When the Rose meets the Nightshade

steel skyscrapers and bustling streets. Carissa Cohyen weaved her trusty Honda th

ough the phone's speaker, her buoyant enth

d, her fingers clenching

running out of steam. I need this job. Mom's bills are piling up and mo

till standing - that's like, ninja-level job-hunting skills right there! And hey, if Knight and Co Limited doesn't work out, we'll just dance it out and manif

ugh the speakers, a genuin

eded that. I just need to chill and be myself. I've prep

erything," Rachel chirped. "

got some ne

on, spi

move in last night? M

"Girl, seriously? Mike? After what he did to you...ugh,

hel's reaction. "I know he hurt me, Rach. But he's grown so mu

ut you deserve someone who treats you right. Mike might've changed, but he's

e was soft,

I really think he's changed. He's more present, more attentive, more.

t don't want you to get hurt again, Cara

ach. You're the best fri

again, tell him Rach

erved past her, forcing her to veer to maintain co

said hastily into her phone b

t the mud stain on her top. "What the...! "What the fuck,

pensive car as it drove away. She repeated the action, splattering more

ll-built man in a blue suit, his hair a rich

n the city knew their place,"

being should have at least been taught manners!

ained top before meeting her fiery gaze. The air was electric

bout manners" He took a step closer

. "Look who's talking, you spoiled, arrogant brat. If you'd had any ma

ore. Some rich jerk with a god complex, who think

a muscle in his jaw twitchin

. "What, are you going to call y

p to deal with low-life scum like you. And don't think you're getting of

defiantly, replied, " you, Mr. Fancy Suit, can take y

ening. "You've wasted enough of my time," he sn

e you should have thought of that before you

ger. "This isn't over," he gr

rom the curb with a screech of tires. Cara watched h

e looked down at her mud-stained top and tires, and groaned. Now sh

ay to clean up the mud. She spotted a hose and some cleaning supplies outside,

got back into her car, feeling frazzled and anxious. She took a dee

--------------

York

ood ent

:21

a disheveled appearance and an angry expression, much to the amusement

s with his presence. The CEO, one hour late to his own interview for an assistant

charming and competent young bachelor. I wonder what they would say

some infuriating woman on the way here." The mere mention of

iously, remove the rose-tinted glasses. Half the board members seem to be

at you're insinuating, Paula. So you please shut the fuc

became CEO. We've been taking care of your affairs and defending you against the board, while you lounge around playing the role of New York's finest bachelor in yo

down, okay? Felix didn't mean it that way. He was annoye

eply. "Yes, I didn't mean it that way. you know you guys

under his breath, "Whatever. Le

calm, picked up th

nte. Could you send over a new

meone will be ov

k on the door, and a secretary e

"Thank you. We'll be r

Felix. "Let's get started with the inte

ng a bit disheveled. "Yes,

--------------

She cursed the rude bastard who caused her to be so late for

. Her hair was disheveled, and her top was still stained with mud. She groaned, feeling a se

f the car, smoothing her hair and trying to straighten her clothes. She took one last deep breath, a

t too late. At the secretary's desk, she said, "G

up, smiling. "You

ble on the road." Cara gestured to the mud stain

view is still ongoing. Here's your ID card. hold on to it and

ty as she scanned the other candidates. But she remembered her R