Aria’s POVI took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering unease. The memory of hearing my ex-husband Victor calling my name before I got into the elevator earlier still haunted me. When he called my phone twice after that, I’d turned it off, not wanting to deal with him.In the car, Samuel glanced over at me. “Aria, how are you feeling now? What’s the matter? You seem a bit off.”I mustered a smile, hoping it looked more convincing than it felt. “I'm fine, Samuel. Just a bit of a headache, but I'm feeling a little better now.”He didn't look entirely convinced but nodded.The rhythmic hum of the car and the passing streetlights created a lulling effect, and I found myself relaxing bit by bit. Before I knew it, we were pulling up in front of Jessica's place.Samuel put the car in park and turned to me, his eyes softening. “I know today was a lot, but I'm really glad we got to spend time together. And remember, we're meeting again in the Netherlands. I just know you'll get the

Aria’s POVArriving at the sleek, glass-paneled building of Elixir, I took a deep breath and reminded myself to smile. Today was the first day of the next screening process, and though I'd already passed the initial interview, I knew this was where the real challenge began. As I walked through the revolving doors, I felt a blend of nerves and excitement bubbling within me. My new role as the assistant to the research manager promised to be demanding, but I was determined to prove myself.In the lobby, a familiar woman with sharp eyes and an impeccable suit approached me. “Aria,” she called out, without a hint of a smile on her lips. It was Tina Bakker, my soon-to-be supervisor, and the one who had interviewed me initially. “Congratulations on passing the first part. However, there's much more to come.”“Thank you, Ms. Bakker,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.Tina nodded, her demeanor serious and efficient, a stark contrast to the more relaxed persona she had during the int

Aria’s POV“Aria!” Samuel exclaimed with genuine enthusiasm. “Sorry I came unannounced.”“Oh, don’t worry about it,” I responded, grinning back. “Come in, come in.”He stepped inside, his tall frame filling the narrow entryway. “I’ve been so busy with a new company these past few days,” he began, “I haven't had a chance to celebrate your new job with you. But as soon as I wrapped up everything, I came straight here.”“Well, I'm glad you did,” I said, leading him to the couch that I had proudly purchased second-hand. We both sat down, the familiar creak of the springs beneath us. “How’s work going?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.I couldn’t help but beam with excitement. “It's been amazing, Samuel! The past few days have been a whirlwind, but I’m learning so much. Tina is demanding, but I really like the challenge. I feel like I’m growing every day.” I went on to describe to him everything that I had learned and experienced so far, as well as some colleagues that I had go