Chapter 3

Soft tunes came from a phone that rang consistently in the silence of her apartment. She hesitated for a moment before picking it up.

"Hello?" she said, her voice cautious.

"Hi, is this the Civil rights lawyer...I mean, Miss Laylah?" a smooth voice asked.

Her heart skipped a beat. "Yes, it is. Who's this?"

"My name is Emily, and I'm calling from Smith & Co. We received your application a few weeks ago, and we're interested in inviting you for a brief meeting."

Laylah's eyes widened in surprise. She had just applied to Smith & Co. on Mr Jenkins' whim, not expecting to hear back from them so quickly.

"That sounds great," she said, trying to sound calm. "When were you thinking?"

"How about tomorrow at 2 pm?" Emily asked.

Laylah nodded, even though Emily couldn't see her. "That works perfect. Thank you so much for the opportunity."

As she hung up the phone, she felt a surge of excitement. Smith & Co. was one of the most prestigious law firms in Boston, and she couldn't believe she had a chance to work there even though the terms on which she was supposed to work there made her feel unsettled before.

The next day, Laylah stood outside the sleek glass building that housed Smith & Co. She took a deep breath, smoothing out her Beige colored dress and heading inside.

The receptionist greeted her warmly and led her to a conference room. Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the polished mahogany wood table and the row of imposing chairs with tags on it specifying whom occupied each.

Just as she was starting to feel nervous and her palms sweaty, a man walked in, his presence commanding attention. He was tall, with piercing grey Irises and chiseled features.

His dark hair was slicked back, revealing a prominent forehead.

"Miss Laylah, it's a pleasure to meet you," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I'm Collin, the CEO of Smith & Co."

Laylah's grey eyes met his, and she felt a jolt of electricity. There was something about Collin that made her feel uneasy, but she couldn't understand why. 

She felt she knew him, much more than she thought.

As they sat down, Collin asked her a series of questions, each one probing deeper into her skills and experience. Anny answered confidently, feeling like she was on top of her game.

But just as the interview was wrapping up, Collin dropped a bombshell.

"We're willing to offer you a job, Anny," he said, his eyes glinting intensely.

"But I have to warn you, it's not going to be easy. You'll be working long hours, and you'll be expected to deliver competent results."

"I do have a lot of expectations from you even as a transfer lawyer."

Laylah's grey irises probed into his. She had been expecting a grueling interview, but she hadn't expected a job offer on the spot and a cold man doubting her working capabilities.

"I'm willing to work hard," she said, sounding very confident.

Collin smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I like your enthusiastic spirit, Laylah. Welcome to Smith & Co."

He was very intrigued by her and her grey irises unwavering.

As Laylah left the building, she felt like she was walking on air. She had done it. She had landed a job at one of the most prestigious law firms in Boston.

But as she looked back at the building, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Collin's eyes had seemed to bore into her soul, and she couldn't help but wonder what his true intentions were or was she just being avoidant.

As Laylah walked back to her apartment, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and unease. She had landed a job at The Smith & Co., but she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Her gut feeling was heightened.

When she arrived at her apartment, Natalie was waiting for her in the living room.

"How did it go?" Natalie asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Laylah took a deep breath, trying to process her emotions.

"I got the job," she said finally.

Natalie squealed, jumping up from the couch to hug Laylah who smiled faintly.

"That's amazing!" Natalie exclaimed. "I'm so proud of you."

She blushed, feeling a sense of relief come over her.

"But there's something weird," she said, her brow furrowing.

"What is it?" Natalie asked, her eyes narrowing.

She hesitated, trying to put her finger on what was bothering her.

"It's just...the CEO, Collin. He seemed really intense. And the way he looked at me...it made me feel uncomfortable. It felt like there was so much to him that met the eyes."

Natalie's expression turned serious.

"Maybe he's just really passionate about his job," Natalie suggested.

Laylah shook her head.

"No, it was more than that. It was like he was sizing me up or something."

Natalie's eyes widened.

"Anny, you don't think he's...hitting on you, do you?" She asked.

Laylah's face flushed.

"I don't know. Maybe. But it's not just that. It's like...I don't know, Natalie. I just have a bad feeling about this. He managed to get under my nerves."

"He managed to crack my defences and you know me Natalie! I never lose my cool "

Natalie's expression turned thoughtful.

"Maybe you should do some research on Collin and Smith & Co.," Natalie suggested.

"See if you can dig up anything weird."

Laylah nodded, feeling a sense of determination.

"You're right. I need to know more about what I'm getting myself into or probably what my ex boss got me into." She said slumping on the couch tiredly as the night approached.

______

As Laylah settled into her new office, Collin sat in his own office, sipping a cup of black coffee. He stared out the window, his eyes fixed on some distant point.

"Damian, come in," Collin called out, his voice low and smooth.

Damian Wayne, Collin's personal assistant, walked into the office, his eyes narrowed.

"Yes, sir?" Damian asked, his voice crisp.

Collin turned to face him, a calculating stare in his eye.

"Laylah," he drawled, his voice dripping with anticipation. "She's going to be a valuable asset to our firm."

Damian raised an eyebrow.

"In what way, sir?" Damian asked, his tone neutral.

Collin leaned back in his chair, his elegant fingers and legs crossed.

"She has skills, Damian. Skills that I believe can be... honed."

Damian's expression didn't change, but he could sense a flicker of curiosity.

"And what about her past, sir?" Damian asked, his voice cautious.

Collin's smile grew wider.

"Ah, her past. That's what makes her so... interesting."

Damian's eyes narrowed.

"Sir, I'm not sure I understand."

Collin chuckled, a low, menacing baritone sound.

"You don't need to, Damian. Just make sure she's... comfortable. For now."

Damian nodded, his face expressionless.

"Yes, sir."

As he turned to leave, Collin called out again.

"Damian."

"Yes, sir?"

Collin's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"Let's just say... Laylah's future is looking very... bright here... With me."

Damian's eyes flickered with unease, but he said nothing. He simply nodded and left the office. He wondered why Collin was acting weird and chose to confide in him. 

His boss was never interested in any woman as he was in Laylah. Unless... She had something of value he wanted to harness.

Collin's smile grew wider, his eyes bright with anticipation. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers together contemplating.

Laylah had no idea what she was getting herself into.

But Collin knew.

And he was going to make sure she found out... soon enough.

His smile grew wider, eyes clearly hinting at mischief.

The darkness closed in around him like a shroud.

And Anny, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows, walked further into that darkness, one step at a time.