Nerina kicked open the door of her small apartment with the last of her strength. The oversized t-shirt of the man who had kept her company until dawn clung to her body in wrinkles. Her hair was messy, eyeliner smudged, fully showing how wild the night she had spent had been.

Livia, who was painting her nails on the sofa, looked at her with disgust. “Hey, are you drunk and coming home like a homeless person?”

“I just had sex with a handsome man I met at the club,” Nerina replied casually, dropping herself onto the chair and placing her legs on the table. She chuckled tiredly. “He drove me crazy. Do you know how many times I came? Six times, Liv. Six.”

Livia immediately closed her nail polish bottle, staring at her friend with wide eyes. “Oh my God, are you serious?”

Nerina nodded, grinning mischievously.

“Tell me,” Livia now sat fully facing her. “Size… how big?”

Nerina thought for a moment, then raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know, maybe around fifteen? Enough to make me feel choked every time he went in.”

Livia slapped her forehead. “Oh my God! Are you serious?!”

Nerina just chuckled and leaned her head back on the sofa. “And you know he rides a Harley Davidson,” she said, excitedly recounting the man who had made her heart race nonstop.

“He’s a sexy man,” Livia said, eyes sparkling with imagination. Then she leaned forward, lowering her voice one octave more mischievously. “If you’re not careful, Neri… I might just steal him from you. Big bike, big body… ah, I can imagine how hot that would be.”

Nerina glared, throwing a pillow at her friend’s face. “You’re such an asshole, Liv.”

Livia laughed loudly, brushing off the pillow and flicking her hair that had fallen onto her shoulder. “Yeah, but I’m the asshole who’s always here for you. So, do you want me to prepare tequila tonight, or do you need three days of sleep first?”

“I have an interview this morning, so I need to leave soon,” Nerina muttered, trying to get up from the sofa. Her movements were slow, lazy. Her lower body still ached, making every step uncomfortable.

Livia looked at her while blowing on her freshly painted fingers. Her eyebrows raised with a teasing look. “You’re seriously going to work there? I heard the boss is cold, perfectionist, and notoriously ruthless. Oh, and I heard he’s gay too.”

Nerina twisted the hem of the oversized t-shirt still clinging to her body. “I don’t have a choice. This is the only job that can save my life. Being a freelance writer just leaves me barely surviving. I can hardly afford my medicine.”

Livia was silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh. Her usual playful gaze softened. “I’ve already paid for your medicine. It’s in your room.”

Nerina turned quickly, eyes widening. “What? Livia, you didn’t have to do that. I can manage on my own. You’ve helped me too much already.”

“I can’t bear to see you suddenly in the hospital,” Livia said, her tone serious this time, no joking. “You have to work. Think of it as a loan, you can pay me back after payday.”

Nerina lowered her head, her voice trembling softly. “I don’t know what would happen to me if you weren’t here… thank you, Liv.”

Livia exhaled deeply, then rolled her eyes. She hated it whenever Nerina got trapped in her own drama. “Ugh, enough. Go get ready! You’ll be late for the interview if you keep crying.”

Nerina nodded shortly and hurried into her room. As soon as the oversized t-shirt came off her body, her eyes widened. Her skin was covered in clear red marks, especially across her breasts. Her fingers traced one of them with a tremble, and unconsciously, her lips curved slightly. Her heart raced, remembering the crazy night.

“If I meet you again, Kaiser…” she whispered softly, as if speaking to a shadow. “I will devour you completely.”

Not wanting to be late for her interview, Nerina hurried to freshen up. Once done, she grabbed her old formal outfit—the only one she had ever bought years ago. Nerina stood in front of the mirror, struggling to zip up her old work dress. “Damn,” she muttered, chest feeling tight, waist nearly choked by the fabric. The black blazer that had once been loose now clung tightly, accentuating every curve.

She stepped back, looking at her reflection. The dress could now be called a bodycon—the side slit that had been modest now rode higher than it should.

“Do I look like a professional woman… or a club dancer?” she muttered, exhaling. But there was no more time; this was the only formal clothing she had. Even if she wanted to buy new, Nerina didn’t have enough money.

With her worn-out heels that were still wearable, Nerina finally left the room. Livia, seeing her, could only hold back laughter. “Neri, if you fail the interview, at least your boss will remember your appearance.”

“This is the only one, I have nothing else,” Nerina said, raising both hands in surrender.

Livia ran her fingers through her long hair, then glanced at Nerina’s chest nearly bursting from the blazer. “Even if you wore mine, it wouldn’t fit. Your breasts are bigger.” She smiled mischievously, eyes sparkling. “But you’re sexy, Nerina. Just trust me, your boss might forget to ask for your resume.”

Nerina snorted, grabbing the car keys Livia handed her. “I have to go, wish me luck getting this job,” she said before leaving the apartment.

“Take care of my car, I won’t lend it again if it gets scratched!” Livia shouted from the balcony, still with her nail polish wet.

Nerina looked up, lazily raising a hand. “Yeah, yeah, I know. You’re so naggy this early!”

Outside, Livia’s white sedan was parked neatly. The latest model gleamed under the morning light, making Nerina hesitant to get in, feeling awkward, as if the car was too good for her. “I’ll buy a car if I get this job.”

She had to arrive within fifteen minutes. Without thinking, Nerina stepped on the gas, Livia’s car speeding through the morning traffic starting to get busy. Her left hand gripped the steering wheel tightly, while her right hand occasionally adjusted the tight blazer so her breasts wouldn’t peek out too much. “Shit, I’m not confident in this look.”

Nerina stopped the car in front of a super tall skyscraper. Large glass panels reflected the morning sun, making the building look like a modern palace. Luxury cars lined the parking lot, making Livia’s borrowed sedan seem insignificant.

Her heart raced. She swallowed nervously, staring at the golden letters on the towering building. “There must be a lot of applicants, I’m not sure I’ll get in. But screw it, I have to get this job!”

Nerina got out of the car hesitantly. Her worn heels clicked softly on the shiny marble floor, as if mocking every scuff on her shoes. As she looked around, her confidence plummeted.

The female employees walking toward the lobby looked flawless, pencil skirts neatly pressed, white shirts without a single wrinkle, designer bags hanging from their arms. They were classy, and Nerina felt out of place.

She glanced at her reflection in the car—blazer too tight, dress clinging to her body, and the eyeliner she had hastily applied this morning. “Fuck, perfect Nerina. You’re probably going to be rejected even before stepping inside.”

Her chest felt tighter, not just from the nearly ripped zipper, but also from the disdainful glances of some employees who had sized her up from head to toe. Some whispered softly with thin smiles, as if comparing her to a misplaced visitor.

Nerina swallowed, fingers gripping the borrowed crossbody bag tightly. Her knees felt weak, but time was running. Reluctantly, she had to step into a world that seemed entirely unwelcoming.

Trying to stay confident, Nerina walked into the tall building without looking around. She didn’t want to attract attention with her shabby attire anymore. Her focus was one thing: immediately reach the reception and ask where the interview room was.

As she entered, the cool air from the AC swept over her. Shiny marble floors, crystal chandeliers hanging gracefully, and the echo of high heels from every direction. Everyone seemed purposeful, except her.

Nerina lowered her head, trying to steady her breath. When she reached the reception desk, a young woman in a white blazer with a neat name tag immediately looked at her.

The friendly smile couldn’t hide the quick judgment in her eyes. “Good morning. Can I help you?”

Nerina swallowed, trying to lift her face to appear more assertive. “I… I have an interview appointment. My name is Nerina Atmadja.”

The receptionist typed something quickly on the computer, then looked at her with a flat expression. “Please go to the thirty-second floor. The executive room. Use the right elevator.”

Nerina nodded quickly, thanking her with a slightly trembling voice. Executive room? That sounded too luxurious for a regular interview. Nerina then followed the receptionist’s instructions to take the elevator to the high floor. Once the elevator doors closed, she stepped inside and pressed the button for her destination. Luckily, no one else entered. She hurriedly closed the doors and exhaled in relief.

“Personal assistant?” Nerina muttered softly, looking at her reflection in the shiny elevator wall. “My look now is more suited for a kitchen staff,” she murmured, trying to smile bitterly at her own reflection.

When she arrived at her floor, Nerina stepped out. The office corridor looked luxurious, but the atmosphere felt heavy. Several people in neat suits hurried by with furrowed faces, some muttering quietly while clutching their application papers. Nerina observed the scene, heart beating a bit faster.

“Were they all rejected?” she muttered, lips barely moving.

Nerina stopped walking. Maybe it was better to go home. If even the ones who looked perfect got rejected, what chance did she have? She sighed, looking down, about to turn back.

Suddenly, a voice called her name.

“Nerina Carter?”

Her steps froze. She looked up quickly, slightly hesitant. A man with glasses stood near the door, gesturing with his hand.

Nerina nodded softly, heart racing, then followed his direction to enter. As her feet stepped into the room, Nerina felt a different air—very different from outside. The temperature seemed to drop a few degrees, and the thick silence made every heartbeat sound loud in her ears.

Nerina shivered. Her eyes fixed on a man sitting in a plush chair at the end of the room. His posture was upright, shoulders and neck strong as if sculpted from hard training, his gaze… cold, sharp, as if piercing straight into her soul.

But… wait. Something made her blood stir. His face was handsome, symmetrical, and oddly familiar. Maybe she had seen him in the advertisements scattered around town—Lencaster Dynamic had been on the rise recently, especially after launching their latest product, making executives’ faces often appear on billboards and business magazines.

So, who was he? The question spun in her head, making her palms sweaty. The man’s suit fit perfectly along his shoulders, his black tie tied neatly—too neat for just an interviewer. Or was he the ruthless big boss Livia mentioned earlier? Damn. She was doomed.

His lips moved, almost expressionless, but his voice was deep, heavy, leaving no room for doubt.

“You’re hired.”

Nerina felt as if she’d lost her footing. Those words hit her ears, eyes widening.

“What… I’m hired?” Her tongue froze, her sentence coming out broken. “Wait, I haven’t even introduced myself. Did… did you already read my resume?”

The man didn’t immediately answer. Only the ticking clock on the wall and the hum of the AC emphasized the silence between them. His gaze pierced Nerina, black and unreadable, making her feel as if she were naked in front of him.

“My secretary will handle the rest.” That was all he said, stopping there. Nerina was confused. She was then led out by the man with glasses, who seemed to be his secretary.

“Tomorrow at 8 a.m., you must be at the address I’ll send via email,” the secretary said, emphasizing each word as if it echoed. “Don’t be late, because you will sign the contract.”