The Billionaires' Intern

Natalie's POV

The moment I stepped into Dr. Evelyn Carter's office, I could tell something was different. She was sitting behind her desk, her usual sharp gaze softer than usual, hands folded over a white envelope as if it held something important.

"Close the door, Natalie," she said, her voice carrying an air of secrecy.

I did as she asked, my heart already picking up speed. Evelyn wasn't just my mentor; she was one of the most respected figures in the medical field and a woman who rarely wasted time on small talk. If she called me into her office, it had to be serious.

I sat down across from her, my mind racing with possibilities. Had I messed up on my last research paper? Was I being taken off the internship program altogether?

But then, she smiled. A real, genuine smile. And just like that, I knew whatever this was, it wasn't bad news.

"I have something for you," she said, sliding the envelope toward me.

I hesitated, eyeing the Hawthorne Pharmaceuticals logo printed in bold at the top. My stomach flipped. Hawthorne Pharmaceuticals.

The name alone was enough to steal the air from my lungs. It was the most prestigious pharmaceutical company in the country, a place where only the best of the best got a chance to work. People like me didn't just walk into Hawthorne.

With shaky hands, I picked up the envelope, my breath catching as I read the words inside.

"Dear Miss Bennett,"

"We are pleased to inform you that you have been granted a spot in our upcoming internship program..."

My vision blurred as my eyes rushed through the rest of the letter.

I got in. I got in.

I slammed the paper onto the desk and looked at Evelyn, barely able to process my own excitement. "This is this real?" My voice was breathless, trembling.

Evelyn nodded, her smile widening. "Very real."

I blinked, still in shock. "But... I didn't even apply directly. I thought the program was already filled."

"It was," Evelyn admitted. "But I pulled some strings for you."

I gaped at her. Evelyn Carter, the woman who believed in strict professionalism, pulled strings for me?

She leaned forward, her expression turning serious. "Natalie, I've seen how hard you work. You've put in more hours than anyone else in the program, and your dedication is unmatched. Hawthorne is always looking for the best minds, and I knew you deserved a chance. So, I made a call."

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. "I don't even know what to say."

"Say you'll take this opportunity seriously," she said. If you do well, you could be retained as a full-time employee. This isn't just any internship, Natalie. It could set your entire career in motion."

I nodded so fast my neck nearly snapped. "Yes! Absolutely, I'll take it seriously. Thank you, Dr. Carter. I won't let you down."

She chuckled. "I know you won't."

I looked back at the letter, still struggling to believe it was in my hands. That was it. This was what I had been dreaming of.

Hawthorne Pharmaceuticals wasn't just a company to me. It was the pinnacle of medical innovation. The place where real change happened. The idea of working there, even as an intern, had always felt like an impossible dream.

Until now.

Reality Sets In

As I left Evelyn's office, the excitement buzzed in my veins like a second heartbeat. I could barely keep my hands from shaking as I texted my cousin, Cassie.

Me: Guess who just got an internship at Hawthorne Pharmaceuticals?

Her response was almost immediate.

Cassie: NO WAY. Are you serious? AHHH!!!

I laughed at myself, barely able to contain my happiness. But just as I was about to text Jake, my boyfriend, reality struck.

Adrian Hawthorne.

The CEO of the company.

And a man who absolutely hated me.

My stomach clenched at the memory of our last encounter six months ago at a high-profile gala, where Jake had made a complete fool of himself trying to pitch a business idea to Adrian in front of a room full of executives.

It had been a disaster.

I had tried to smooth things over, to reason with Jake when he got defensive, but Adrian had barely spared me a glance before muttering something under his breath about "wasting his time" and walking away.

I haven't seen him since, but now...

Now I will be working for his company.

I shoved that thought into the back of my mind. Maybe he wouldn't even notice me. After all, interns didn't exactly get personal meetings with CEOs, right?

I took a deep breath. This was my chance. And no old, embarrassing encounter was going to ruin it.

Breaking the News

That night, I got home to the tiny apartment I shared with Cassie, who was already waiting for me in the kitchen, bouncing on her heels.

"Okay, tell me everything," she demanded, practically shoving a mug of coffee into my hands.

I grinned. "It's exactly what I told you. I got in."

Cassie let out a loud squeal and pulled me into a hug. "I knew you would! Oh my God, Natalie, this is huge!"

I laughed, the reality of it still sinking in. "I know, right?"

She pulled back, her eyes gleaming. "And Jake? What did he say?"

My excitement dimmed slightly. "I haven't told him yet."

Cassie raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

I hesitated. Because I wasn't sure how he would react.

Jake had always been supportive, but ever since the gala incident, he had gotten weird whenever Hawthorne Pharmaceuticals was mentioned. He hated Adrian, and even though I wasn't exactly the man's biggest fan either, I couldn't afford to let something like that get in the way of my future.

"I'll tell him soon," I said.

Cassie didn't look convinced, but she let it go.

We spent the rest of the evening celebrating, but a tiny voice in the back of my head kept nagging me.

Adrian Hawthorne wasn't the kind of man to forget past encounters.

And something told me this internship wasn't going to be as easy as I thought.