She stood before the building, staring at it. It hovered over her, made of nothing but marble and steel. Ingrained in an impressive gold font at the top of the structure was: Riggs Corporation. It was the largest building she had ever laid eyes on—black, opulent, and brimming with aura.
She was almost tempted to turn around and leave as she glanced down at the boring sweater and worn-out jeans she wore. Well, she couldn't go back to that hellhole and ask Esther again to help her look "corporate." Not after that humiliation. Not after facing those devils again. She couldn't bring herself to do that.
So, she opted for the outfit she had on.
At least, she wore her strawberry scent. That would help, right? They wouldn't look down on her, right?
Well, she was wrong.
The moment she approached the polished receptionists, one of them glanced at her as if she were a stain on her Louboutin heels. But Winter ignored it and leaned on the front desk.
"I'm here for the Data Analyst interview. Where are they taking it?"
The receptionist gave her a once-over before parting her lips to say, "Thirteenth floor."
Winter didn't even thank her before she swirled around and left.
The elevator waited for her—porsche and elegant, reflecting her full figure in its golden accents. She looked at herself in the reflection. Poor. Wretched. Most likely not to get the job—but there was no harm in trying.
The elevator dinged open, and who she saw inside stopped her in her tracks.
Finn.
Her ex-boyfriend. Her biggest high school bully.
Finn used to lead her group of bullies back in school, but all of a sudden, he approached her and apologized. Then, he started hanging out with her more. Claimed he actually liked her.
She had liked him too. Enjoyed his company. As the next-in-line Beta of Blood Moon Pack, being seen with him drew jealous glances and whispers. He had been her first kiss.
Until that horrifying Friday night.
"Aren't you getting on?" Finn asked, a smile playing on his lips.
He had cut his hair. His brown locks had always been long. She remembered playing with them while staring dreamily at him.
Winter quickly got in and moved to the far end of the elevator, leaning against its surface—far away from where Finn stood.
Unfortunately, they were the only ones inside.
She swallowed, silently praying he wouldn't recognize her—or even if he did, that he wouldn't care.
But how could she forget so easily that the universe hated her?
Finn turned to her slowly just as they reached the fourth floor.
"How long are you going to keep pretending?"
She threw a glare at him. "Pretending what?"
"Come on, Winter. How could you forget your first kiss?"
"I never said I forgot. I just don't care."
He smirked. "See, that's the problem with you. You act so tough when you're not. I know when you're lying, and I can tell you're lying right now."
"What do you want from me, Finn?" Winter spat.
"What are you doing here?"
"None of your business."
"Don't tell me you're here for an interview?"
His laughter suddenly bounced off the elevator walls just as they arrived at the 8th floor.
"You're still as stupid as I remember. Remember when you used to think I'd marry you?"
Winter swallowed, fisting her palm.
"You boasted to Esther that you were going to be a Beta-Luna."
"I was foolish."
"And I can see you still are. Thinking you're all that because you got adopted by Alpha Vincent. I don't know how many times the universe has to remind you who you are. A nobody. A good-for-nothing. The universe has dropped too many hints that you'll never amount to anything, but you keep ignoring them. Tsk."
The elevator dinged on the 12th floor.
"This is me. See you later... or probably never."
He stepped off, and the elevator doors slid shut in front of her face.
She pushed back the tears gathering in her eyes.
He was right.
No—everyone was right.
Riper, Vicky, Raquel, Jackson… they were all right.
She really was a nobody, and coming here was a bad idea. She was stupid to think she could land a job at a huge corporation like Riggs.
As she stretched her hand to press a button that would return her to the ground floor, she realized—she hadn't pressed a floor number when she entered. She'd been too taken aback by seeing Finn, too shaken to think.
She looked up anxiously.
The elevator was on the 20th floor—the top floor.
The doors opened to reveal an expansive, luxurious reception area. An elegant front desk. A secluded lounge. Everything sparkled in soft white hues.
Winter's gaze fell on a woman standing just outside the elevator, a tablet in hand. She looked to be in her early fifties—blonde hair, red lipstick, hazel eyes. Hourglass shape. Melanin skin.
The woman raised her brows at Winter, assessed her for a moment, then suddenly reached for her and pulled her out of the elevator.
"You're late!" she snapped.
Winter was more than confused as the woman dragged her into the secluded space.
The front desk receptionists—two of them—typed away at their laptops in silence. A floor-to-ceiling window exposed the bustling city below. A waiting area nearby held a flatscreen TV playing a Telemundo series.
Compared to the lobby downstairs, the place was so quiet that if a pin dropped, everyone would hear it.
They swept past double doors with gold handles and a passcode lock, slipping into a restroom.
"I know you said you got a coffee stain on your outfit, but you didn't tell me you were going to show up in rags. Didn't you bring a second outfit?"
Winter blinked repeatedly, speechless.
What the hell was going on?
"Anyway, I borrowed this from Cassandra, luckily," the woman said, pulling out a cream-colored mini dress with gold embroidery and a matching jacket. "Cassandra's short, and you're a bit tall, so it might ride up, but we don't have time. Mr. Riggs hates lateness, and he'd—"
"Wait. Mr. Riggs???"