Terms and Triggers

The next morning, Emilia stepped into Moretti Enterprises as an official employee — ID badge clipped to her blazer, a leather notebook clutched in her hand. The high-rise buzzed with quiet authority, all polished shoes and whispered deals.

But Emilia? She felt like she'd walked into the lion's den.

Her orientation was brisk, handled by a sharp assistant named Leona who seemed to measure everyone with a single glance. Emilia was introduced to her department, given a desk on the executive floor — far too close to the CEO's office, she noticed — and a long list of protocols.

"No phones during executive meetings," Leona said coldly. "And if Mr. Moretti calls you in, you don't keep him waiting. Ever."

"I understand," Emilia nodded, though her stomach was a knot of nerves.

Her coworkers offered polite smiles, but none tried to get close. There was an unspoken rule here: Stay in your lane. Stay away from the king.

By noon, she had three emails from Moretti himself — curt, direct, all with high-priority flags. And by 3 p.m., she was summoned.

His office was quiet when she entered, the skyline stretching behind him like a painting.

"You're adapting quickly," he said without looking up from his tablet.

"I'm trying," she replied.

"Good," he said. Then set the tablet down. "Because this world... it isn't kind to slow learners."

Emilia didn't flinch. "I didn't come here to play it safe."

That earned her a rare glance. "You really don't scare easy, do you?"

"No," she said, then added before she could second-guess herself, "Should I?"

He smirked. "Most people do. But I don't want you to be afraid of me, Emilia. I want you to respect the power I wield."

"That," she said carefully, "depends on how you use it."

The smirk faded.

They stared at each other — predator and something he hadn't yet decided was prey.

"Dismissed," he said softly.

But as she reached for the door, he spoke again.

"Tell me something."

She turned. "Yes?"

"Have you ever heard the name... Victor Blake?"

Her blood went cold.

"No," she lied.

Alessandro watched her very closely.

And in that moment, Emilia knew — he was testing her.

And she'd just failed.