Chapter 3 THE INTERVIEW

*Point of View: Lila Carter*

I stand frozen at my desk, staring at the guy with the "Confidential" packet. My heart pounding loudly in my chest like a drum. He is tall, frowning, and wearing a sparkling suit, yet he is blind to my gaze. He enters Ethan's office, passes by, and closes the door. What's in that folder, please? It could hold the key to ruining Ethan the way he destroyed my father. But I remain still, my hands perspiring. On my first day, I can't be discovered.

I'm Lila, posing as Ethan Blackwood's new assistant, Lila Smith. His grin continues playing tricks on my mind, even though I'm here to hold him accountable for harming my family. I glance at my desk and shrug it off. A computer, a phone, and a pile of documents that Ethan instructed me to organize are all present. Acting natural, I begin inputting his schedule, but my thoughts are focused on that folder. What if it has to do with a terrible bargain? I must know.

The workplace is crowded. People are rushing around, discussing money and meetings quickly. I write in my notepad while keeping my head down. The guy with the folder behind him, Ethan, emerges from his office. "Can you get coffee for us, Lilia?" With kind blue eyes, Ethan asks. I nod and quickly get to my feet. I force a grin and respond, "Sure, Ethan." His voice is pleasant rather as harsh as I had anticipated. It complicates my strategy.

I go down the hall to the coffee maker. It has several buttons and is sparkly. When I push one, a cup of dark coffee is filled. It has a powerful scent, reminiscent of Mom's cooking in the morning. I pick up two mugs and go back. Ethan and the guy are conversing quietly as I enter. Words like "town" and "deal" come to mind. I feel sick to my stomach. Are they discussing a negative topic, such as Dad's business's demise? I put down the mugs and listened.

Ethan smiles once again and replies, "Thanks, Lila." I detest it when my cheeks grow hot. I'm meant to loathe him. The dude doesn't give me a glance. He is pointing at documents as he flips through the folder. Pretending to fix the cups, I linger. The guy nods and walks away as Ethan tells him, "We'll finish this later." Ethan keeps the folder on his desk. I want to grasp it with my fingertips, but Ethan is now observing me.

He leans back in his chair and says, "Lila, is it possible for you to reserve a meeting room for tomorrow?" I see that his hands are powerful, and his suit suits him wonderfully. To concentrate, I shook my head. I go to my desk and say, "Yes, I'll do it now." I navigate through the schedule on the computer, but my gaze keeps going to his office. I can still see that folder appealing to me. I must be cunning, like a spy.

The day flies by. I compose emails, answer phones, and do what Ethan says. He's kind and constantly says "thank you" and "please." It's strange. I expected he'd be frigid, like a villain in a novel. He instead inquires as to how I'm adjusting. I smile and tell a fib, "It's great here." With a cheerful nod, he returns to his task. A stab of pain goes through my chest. I feel bad about lying to him, but I keep going because of Dad.

I have a sandwich by myself in the break room at lunch. I don't join the other employees in their laughter and chatter. My goal is not to create friends. My goal is to uncover Ethan's secrets. I notice a text from Mom when I check my phone. It reads, "Be careful, Lila." "I'm fine," I reply via text. I keep my conflicted feelings about Ethan's grin to myself. She would be more concerned.

Ethan is in another meeting, back at my desk. There is no one in his office. My heart is pounding. This is my opportunity. I look around, but nobody is watching. With my shoes soft on the carpet, I tiptoe inside his office. The large, crimson folder remains on his desk. With a trembling hand, I grab it. I convince myself to take just one look. When I open it, documents with names and numbers are visible. The term "Riverdale" leaps out. That town is little, much like mine. I feel chilled. Is Ethan going to harm a another town?

There's a sound outside. With my pulse racing, I quickly return to my desk and slam the folder shut. Ethan enters while using his phone. He is unaware of my strange behavior. "Lila, could you please send these files to accounting?" he hands me a pile of documents. My mouth is dry as I nod. I take them, saying, "Sure." I feel that flutter once again as his fingertips touch mine. I quickly pull away and go down the corridor.

I leave the files at the accounting office. There, a lady grins. "You're Ethan's new helper, correct? "It's a pleasure to work for him," she adds. Unsure of what to say, I nod. He's liked by everybody here. That isn't logical. Why did his business destroy Dad if he is such a lovely guy? My head is racing as I make my way back. Perhaps Ethan is concealing his darker side. Or maybe I'm mistaken about him. I'm not able to think that. I must follow my strategy.

Ethan remarks, "Good job today, Lila," as the day comes to a conclusion. I'll see you tomorrow. I murmur, "Thanks," as he smiles warmly. With my suitcase in hand, I go out into the dazzling city lights. My mind is racing as I make my way to the train. I can't get that folder off my mind. Riverdale. How is Ethan affecting the town? It's dangerous, but I have to return to his office. My whole strategy is ruined if he finds me.

I sat crammed in between strangers on the metro. My best friend Mia has texted me, and my phone buzzes. She inquires, "How's the big city?" Crazy, I text back. I got the job. I keep Ethan's grin and the folder from her. As a journalist, Mia is always inquiring. I can't tell anybody my secret just yet since she will dig if I tell her too much.

I kick off my shoes and collapse on the bed back in my little flat. Outside, the metropolis is always humming. I take out and cling to Dad's photo. "Dad, I saw something today," I mumble. "I'm almost ready to make Ethan pay." However, my voice trembles. I didn't anticipate Ethan. His eyes make me feel things I don't want to feel, yet he's nice. I set the photo aside and look up at the ceiling.

I consider tomorrow. Read more; I must get that folder once again. I can use it to halt Ethan if he is causing harm to Riverdale. However, what if he isn't the villain? What if it's another person? I ignore the notion. I promised my father. Ethan's grin cannot make me reconsider. I attempt to sleep by closing my eyes, but that folder keeps coming up. My phone then buzzes one more. I have no idea what the number is. "Lila Smith, we need to talk about Ethan Blackwood," the note reads. My heart stops. I'm here, but who knows?