Chapter 17: Her name is Alëna Vexar

She couldn't shake the feeling that she was playing with fire.

Here is the revised scene:

As Alëna walked out of the elevator, she was lost in thought, replaying the audition in her mind. She didn't notice Albert standing at the entrance of the building, his eyes fixed on her.

Albert's gaze locked onto Alëna's face, and he felt himself getting lost in her beauty once again. He stood there, frozen in place, as he took in the sight of her.

He had seen her before, at the party, and he had been struck by her beauty then. But seeing her again now, he felt like he was experiencing it all over again.

Alëna walked right past him and exited the Company.

Caleb, Albert's assistant, walked up to him, a curious expression on his face. "Albert, isn't that...?" he started to say, his eyes following Alëna as she walked away.

Albert blinked, snapping out of his trance-like state. He turned to Caleb, his expression neutral. "Isn't that who?" he asked, playing dumb.

Caleb raised an eyebrow. "The girl from the party. You know, the one you couldn't stop staring at?" he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Albert's expression didn't change, but he felt a slight flush rise to his cheeks. He didn't respond, just kept watching Alëna as she disappeared into the crowd.

Albert's eyes lingered on the spot where Alëna had disappeared from view. He turned to Caleb, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Caleb, do you know what she was doing here?" Albert asked, his voice low and curious.

Caleb shook his head. "No, I don't. But I can find out if you want me to," he offered.

Albert nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Yes, please do. I'd like to know what brings her to Thompson's Group."

——

Albert was in his office when Caleb walked in with a folder in his hand. "I've got the information you requested," he said, setting the folder down on Albert's desk.

Albert looked up from the papers he was reviewing, his eyes locking onto the folder. "What did you find out?" he asked, his voice curious.

Caleb opened the folder, pulling out a sheet of paper. "Her name is Alëna Vexar," he said, glancing down at the paper.

"She comes from a wealthy family. Her father is a successful businessman with interests abroad."

Albert's eyes narrowed slightly as he processed the information. A rich girl, used to getting what she wanted. But there was something about Alëna that didn't quite fit that mold.

"What about her education and work experience?" Albert asked, his eyes still scanning the paper.

Caleb leaned against the desk, his arms crossed. "She's got a degree in marketing from a university abroad. But it looks like she doesn't have any formal work experience.

According to her application, she's been working for her father's company remotely while living abroad."

Albert's eyebrows shot up in surprise. So, Alëna was a rich girl who had been living a life of privilege abroad. But she had come back to the city, and was now applying for a job at his company. What was her story?

Albert's eyes narrowed slightly as he thought about Alëna's application. "I don't get it," he said, looking up at Caleb. "Why would a girl from a rich family like the Vexars be interested in being our company's ambassador?"

Caleb shrugged. "I don't know, sir. But maybe she's looking for a challenge. Or maybe she wants to prove herself outside of her family's influence."

Albert raised an eyebrow. "Prove herself? She's a Vexar. She's got everything she could possibly want."

Caleb nodded. "That's true, sir. But maybe that's exactly why she's looking for something more. Maybe she wants to make a name for herself, separate from her family's wealth and influence."

Albert leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together as he thought about Caleb's words. It was possible that Alëna was looking for a challenge, or a way to prove herself. But there was something about her that didn't quite add up.

Albert's eyes refocused on Caleb. "How many people have applied for the ambassador position?" he asked.

Caleb checked the papers in the folder. "We've had about 20 applicants so far, sir. But I have to say, Alëna Vexar's application stands out. Her education, her language skills...she's got a lot to offer."

Albert nodded thoughtfully. 20 applicants was a good number, but he was looking for someone special. Someone who could represent his company in the best possible light.

"I'd like to see her application again," Albert said, holding out his hand.

Caleb handed him the folder, and Albert began to flip through the pages, his eyes scanning Alëna's application with renewed interest.

" Sir, We can make her pass in case you are interested in having her." Caleb suggested.

" No need, let the judges do their job." Albert concluded.