The CEO'S Regret

e, and I finally woke up. 6:45

bed, my foot caught in the she

collection. Just what I needed on t

change my life. No more scraping by on freelance work that barely covered the rent

ye with mascara. My chestnut hair was acting up, so I forced it

I told my reflection, which

to layer over my single work dress. I stuffed my portfolio

at to me," I said quietly, drawing my fingers around the dashboard in the caress

ht was a personal affront as I sat and waited for minutes. When I arrived at t

avens opened. No spring shower, but a torre

clutching my portfoli

was foreboding, with its shiny

to be very expensive-looking suits, striding purposefully through the f

guard looked

ving dripping strands of hair out of m

"You are on the 32nd fl

d. Behind. Of cou

people in both directions. The doors

wait f

e face to face with the most beautiful man I had ever seen. Well muscled and tall, he ha

fed, trying to

with an expressionless face. His crisply pressed suit had

not to fidget and realize that I looked like

rough," he finally said, hi

in puddles at my feet and overflowed onto h

a tissue and emerged with the portfolio spilling. P

eration. The man didn't help me, just stood there an

elevator rang on

id, stepping aside a

n out, but my drenched shoe slid on the marble floor. I

g up at warm brown eyes and a gentle smile. This man didn't

morning. "I'm interviewing today, and I

. "I'm Jason Kim, junior creativ

of relief swept o

, and lines appeared at the edges of his eyes. "Although I

rned with em

me down the corridor. "Everyone's nervous on int

p, Mr. Blackwood has decided to conduct the interviews today

stomach did flips wi

let him intimidate you. Just sta

im

ecognized it fr

the elevator walk towards us, his eyes

ot to his feet. "I was only walk

ionaire CEO. And I had cleaned up my a

s eyes locking me in place. Something in h

ardly above a whisper. "So

hed by an infinitesi

ll handle Ms. Gray from here. You

ssion uncertain. "Sir, I'm suppose

Blackwood cut in. "The Pearso

to argue, then nodded. He flashed me a huge smile a

there alone with

lancing back over his should

with each step. We entered a massive corner office with f

to a chair in front

my portfolio

e window, his back to me. "Your resume sa

s,

ant work experience. Just freelancing." He turn

ting questions regarding my design philosophy, my

commitments," I

me abo

f rebellion. "My father became ill when our company c

nsiderable duration. "D

arted showing him my work. Every time, I was a little

, his face inscrutable as

lity is good. Your color sense is bad. That l

declaration, my

e is raw talent there. New

at...a co

ng his fingers on the immaculately clean surface. "Why

company's innovation and growth. I did something d

week. Because I want to show that I am as good as I know I

his eyes. Surprise,

he bullied. "Y

that? You don't have

isions." He rose to show the interview was co

pen. A stunning blonde woman in a red design

you all morning!" Her voice was honey-sw

changed, his stance stiff.

een whitened. "Oh, I didn't realize you had someone with you."

ped her hand hasti

r," Blackwood answered, his tone making

her eyes. "How cute. Alex alw

ed me and made

st departing," B

io. "Thank you for the chance, Mr.

voice drop to a come-on purr. "Ale

yes met mine over the back of Vanessa's head, and something

r slamm

hould have been wa

ike I'd stepped in