Chapter 9: “First Day on the Job”

Elena jolted awake, the remnants of a nightmare clinging to her like a heavy fog. Her heart raced, pounding against her chest like a caged beast desperate to escape. James's face flashed in her mind, twisted in rage, the memory of their last confrontation clawing at her insides. Not today. She pushed the thoughts away, shaking her head as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. Today marked the beginning of her new life at Knight Enterprises, and she couldn't let the past haunt her any longer.

Dressing quickly, she donned a crisp white blouse and tailored black pants. As she pulled on her shoes, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. The woman staring back looked determined, but a hint of fear lingered in her eyes. Just get through today.

Just then, her phone rang, breaking the morning silence. It was the HR department. "Elena? Just confirming your start time for today. You're set to meet with your team at ten. We're excited to have you!"

"Thanks," she replied, trying to mask the anxiety creeping into her voice. "I'll be there."

After hanging up, she took a deep breath, her mind flickering back to her last encounter with James. You're weak. You'll always be weak. The memory of his voice, laced with venom, sent a shiver down her spine. But she refused to let that define her. She was not the same girl he had terrorized. She was ready to take charge of her destiny.

As she stepped outside, the fresh morning air filled her lungs, invigorating her. Arriving at Knight Enterprises, she stepped into the sleek lobby, her senses bombarded by the buzz of activity. Employees darted around, their faces a mix of ambition and pressure. She spotted a few familiar faces from her interview—the no-nonsense HR manager and a couple of other interns. Her heart raced as she approached the elevator, praying that today would go smoothly.

The elevator doors slid open, and as she stepped inside, she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. This is it. As the elevator ascended, her mind raced, the nerves twisting into a tight knot. Just keep it together.

When the doors opened on the fifth floor, she was met with a sprawling office filled with glass walls and modern decor. A woman with sharp features and an equally sharp gaze approached her. "You must be Elena. I'm Jenna, your team lead. Welcome to the chaos."

Thanks," Elena said, forcing a smile despite the butterflies in her stomach.

"Let's get started. We have a team meeting in five," Jenna said, leading her into the open workspace where a group of employees were already gathered.

As Elena settled into her chair, the tension in the room became palpable. People were chattering about projects, deadlines, and client meetings, but her focus wavered as her eyes fell on the imposing figure across the room. Alexander Knight was deep in conversation with a couple of executives, his presence radiating authority. He moved like a predator, every step calculated, every word dripping with power.

Holy shit, he's even more intense up close. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized she was staring. She quickly looked away, trying to focus on the meeting. But his presence lingered in the back of her mind, a constant reminder that she was treading in dangerous waters.

As the meeting began, Elena tried to concentrate on the discussions, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Alexander. His deep, commanding voice made everyone else in the room seem small by comparison. She felt a strange energy radiating from him, a magnetic pull that left her breathless.

When the meeting concluded, Jenna pulled her aside. "I know it's a lot to take in on your first day, but I need you to tackle that report by the end of the week. Can you handle that?"

"Absolutely," Elena replied, though her mind was still racing.

After the meeting, Elena took a moment to gather herself at her desk. The onboarding materials were still scattered in front of her, but she couldn't shake the feeling of eyes on her. She looked up to see Alexander in the hallway, surrounded by a few other employees. The energy in the air shifted, tension crackling as he spoke. He seemed like the kind of guy who was used to getting what he wanted, and she could feel it even from a distance.

Just then, Kyle, a friendly guy with messy brown hair, approached her. "Hey, you new here?"

"Yeah, first day," Elena replied, grateful for the distraction.

"Nice! Don't worry; it gets better. Just keep your head down, and you'll be fine," he said, his enthusiasm infectious.

As the day went on, she kept catching glimpses of Alexander, the way he commanded attention whenever he entered a room. Employees straightened, conversations hushed, and Elena couldn't shake the feeling that something important was happening just beyond her reach.

Later that afternoon, the office buzzed with tension. Elena had been engrossed in her tasks when she overheard snippets of conversation from a group of employees near the break room.

"Did you hear about the rogue attacks?" one of them whispered.

"Yeah, they're saying it's only a matter of time before they try to come after us," another replied, their voice low and anxious.

Elena's heart raced as she pieced together fragments of their conversation. Rogue attacks? What the hell does that mean? She felt a knot form in her stomach. This was a world she didn't know, a realm that lurked just beneath the surface of her reality.

As her thoughts spiraled, she felt a growing desire to understand what was happening around her. What is going on here? But she didn't dare approach anyone just yet; the last thing she wanted was to make herself a target or seem out of place.

As the workday drew to a close, Elena found herself standing at her desk, staring out the window at the sprawling city below. She had no idea what lay ahead, but one thing was certain: she wouldn't back down. Today was just the beginning, and she was ready to face whatever chaos awaited her at Knight Enterprises.