Chapter 1: Beneath the Surface

With a gentle chime, the elevator doors opened, and Sabrina entered Knight Industries' lobby, her heart thumping in her chest. Today was her first day of work under Nathaniel Knight, a man whose name made executives and adversaries shudder, and whose use of power was not only dangerous but merciless. He was a walking storm, untouchable, and unpredictable, and Sabrina had been tasked with the impossible task of assisting him.

She exhaled sharply, straightening her blazer and adjusting her glasses as she walked toward the reception desk. The receptionist gave her a polite smile but didn't make eye contact, which only made Sabrina feel more out of place. The air in the building was heavy with ambition, the sound of distant phone calls and hushed conversations echoing in the marble halls. It was a world she'd never been a part of, but she was here now. She had no choice but to adapt.

Sabrina was escorted to Nathaniel's office—a space that mirrored his personality. The walls were dark, the furniture sleek and minimalistic. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city, but it was impossible to feel the warmth of the sun in this cold, sterile space. Everything in Nathaniel's world was built on power, control, and distance. There was no room for emotion, no space for weakness. And that, Sabrina realized, was exactly what he wanted.

Nathaniel was already seated at his desk when she entered. He didn't look up, his fingers moving fluidly over a stack of papers. His broad shoulders and sharp jawline were silhouetted against the glass, giving him an almost mythical presence. Sabrina hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of the room press down on her, before stepping forward.

"You're late," he said without looking up.

"I—I apologize," Sabrina stammered. "I wasn't aware of the exact schedule, Mr. Knight."

Nathaniel finally looked up, his dark eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her throat dry. His gaze lingered, calculating, as though he was measuring her every word, every movement. There was something dangerous in that gaze, something that made Sabrina feel as though she were already caught in his web.

"You'll learn quickly," he said, his voice low and commanding. "In this world, there's no room for mistakes."

As Nathaniel's eyes met hers, a question she wasn't ready to answer flashed through her mind: Was she ready to play this risky game? Was she ready for the kind of power he wielded? Sabrina nodded, trying to push back the nervous tension coiling in her chest. She had come here for a reason—to prove herself, to show that she was more than just another person trying to survive in this cruel world.

"Sit," Nathaniel's voice broke her thoughts, his tone sharp.

Across from him, Sabrina sat with her hands gripped in her lap. She couldn't help but observe how Nathaniel seemed to permeate the space and how every action he took was planned and intentional. He was built to dominate in every way.

"You were chosen for this position because of your reputation," he continued, leaning back in his chair, his eyes never leaving her face. "You're smart. You're capable. But know this—being around me is a different kind of challenge. People who work for me don't just prove themselves once. They prove themselves every single day."

Sabrina swallowed hard. "I understand, Mr. Knight."

Nathaniel's lips curled into a slight smirk. "Good. I trust you'll learn your place quickly."

He spoke with no warmth or kindness. Only cold efficiency. And when he moved down to place a document in front of her, Sabrina couldn't shake the impression that she had just joined a world where trust was a luxury and survival depended on how effectively you could disguise your feelings.

"You'll be handling my personal affairs today," he said, pushing the paper toward her. "Start with this. It's a contract I need reviewed before the end of the day."

Sabrina nodded, taking the document. But as her fingers brushed against the smooth surface of the paper, she couldn't help but notice the faint smell of cologne lingering in the air around Nathaniel, the way the sharp lines of his suit seemed to make him seem even more untouchable. She had heard stories—rumors, whispers of his power—and now, sitting in front of him, Sabrina realized that none of them came close to capturing the darkness he carried with him.

"Anything else?" she asked, doing her best to sound composed.

Nathaniel's gaze flickered, an unreadable expression crossing his face. For a brief moment, Sabrina thought she saw something behind his eyes—something dangerous, perhaps even vulnerable—but it was gone as quickly as it came. He straightened in his chair, his demeanor hardening once more.

"Just one thing," he said, his voice low, almost threatening. "Don't cross me."

Sabrina nodded, her heart pounding faster. The warning was apparent. Nathaniel Knight was not someone to be underestimated. She had no idea what she was getting herself into, but one thing was certain: she had only made the first step into a world that could absorb her completely.

As she left the office, document in hand, Sabrina couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. Nathaniel Knight wasn't just a man of power—he was a man of darkness, and she was now caught in his orbit.