Chapter 2 THE GIRL IN THE GLASS BUILDING

The rain had stopped by morning, but Elena still felt its chill as she buttoned her worn-out blouse and tied her hair into a neat bun.

Her reflection in the small mirror wasn't glamorous - just simple and tidy, exactly how she needed to look for her new job.

It wasn't much, but it mattered.

The building she was heading to was called Cole Industries Tower - one of the tallest and most luxurious in the city. She'd been hired through a cleaning agency that supplied workers there. The pay wasn't great, but it was steady, and she needed every naira she could get for her mother's medication and her younger brother's school fees.

Her bus stopped right in front of the shimmering skyscraper. The glass walls reflected the morning sun like liquid gold, and Elena paused for a second, clutching her bag.

She had no idea that fate was laughing softly above her.

Inside, she moved quietly between marble floors and endless hallways. Her cleaning cart squeaked as she pushed it along, and she prayed no one important noticed her - she hated drawing attention.

By noon, she was wiping down the glass near the CEO's private elevator when she heard voices behind her.

"Mr. Cole is arriving in five minutes. Everyone, look alive!" one of the managers whispered sharply.

Elena froze for a second. Mr. Cole... that name.

Before she could connect the dots, a familiar deep voice echoed from behind.

"Good morning, everyone."

Her heart skipped.

She turned instinctively - and there he was. The man from last night.

The stranger who had offered her a ride.

Only now, he wasn't just "Adrian." He was Mr. Cole.

Her hand trembled slightly around the rag she was holding. She bowed her head quickly and turned back to her work, hoping he wouldn't notice her.

But he did.

He stopped mid-step, eyes narrowing as recognition hit.

"Elena?"

Her breath caught. Slowly, she turned. "Good morning, sir."

The manager beside him blinked in confusion.

"You... you know her, Mr. Cole?"

Adrian's expression softened just slightly.

"We've met."

He looked at her again, a hint of a smile ghosting across his lips. "I see you found your way home safely."

"Yes, sir. Thank you again."

Her politeness wasn't forced - it was sincere, quiet, humble. She didn't gush, didn't flirt, didn't act impressed by his title. She just spoke like she always did - with respect.

And something about that made Adrian pause longer than he should have.

"Get back to work," the manager said quickly, embarrassed.

"Yes, ma'am," Elena replied, lowering her gaze.

As Adrian walked past, his hand brushed against the elevator button - but his eyes, just for a second, lingered on her.

That evening, when the building emptied and the sky burned orange with sunset, Elena cleaned the executive floor again. From the large windows, she could see the entire city below - glowing, alive, unreachable.

She wondered what it was like to live up there - where people like him did.

And in his office, Adrian sat behind his desk, pretending to read a report while his mind replayed her voice.

There was something about her that refused to fade.

He didn't know why.

But for the first time in years, the billionaire who had everything found himself curious - not about profits or deals - but about a girl who worked quietly beneath his sky.