C4 Chosen

Lily

Luminous Works Grand Hotel loomed above me, towering over all other buildings. Its glass facade sparkled in the sunlight, giving a glow that left me equally awestruck and intimidated.

I stood unmoving at the entrance, my belly tumbling from trepidation as I looked at the place.

Almost a month ago I came to this hotel for my party. Now however, I was here for a completely different reason.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed through the revolving door into the place. Looking around at the grandeur of the lobby. There was no way I could be used to such a sight.

I swallowed thickly, heading to the reception.

"Excuse me. My name is Lilian Grace. I was brought here for an...interview ?" I winced inwardly as how timid I sounded.

'What if it was a joke or prank?' I flushed at the thought. I would be so humiliated at such a cruel joke.

The clacking of heels rose from behind me but I paid it no mind until suddenly a voice came from behind.

"Lillian Grace?"

I swiftly turned to face the figure. It was a young woman in a bright red pantsuit. Surprise filled me as I looked at her. From top to bottom she exuded elegance that left me awestruck.

My thoughts came to a halt as I realised she was calling me.

"Yes." I stiltedly nodded in response. In return she passed a polite smile

"Good to see you Miss Grace. You may call me Emily. Please, follow me."

I nodded silently. Immediately after my response, she turned away, leading me away from the lobby. I followed her lead, eyes darting around, taking in the lavish surroundings.

She led me through until we finally entered a private room.

The place was wide, furnished with a mahogany table and plush chairs. A large window offered a breathtaking view of the city below. Awe filled me with the scenery.

"Please have a seat Miss Grace," I quickly whipped my head forward two where she sat, gesturing to the chair beside her. If she noticed my previous blank state, she didn't say.

I obeyed quickly, my nerves tingling with anticipation.

"Theres no need to be nervous." she said, a comforting smile on her face.

"Now to begin. You'll be working directly with the CEO as his secretary."

I flinched. "What?"

She gave a firm smile, almost sympathetic. But it was more like noise as I tried to wrap my head around her words. There was no time to think though as Emily began a thorough briefing of the job.

As she spoke, I couldn't help but feel in over my head. I still couldn't process this new information whilst listening to her.

Once she was done, I couldn't resist the nagging question that had been on my mind since the unexpected job offer. "Emily, I appreciate this opportunity, but I'm curious; how did Luminous Works find me?"

Her expression wavered for a moment, a hint of hesitation in her eyes. "It was a decision made by the CEO."

"The CEO?" I repeated breathlessly. my confusion morphing into pure shock.

Everyone knew about the owner and CEO of the hotel- with building a large hotel magnate in the industry, who wouldn't have? But knowing him was very vague as the man himself was a mystery of his own. He didn't attend any events nor show his face. The only thing people- me included - knew of him was the hotel and his name.

Alexander Sinclair.

And now, not only was I working for him, he had personally chosen me?

"I never applied for a position here. How did they even know about me?" I finally asked, wrestling with the shock of everything.

Emily sighed softly, "Miss Grace, all I can say is that your portfolio went through some unique channels."

I furrowed my brow, puzzled by her cryptic response. "Unique channels?"

"I can't say much. But in short, your credentials stood out, and the CEO was interested. That's why he extended this opportunity." Emily ended.

I couldn't decipher anything from her expression. The mystery of it all made me equally intrigued and anxious. Passing a shaky smile.

"I appreciate the offer, Emily, but I've gotta admit, this all feels rather... unconventional."

She nodded, her expression sympathetic. "I understand your concerns, Miss Grace. But I assure you, you'll be taken care of here."

A shuddered breath left me. First yesterday and now this. It was all too surreal...

Looking back at her another thing sparked to mind.

"Um...I just realised that there was supposed to be an interview." I stammered out, nervous if I was saying the wrong thing.

Surprise flitted across her face for a moment before her smile eased into something more teasing.

"What interview?"

....

As I walked through the corridors, my mind was abuzz with questions and uncertainty.

Emily had left soon after her cryptic reply to my question. Before then, she encouraged me to have a tour of the hotel and I conceded, doing just what she said. Yet now as I walked around, I barely noticed a thing.

The mystery surrounding my sudden job offer had deepened, and the uncertainty behind it even more so. But most of all, the core thought in my head was how on earth did this mystery man choose me? Surely there were more skilled people there with more experience than I did.

Yet, despite my doubt and uncertainty, I couldn't deny the allure of this new opportunity.

I pulled out my phone, dialling a number. After a few rings, she finally answered.

"Hey, Lily! What's up?" Malina's voice echoed through the phone.

A smile tugged at my lips as I replied.

"I've got news babe."

"What happened ?" She asked, curiosity evident in her tone.

I held my breath. The idea of teasing her and holding off till she got frustrated was a tempting, but I couldn't hold off my excitement any longer.

"I got a job." I finally let out.

There was a moment of silence on the other end, and I could almost hear the gears turning in Malina's head.

"Holy shit Lily. You need to tell me all about it. Now." She implored.

I leaned against the wall of the hotel, explaining everything briefly. As expected, she gasped in surprise when she found out where I was working specifically.

Immediately I was done, she squealed happily on the other side, so excitedly it was like she was the one getting a new job.

"I...wow, Lily. I'm so happy for you. You've been through a lot lately, and you deserve this opportunity," Malina exclaimed breathlessly. Her excitement brewed mine, making me even more lighthearted.

Suddenly she turned quiet, Malina spoke again in a much softer tone.

"You've had such a hard time, Lily. You deserve this."

I smiled softly, thinking back to the slew of fustration and doubt I'd thrown myself into only the day before. Being here and saying all these things felt more like a miracle.

"Thanks Rina." I sighed out.

"Besides, I've doubt that you'll kick ass there." Marina said out of nowhere.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her words.

"You're making me blush, Malina." I teased as heat crept up my cheeks.

She laughed heartily in response, bringing a smile to my face.

"So, when do you start?" Malina asked.

"They want me to begin in a few days," I replied. "I'll be working directly for the owner of the hotel."

Malina's voice was filled with excitement. "Holy- that's... that's incredible, Lily!"

I took a deep breath, my fingers tightening around my phone.

"Malina, there's something I haven't told you about how I got this job." I finally conceeded.

"What do you mean?" She asked, confusion coloring her voice.

I hesitated for a moment, my thoughts racing. "I...didn't actually apply for this job, Malina. They found my credentials somehow, and they offered me the position. It's...weird."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and I could almost hear the gears turning in Malina's mind.

"Wait a minute Lily, that's...that's strange. How did they even know about you?" She questioned.

I nodded in agreement even though she couldn't see me. "That's what I'm trying to figure out."

The thought of the faceless stranger and the hotel card came to mind, but I soon shut it out.

I sighed, "It's as if the job just fell into my lap, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it."

With a pause, I spoke again "But... I can't shake the feeling that I may never get a chance like this again."

'Much less in this kind of place.' I thought to myself. The thought that I could get this kind of offer after months of searching...it was like finding a river after weeks of thirst.

No matter how I got discovered, there was no way I could let this job go.

Malina let out a sigh of resignation. "If you feel that it's the right path for you, Lily, I'll support your decision. Just promise me you'll be cautious and keep me in the loop."

Her unwavering support touched my heart, and I promised, "I will, Malina. If anything happens you're the first person I'll call."

"Lily, I'm the only one you'd call." The amusement was clear in her voice.

I giggled at that, neither confirming nor denying her statement. "Alright, alright I'll talk to you as soon as I get back home."

"No problem girl, I'll catch you later."

"Bye Malina!" I said, ending the call.

With my phone in hand I made my way through hotel lobby, my thoughts still occupied by the conversation with Malina. I had shared the news of my unexpected job offer but had carefully omitted the circumstances that had led to it.

As I approached the entrance of the hotel, I spotted a figure in the distance, a silhouette that seemed strangely familiar. My heart quickened as recognition washed over me, and I froze in my tracks.

There, standing near the grand entrance, was a lone man, face out of my view.

His presence was unexpected and electrifying, and it sent a jolt through me.

He hadn't noticed me yet, his attention absorbed by something in the distance. I took a moment to observe him discreetly, my heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. His tall, lean figure was clad in a tailored suit that clung snuggly to his body. The way he carried himself, with an air of confidence and strength, was so very familiar.

Why?

Before I could gather my thoughts, he turned away, walking until he was out of sight. My gaze followed him until he disappeared from view.

My heart raced at the spot he had disappeared into. Strangely enough, I couldn't stop looking.

'Who was he?'