Liam was there. Standing tall in a dark suit. A glass in his hand. His eyes were those same stormy gray-blue eyes...locked with hers.

Ella quickly looked away.

"Girl, he's watching you," Ava whispered, sipping her own drink. "I'm telling you, something's there."

Ella didn't answer. She just drank more, trying to ignore the heat rising in her face.

Her cheeks were already burning. She sipped more wine and tried to breathe normally. The music felt too loud. The lights are too soft. She felt dizzy.

The last thing she remembered was Ava laughing about something and her own glass being refilled again.

Everything felt louder. Brighter. Slower.

Then...

She woke up with a sharp gasp. Her eyes slowly opened.

Where was she?

Everything was quiet. Soft. Big.

She sat up slowly. The bed was huge. The sheets were silky and smelled clean, like rich-people soap. Her black dress lay on the floor. One shoe was near the couch,her bra on the floor.

The city lights sparkled through giant windows.

Her heart slammed against her chest.

This wasn't her room.

She looked beside her and froze.

She saw Liam Sleeping soundly,His dark hair was messy, his face turned slightly toward her. His chest was bare under the blanket. His breathing was slow.

Panic hit her like a wave.

"No. No, no, no, did I spend the night with my boss?" she whispered.

She slid out of bed carefully, barely breathing.

Her dress... her shoes... her purse...

She grabbed everything quickly, hands shaking.

What happened?

She couldn't remember anything after her second glass of wine.

But then...her eyes widened.

The dream...

She had dreamed something. Clear, sharp, and terrifying.

Actually Ella has this special ability to see glimpses of the future in her dreams and ninety percent of her dreams always come true.

It's a special ability that's passed down in her family.

In the dream she had last night, She stood in front of a priest, wearing a white wedding dress. She was crying so badly as Liam left her in the wedding hall.

To Ella her dreams were like a curse.

She saw the future in her dreams.

And they always came true.

She had dreamed about her father's accident two nights before it happened. She saw Ava's breakup before Ava even suspected her boyfriend was cheating. Every dream...no matter how random or strange,had come true. Every single one.

So what did this mean?

Was she really going to marry Liam?

Ella felt her chest tighten. "No. That can't happen," she whispered.

She tiptoed out of the bedroom. The penthouse was quiet, filled with glass walls and smooth, dark wood. Everything was modern and spotless.

She found her heels, one of them was broken and shoved them on.

She made it to the front door, heart pounding in her ears.

Her fingers touched the handle.

"Ella?"

She heard His voice,it was Low. Sleepy and Familiar.

She froze.

"Ella..." he said again, this time louder.

She didn't turn around.

She pulled the door open and ran.

The elevator dinged just in time. She stepped in, breathing fast, the dream still flashing behind her eyes.

As the doors closed, she heard him again