Chapter 2 An Encounter By Fate

Nina's POV

The elevator door chimed softly, pulling me out of my thoughts as it opened. I stepped onto the Executive floor of the Dominex Enterprises, my pulse pounding in my ears.

All I could think about was the questions creeping inside my chest. Why did Mr Dominic want to meet with me all of a sudden? I was just a new hire, barely even making a name for myself here for him to notice me.

Had I already done something wrong? Or was this just something else entirely? "Miss Nina?" Marcie called out my name.

"This way, please."

I followed her through a corridor that was far too quiet, the sound of my footsteps sounding like echo after echo. They were framed photos of magazine covers, and awards clipped to the walls.

I caught glimpses of Dominic Varela's face in all of them. His dark hair always slicked back, the expression on his face cold and calculating as he was always known to be.

"He's inside, " Marcie said. Wait here."

I stood still, my hands folded tightly in front of me. My reflection in the glass mirror showed a composed face, but god knows my stomach was tied in knots.

This was it... my official introduction to the CEO. I adjusted my blouse, lifting my chin to brace myself. The door immediately opened without warning as I stepped inside.

"Miss Nina Williams," he said. Standing behind a desk made of black marble, tall and infuriatingly calm, as if the world should bend itself to accommodate him.

Dominic Varela.

The man whose empire ruled New York City. And now.. the man whose dark eyes had just landed on me like a sniper's laser. "So you're the new face everyone's been whispering about."

"I see nothing special to make them talk about you, I mean I'm looking at you right now and there is nothing damn special about you."

His tone was laced with venom. I stepped forward slowly, refusing to show the doubt rising in my chest. "It's an honor to meet you, Mr Varela."

But he didn't respond immediately. He just looked at me.... No, scanned me. As if he was reading every one of my thoughts, searching for cracks under my calm composure.

"It's always an honor to meet me, Miss Nina. It's not every day people like you get to me people like me you know."

His eyes dropped to my resume on the desk, though I had the feeling he wasn't seeing the words. Only what he wanted to see. "You lost your mother a year ago,"he said flatly.

The air in the room shifted. I stiffened, shocked at the fact that he brought that up casually as if it was nothing. "Yes," I said. Picking every word I said carefully.

"But I'm here now. Ready to work sir."

He leaned back on his chair, his eyes fixed on me. Still studying me. Then, without so much hesitation, he pressed a button on his desk.

"Call everyone to the boardroom."

"Now!'"

His assistant's voice trembled through the speaker. "Ye..Yes, Mr Dominic."

He stood up, adjusting the cuffs of his perfectly tailored suit. "Follow me." He said. And without even thinking about it, I did.

The boardroom was a massive space with a long glass table that could seat at least twenty. Executives filled the room, some of them already seated, while some were standing and chatting.

The moment Dominic walked in, Silence fell like a graveyard. He didn't waste time, getting straight to the point as he spoke.

"I'm making a change," he said Cooly, his voice slicing through the room. "Effective immediately, my current personal assistant, Ms Raquel Dennings, is dismissed."

Gasps filled the room immediately. Raquel parted her lips to speak while still in shock. "I....Mr Dominic , if I've done something.."

"You haven't," he cut her off before she could finish her words. "This decision is final." He turned slowly, his eyes landing on me with a cold precision.

"Miss Nina Williams will take your place from now on."

I stood at the edge of the room, shocked. Raquel looked at me like I was a ghost about to destroy her life. The others exchanged awkward glances.

"She does not have enough experience," one board member spoke. "With all due respect, Mr Dominic, this seems to be....Unwise."

He smiled back...but nothing about it was warm. It was venom wrapped in silk. "She has a fresh perspective," he said, his voice smooth as poison.

But something inside me told me this wasn't about potential. This seemed to be personal. And still, I held his gaze, refusing to look afraid.

Raquel immediately walked out of the room, her heels clicking angrily as Dominic turned to face me again, nothing funny about the tone of his voice as he spoke to me.

"You begin immediately. I expect you to start knowing all my schedules, contacts, and reports. If something's lost or not accurately recorded, you'll pay for it."

"Understood," I replied, my voice calm, even though deep down my heart was about to leave my chest. He took a step closer, standing tall over me, his breath filled with expensive cologne and Something I couldn't seem to figure out.

"I don't care how determined you think you are," he whispered. His voice was so low only I could hear. "But as my assistant, just know that you're stepping into something you cannot just leave until I tell you to."

But I didn't back away, at least his words made me even more determined. "I'm not afraid of a little hardship sir," I said, my eyes locked onto him.

He turned to the room. "The meeting is over." People leave the boardroom quickly, whispering and avoiding every eye contact with him. I remained still where he had left me.

Just as the last person left, Dominic paused by the door for a moment, looking over his shoulder. His voice was low, lethal.

"Better get ready, Miss Williams....."

His eyes burned into mine.

".....because working for me will become your hell."