TWISTED DESIRES

I sat down feeling anxious as I tightened my grip on the notepad Kate gave me. I'm going to one of the biggest companies in Seattle To step in for an interview with a prominent Billionaire Businessman for their campus paper.

"I gave you the recorder right, and you have all the questions and you know where you are going to?" Kate asked? Kate has been with me for as long as I can remember. My mom took her in when we were kids, raised her alongside me like family. We were never really sisters, but sometimes, it felt like we were and I love her so much. She knows everything about me, we are literally like besties.

"Yes, I do have a GPS and a 4.0 GPA,I smirked, I can figure it so don't you worry" I said to her.

The moment I step into Blackwood Empire Holdings, my nerves spike. The air smells like polished wood, fresh linen, and something unmistakably expensive. Every inch of the lobby is sleek and modern-glass walls, steel fixtures, a pristine white marble floor that seems too perfect to walk on.

I adjust my blazer, clutching the notepad in my sweaty palms. The receptionist, a blonde woman in a crisp navy suit, barely glances at me before speaking into the phone. "Miss Carter is here for the interview."

My stomach knots. This isn't even my interview, it's Kate's. But she's sick, and I promised I'd do this for her. I take a deep breath, trying to shake off the intimidation curling around me.

Then the elevator doors open, and I step inside, alone.

The ride to the twentieth floor is silent, except for my pulse hammering in my ears. When the doors slide open, a young assistant greets me. She leads me down a hallway lined with massive floor-to-ceiling windows. Sunlight spills in, casting sharp reflections against the glass. Everything here is designed to impress. It was beyond my imagination.

And then I see him.

Christian Blackwood.

He stands near his desk, flipping through a document. The first thing I notice is his presence, powerful, commanding, like he owns every air in the room. Tall, broad-shouldered, and effortlessly commanding, he turned slowly to face me. His gray eyes intense and unreadable locked onto mine, making my breath hitch. His tailored suit fit him to perfection, emphasizing his powerful frame. His copper hair was artfully tousled, giving him a slightly rebellious edge against his otherwise polished appearance.

"Miss kate?" His voice was deep, smooth, and completely in control.

For a second, I forget how to breathe.

I flustered immediately. "Um, no... I'm Lillian Steele. Kate Carter is unwell, so I'm here in her place."

He gestures toward the chair opposite his desk. "Have a seat."

I force myself to move, my legs stiff as I settle into the chair. He doesn't sit immediately. Instead, he leans against his desk, arms folded, watching me with a gaze that makes my skin prickle.

"You're here on behalf of Katherine Carter ," he states. "She couldn't make it?"

"No, she's sick," I explain, forcing my voice to stay even. "She asked me to step in."

His lips press together slightly, as if he's weighing my presence. I wonder if he's annoyed. If he is, he doesn't show it. Instead, he steepled his fingers and asked, "Do you have the questions?"

"Yes." I pull out my notepad, my fingers trembling slightly.

His expression remains unreadable as I glance at the first question.

"You're one of the youngest CEOs in the country. To what do you owe your success?"

His gaze doesn't waver. "Hard work. A clear vision. Knowing what I want and how to get it."

A shiver runs down my spine at the way he says it. There's something in his tone controlled, deliberate, like every word is calculated.

I nod, trying to shake the feeling. I move on to the next question.

"Some people say you're intimidating, difficult to work with. What do you say to that?"

His lips twitch, almost amused. "I expect excellence. If that makes me difficult, so be it."

There's a weight in the air between us, a pull I don't understand. His presence is overwhelming, and yet, I can't look away.

"Do you have any interests outside of work?" I ask, my voice slightly unsteady.

His gray eyes darken. "I have many interests, Miss Steele. Some... unconventional."

The way he says it sends a strange heat through me. My breath hitches, and I shift in my seat.

His gaze flickers to my reaction, and for the first time, I swear I see something in his eyes: curiosity, amusement, maybe even something darker.

I swallowed hard, gripping the notepad tightly.

I need to focus, I need to remember that I'm here for Kate, I whisper to myself.

Finally, I reached the last question. "You're also famous for your philanthropy. Why do you give back?"

For the first time, something in his expression shifted. The teasing edge in his tone disappeared.

"I have my reasons," he said simply, his jaw tightening slightly.

I knew better than to push further.

"Well... that's all," I said, closing the notepad. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Blackwood."

He leaned forward slightly,his eyes never leaving mine. "The pleasure was mine, Miss Steele."

After panting what kind of man Mr Blackwood could be. I got home and met Kate drinking a cup of coffee. When she noticed me she smiled "you are a goddess baby.... I mean you are perfect. Mr Blackwood just sent me an email with all the answers to my questions" I looked at her, lost in thought. How did he get the questions? I didn't ask him all the questions because of the way he looked at me. I don't know if I was scared or uh.... I said to her, It was intense and intimidating

"What do you mean intimidating and intense" she asked

I don't know

Or "you mean he's hot" Kate smirks at me.

That's an understatement" I roll my eyes but can't help the smile tugging my lips

You're blushing," Kate teases.

"I am not!" I protest, but she quickly looks away, knowing I totally is.

"You like him."

I groan and flop down on the couch. "I just met him! And he's... impossible to read. He looks at me like he's figuring me out, like he knows something I don't." I said to her

Kate tilts her head, intrigued. "Sounds like he made quite an impression.I let out a deep breath, still unsure of what exactly happened in that office. "Yeah... he did.",

These few days have been exhausting for me, my final exam, work place, and my mom's new husband. But right now, I'm at Clayton, the local hardware store where I worked part-time to support myself , and I need to focus. Suddenly my phone started ringing in my pocket. Wiping my hands on my apron as I pulled it out and saw my mother's name flashing on the screen.A small smile formed on my lips as I answered.

"Hey, Mom!" I said, tucking the phone between my shoulder and ear while flipping through the tools.

There was a pause on the other end before she spoke. "Sweetheart, I wanted to call and tell you... I won't be able to make it to your graduation."

My hand froze midair. The words took a second to sink in. "What?" I asked, my voice quieter now.

"I'm really sorry, honey," she continued. "Bob...he needs me. He hurt his ankle, and I can't leave him alone for too long. Bob is my stepfather.I will say he is a very good man,her marriage with Bob seemed off to me, all of a sudden she divorced my dad and got married to Bob. So many questions to ask her,But if she is happy, I'm also happy. I just wished she would prioritise me more. Bob can take care of himself and which parent will want to miss her child's graduation.

Disappointment settled in my chest like a heavy weight. I had been looking forward to this day, to seeing her in the crowd, smiling proudly.

"Oh... okay," I murmured, trying to keep my voice steady. "I understand."

"I'll make it up to you, I promise," she said, but the ache in my chest didn't fade.

"Yeah," I forced a small laugh, even though I didn't feel like laughing. "Don't worry about it, Mom."

We spoke for a few more minutes, but I barely registered the conversation. When the call ended, I stood there for a moment, staring at my phone, before slipping it back into my pocket.

Graduation wouldn't feel the same without her there. I was still trying to shake off the conversation between my mum and I when I heard a deep, smooth voice. And suddenly my heart starts racing as I turn around, nearly dropping the can of wood stain In my hand.