Chapter 2: Collision Course

The Sterling Industries headquarters loomed above Hana like a glass-and-steel monument to her bad decisions. Her stomach churned with equal parts hangover and dread as she joined the group of nervous interns gathering in the lobby.

"Welcome to Sterling Industries!" A cheerful woman in her forties greeted them, tablet in hand. "I'm Patricia from HR. We'll get you all set up with security badges and then take you to orientation."

Hana's hands trembled slightly as she filled out the required forms. Maybe Ellis wouldn't remember her. Maybe Ellis wouldn't even be there. Maybe—

"Adams, Hana?" Patricia called, consulting her tablet with a puzzled expression. "That's strange."

Hana stepped forward on wobbly legs. "Is something wrong?"

"There's been a change to your assignment," Patricia said, frowning slightly. "You're to report directly to the executive floor instead of orientation."

The other interns murmured, clearly impressed or envious. Hana felt the blood drain from her face.

"Is that... unusual?" she managed.

"Very," Patricia admitted. "I've never seen an intern assigned directly to the executive team on their first day. You must have quite the impressive resume."

Or quite the impressive performance in bed, Hana thought hysterically.

A stern-faced woman in a pristine suit appeared beside them. "I'm Joan Winters, Ms. Sterling's executive assistant. You're Hana Adams?"

"Y-yes," Hana stammered, recognizing the name from Maya's text.

Joan's eyes narrowed slightly, assessing Hana from head to toe. "Follow me."

As they rode the elevator to the top floor, Joan didn't speak. Her posture radiated disapproval, and Hana had the distinct impression that this woman knew exactly what had happened last night.

"Ms. Adams," Joan finally said as they exited the elevator, "let me be clear. Whatever transpired between you and Ms. Sterling is none of my business. However, if you think it grants you special privileges or exemption from the standards expected of Sterling employees, you are mistaken."

"I don't—"

"Furthermore," Joan continued as if Hana hadn't spoken, "if you think last night meant anything to Ms. Sterling beyond momentary amusement, you are deluding yourself. She has these... indiscretions occasionally. They never last."

Hana bristled despite her embarrassment. "I'm here for the internship. Nothing more."

"Good." Joan stopped outside an imposing office door. "Then we understand each other. Ms. Sterling is currently in meetings all day. Your desk is there." She pointed to a small workspace near her own larger desk. "You'll be assisting me with various projects. If you perform satisfactorily, perhaps in a few weeks, you'll interact with Ms. Sterling directly."

Relief washed over Hana. She wouldn't have to face Ellis today. Maybe by the time they did meet, the whole awkward situation would have blown over.

"One more thing," Joan added, her voice softening slightly. "If you'd prefer, I can arrange for your internship to be transferred to another division. No questions asked, no negative marks on your record."

The offer was tempting. So tempting. But Hana had worked too hard to get this internship. Sterling Industries was the top tech firm in the country, and positions in their program virtually guaranteed job offers from anywhere after graduation.

"I appreciate the offer," Hana said firmly, "but I earned my place here. What happened last night was... a mistake. One I don't intend to repeat. I'm here to learn and work, nothing more."

Something like respect flickered in Joan's eyes. "Very well. Though I warn you, Ms. Sterling can be... persistent when she wants something."

"It takes two people to make that kind of mistake," Hana countered. "And I don't mix business with pleasure."

"We'll see." Joan's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Let's get you started."

The day passed in a whirlwind of training, paperwork, and increasingly complex tasks that Joan threw at her—testing her, Hana suspected. By seven PM, the office had emptied, but Joan insisted Hana stay to finish organizing a presentation for the morning.

"I need to step out for an hour," Joan announced, gathering her things. "Finish the slides and leave them on my desk. Don't touch anything else. Ms. Sterling's office is strictly off-limits."

Alone in the silent executive suite, Hana worked diligently, determined to prove herself. The presentation was nearly complete when the elevator dinged. Assuming Joan had returned, she called out, "I'm almost finished! Just adding the final charts."

"How dedicated," came a familiar voice that definitely wasn't Joan's.

Hana froze, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. Slowly, she turned to find Ellis Sterling leaning against the doorframe, watching her with amused eyes.

In the harsh fluorescent lighting of the office, Ellis looked different than she had in the club's darkness. More polished. More intimidating. Her tailored suit emphasized her lean strength, and her short dark hair was neatly styled rather than tousled by Hana's eager fingers.

But her eyes were the same—storm-gray and intense, currently fixed on Hana with predatory interest.

"Ms. Sterling," Hana managed, standing too quickly and nearly knocking over her chair. "I didn't expect—"

"Clearly." Ellis stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. "When Joan told me she'd assigned my new intern to prepare the board presentation, I had to see for myself who was burning the midnight oil on their first day."

"I'm just finishing up," Hana said, trying to keep her voice professional despite the memories flooding back—Ellis's lips on her neck, her hands exploring places no one had touched so thoroughly before.

Ellis moved closer, her perfume triggering another wave of visceral recollection. "Imagine my surprise when I discovered the dedicated intern was none other than last night's... entertainment."

"Last night was a mistake," Hana said firmly, gathering her courage. "One that won't be repeated."

"A mistake?" Ellis's eyebrow arched dangerously. "That's not what you called it when you were screaming my name."

Heat rushed to Hana's face. "That was before I knew who you were."

"And now that you know?" Ellis was too close now, backing Hana against the desk.

"Now I know it would be completely inappropriate and unprofessional." Hana lifted her chin defiantly. "I'm here to work, Ms. Sterling. Not to be your... entertainment."

Something flickered in Ellis's eyes—annoyance? Respect? It vanished too quickly to identify.

"Noble sentiment," Ellis said, trailing a finger along Hana's jawline. "But I've never been particularly concerned with what's appropriate."

Hana caught her wrist, surprising them both with her boldness. "I am. I worked hard to get this internship. I won't risk my future for... whatever this is."

Ellis studied her for a long moment, then stepped back, a slow smile spreading across her face. "Fascinating. Most people would do anything to gain my favor. Yet here you are, turning down what many would consider a golden opportunity."

"I don't want special treatment," Hana insisted. "I want to earn my place here."

"And if I said you already have?" Ellis leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "Your academic record is exemplary. Your application essays showed genuine insight. Your professors speak highly of your analytical skills. The only reason you were assigned to the executive floor is that you're qualified to be here."

Hana blinked in surprise. "You... reviewed my application personally?"

"I review all final-round internship candidates," Ellis said dismissively. "Though I admit, I didn't connect your name to your face until this morning."

"So last night wasn't some elaborate plan to—"

"Seduce an intern?" Ellis laughed, the sound genuinely amused. "I'm not that desperate for company, Ms. Adams. Last night was... serendipity. Nothing more."

The term stung more than Hana expected. "Right. Well, it won't happen again."

"Because you don't mix business with pleasure?" Ellis stepped closer again, her voice dropping to the husky tone that had made Hana melt last night. "Or because you didn't enjoy yourself?"

Memories of ecstasy flooded back—Ellis's mouth between her thighs, skilled fingers curling inside her, the way she'd come apart again and again under the woman's expert touch.

"That's not the point," Hana managed, her voice embarrassingly breathless.

"Isn't it?" Ellis's hand brushed Hana's hip, igniting sparks even through her conservative skirt. "The chemistry between us is... unusual. I'm not in the habit of denying myself things I want, Hana."

The use of her first name sent an involuntary shiver down Hana's spine. "What you want doesn't matter. I'm saying no."

Something dangerous flashed in Ellis's eyes—not anger, but challenge. "For now."

"Forever," Hana insisted, gathering her things. "The presentation is done. I should go."

Ellis made no move to stop her, but as Hana reached the door, she called out, "One thing, Ms. Adams."

Hana paused, not turning around. "Yes?"

"I expect the same level of... enthusiasm in your work that you showed last night. Nothing less will be acceptable."

Cheeks burning, Hana fled to the elevator, her heart pounding. Only when the doors closed did she allow herself to breathe.

This internship was going to be far more complicated than she'd anticipated.