After seeing Liam, Ayaan couldn't focus on his work at all. His eyes kept drifting toward the CEO's cabin, where Liam sat behind the glass walls.
What were they now? Ex-lovers? Friends? Strangers? He didn't know anymore. Either way, he had no intention of inviting unnecessary trouble. He adjusted his mask, pulling it higher on his face—anything to stay invisible.
'Focus, Ayaan. Don't let yourself get played by that guy again.
Only three months left. Just endure it.'
Meanwhile, in Liam's office.
"Arrange someone skilled to be my assistant," Liam said to Manager Li. "Preferably someone who can drive as well."
"Yes, sir." Manager Li nodded and turned to leave.
As he stepped out of the cabin, Liam's secretary, Kevin—a young man nearing thirty with a bandaged right hand—intercepted him.
"Mr. Li, the boss forgot to mention one more thing." Kevin lowered his voice. "Don't assign any female staff to this position."
Manager Li frowned. "Why not?"
"Mr. Liam is… uncomfortable around women. And if anything goes wrong—a scandal, some misunderstanding—it'll be your job on the line." Kevin raised an eyebrow. "Just a word of advice."
"O-Okay…" Manager Li murmured, already scanning the office floor for candidates.
His gaze wandered—and stopped on Ayaan.
A newcomer, yes, but sharp with paperwork. Efficient. And his position wasn't fixed yet.
"Ayaan, my office. Now."
After making the call, the manager returned to his cabin. Ayaan glanced at his unfinished work, then stood up and followed.
Inside the manager's cabin...
"After reviewing your performance over the last few weeks, I've decided to promote you," the manager said. Ayaan's eyes widened.
"A promotion? So suddenly?"
"Starting today, you'll be working as the CEO's personal assistant," the manager continued, ignoring the interruption. "Move your things to the desk outside his office immediately."
"The CEO's... assistant?" Ayaan's voice cracked.
The manager's gaze turned icy. "Is there a problem?"
"But sir, my qualifications don't exactly align with that role..." Ayaan tried to protest. The thought of working directly under him—of seeing that face every single day—was unthinkable.
"If you don't want the position, you're welcome to pack your things and leave the company entirely," the manager snapped. "Do you still wish to refuse?"
Ayaan swallowed hard. "No, sir."
"By the way," the manager added, gesturing to Ayaan's face. "Why the mask?"
"Dust allergy..."
"Suddenly?"
"Achoo!" Ayaan let out a series of forced rhythmic sneezes.
"Fine. Keep it on then," the manager muttered.
After lunch, report to the CEO's office and introduce yourself."
"Yes, sir."
Ayaan walked out of the cabin, shoulders slightly slumped.
"Why is everything going against me?" he muttered to the empty hallway. His phone vibrated, and the name on the screen offered a rare spark of relief.
"Aiden," Ayaan answered, his voice weary.
"Did something happen?" Aiden's concern was immediate.
"How did you know?"
"I can tell just from your voice. Now tell me—what happened?"
"I met Liam..." Ayaan hesitated.
"Liam?" There was a pause as Aiden figuring out. Then, his voice sharpened with anger. "That bastard. Did he say something to you?"
"Let me finish!" Ayaan sighed. "Didn't I tell you, our new CEO is taking charge today, and he turned out to be Liam."
"What?" Aiden sounded just as stunned as Ayaan felt.
"Exactly. Even you're shocked—imagine how I feel."
"Silly... such small thing. Why are you so nervous? It's not like you're the one who ditched him back then," Aiden pointed out.
Ayaan went silent for a moment. "That's not it... I just... I don't want to see him."
"We can't avoid people forever, Ayaan. Face him...
And if you really can't stand him, just quit and join my company."
Ayaan snorted. "Yeah, right. The moment I join your company, your mom will show up at my house with engagement papers—'Now that you two work together, shouldn't you get married too?'" Ayaan pitched his voice into a perfect mimicry of Aiden's mom." I'm done being your fake lover, Aiden. Tell her the truth—tell her you're in love with Joy."
"Hello? Hello? Ayaan?" Aiden used his oldest, most transparent trick and hung up.
"Unbelievable," Ayaan muttered, staring at his darkened screen.
Hearing the growl sound from his stomach, Ayaan went to the cafeteria to at least solve his hunger.
After lunch, Ayaan stood before the heavy oak doors of the CEO's office. He took a stabilizing breath, adjusted his mask, and knocked.
Liam leaned over his desk, checking some paperwork. He didn't look up immediately, finishing a paragraph before finally raising his gaze. His eyes narrowed, tracking Ayaan with a strange, flickering familiarity. "You are?"
"Ayaan Ahoda, sir. Your new assistant." Ayaan kept his voice steady, projecting a confidence he didn't feel. He refused to let his eyes waver.
'Ayaan...' For some reasons, the name and eyes keep remind Liam about his Ayaan.
"Mr. Li mentioned you." Liam leaned back, his sharp gaze lingering on the bridge of Ayaan's nose. To confirm his doubt, Liam asks. "Can you take off the mask for a moment?"
Ayaan froze. "Y-yes, sir..."
His fingers trembled as they reached for the elastic straps. Just as he was about to reveal himself, Liam's phone let out a sharp ring.
"Hello, Dad..." Liam answered, shifting his attention instantly. He gave a sharp nod to a man standing in the corner—Mr. Kevin—gesturing for him to take over.
Mr. Kevin stepped forward with a polite smile and ushered Ayaan out into the hallway. "Hi, I'm Kevin. Mr. Liam's secretary."
"Ayaan," he replied, letting out a silent, shaky breath of relief.
"That's a nice name." Kevin handed him a small stack of printed sheets. "Before you start working directly under Mr. Liam, there are a few rules you should know. If anything is unclear, just ask."
Ayaan looked down at the first page. Rule 1: Be sharp on time. Any delay results in a salary deduction. He looked up at Kevin, who maintained that perfectly polished, professional mask.
"The boss is strict with timing," Kevin explained. "He has no patience for latecomers."
Ayaan moved to the next line. Rule 2: There is no fixed end-time for the workday. You work as long as the CEO works.
Before Ayaan could even open his mouth, Kevin interjected, "The boss is a workaholic."
Rule 3: Professional suits are mandatory at all times.
Kevin opened his mouth to explain, but Ayaan held up a hand. "I get it. He's a perfectionist."
A muffled shout came from the office, and Kevin hurried back inside. Left alone at his new desk, Ayaan scrolled through the rest of the list. Half an hour passed as he read through increasingly ridiculous demands.
"Does this ever end?" Ayaan whispered fiercely to himself. "From acting as a cleaner to a personal driver... with all these terms, why doesn't he just buy a robot?"
Frustrated, he thudded his fist against the desk.
The sound echoed in the quiet hallway. Suddenly, a shadow fell over his papers. Ayaan slowly looked up, his heart dropping into his stomach as he met Liam's cold, calculating eyes. Liam was standing right in front of him.
Ayaan didn't know whether to laugh at his own bad luck or burst into tears. He just stared, paralyzed.