Raine arrived at the Vaughn Holdings building, her heart racing with anticipation. She had prepared herself for this moment—the one where she would finally meet Tristan Vaughn, the man who could save her family from financial ruin. The weight of the situation felt even heavier now that she had come this far. She straightened her skirt and smoothed her hair before walking inside, her thoughts a whirlwind of worry and hope.
However, upon entering the sleek and polished lobby, Raine was greeted by a different person than she had expected. A tall man in a sharp suit stood by the reception desk, glancing up from his phone as she approached. His demeanor was calm, but there was a certain intensity in his gaze that made Raine pause for a moment.
"Ms. Callahan?" The man's voice was smooth but authoritative, carrying a note of familiarity she couldn't place.
"Yes, that's me," Raine replied, her voice a little uncertain despite her best efforts to sound composed.
"I'm Nick Montgomery," he said with a small nod. "Mr. Vaughn's assistant. He's currently in an urgent meeting and won't be able to meet with you today. I'll be handling things in his stead."
Raine's stomach sank. She had been so sure that today would be the day she would finally face Mr. Vaughn, and now she had to contend with the reality that this wasn't going according to plan. But she had come this far, and there was no turning back now.
"Please, follow me," Nick said, his tone softening slightly as he gestured for her to follow him. "We'll discuss the details of your offer."
Raine stepped forward, following him into a private office just off the lobby. The room was spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the city. The furniture was minimalist yet luxurious, a reflection of the wealth and power that came with working for someone like Tristan Vaughn.
As Raine took a seat, she couldn't help but take a moment to study Nick. He was different from the image she had imagined. Short dark hair framed his face neatly, and a pair of glasses perched on his nose, giving him a sharp, intellectual appearance. His right arm was covered in Greek tattoos that seemed to weave around his muscles, telling stories Raine could only guess at. He seemed calm, collected, and entirely professional—nothing like the chaos of her own life at the moment.
Nick sat across from her, flipping open a file in front of him. "Let's get down to business," he said, his voice steady but businesslike. "Mr. Vaughn reviewed your offer, and he's willing to proceed with it, but there are some terms to clarify."
Raine nodded, her mind racing. This was her chance—her only chance. She had to make sure she didn't mess it up.
"You'll be working eight hours a day, five days a week," Nick continued, looking over the paperwork. "You'll be responsible for meal preparation, cleaning, and general upkeep of the house. Your schedule will be arranged to ensure you'll leave before Mr. Vaughn returns home each day. He values his privacy, so no direct interaction with him."
Raine's heart skipped a beat at the thought of never meeting Mr. Vaughn. But she pushed the thought aside; this was still an opportunity to help her family.
"There are conditions," Nick added, his eyes meeting hers with a seriousness that made her sit up straighter. "You're allowed three mistakes. If you make more than three errors, your employment will be terminated immediately."
Raine's stomach tightened at the mention of the three mistakes. It was a small margin for error, but she was determined not to fail. "Understood," she said quietly.
Nick nodded, then slid a schedule across the table toward her. "This is your timetable. You'll start tomorrow. The house is fully equipped, and we'll provide you with the keys. Just make sure to follow the schedule precisely. No delays. No mistakes."
As Raine took the schedule in her hands, her mind couldn't help but wander. She'd always been careful not to let her emotions get in the way of her work, but she couldn't deny the small flutter in her chest as she looked at Nick. There was something about him—something in his calm, collected demeanor—that drew her in. He was different from the men she was used to seeing at her fast food job. There was a certain quiet power in him, an energy that left her curious.
But she couldn't dwell on that now. She had a job to do.
Nick stood up, signaling that their meeting was coming to a close. "I'll show you to the house tomorrow morning. If you have any questions or need anything, feel free to contact me."
Raine nodded, standing to follow him. As she walked past him toward the door, she couldn't help but notice the faint scent of cologne that lingered in the air—sharp, fresh, and masculine. A small part of her mind, despite her best efforts to stay focused on the task at hand, wondered what it would be like to interact with him outside of this professional setting.
But no. She couldn't afford distractions. Not now. Not when her family's future was on the line.
As they exited the building, Nick handed her a business card. "In case you need anything," he said briefly, then turned to leave her with her thoughts.
Raine watched him walk away, his figure growing smaller as he disappeared into the distance. A part of her felt strangely unsettled, but she shoved the feeling down. Tomorrow, she would begin her new job, working in the vast, luxurious house of Tristan Vaughn—without ever meeting him.
It was a strange arrangement, but Raine knew one thing for sure: she had to make this work.