"Take this document to the president's office. He's expected to arrive by 9:45, and he has a meeting scheduled at ten sharp in Design Conference Room A101, fifteenth floor," said Lisa Chen, handing the folder to Ava Moore. Her instructions flowed rapidly, not giving Ava a second to respond.
"Also, make sure you've read it thoroughly before then. You'll need to brief him on the contents."
Lisa shot her a pointed look. "So that gives you less than fifteen minutes. Make it count."
Ava glanced at her watch and ran toward the elevators. As the doors slid shut, a shadow passed across her eyes.
At Sterling Designs, creativity wasn't just a core value—it was everything. The company prioritized design talent, and Ava had once placed second in the prestigious M.S. Design Competition. That achievement alone had earned her the personal attention of Lisa, the company's general manager.
What no one expected was for Ava to turn down the role of Design Department Lead, a position many dreamed of. Instead, she had quietly accepted a temporary post as the president's assistant.
To others, it looked like she was just another ambitious woman aiming to become Mrs. CEO someday.
As the elevator opened, Ava rushed back to her desk and began absorbing the document's details. Just a few minutes passed before her desk phone rang.
"Bring me a coffee."
The voice was curt. She didn't even have time to respond before the line went dead.
The president was back earlier than expected.
Grabbing the coffee and the file, Ava hurried to his office.
"Come in."
She stepped in to find Ethan Sterling, president of Sterling Designs, leaning back in his chair, eyes shut, massaging his temples. Setting the coffee down gently, she handed him the file.
"You have a meeting at ten in Conference Room A101," she said smoothly. "Here are the details."
"INK Corporation wants to partner with us to design an exclusive bracelet for top actress Lana West. The theme should align with her upcoming film, Lost, and will be used for promotional purposes. After the film's release, we'll be allowed to sell a limited batch."
Ethan opened his eyes and glanced at her, his tone unreadable."You new here?"
"Yes," Ava replied, her voice steady though her thoughts weren't. "I'm your temporary assistant while Assistant Lynn is out. I'm Ava Moore."
He gave a small wave of his hand. "Alright. You can go."
Ava stepped out and quietly closed the door behind her, standing there for a moment longer than necessary, staring blankly ahead.
So he was Ethan Sterling.
Back at her desk, she tried to return to the document, but her mind refused to focus. A fragile memory surfaced—of a woman, pale and fading in a hospital bed, whispering weakly,"His name… is Ethan Sterling."
A loud thump on her desk jolted her back to the present.
"What is it? Spacing out on your first day?" came a cool, sharp voice. "If you've got time to daydream, maybe you don't need to be here."
She looked up—Ethan was standing right in front of her, fingers tapping on her desk. She hadn't even heard him come in.
"N-no! I'm sorry," Ava stammered, jumping to her feet and nearly bumping into him. He took a quick step back, brows furrowing. She immediately stepped aside.
"I promise it won't happen again," she said quickly.
Without a word, he turned and walked away, tossing two words over his shoulder as he left:
"Meeting. Now."
All Ava could do was watch his retreating back, her heart pounding—not from nerves, but from the heavy weight of a past that had suddenly, violently, caught up with her.