Invitation to the Unknown

It was past 10 PM, and the city outside her apartment window was alive with the distant hum of traffic. Inside, Celeste Carter sat curled up on her couch in a loose white sweater and silk shorts, her bare legs stretched over a plush throw blanket. The glow of her Apple laptop illuminated her delicate features as she scrolled through job postings, a lukewarm mug of chamomile tea forgotten beside her.

Just as she was about to shut the screen, her laptop blinked.

A new email notification.

She leaned forward, heart skipping a beat when she saw the sender.

Vale Enterprises – Application Invitation

Her fingers trembled as she clicked. The email unfolded before her, sleek and professional.

Dear Miss Carter,

We have reviewed your resume and believe you may be a potential candidate for an exclusive position at Vale Enterprises. Please follow the link below to complete your application.

Her eyes fell on the bold blue hyperlink.

A door to a whole new world.

She let out a shaky breath, placed a hand on her chest, and whispered, "Thank you, God."

A wide smile spread across her face as she hugged her laptop like a lifeline. This was it—the break she had been waiting for.

Without hesitation, she clicked the link.

A loading screen appeared, then a sleek Vale Enterprises portal. She barely glanced at the details before hitting "Apply Now."

The moment she did, the screen flickered for a fraction of a second—so fast she almost missed it.

Then, a confirmation message popped up:

Thank you for applying. Our team will review your credentials and get back to you soon.

Her body buzzed with excitement. This was real. It was happening.

Unable to contain herself, she grabbed her phone and opened Skype.

The familiar ringtone played before her mother's face filled the screen, her warm, sleepy smile appearing against the backdrop of her Chicago home.

"Celeste, sweetie," her mother said, rubbing her eyes. "It's late—what's going on?"

Celeste beamed. "Mom, you won't believe it! I just applied for a job at Vale Enterprises. The Vale Enterprises!"

Her mother's eyes widened. "Lucian Vale's company?"

Celeste nodded eagerly. "Yes! I got an invitation email out of nowhere. Can you believe it? They must've seen my resume and thought I was a good fit."

Her mother frowned slightly. "Vale Enterprises doesn't just hire anyone, Celeste. They're… selective. And Lucian Vale? He's practically a ghost. No interviews, no public appearances—just his empire growing in the shadows."

Celeste sighed dramatically. "I know! I've seen his face on business magazines, but nothing personal. No interviews, no social media. He's like a living enigma."

Her mother smirked. "And I bet you find that very interesting."

Celeste rolled her eyes. "Mom, it's a job, not a dating app."

Her mother chuckled. "Still, I've heard things about him. He's ruthless, brilliant, and terrifyingly powerful. Be careful, sweetie."

Celeste glanced back at her laptop, a picture of Lucian Vale still open on her screen. Dark suit, sharp jawline, ice-blue eyes that held no mercy.

Terrifyingly powerful.

She swallowed. "I will, Mom. I promise."

But the pull toward him was undeniable.

Something about him fascinated her.

She exhaled. "I need to go. I want to do some research before bed."

Her mother gave a knowing smile. "Alright, but don't overthink things. Sleep well, sweetie."

"Love you, Mom." Celeste ended the call and leaned forward, fingers flying over the keyboard.

Lucian Vale.

A sea of images flooded her screen. He was every bit as powerful as the rumours suggested. Broad shoulders. Crisp, tailored suits. A face carved from stone.

She clicked on an article: The Man Who Built an Empire—But Never Speaks.

Her eyes traced every word. His company's meteoric rise. His ruthless business strategies. The fear he commanded.

As she read, a slow, involuntary shiver ran down her spine.

And miles away, in a darkened surveillance room, Logan Briggs leaned back in his chair, watching it all.

The hacked laptop screen in front of him mirrored hers, every keystroke flashing before his eyes.

He had access.

Not just to her device.

Her camera. Her microphone.

He had heard every word of her conversation with her mother.

Seeing her excitement.

Seen the way her eyes lingered on Lucian Vale's face.

A slow smirk spread across his face as he took a sip of whiskey. "Curious little thing, aren't you?"

Then he switched screens, typing out a message to Lucian Vale.

Subject: Access Acquired.

Status: Watching Her.

And as he hit send, he chuckled darkly.

The game had begun.