Amaira was buzzing with nervous energy as she dashed out the door of her apartment, glancing at her watch to make sure she was on track. 10:30 a.m., she reminded herself, pulling her coat tighter as she hurried down the street toward the subway. The email and phone call she had received earlier had been sudden, but she wasn’t going to miss this opportunity.

Her thoughts raced as she hopped onto the subway, her heart pounding with both excitement and anxiety. Was this it? Had she actually gotten the job? The idea filled her with hope. If she could secure this position, it would solve so many problems—particularly the debt she still owed to her uncle. She hadn’t been able to sleep the night before, thinking she had missed out on the chance at Theodore’s company, but now, with this unexpected meeting, she couldn’t help but feel that maybe, just maybe, everything was going to fall into place.

Amaira tapped her foot anxiously as the subway zipped through the city. She checked her watch again. 10:05. I’ll make it. It was tight, but she was on schedule. She couldn’t help but imagine her future. If this is a job offer, I’ll finally be able to pay off my uncle, get some stability, and not have to worry about scraping by every month.

By the time the subway doors opened near Theodore’s office, it was already 10:15 a.m. She rushed out, weaving through the throng of people and feeling a mix of adrenaline and hope pushing her forward. This has to be it, she thought, picking up her pace as she neared the building. When she reached the grand lobby, she paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and entered.

Walking up to the receptionist’s desk, Amaira couldn’t hide her excitement, though she tried her best to remain composed.

“Good morning,” she said, flashing a polite smile. “I’m Amaira Liu. I have an appointment at 10:30 a.m. with Mr. Theodore.”

The receptionist, the same one who had called her earlier, nodded in recognition. “Ah, yes, Ms. Amaira. Please take a seat. I’ll let Mr. Theodore know you’re here.”

Amaira sat in one of the plush chairs near the window, her heart pounding in her chest. She glanced at the clock on the wall. 10:20 a.m. She was early, which was good. She hoped that Theodore would see her eagerness as a sign of professionalism.

Her thoughts drifted back to Theodore, and the memory of their strange interaction during the interview. His intense gaze, the way he had spoken to her as if they shared some secret… it all felt surreal. She had been caught off guard when he mentioned their past, a memory she hadn’t expected him to bring up. But today, she was focused. She would get this job, no matter what. She was ready to prove herself.

The receptionist picked up the phone and spoke quietly for a moment before hanging up. “Mr. Theodore is ready for you now,” she said with a friendly smile. “You can go ahead and enter his office.”

Amaira stood, smoothing down her skirt as she walked toward the large wooden door. Her hand hovered over the handle for a moment before she pushed it open.

Theodore’s office was as imposing as ever—sleek, modern, and minimalist, with large windows offering a panoramic view of the city. But it wasn’t the décor that caught her attention. It was Theodore himself, sitting behind his desk, looking every bit the powerful CEO. His dark suit was perfectly tailored, and his expression was as unreadable as ever. He didn’t look up immediately as she entered, but the atmosphere in the room was thick, like a predator lying in wait.

Amaira swallowed nervously as she stepped inside. Theodore finally glanced up, his eyes locking onto hers with that same intense gaze that had unsettled her before. He looked like a beast about to catch its prey.

“Ms. Amaira,” he said, his voice smooth yet firm. “You’re early. I like that.”

She gave him a tentative smile, unsure of how to respond. “Thank you, Mr. Theodore. I didn’t want to be late.”

“Punctuality is important,” he said, gesturing for her to take a seat in front of his desk.

Amaira sat down, trying to keep her hands from trembling. There was something about the way he spoke that made her feel as though she were already being tested. She couldn’t shake the sense that this wasn’t a typical job offer conversation.

Theodore leaned back in his chair, studying her with an intensity that made her heart race. “I looked over your résumé again after you left yesterday,” he said, his tone casual, but there was a gleam in his eyes that made her feel like this was anything but casual. “You have an interesting background. Good qualifications.”

Amaira nodded, unsure of what to say. She could feel the tension building in the room, and she wasn’t sure if it was because of the job or something else entirely.

He leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on the desk as he clasped his hands together. “But there’s something else we need to discuss,” he continued, his eyes never leaving hers. “Something that might be more important than your qualifications.”

Amaira’s heart sank. What could he possibly mean by that?

“I assume you remember our conversation yesterday,” Theodore said, his voice low and deliberate. “About our… shared history.”

Amaira nodded, her mouth dry. How could she forget? The strange, cryptic way he had spoken about their past had left her unsettled, and now it seemed like he was about to bring it up again.

“The promise you made to me all those years ago,” he said, his gaze sharp. “It’s still valid, isn’t it?”

Amaira’s stomach twisted. That promise. The one she had made when she was just fifteen, after he had saved her from that horrific bullying incident. It was supposed to be a childish vow, something insignificant. But now, the way Theodore was looking at her, she knew he hadn’t forgotten.

“I—” Amaira began, but Theodore cut her off.

“You promised to do anything I asked, in return for saving you.” His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, something dangerous lurking beneath the surface. “And now, I’m calling in that favor.”

Amaira stared at him, her mind racing. This wasn’t what she had expected. She had thought this meeting was about a job offer—about her future. But now it seemed like Theodore had something entirely different in mind. Something personal.

“I… I didn’t think you’d actually remember that,” Amaira stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Theodore’s smirk deepened, and he leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with amusement. “I remember everything, Amaira. And now, it’s time to see if you’re still willing to keep your word.”

Amaira sat there, her heart pounding in her chest, unsure of what was going to happen next. But one thing was clear: whatever this was, it was no longer just about a job. Theodore had other plans in mind—and she wasn’t sure if she was ready for them.