NECKLACE OF DECEPTION

Kiera made a life-changing decision a few days ago, one that may come back to haunt her in the future, but trust me, she doesn't care. Life had dealt her a worse hand than she deserved, but she refused to let it break her anymore. She has moved on, rebuilt her identity, and given herself a chance to start over after grieving all her losses.

However, there was one thing she could never change - the trauma from her past, which continued to haunt her in her dreams.

It was 7:15 a.m. The soft golden light filled the room, and kiera could hear the bird songs outside her window as she sat on her bed, staring at the email she had received yesterday.

She had sent her forged resume to a few websites a few days ago, and one of them had responded, requesting she show up by 10:00 a.m. today for an interview. After receiving numerous rejections due to her damaged reputation. "Perhaps changing my identity wasn't a bad idea after all."

Having said that, she got up and moved to the bathroom, where she turned on the shower and closed her eyes, letting the water caress her body.

"You're a failure, Lana starkwood. A cheat. Nobody wants you here, freaking ex-convict. We were never your friends,you were just too stupid to realize."

With those words echoing in her mind, she turned off the shower and hurried outside.

You must be wondering who Lana Thompson is. Kiera is, or should i say, used to be. There is no greater betrayal than that which came from people closest to you.

She still couldn't get over what Maxwell and Christie did to her, but that was a discussion for another day because she had an interview to prepare for.

After staring at her closet for about 15 minutes, she decided to wear a black pencil skirt and a royal blue blouse, paired with black heels. Regarding her hair, she covered up her gorgeous long blond hair with a black wig, put on black-rimmed big-eyed glasses, and had braces placed on her teeth.

"Umm, I have to disguise good, so don't judge me." she said, giggling to herself. Taking a quick look at her table clock, she knew she would be late if she didn't leave right away. Therefore, she quickly left the room after grabbing her bag and credentials from the table.

The taxi she was riding in finally came to a stop, and as she stepped out, she couldn't help but look up at the skyscraper with the TitanTech Solutions logo on it.

"I really hope everything works out for you, Kiera. It will be a good sign for a new beginning," she whispered to herself as she walked into the building.

As soon as she walked in, she noticed the receptionist's desk and Kiera went straight to her. "Hi, umm, I am here to interview for the position of Mr. Cruz's assistant."

"Sure! May I know your name, please?" The receptionist asked.

" Kiera," with a dejected expression, " it's Keira Martins." If kiera hadn't taken enemies as close friends, she wouldn't have had to go by an unknown identity.

"Alright. Take the second lift, the interview is on the 30th floor. There, you will find one of our employees who will assist you."

"Okay, thank you," Kiera replied, forcing a smile.

"Good luck." The receptionist wished her with a soft smile.

The elevator was packed with men, which made the ride very uncomfortable. They were all just staring at Kiera like she was weird, but kiera couldn't care less. Her only goal was to keep her traumatic past hidden at all costs, even if it meant looking like a clown.

As soon as the door leading to the 30th floor opened, Kiera spotted another receptionist and moved in her direction.

"Hi, I'm here for the interview."

"Right," The red hair receptionist replied with a small smile and handed her a number before showing her to another elevator, the receptionist followed Kiera up to the elevator door, because she needed to enter a code for her to get up to the floor.

Kiera anxiety started to grow, and she began to question if coming for the interview was a wise decision. Was she good enough? What if she gets busted?

Thoughts began to cloud her judgment, but Kiera must remain strong, backing out was not an option now. At last, the elevator door opened, and she mustered the confidence to enter the floor.

As she took a small step forward, she was shocked by what she saw right away. There were so many female applicants, and they all looked stunning, but she also noticed that the clothes they wore were seductive. Then there was her. Though she wouldn't describe herself as ugly, she didn't look like them.

"Come on, Kiera, you got this." She muttered under her breath as she walked towards the chairs crammed with women, their gazes fixed on her.

As soon as she sat down, she began to panic once more and did not even realize that she was constantly tapping her feet.

"Nervous huh?" A girl seated next to her inquired, she was wearing a professional attire similar to Kiera, unlike the other women.

"Umm no, it's just a habit"- Kiera replied while pulling a smile.

"Hmm, quite a habit. I'm Josephine by the way."

"Kiera."

Just as Josephine was about to say something else, the elevator door opened and a strong aura filled the room. Kiera turned her head along with the other women to see what was causing the fuss and she was left completely stunned at the sight.

Behold, it was a tall muscular figure, his looks were striking, featuring a perfectly shaped and proportioned nose, flawless skin, sensual yet innocent lips, and a brooding expression in his eyes.

"That is the CEO, his name is Alexandro Cruz, and the other guy behind him is Ethan Stone, his right-hand man," Josephine whispered into her ear, seeing how lost she was in his presence.

"How did you know? Isn't this your first visit here?" Kiera enquired with curiosity evident on her face.

"Are you kidding? He's quite popular, very arrogant, and doesn't condone any form of foolishness."

Not only did he look gorgeous, but he also looked familiar to Kiera, though she was not sure from where. Her eyes remained fixed on him as he and Ethan Stone entered the office without even taking a glance at any of them.

The whispers among the ladies grew louder, and some of them even went as far as to redo their makeup, even fiddling with their breasts to expose more.

In a few minutes, their numbers were being called. Slowly, one by one, the women went in for the interview but none came out happy and some even emerged crying.

Kiera's confidence dwindled, and thoughts began to occupy her mind. "If these women stood no chance, what hope do i have?"

What could this man have said to them to make them cry? I should have just stayed home and trusted my instincts." Kiera kept blaming herself And as the last person waiting, her anxiety skyrocketed.

"Number 18, you may come in". she heard a voice call out. She gathered her composure and entered the office, her heart racing.

Alexandro Cruz woke up with a headache, still feeling the effects of his return to New York yesterday after closing a deal in Japan. And now, he had to report to work early due to a ridiculous interview.

"How could Ethan, who is incredibly stupid sometimes, arrange an interview for today when he knew I'd be exhausted? I guess that's why I need a competent assistant." Alexandro grumbled to himself as he got out of bed and headed to the shower.

It was soothing and enjoyable to feel the water coursing through his head. He wished he could spend all day in the shower, but unfortunately he's got work to do. Working was not a problem for Alexandro because he actually enjoyed it.

As the CEO of a multibillion-dollar company, he might come across as a workaholic, but in reality, he just loves being in the office because it is calm and like a safe haven, and it lets him do what he does best. But he admits that most of the time, if not always, it can be stressful.

Once he had finished his bath, he wrapped a towel around his waist and left the bathroom. And before long, he was prepared to go. He couldn't even wait to have his coffee because he was already running late. Of course no one was going to challenge him, but he has his policies, and he sticks to them.

He made his way downstairs, where Ethan Stone, his right-hand man, was already waiting for him in his car, so he got in and they drove to the office.

Ethan's father used to work for Alexandro's father before he died, so his father decided to take Ethan in because of his age at the time. Even though Ethan now works for him, Alexandro still thinks of him as a brother.

****************

Alexandro's pov

All I have seen all day is nothing but unqualified girls dressed in skimpy clothes. Trying to seduce me with looks, I mean, they were hot, but my heart belonged to one, and even if she had disappeared since our last encounter, she would always have my heart.

The amusing part is that they all assumed they could get the job by flirting with me. Even though the day has been long and non-productive, I enjoyed watching all of these women flirt their way into getting the job.

It was 12:45 p.m. now and I was still in the office conducting interviews for my assistant position. Thankfully, there was only one person left for the interview. I felt so relieved.

As soon as the last girl entered, I had to admit that I was impressed with how things were going thus far even though she had not said anything. Her attire differs from that of the other women who entered earlier.

She may have looked like a nerd, but she dressed quite right. She was dressed in a royal blue top and a black pencil skirt. Even in that state, she looked amazing, she was tall and had the perfect body that would make any man go crazy. I just did not understand why her face did not match her body shape.

I could tell she was a bit nervous as she sat down and submitted her credentials, she kept stealing glances at me or had we met before? In all honesty, she looks incredibly familiar, but I am unable to identify the context of our acquaintance.

Anyway, enough about all that, let us get down to business.

"So you think you have what it takes to work for me?" I asked with a sly smile, after grabbing her credentials and carefully going through them.

"Absolutely, I have all the qualifications and believe I am the best candidate for this job," she stated confidently.

"Oh, really! We will see about that. why do you feel you are so qualified?" I asked.

"I consider myself a hard worker, a quick learner, and a good team player. I believe my accomplishments speak for themselves." she replied, staring at her credentials.

"That is adorable, but just so you know, this job calls for a great deal more than just abilities-it also calls for a certain level of sophistication and dexterity. And based on what I have observed, you fall short in both areas." I snapped rolling my eyes. She was too confident, yes I know been confident is good. But somehow I was started to get pissed off.

"Excuse me? I'll have you know that I am more than qualified for this position, and I will not be spoken to in that manner." She snapped back at me, this girl surely as an attitude. But I'm not backing down either.

"Oh, I am trembling in my boots," I sassed with a smug smile. "You think you can handle the pressure of working for me? I doubt it."

I could her eyes turning crimson red, and she was also becoming agitated. She paused briefly and stared at me for a while before she spoke.

"You know what? Enough of your patronizing demeanor. I have had enough." Anger evident in her words. But this was far from over.

"Oh, Ms. Kiera, I am just getting started. You see, I like to push people to their limits. It's the only way to see what they are made of." I muttered, leaning forward and grinning. I kind of like her though, she's the tough type, I didn't push the other applicants this much before they bursted out crying.

"You seem to be reveling in your own venom, and I'll give you credit." A smirk appeared on her face as she spoke. "It takes skill to wield condescension like a weapon. But let's be clear, Mr. Alexandro, your sharp tongue may slice through the air, but it only reveals the dullness of your empathy. You may think you're landing blows, but all I see is a fragile ego trying to validate itself through arrogance. Keep sharpening those claws, darling. Just know that they'll only ever be sharp enough to cut yourself."

Did she just speak to me that way? The audacity she has. And in an instance, she got to her feet and reached for her handbag. "Okay I'm out of here and screw you, jerk." She cursed.

"woah, do not let the door hit you on the way out," I responded, smirking. Her words mean nothing to me.

And that was fun. It seems like these women simply cannot take a little bit of pressure.

"Ahem, Perhaps we should adopt a more diplomatic approach," Ethan said, clearing his throat.

"Come on, Ethan-she just could not take the heat. And I will not waste my time on a person who is incapable of conducting even a basic interview."

"But sir, she is the only applicant that we have found to be qualified thus far. Not only is she young and smart but more importantly, unlike the other girls who showed up looking like sluts, she has self-respect. But that is fine, we can always hold more interviews."

Ethan was trying to play smart with me, but I wasn't bulging, and I am sure he found her outburst amusing. " Exactly! we can always hold more interviews," I simply stated.

But Ethan was giving up either, he continued to press on. "Sir, we don't have the luxury of time, you would be traveling more often now, and I can not always accompany you, so you do need someone urgently."

Okay, he got me there. When I travel, I sometimes have to leave him behind to attend to business matters. So thinking about it, i don't have much of a choice now.

" Fine, give her a call." I gave in reluctantly.

I am going to despise working now. Because how am I expected to work with someone like her?

That being said, "Ethan, do you have any info on the girl I told you to look for?"

"No sir, finding someone without physical knowledge of the person is quite difficult."

"Well, keep at it. I need results, not excuses."

"Of course, sir. By the way, did you ever find out why she turned down your offer?"

"It is none of your business Ethan, just find her with the necklace. It is extremely rare, so I'm not sure why you are having difficulty finding it."

"I'm sorry sir, I will double my efforts."

Kiera felt a rush of adrenaline course through her veins the moment she stepped out of the office. " I've had enough of that arrogant condescending boss". she muttered, her voice barely audible but full of venom.

"What a self-aggrandizing, egotistical, and arrogant slur. He thinks of himself as God's gift to humanity. In reality, he is just a pitiful, insecure little man who is constantly trying to prove himself."

Kiera shook her head, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she walked towards the exit. She pushed open the door and stepped into the sunlight, a sense of liberation washing over her. She took a deep breath, allowing the fresh air to fill her lungs while smiling to herself.

"I may not have gotten the job, but I have my dignity, and that is more valuable than any paycheck."

But truth be told , Kiera desperately wanted the job, she was short on cash and also needed to get out of the house every day to alleviate her depression. But she was not about to sit back and watch him or anyone match over her.

Not any longer, she has always had to put up with the bullshit of others all her life, but that was back when she was Lana starkwood.

She started hailing for a cab to get home, it had been a long day and all she wanted to do was lay in bed. Just then she heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, Kiera! How did things go?" The lady from the interview earlier, Josephine, hurried over to her, curiosity shining in her eyes.

And with a small smile, Kiera turned around and responded.

"Unfortunately, not very good. They said they'll let me know, but you know how that usually goes." Kiera had no intention of telling her what had transpired back there.

"I understand, I am sorry to hear that," Josephine nodded sympathetically. "My interview wasn't exactly a slam dunk either. But, hey, it's not all bad news. They offered me a different position instead. It is not quite what I was looking for, but it is something."

"That's great! Congratulations," Kiera said sincerely, though a hint of pain lingered in her tone.

Josephine cast a glance at the cab, which was waiting beside kiera. "Listen, since neither of us is in a celebratory mood, how about we grab a drink somewhere? I know a bar, it's just a few blocks away. We can talk more and hopefully cheer each other up."

After pausing momentarily, Kiera nodded, "Yes, of course. A drink sounds perfect right now." She then waved off the taxi, and they started walking side by side toward the bar.

Within twenty minutes of arriving at the bar, they have already consumed three rounds of cocktail glasses. Kiera finds Josephine hilarious and has a great sense of humor. She has not stopped laughing since they arrived, which makes her genuinely happy-at least she has not forgotten how to laugh without having to force it.

Her average height, slim build, and short brunette hair all contributed to her attractive appearance.

It has been fun all around, but exhaustion finally took over keira. She bid goodbye to Josephine and congratulated her once more as they exchanged goodbye kisses before finally heading home.

As soon as she got home, she jumped into the shower and let the water run over her head. After soaking in the running water until she was satisfied, she changed into some comfortable clothes, grabbed some popcorn and a drink from the fridge, and lay down on her bed.

She was munching on her popcorn and scrolling through TikTok when her phone started to ring. Although she was unsure of the owner's phone number, she had to retrieve it because it could have come from other applications she had submitted.

"Hello?" A male voice on the other side of the phone spoke.

"Hello" she responded.

"Is this Miss Keira?" The caller asked.

"Yes, Kiera speaking."

"Miss Kiera, I am Ethan Stone from Titan Tech Company. This is to inform you that you have been selected for the position. I will most likely need to give you some brief training, so please report to the office by 7:00 a.m sharp."

And with that, he hung up before Keira had a chance to say anything. Her heart skipped a beat as she processed the information.

"Did I really get the job?" she yelled, as excitement and disbelief washed over her.

"Maybe Mr Cruz was not as bad as I judged," she reasoned as she quickly got out of bed and prepared an outfit and other necessities for the following day. After several minutes of putting everything together, she collapsed on the bed, exhausted and hopeful.

****************

6:17 a.m

About 6:15 a.m. The next morning, Kiera was already dressed in her fitted pink blazer and black trousers, with her black wig and minimal makeup. She inhaled deeply and made her way to the kitchen, where she had some cereal and milk before leaving her flat.

A quick cab ride later, she arrived at the gleaming building.

"Wow, can I actually do this? I mean, my heart is racing at 200 mph right now. Kiera, do not screw this up; you got this. This is an opportunity for redemption." She encouraged herself and entered the building, taking a final deep breath.

She looks around, taking in the breathtaking interior. The white walls, sleek sofas with table on the side, and massive chandelier hanging from the ceiling created a breathtaking sight.

Although she had been here the day before, she hadn't had the chance to fully appreciate its beauty. As she stood there, taking it all in, she heard her name being called out.

"Ms.Keira!" the voice said, breaking the spell.

She turned to face the receptionist, her heart beating slightly faster. "Yes?" she replied, her voice steady.

The receptionist smiled and gestured to someone behind Keira. "Mr. Stone is ready to see you now."

Keira turned to face the direction indicated, her eyes locking onto a tall, imposing figure standing by the elevator. Ethan Stone smiled and beckoned her over. With a deep breath, she made her way towards him.

"Good morning Mr. Ethan", she greeted him, her voice steady.

"Good morning Ms. Kiera, you have no idea how glad I am that I could convince Mr. Cruz to hire you rather than those wannabes". He said as he grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Well, thank you so much for your assistance, and I sincerely apologize for yesterday. Being my first job, I truly wanted to start here, which is why I applied for the position." She said with a huge smile on her face, her eyes shining with gratitude.

"Well, Ms. Kiera, you got it there, and please feel free to call me Ethan," he said, smiling back. "Mr. Ethan makes me feel older than I actually am".

"Okay, as long as you also call me Kiera." She replied, her smile still intact.

"It is done. Alright! Kiera, let's get to work. Firstly, we must prepare the meeting room as Mr. Alexandro has a scheduled meeting in approximately thirty minutes. So please make fifteen copies of this packet." He said this while handing her the packet.

"And if you proceed to that room" Gesturing down the corridor. "There is a small pantry here, so take fifteen of everything off the shelves and arrange them in the conference room on this floor, which is also down the hallway. And that should only take ten to twenty minutes, so tell me when you are done, and I will make sure everything is correct."

"Okay," was all Kiera could say after all his explanations before she began to get things done.

She quickly got to work and did exactly as Ethan instructed. After she was done, she told Ethan and he came over to inspect what she had done.

"Good job Kiera, you followed the instructions exactly."

"Thank you, Ethan," she replied smiling. She may have been expelled from school and denied graduation due to a malpractice accusation, but she was confident in her abilities.