Mysterious applicant

"Nice to meet you too, brother," the figure in Davin's chair drawled.

With a practiced spin, the intruder turned to face Davin, a bright, almost unsettling smile plastered across his face. He chuckled, the sound echoing in the spacious office.

"Wrinkles, Davin, wrinkles! You'll have them for days if you keep squeezing your face so hard."

"Get out," Davin said, his voice dangerously calm. He moved toward his desk with the predatory grace of a lion stalking its prey.

Sensing the shift in Davin's demeanor, the chill in his voice, William sprang to his feet, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the desk.

"Come on, Davin, don't tell me you're still hung up on the assistant thing? It's been weeks, bro. Let it go," he said with a theatrical sigh.

"State your business, William Banks, and leave," Davin replied, his fingers flying across the keyboard. He didn't look up, didn't acknowledge his cousin's presence in any way.

Seeing how formal Davin was acting, William's bravado faltered. Davin was his favorite cousin, and he knew he'd crossed a line by sleeping with his assistant.

He scratched his brow, unsure how to broach the subject. He's never going to believe me, he thought with a sigh.

"If you have nothing to say, leave," Davin repeated, still focused on his emails.

"I'm sorry, okay?" William blurted out, sounding like a kid caught stealing cookies from the jar. "You warned me to stay away from your staff. I should have listened, but I didn't. Please, don't be mad."

"Mmm," was all Davin said.

Anyone witnessing William's current meekness would never believe he was the Managing Director of Zetrov Entertainment, the flamboyant heartthrob usually surrounded by adoring fans.

Just then, Davin's new assistant walked in with a cup of coffee. Startled to see William Banks, the most sought-after actor and director, standing in the flesh, she blushed involuntarily.

William shrugged, a silent message to Davin that he didn't even have to try to get this kind of reaction from women. It wasn't entirely his fault, but he had always indulged their attention.

Davin took a slow sip of his coffee, continuing to ignore his notorious cousin, though the oppressive tension in the room had eased slightly.

Taking that as his cue, William coughed delicately. "Brother," he began, "can you spare me ten minutes? No, five will do." He managed a nervous smile.

Davin finished typing, then finally looked up. Seeing William's uncharacteristically worried face, a faint smirk played on his lips.

It was public knowledge that William was Davin's favorite cousin. He treated him like a younger brother, which was why he hadn't fired him for sleeping with his assistant. But he had banned him from Zetrov headquarters.

"Talk," Davin said, finally relaxing back in his chair, twirling a fountain pen between his index and middle finger.

"I know I'm the last person anyone would take relationship advice from because... well, you know..." William began, his gaze fixed on Davin's face, searching for any flicker of emotion. He found nothing. Davin was a master at masking his reactions. "Anyway, I've decided to turn over a new leaf."

Davin remained silent, the pen spinning between his fingers.

"I've fallen in love at first sight, and I want to settle down." William paused, then added, "You don't know her, of course. Anyway, her name is Kathryn." He offered a sheepish smile.

The fountain pen slipped from Davin's fingers and clattered onto the floor. The sound echoed in the sudden silence.

He hadn't seen that coming. Surprise jolted him, but he quickly masked it. William couldn't possibly guess the turmoil churning beneath his calm exterior. He wanted to ask if they had met, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Not like I care, he told himself, but his heart pounded a defiant rhythm.

Her name, spoken aloud, conjured the face that had haunted his sleep. Damn it.

William, oblivious to the inner storm, picked up the pen and waited for his cousin's reaction.

"Good luck with that," Davin said finally, returning his attention to his computer screen.

"I know you might think I'm crazy, but I've never felt like this before," William continued, his voice taking on a dreamy quality. "I saw her receiving that award that night… she looked divine."

Just then, Kelvin walked in, carrying a file. "What's up, brother?" Kelvin greeted William with a smile and a quick hug.

"I'm good," William replied, his good mood radiating. "You guys done with filming up in the mountains?" Kelvin asked, placing the files neatly on Davin's desk.

"Ah, yes…" William replied, still smiling.

"What's going on, bro? You seem unusually cheerful," Kelvin said, settling onto one of the couches.

William followed him, sprawling on the couch with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Well, I just announced to Davin that I'm ready to get married this year!" He said with mock seriousness.

Kelvin looked genuinely surprised, his expressive face a stark contrast to Davin's stoic mask. "For real?"

"Who's the lucky lady?"

"Kathryn," William replied, wiggling his eyebrows.

Kelvin scoffed, relaxing back against the couch cushions. He clearly didn't take William seriously. "Be serious, man."

"I am serious. She's who I want to marry. And no, I haven't met her yet, but I will. I'll woo her until she falls for me," William declared, his voice filled with determined fervor.

Kelvin glanced at Davin, then back at the ecstatic William.

"Good luck with that," Kelvin said dismissively, getting up from the couch.

Watching the two brothers, William wondered if they shared some kind of telepathic link. How could they both respond with the exact same phrase upon hearing Kathryn's name?

"See you later, man," Kelvin said, and left the office, leaving William alone with the enigmatic Davin.

---

After the press conference, Kathryn and her board saw President Li off, putting the final touches on the groundbreaking contract.

News of Star Corp landing the Energy Bill deal spread like wildfire online, sending the company's stock soaring. Even bigger news, however, was President Li's personal visit to finalize the agreement.

"He seems close to President Kathryn," one commenter tweeted under a photo of President Li smiling at Kathryn.

"Imagine if they got married! They'd surpass the Banks and become the most powerful couple in the industry," another replied.

The comments flooded in, turning the picture of the two presidents into a viral sensation.

"This has to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen," Rebecca said, laughing as the three of them entered the elevator.

Kathryn sighed, glancing at the picture Rebecca showed her. "Typical social media. Always guessing and assuming."

"The five applicants are waiting in the interview room," Arthur reminded her.

Checking her watch, Kathryn saw it was already 1 PM. She was hungry and exhausted, but she had to get through these interviews before lunch.

Walking into the room, the applicants stiffened. Kathryn's presence on the panel, radiating an unapproachable aura, made them visibly nervous. They seemed wary of her questions.

One by one, the applicants were called in, each emerging a few minutes later looking downcast. Kathryn was growing increasingly frustrated. None of the so-called "top five" had impressed her except for one, who she'd hired for a different position entirely. Only one applicant remained.

When she walked in quietly, Kathryn was struck by her beauty. Someone with her face and legs belongs on a runway, she thought.

Looking into her deep blue eyes, however, Kathryn sensed something else lurking beneath the surface. It was fear—a feeling she knew all too well.

Kathryn recognized that look immediately. Years ago, she'd stared into those same eyes in the mirror.

A faint smirk touched Kathryn's lips as she glanced down at the applicant's file. Yvette Kosolov, it read. But nothing about her felt Russian. She's not Russian, Kathryn was certain. She looked more American, South American to be precise.

"Yvette Kosolov," Kathryn called out, her voice unusually calm.

"Yes, ma'am," Yvette answered, her voice soft and crisp.

"You're hired," Kathryn announced, surprising everyone in the room.