Romano Global Enterprises towered like a blade of glass slicing through the New York skyline—cold, sharp, intimidating… just like the man who owned it. The employees whispered his name like a warning.

Alexandro Romano.

Thirty-two.

Genius.

Feared.

A grumpy germophobe with impossibly strict standards.

His last secretary lasted exactly thirty hours.

One had forgotten to sanitize before handing him a file.

Another touched his sleeve while placing documents on his desk.

Both were fired before lunch.

So when Elizabeth Darmos stepped out of the elevator on the 57th floor, clutching her cheap purse and wearing her only formal blazer—slightly frayed at the cuffs—she whispered to herself:

“Elizabeth, you need this job. Rent is due. Food is magic these days. Don’t mess this up.”

She had only her file of qualifications and a heart far too soft for the world she came from. Growing up in an orphanage taught her to swallow emotions but dream secretly of belonging somewhere—anywhere.

The receptionist, used to seeing applicants flee the moment the CEO’s rules were explained, raised an eyebrow at her.

“Before entering his office, you must sanitize your hands—twice. Wipe your shoes on the anti-bacterial mat. Don’t touch him. Don’t sneeze. Don’t cough. Don’t—”

Elizabeth blinked. “Does he think I’m a biological weapon?”

The receptionist almost choked trying not to laugh. “Good luck,” she whispered.

When Elizabeth entered the office, she nearly forgot how to breathe.

The room was spotless—white marble floors, sleek metal shelves, air so sterile it could belong in a hospital. And behind an obsidian desk sat the legend himself.

Alexandro Romano.

Perfect posture.

Perfect suit.

Perfectly emotionless.

He glanced up from his laptop, dark eyes sweeping over her with a cold sharpness that made her spine straighten.

“You sanitized?”

“Yes,” she said. “Twice.”

“Good.” His voice was smooth but clipped. “Sit—no, not there. Second chair. The first is too close.”

Elizabeth moved obediently.

Alexandro asked her questions in a tone so flat it felt like he had swallowed his emotions years ago.

“So miss Darmos have you ever worked as a secretary before?” Alexandro asked, eyes sharp, voice clipped.

Elizabeth swallowed. “No, sir.”

His brows lifted a fraction. “No?”

“No Sir,” she repeated quickly. “I’ve never worked at big companies like this before. I’ve only done part-time jobs—convenience stores, gas stations, waitress shifts… that kind of thing.”

“Then how,” he asked calmly, “are you qualified for this job?”

Her fingers knotted together. “I—I can learn. I’m determined. And I am good at following instructions.” She nodded earnestly. “Especially sanitation rules. I already sanitized my hands three times before entering your office.”

He didn’t react. Not even a blink.

“Can you manage calls? Schedules? Meetings?” he continued.

“I think so. I mean—I can. I will,” she corrected herself, forcing a small smile.

His gaze didn’t soften. “And you don’t… touch people casually?”

Her eyebrows shot up. “No. I don’t usually go around hugging strangers.”

His expression stayed absolutely blank. Stone. Zero emotions. He just stared at her, unreadable.

Elizabeth felt her soul leave her body.

Great. Brilliant. Fantastic, she screamed inwardly.

“Stupid, stupid Elizabeth. Why would you mention hugging? You’re done now. Congratulations—you just said goodbye to the only job you had a chance at. Go ahead, pack your Imaginary cardboard box. You are officially going to be homeless. Wonderful.”

She stood frozen, internally digging her own grave. her smile wobbling like it was held together by tape and prayers.

Alexandro continued staring at her, expression smooth as marble. He tapped his pen once—slow, deliberate. The sound felt like a judge’s gavel.

Finally, he spoke. “Sit.”

Elizabeth practically fell into the chair.

He looked at her file again, though there wasn’t much in it—three part-time jobs, inconsistent timings, and a GPA she personally believed only survived through divine intervention.

“You have no corporate experience,” he said.

“No, sir.”

“You’ve never handled executive-level responsibilities.”

“No, sir.”

“You have no formal training.”

“…No, sir.”

He shut the file.

Elizabeth prepared for impact.

Here it comes. He’s going to say ‘Thank you for coming’ and I’m going to go live under a bridge and become a full-time disappointment.

Instead, Alexandro asked, “Why did you apply here?”

The question hit her harder than rejection would have.

“I…” She blinked. “Because I need this job.”

That sounded pathetic.

She cleared her throat. “I mean—I really need it. And I work hard. I don’t give up. Even if things scare me. Or confuse me. Or, you know…” she gestured vaguely, “glare at me.”

His eyes flicked up. “I don’t glare.”

“You absolutely do,” she whispered before her brain could stop her.

Silence.

Her heart stopped.

Goodbye, world. Cremate me with a discount incense stick.

But Alexandro only leaned back in his chair, regarding her with that same unreadable expression.

“You say you can follow rules,” he said.

“Yes, sir. Strictly. Religiously. Obsessively, if required.”

“And you understand that Romano Global Enterprises does not—under any circumstances ….. tolerates carelessness, tardiness, or… unnecessary familiarity?”

“Yes, sir. Completely. I don’t even make unnecessary familiarity with my neighbour’s cat.”

He paused. “That was… specific.”

“Sorry.”

Another beat of silence. Then—

“You’ll start Monday.”

Elizabeth blinked. “I—what?”

He continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “You’ll receive a formal contract by this evening. Read every clause. Do not be late. My schedule begins at seven sharp.”

“Wait—I… I got the job?”

He stared at her, expression still impossible to read. “If you didn’t, I would not hire you.”

She wanted to say that’s usually how hiring works, but she valued her life enough to shut up.

Instead she stood, nodded quickly, and said, “Thank you, sir. I won’t let you down.”

He looked at her for a moment, long enough to make her knees feel like wet paper.

Then he said, “We’ll see.”

Elizabeth walked out of the office, closing the door behind her.

The moment it clicked shut, she leaned against the wall, clutching her bag.

“Omg,omg,omg!!! I’m hired. I’m officially hired. I didn’t die. I didn’t cry. I didn’t even knock over anything expensive. I. Am. A. Miracle.”

Inside the office, Alexandro watched the closed door for a second, his face still expressionless—but his fingers tapped once against the desk.

Almost like he was… intrigued.

Authors note ---

Hey y'all!!! I hope you guys like the first chapter. 😘😘