The first day felt like a test.
Not just of skill.
But of strength.
"Good morning."
I stood at the front desk, forcing a calm smile as the words left my mouth for what felt like the hundredth time.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
Different faces.
Different voices.
Same pressure.
Everything had to be perfect.
The way I spoke.
The way I stood.
Even the way I breathed.
Kingston Group wasn't the kind of place where mistakes were ignored.
And I could feel it.
By midday, my feet were already aching.
My back felt tight.
And a dull wave of nausea slowly crept in.
I swallowed hard.
Not now.
Please… not now.
I gripped the edge of the desk subtly, steadying myself.
"Are you okay?" one of the staff members asked quietly.
"I'm fine," I replied quickly.
Too quickly.
But I didn't have time to slow down.
Not here.
Not in a place like this.
"Jessy."
I turned slightly.
It was the same woman who had interviewed me.
Her eyes scanned me carefully.
"You look pale."
"I'm okay," I said again.
She didn't look convinced.
But before she could say anything else—
The atmosphere shifted.
Completely.
Conversations softened.
Movements straightened.
Energy changed.
I didn't understand it at first.
Until I heard it—
"Good afternoon, sir."
Sir?
I turned instinctively.
And that's when I saw him.
He walked in like he owned the air around him.
Tall.
Composed.
Sharp.
Every step measured.
Every movement controlled.
There was no need for introduction.
You just knew.
This was him.
Elias Kingston.
The CEO.
My heart skipped.
Not out of fear.
But something else.
Something I couldn't explain.
He wasn't looking at anyone in particular.
Not at first.
Until—
His eyes landed on me.
And stopped.
Just for a second.
But it felt longer.
Much longer.
I held my breath without realizing it.
There was something about his gaze.
It wasn't soft.
It wasn't warm.
But it wasn't careless either.
It was… observant.
Like he was seeing more than what was in front of him.
Then—
"New?" he asked.
The question wasn't loud.
But it carried authority.
The woman beside me responded quickly.
"Yes, sir. She started today."
Silence.
His eyes were still on me.
Then he spoke again.
"Name."
My throat felt dry.
"Jessy," I said.
My voice came out steady.
Thank God.
He nodded once.
Just once.
But before he turned away—
I felt it.
That same look again.
Like he had noticed something.
Something even I didn't understand yet.
And then…
He walked past.
Just like that.
I exhaled slowly.
Only then realizing I had been holding my breath.
"What was that?" I whispered under my breath.
The woman beside me leaned slightly closer.
"That," she said quietly, "was the man who doesn't notice people."
I blinked.
"…Oh."
By afternoon…
Things got harder.
Much harder.
The nausea came back stronger.
My body felt heavier.
Slower.
Like it was fighting me.
I tried to push through.
Tried to ignore it.
But my vision blurred slightly.
"Jessy."
I looked up.
Everything spun for a second.
Then steadied.
"You need to sit down," the woman said firmly.
"I'm fine—"
"You're not."
Before I could argue further—
A voice cut in.
Calm.
Low.
But impossible to ignore.
"She will sit."
I froze.
Slowly turning.
Elias.
Again.
Standing closer this time.
Too close.
His eyes were sharper now.
Focused.
Not curious anymore.
Certain.
"I—" I started.
"You're not fine," he said simply.
No emotion.
Just fact.
And for some reason…
I didn't argue.
I sat.
Reluctantly.
Carefully.
My heart beating faster than before.
Not just because of how I felt physically.
But because of him.
Why was he paying attention?
Why did it feel like he was seeing through everything?
"You'll take a break," he said.
It didn't sound like a suggestion.
"Yes, sir," I replied quietly.
He held my gaze for a second longer.
Then nodded.
And walked away again.
"What is happening today…" I whispered.
By evening, I was exhausted.
Completely.
But I made it through.
And that alone felt like a victory.
When I stepped out of the building…
I didn't expect to see them.
"MADAM CEO!" Riley shouted dramatically.
I blinked.
Then laughed.
Actually laughed.
For the first time in days.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
Melyne crossed her arms. "We had to see it for ourselves."
Starlet nodded. "The famous Kingston Group."
Riley grabbed my arm. "And our girl working here?? We're proud!"
Something warm spread through my chest.
Real.
Genuine.
Support.
"I almost died today," I admitted.
They laughed.
"I'm serious," I added.
Melyne's expression softened. "It's not easy, is it?"
I shook my head slowly.
"No. But… I don't want to quit."
Starlet smiled. "Good. Because you're not that girl anymore."
Riley leaned closer. "Also… any rich, handsome boss we should know about?"
I froze.
Just slightly.
"…No."
They all stared at me.
Then—
"Hmmmmm," Riley dragged the sound out.
I shook my head quickly. "It's not like that."
But for some reason…
My mind replayed that moment.
His eyes.
The way he looked at me.
The way he said—
You're not fine.
Later that night, back in my room, I lay down slowly.
One hand resting on my stomach.
"I'm trying," I whispered.
"I really am."
Because this wasn't just about survival anymore.
It was about building something.
Something better.
Something stronger.
And somewhere…
In a quiet office above the city…
Elias Kingston stood by the window.
Looking out.
But not really seeing the city.
Because for the first time in a long time…
His thoughts weren't on business.
They were on something else.
Someone else.
A girl who looked like she was about to break…
But didn't.
Jessy.