The Billionaire's Promise
Chapter 32: First day at work

Chapter 32: First day at work

Kriiiingggg... Kriiinnngg...

The loud ringing sound pulled Aryana out of her dreamland. Still half asleep, she groped for her cell phone under her pillow and peeked at the screen with drooping eyes. It was only six am. She was tempted to go back to sleep but she dragged her body to the bathroom and took a shower to force herself to wake up fully.

It was her first day to work and she did not want to be late. After a quick breakfast, she brushed her teeth and donned a knee-length blank pencil skirt, a light green blouse, and a matching emerald green blazer. She put on light makeup, brushed her hair and just let it down freely. She looked very professional. Contented with her appearance, she picked up her purse and left for Gaeya Tower, which was just a 15-minute walk from her rented one-bedroom apartment.

The Gaeya Tower was a 40-story building standing proudly in the middle of the Central District. Aryana decided to join Erik’s company. She did not want to give up her love of the academe so she also accepted a part-time teaching job at the famous Central District University.

"Good morning." She greeted the receptionist warmly. "This is my first day of work. Can you tell me where HR is?"

"It’s on the 10th floor Miss." the receptionist answered politely but she was secretly studying Aryana.

Aryana thanked her and entered the elevator. It was rush hour and a lot of people were squeezing inside that small rectangular box. Aryana felt hotness from her back. She turned around and glared at a man who was standing too close behind her. She was grateful when she heard a ding and the number 10 was displayed on top of the elevator. She hurried out and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Welcome to the company Aryana." The head of HR welcomed her warmly and after completing all the formalities she was escorted to the training department on the 11th floor. She was hired as a training assistant.

Her supervisor was a young woman probably around twenty-five years old. She has a pretty face and a beautiful figure but was shorter than her. She noticed that most of her colleagues in the department were beautiful ladies. It seemed to her that she was in a modeling agency and not in a corporate office. The prettiest of them was the training director who looked like a beauty queen and looked awfully familiar.

"Her name is Julia Lopez." A girl sitting beside her whispered when Julia passed by their table.

’Lopez. Now I remembered. She looked like Antonio so they might be related.’

"My name is Elaine. I am also new here. I joined last month." The bubbly girl stationed beside her introduced herself.

"My name is Aryana." She said giving her a warm smile.

"Oh my, you have dimples. How cute!" Elaine exclaimed. "Oh we need to go to the meeting room now"

She led Aryana to the meeting room on the north side of their floor. All seats in the room were already occupied except for one. The rest of the employees were standing at the back. Elaine and Aryana joined them.

So many eyes were scrutinizing Aryana and she started to get uncomfortable. She plastered a sweet smile as she scanned the people around her. There were around twenty of them most were female and only around five males. Her gaze paused briefly to a tall man in a black suit staring at her with a wicked grin on his face. Aryana recognized him as the man who stood very close behind her in the elevator. She looked away and her gaze fell on a tall, voluptuous woman with black wavy hair cascading down a little below her shoulders. Her lips were luscious and the red lipstick made them even more beautiful.

"Good morning everyone." A sultry voice filled the air.

What a temptress. That was Aryana’s first impression of the Marketing Director.

"I’d like to introduce a new member of our team. She will be assisting Roxie in training our sales agents for the young and mass affluent market segment. Why don’t you..." Julia paused and was struck when Aryana smiled showing her two dimples. It was the first time that she really looked at her and felt threatened by her unique beauty.

"Say a few words to introduce yourself."

"Hello everyone, my name is Aryana Jones. This is my first job and I felt honored to belong to such a prestigious company. I hope that I can be of help." Aryana said in a pleasant voice and a gentle smile on her face.

"Oh, I am glad that you feel honored Miss Jones. Welcome aboard." A deep voice that she became familiar with came from the door of the meeting room.

The room became silent as Erik entered followed by Marlon. The initially spacious room became crowded.

Erik looked at Aryana and their gaze locked for a moment. This was the first time they met after their trip to China. He nodded at her lightly before shifting his gaze to the woman who stood up from her seat and stood very close to him.

Marlon on the other hand approached Aryana and extended her hand to her. "Welcome to the company Aryana." He said in a teasing manner.

Aryana accepted the handshake and murmured, "Thank you."

"Erik, it’s a surprise to see you here. We are all honored by your presence." Julia said in a coquettish voice.

’Erik. So she is on a first-name basis with him, even on company premises. They might have a special relationship.’ Aryana stole a glance at Erik and Julia while pretending to pay attention to Marlon.

"I’m just passing by. I notice that we have a few new faces here. Let them prepare a training plan for our agents who are not performing well. I’d like to see it by Friday." Erik’s tone was a little domineering.

"I’d like also to see your report at 10 am." He added before leaving the room.

"Shit! I am not done with the report yet." She cursed. "Roxie, prepare my report right now."

She then turned towards Aryana and scrutinized her well. Her gaze was cold. She was smiling but it did not reach her eyes.

"You piqued my interest, Miss Jones. Looks like you have impressed Erik." She said in a professional voice. Aryana however sensed a warning in that message.

"Meeting dismissed. Everyone back to work."

She threw an intense gaze at Aryana, before turning around to leave the meeting room. At the time she turned, her lips pursed and her eyes turned cold.

"Don’t ever think of having any design on Erik. That man can only be mine!"