Y

ximum of 3 hours. I tossed, turned, and spent the dark hours researching Va

any Instagram page bragging about its corpora

name? Ev

alentino... names dropped in articles about wealth, philanthropy, influence. Their faces pop up beside p

at 7 AM, I'm already d

rk, wavy and bobbed at my jawline, a few strands curling against my cheek no matter how much I smooth them down. My eyes are green, tired and ringed with shadows I've tried my best to cover with con

d finally, when I feel I'

ossible scenario in my head. Maybe this is real. Maybe it's a hidden elite firm that doesn't pos

e thousand times before the train screeches to my stop, just as I step out

no Ente

sky, and I have to admit, it's far better than what I expected.

ce, having on black suits, sunglasses and earpieces. Their hands are clasped neatly in

receptionist greets me without surprise, as th

ght with a bright smile on her face

and the lack of information m

vate elevator, and my throat immediately tightens, my palms becoming damp.

I think

rely staying alive. Every day, I imagine what it'll be like when she final

, putting in the code she gave

nd my ears pop from all the anxiety, and before I c

coming. All glass and steel and silence, like I've stepped

ce table sit two people I don't need introductions

Mrs Val

hair, his suit perfectly cut, his grey eyes sharp enough to cut me in half. Mrs Valentino is no less intimidating. She is stunning, effortlessly elegant yet severe. But there's a

g between the two of t

says, his voice deep and s

cause what e

pine stiffen, my palms clammy against my thighs. I feel small in this room, in their presence, like a mouse sitting in f

morning..." I let out, tryin

gracious and polite. "Good morning. I app

. the invitation. Though, I have to admit, the

before, like my confusion is part of some script. Mrs Valentino doesn't

o avoid formal job postings when s

the word. "Delicate?" I ec

for a job. Not in the traditional sense." She folds her hands neatly on the table, her movements calm, controlled. E

n't understand. I didn't

tle but firm, like a teacher correcting a child

By who? For what? I feel cold all over, like I'

ard I try to steady it. There's a pause. They exchange

you to marr

mind blanks. The words don't mak