Chapter 3 Have We Met Before

KNOX

The soft knock on my office door was enough to make my wolf stir in irritation. I didn't bother looking up from the mountain of paperwork on my desk. I already knew who it was from her scent-Tasha, my secretary, the woman who thought her curves could distract me from her lack of professionalism.

"Come in" said, my tone clipped.

The door opened, and there she was, strutting in as though the office was her runway. Her blouse was unbuttoned one too many, and her smile was far too suggestive.

The clicking of Tasha's heels on the tiled floor grated on my nerves as she strolled into my office. The deliberate sway of her hips and the faint trace of perfume she'd undoubtedly sprayed to leave a trail was all too familiar.

"Mr. Grey," she said in that overly seductive tone, leaning just a bit too far over my desk to get my attention. Her blouse strained exposing her cleavage, and I couldn't miss the smug satisfaction in her eyes when she noticed I'd glanced.

I had fucked her before, once or twice when I'd been in heat and needed a release. It had been convenient, emotionless, and mutually understood. But now? Her attempts to reignite something I barely acknowledged then were nothing but irritating.

"The applicants are here," she continued, her voice as hoarse as ever. "Do you need me to sit in with you during the interviews? You know, for support?"

I held her gaze for a long moment, making sure my irritation was clear. "No. Just send them into the boardroom one at a time."

Her lips twitched in disappointment, but she nodded and turned on her heel, giving me a deliberate view of her retreating figure. I ignored it and headed to the boardroom.

By the time I got there, my mood was already sour.

The first applicant was dressed in an ill-fitting suit and couldn't even manage eye contact. I didn't get halfway through my questions before waving him off.

"Next," I barked.

The second one seemed more confident, but when I asked, *'What would you do if someone told you this job wasn't meant for you?'* his answer was a rambling mess about destiny and luck. Luck had no place in my world.

By the fourth applicant, my patience was wearing thin.

A woman came in wearing a bright red dress better suited for a nightclub than a professional interview. Her perfume filled the air before she even sat down. She tossed her hair dramatically and gave me a smile that I assumed she thought was seductive.

"Thank you for coming," I said, cutting her off before she even opened her mouth. "We're done here."

She stared at me, confused. "But I haven't-"

"Out."

Her face fell, but she gathered her things and stormed out.

When Tasha poked her head into the room after the next failure, I didn't hide my frustration. "Call it off. Close the damn interviews."

"But sir," she said with a small pout, "there's only one left."

"And I've seen enough." I leaned back in my chair, massaging my temples. "Whoever it is can go home. I don't have time to waste."

Tasha hesitated, but I shot her a glare, and she scurried off. I was done.

---

Aria's POV

The waiting room felt colder now, or maybe it was just the sinking feeling in my chest. I clutched my bag tighter, staring at the floor to keep from fidgeting too much. I had seen all the applicants before me come out with a disappointed look. One of them even told me to go home, that I wouldn't be chosen.

But this was my last shot-my last chance to prove I could take control of my life. But the longer I sat there, the more the nerves clawed at me.

The secretary-Tasha, as I overheard someone call her-walked in, her heels echoing loudly in the silent room. I looked up, hoping she was finally calling my name.

Instead, her lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "The interviews are closed. Mr. Grey doesn't have time for any more applicants."

Her words hit me like a slap.

"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "There has to be some mistake. I'm the last one."

"Exactly," she said, her tone clipped. "And he's decided that's enough for today."

Panic surged through me, and I felt tears prick my eyes. This couldn't be happening. I'd worked so hard just to get this far, to even land an interview. I couldn't just leave.

But as Tasha turned to leave, I saw him.

The man I'd been preparing to meet, Mr. Knox Grey, stepped into the hallway. His dark hair was perfectly combed back, his suit sharp and intimidating. He exuded power with every step he took.

Before I could think, my body moved on its own.

"Sir!" I called out, my voice trembling as I rushed towards him.

"Sir!!" I called out reaching him and gripping his hand to make him stop.

The moment my hand touched his arm, a jolt of electricity surged through me. My breath hitched as I looked up into his piercing eyes-eyes that seemed to see right through me.

Knox Grey. The man who could make or break my future with a single word. But as I stood there, something shifted in his expression. It wasn't the cold indifference I'd expected; it was curiosity, laced with something deeper.

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze narrowing, and then he spoke

"Have we met before? Your scent feels so familiar."