Drawing love with billonaire!

Victoria's POV

The world paused for a second. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at the glowing screen of my phone, the words dancing before my eyes like magic: Congratulations, you have been selected as the Executive Assistant to the CEO of Sterling Crest Corporation.

My fingers trembled. A breathy laugh slipped from my lips. Years of grinding through dead-end jobs, being overlooked, underpaid, dismissed-and now this. The position I had prayed for, fought for, was finally mine. I blinked rapidly, still afraid the message would vanish.

"I got it," I whispered, barely audible to myself.

The door creaked open. Maya's head popped in, eyes scanning the room until they landed on me, still frozen in place.

"Why do you look like you just saw heaven?" she asked, stepping fully into the room.

I turned to her, grinning like a madwoman. "Maya... I got the job. The job."

She stared at me blankly for half a second, then squealed so loud I nearly dropped my phone. She dashed to me, pulling me into a bone-crushing hug.

"Oh my God, Victoria! You're the Executive Assistant now? This is huge! You've worked your butt off for this. I'm so proud of you."

Tears welled in my eyes. "I thought I bombed the interview. I was so nervous, I couldn't even feel my own hands. I walked out thinking I blew it."

She pulled back, holding my face between her hands. "You underestimate yourself too much. You're brilliant, Soph. And you deserve this more than anyone."

"Soph" was her nickname for me whenever she wanted me to stop being so hard on myself. It always worked. "But you know who won't be happy about this," I said quietly, my smile slowly fading.

Maya's face tightened. "Rylan." I nodded. "He's never supported my dreams. It's always been about his goals, his money. If it doesn't revolve around him, it doesn't matter." She crossed her arms. "Then why are you still with him?"

I gave her a look, but she raised a brow.

"I'm serious, Vic. You deserve more than someone who only shows up when it's convenient. Rylan's rich, yeah, but love isn't supposed to feel like a transaction."

I hesitated. "He's not all bad. He can be sweet... sometimes." "And a storm can be calm for five minutes before it rips your roof off," she muttered.

We both laughed, but there was sadness beneath mine. I didn't want to admit how many nights I cried alone in bed, waiting for a text, a call... something.

Maya changed the topic, her eyes lighting up. "Food's ready. Come eat before you start daydreaming about work."

As we ate, she teased me about my new title, but all I could think of was tomorrow. The first day of the rest of my life.

........................

The next morning, I walked into Sterling Tower, heart pounding like a drumline. The glass doors gleamed under the early sunlight. A new beginning. My beginning.

The elevator doors opened to the executive floor, and I stepped out into a world of polished wood, warm lights, and quiet efficiency. My office... my office.... was breathtaking. Sleek, modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city.

I sat at the desk, running my fingers over its surface when the door suddenly opened. I looked up...and instantly forgot how to breathe.

A man stepped in. Tall. Confident. Sharp jawline. Dark eyes that held storms and secrets, and just like that, something inside me shifted. "Good morning," I said, keeping my voice professional. "How can I help you?"

"You must be Victoria Wilson." "Yes, I am. And you are?"

He walked toward me with the grace of a predator. "I am Scott Sterling. I am the CEO. I believe you'll be working directly under me." I stood so fast I nearly knocked over the chair. "Mr. Sterling, it's an honor."

He extended a hand, and I hesitated before taking it. His grip was firm but not overpowering. His smile was... complicated.

"Looking forward to working with you, Ms. Wilson." Then, without another word, he left.

The door clicked shut. And my pulse? Completely out of control.

.......

By the end of the day, I was amazed at how smoothly everything went. The tasks were challenging, yes... but in the best way. It felt like I had finally stepped into a role designed for me.

That night, I returned home floating on air.

Maya was on the couch, flipping through a magazine when I walked in. "You look like someone who just kissed a Greek god," she said.

I dropped my purse and collapsed next to her. "Work was... incredible." She turned fully to me, eyes narrowed. "Just work?"

I hesitated. "Well... I met my boss. Scott Sterling." "And?" she asked with a knowing smile.

I bit my lip. "He's... intense. Too intense. Tall. Brooding. Dangerous eyes. I don't like him." She smirked. "Dangerous eyes? Girl, you're blushing. You like him."

"I don't," I snapped, trying to sound firm. "He just... makes me feel weird. Like he's reading my thoughts."

"Sounds like the start of a spicy workplace romance novel." "Stop!" I shoved her, but we both laughed.

Then, the moment soured. My phone buzzed. Rylan. I stared at the screen. His name felt heavier now. Like a stone tied to my ankle.

"He didn't return any of your messages yesterday, right?" Maya asked quietly. I shook my head and hit dial.

It rang and rang. Then..."What do you want, Victoria?"

His voice was sharp, cold. The sound of it scraped against my chest. "Rylan... why are you talking to me like this?"

"I'm busy. You should know better than to call during my meetings." "I've been trying to reach you. I got promoted. I'm the Executive Assistant to..."

"Oh, so now you think you're better than me?" he snapped. "What? No! I wanted to share it with you. Because you're my boyfriend."

He laughed bitterly. "Don't expect me to jump for joy. You working under another man all day? Great. Just great."

I froze. His jealousy burned through the phone. "Rylan, I needed you to be happy for me. Not... this." "I don't have time for your drama. Congrats or whatever."

The call ended. Just like that. I stared at the screen, my heart cracked. Maya placed a hand on mine. "You don't have to stay in something that will hurts you." "I know," I whispered, but my voice broke.

There was a silence between us, but it wasn't empty. It was full of unsaid things, buried hopes, and maybe... new beginnings, and then my phone dinged.

It's Unknown Number: You looked beautiful in that office chair today.

My breath hitched. "Maya..." I handed her the phone. She read the message, her eyes growing wide. "That's not Rylan's number. She said"

"I know," I whispered. Was it him? Scott Sterling?

The message was short, but it sent a current of danger...and excitement...down my spine. Whatever this was, my life had just changed forever.