CHAPTER ONE: REVENGE

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The sharp, insistent sound of her alarm disturbed the silence, waking Elena Carter. She groaned, her hand flailing across the nightstand until it landed on the offending device, silencing it with a decisive smack. Still half asleep, she rubbed her face with one hand, reaching for her phone with the other. She squinted at the screen, momentarily forgetting why she'd even picked it up. Then it hit her.

Sitting up immediately, she squinted at the screen. It was 5:30 am. on a Wednesday morning. A day unlike any other. Today was the day she'd been preparing for, the day she'd been waiting for. Today, she would take bold steps into enemy territory.

Elena swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet instinctively finding her pink bunny flip-flops. The apartment was still dark, the faint glow of streetlights filtering through the blinds. With a sigh, She crossed the room, got a hold of the cord and pulled. The blinds opened up, bathing the space with the dim light of dawn.

Looking out the window, she smiled. Not the happy kind but mischievous. Somewhere out there, in the heart of the city, stood Moretti Enterprises. And inside, amidst wealth and power, sat the man responsible for tearing her family apart.

Xavier Moretti.

She turned away from the window, her reflection catching her eye in the full-length mirror she'd bought to check out her outfits from head to toe. Staring at it, it reflected something else entirely. A girl driven by revenge.

Turning away from the mirror, her eyes landed on the door of her closet. Hanging there was a clean, sleak, spotless black suit, perfectly tailored. Her disguise for the day.

She ran her fingers gently over the fabric.

She had carried this pain for years. Now, she finally had the chance to do something about it. So there was no way in hell she was turning back now.

She stepped into the shower, letting the water run longer than usual as she mentally rehearsed her plans. By the time she stepped out, her skin glowed like polished eggs. Wrapping herself in a bathrobe, she moved over to put on some makeup. She didn't wear makeup often, she never saw the point.

But today?

She had to look perfect. It was all part of the plan.

After finishing her facial prep, Elena dressed quickly, adorning herself with a collection from her Van Cleef & Arpel jewelry. Understated yet undeniably luxurious. She wore a cologne that didn't feel like a cologne, it was natural, sweet and pleasing, as though it was simply part of her. Not too much, just the right amount. 

The suit fit perfectly, just as she had imagined, and the sleek purse on her arm completed the look. Stepping back to the mirror, she posed slightly, observing herself thoroughly. Perfectly lined eyes, precisely applied blush subtle yet defining. The red lipstick she wore complemented her strikingly feminine jawline. Practicing a small smile, she glanced at her velvety black heels, which complemented her graceful complexion. She was truly elegant.

She walked over to her phone, where she had left it that morning. Picking it up, she ordered an Uber straight to Moretti Enterprises.

Now, she stood before the towering glass structure. She was really here, Moretti Enterprises. Taking a deep breath, she reached into her purse, pulling out a compact mirror. A sweep of her hand, a smoothing of her hair, and one final look before putting it back. She adjusted her blazers as she strode to the entrance of the building. 

At the entrance, the security guard barely glanced at her before waving her in with a smile.

No bag check? No scanner?

Her brows twitched in brief confusion. Isn't security meant to be tighter at places like this?

But whatever. If they weren't worried, neither was she.

The lobby screamed wealth. Polished marble floors gleamed under the bright overhead lights, stretching seamlessly to the far-off elevator. Elena took a moment to look around, accessing and noting every fine detail she could. Employees hurried past, their faces buried in their phones or tablets, each wearing a name tag.

Her heels tapped against the floor as she approached the reception desk.

"Elena Carter," she said, feigning a smile. "I have an appointment with Ms. Margaret today. She asked me to come so she could introduce me to Mr. Moretti."

The receptionist barely looked at her at first, tapping away at her keyboard. "Ms. Elena Carter… the new Executive Assistant?" she asked, still scrolling.

Before Elena could confirm, the woman's eye widened as she sat upright. "Oh! Ms. Elena, pardon me." She nervously handed over a special badge with gilded edges. "Please take the elevator to the top floor. Ms. Margaret will be there to meet you and show you around." Her hand fluttered toward the elevators.

Elena took the badge with a small nod "Thank you" and a smile before making her way over to the elevator. 

Seeing as she was nervous, the elevator ride felt like an eternity. She gripped on her purse and wiped down on her blazer in an attempt to ease herself. This was a massive company with tedious protocols and rigid processes, something she had already sensed from her brief interaction with the receptionist.

When the doors finally opened, she was greeted by two tall men in dark suits, shades on, intercoms connected to their ears. 

Security, maybe? 

Without a second thought, she showed them the badge she was given at the desk. Making them shift a bit. One simply motioned for her to move forward. At the end of the hallway, a woman stood waiting, exuding control and confidence.

"Ms. Margaret, Executive Assistant," her name tag read.

With a warm yet very professional smile that could only mean one thing, experience, Margaret extended a handshake. "Welcome, Ms. Carter." As they connected, the security guy that had led her disappeared back to his post..

"Well, Ms. Carter, welcome to Moretti Enterprises." Margaret said, as both their heels clicked in a rhythm as they proceeded down the hallway. "As you may already know, this is our corporate headquarters. We have successfully established branches in other states as well." She gestured professionally as she spoke.

"You'll be taking over as the new Executive Assistant, assuming my responsibilities to ensure the company maintains a strict, smooth, and efficient schedule. Your duties will include arranging meetings with executives, directors, and shareholders. You'll work closely with Mr. Moretti and Dominic Ricci, from whom most of your directives will come."

Margaret paused to open a door to a dimly lit room. Entering, she clapped twice, activating vibrant lighting and a slide that slowly opened the cottons revealing the natural light coming from outside which graced the impressive conference space.

The room was spacious, with a large table positioned at the center, surrounded by sleek well-crafted leather chairs neatly placed in their positions. Suspended above it was a chandelier. One so stunning Elena took a moment to admire.

Stepping inside, Elena noticed that the temperature of the room was cooler than the hallways.

"This is the first conference room," Margaret explained. "Most of our executive meetings are held here."

Elena walked further in. From the end of the room, she could see the city skyline through a massive glass window. An awe-inspiring view that made her wonder if it was really a reality. She maintained her composure, though it was nothing short of breathtaking.

"And there," Margaret pointed across the room, revealing a massive screen that nearly covered the entire wall. "That's where visual reports and presentations for meetings will be displayed."

Without waiting, Margaret turned and exited the room.

Elena followed, listening intently, taking mental notes as usual. Margaret led her through key offices, high-priority sections of the building, and finally, Elena's new workspace.

As the tour continued, Elena grew increasingly impatient.

When would she meet Mr. Moretti?

"Excuse me, Ms. Margaret," Elena spoke up as they kept walking.

As Elena called out, Margaret stopped turning to listen to whatever question Elena was about to ask.

Just as Elena opened her mouth to speak, a melodic ringtone interrupted - Margaret's phone.

Margaret sighed, pulling it from her pocket. "Excuse me."

"Good day, sir," Margaret answered with a more formal tone. "Yes, she arrived about thirty minutes ago. I'm currently showing her around the facilities." Elena didn't need to guess; that deep voice murmuring through the other side of the phone could only belong to Moretti. 

"Understood, sir. I'll inform her immediately." Margaret responded before lowering her phone.

Turning back to Elena, she offered a polite smile. "You were saying?"

Elena hesitated for a second before waving it off. "Oh, nothing important. Please continue."

Margaret exhaled lightly. "I've got bad news. I'm afraid your meeting with Mr. Moretti has been postponed until tomorrow. An emergency board meeting came up and he has to be in attendance. But, he will be available tomorrow." She placed a reassuring hand on Elena's arm. "I know this must be disappointing."

Elena, however, felt something much stronger.

Rage.

The cold seething rage spread through every muscle in her body. It wasn't fair. She had endured this long now seemingly pointless tour, dressed impeccably, and arrived punctually... only for it to be cancelled at the last minute?

Was this some sort of joke to him?

The rage was so pure she held back tears, but outwardly she did an amazing job remaining composed.

A light chuckle escaped her lips. "Oh, thank God," she mused. "I was beginning to think I'd have to memorize everything you just said in one go."

Margaret chuckled in return.

Elena smiled back.

But deep inside, Elena swore she'd never forget this slight.

To her this was the height of human wickedness. 

Despite everything, Elena requested that they continue the tour.

Margaret hesitated, clearly surprised, but eventually nodded. A reaction Elena noted with satisfaction. It was a good move on her part. Though she was seething inside, she wanted to leave a strong impression, one that would play images of patience and professionalism in the mind of Margaret. 

So, they carried on. Margaret went into even greater detail this time, explaining things with the energy of someone who took pride in their job. 

Minutes turned into hours.

By the time the tour finally ended, Elena was exhausted.

"I should be heading out," Elena finally announced, part of her wanting the woman to insist she stay just a little longer, just long enough for Moretti to miraculously appear. But the older woman simply nodded, checking her watch. "Of course. We'll see you tomorrow morning then."

But it was getting late, and she needed to get home.

Reluctantly, she took the elevator down, stepping into the lobby. She returned her pass to the receptionist - 'Dramine' according to her name tag. She smiled warmly. "See you tomorrow, Ms. Carter." Elena, although exhausted, returned a smile while waving back at her.

Stepping outside, Elena instinctively glanced around.

The security guard she had seen earlier was gone.

A different one stood there now, offering a polite nod as she passed.

By the time she got home, the anger, frustration, and contempt she had tried so hard to quell came crashing back. 

She moved angrily, stripping off her clothes, removing her makeup and settling at her desk in just a tank top, staring blankly at an empty space.

Staring at the empty space, she realised she hadn't checked her phone all day. Nor had she eaten anything. All that anger just killed her appetite completely. Every ounce of her being had been focused on maintaining her facade at Moretti Enterprises.

At least she still had the job. Tomorrow was another chance. But all her excitement from this morning was gone. Now she was just tired and doubting everything.

Did she really want to go through with this revenge plan? Maybe she should just walk away. But then she pictured Moretti out there, probably ruining other people's lives like he'd ruined hers. Honestly, she didn't care much about those other people. 

This was about her. 

Her family. 

Her pain.

There's no way in hell she would give up after coming this far.