I MARRIED A BILLIONAIRE

1 - A Life Unraveled

Ciara POV

Ciara Woods trudged through the rain-soaked streets, her worn shoes making a squelching sound with each step. She pulled her thin jacket tighter around her, trying to ward off the chill that had seeped into her bones. Another long day at Smith & Co, lay ahead, and she wasn't looking forward to it. The fluorescent lights and endless paperwork seemed to suck the life out of her, leaving her feeling like a hollow shell of her former self.
As she turned the corner onto Main Street, the imposing skyscraper that housed Smith & Co, came into view. Ciara felt a familiar knot form in her stomach, a mix of anxiety and dread that had become all too familiar since she started working there. She had always dreamed of making a difference, but now she was just another cog in the corporate machine, struggling to make ends meet.
As she stepped into the building's lobby, the warm air enveloped her, a stark contrast to the chilly rain outside. Ciara shook the water off her jacket and made her way to the elevators, joining the throngs of suited professionals rushing to start their day. She felt like an imposter among them, her worn clothes and lack of confidence a constant reminder that she didn't belong.
The elevator doors opened on the 23rd floor, and Ciara stepped out into the bustling office. She nodded to her coworkers as she made her way to her cubicle, trying to avoid eye contact with her boss, Mrs. Johnson. Ciara had always struggled to connect with her, and the woman's constant criticism had taken a toll on her self-esteem.
As she settled into her chair and booted up her computer, Ciara's mind began to wander. She thought about her dreams of becoming a writer, of traveling the world and making a difference. But those dreams seemed further away than ever, buried under a pile of bills and responsibilities.
As the day dragged on, Ciara found herself lost in thought, her mind a million miles away from the spreadsheets and reports in front of her. She was jolted back to reality by the sound of her phone ringing. It was her best friend, Rachel.
"Hey, girl! How's it going?" Rachel asked, her bubbly voice a welcome respite from the drudgery of the office.
Ciara sighed, rubbing her temples. "It's going. Just trying to survive until five."
Rachel laughed. "Well, you're almost there. Want to grab happy hour drinks after work?"
Ciara hesitated, unsure if she could afford it. But Rachel's enthusiasm was infectious, and she found herself agreeing.
As the day finally drew to a close, Ciara packed up her things and headed out to meet Rachel. They settled into a cozy little bar a few blocks away, sipping wine and gossiping about their coworkers.
But as the conversation turned to Ciara's love life – or lack thereof – she couldn't shake the feeling of restlessness that had been building all day. She felt like there must be more to life than this, more than just going through the motions.
Little did she know, her life was about to take a dramatic turn.
As Ciara finished her drink, Rachel glanced at her watch. "Oh, shoot! I have to run. Early meeting tomorrow."
Ciara nodded, gathering her things. "Yeah, me too. Thanks for the venting session, Rach."
Rachel grinned. "Anytime. Now go home and get some rest. You look like you could use it."
Ciara smiled wryly, feeling a pang of exhaustion. She hailed a taxi and headed home, her mind still racing with thoughts of her mundane job and lackluster love life.

As she stepped into her small apartment, she was greeted by the familiar sight of her cat, Luna, curled up on the couch. Ciara smiled, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her. This was her sanctuary, her escape from the chaos of the world.
Ciara scrolled through her phone search for a job listings, desperate to escape her current job at Smith & Co., where her creativity was stifled and her boss, Mr. Johnson, was a constant thorn in her side. As she browsed, one company caught her eye - Cooper's Enterprise. They had a job opening for the CEO's Personal Assistant, and Ciara was intrigued despite her reservations. She had heard rumors about Benedict Cooper's strict nature and how his assistants never lasted long. Employees whispered about his intimidating presence, but Ciara reasoned that the substantial pay and benefits outweighed the risks. "It can't get any worse," she thought reluctantly, deciding to send her CV. She hoped to be selected for the screening and, if lucky, land the job.
Days turned to two weeks but no news about the job, just when she was about to give up, she received an email inviting her for an interview at Cooper's Enterprise,she jumped and screamed startling the cat in the process,she was so happy to just be given the opportunity to show them what she's got. Ciara slept that night thinking about her interview...
She arrived at the sleek, modern building, her heart racing with excitement and a hint of nervousness. In the lobby, a suited security guard approached her. "Miss Woods, please follow me." Ciara trailed behind him, her portfolio in hand. They took the elevator to the top floor, and the guard opened the door to a stunning office. Benedict Cooper stood by the window, gazing out at the city skyline. He turned, and Ciara's breath caught in her throat. "Ah, Miss Woods," he said, his voice low and smooth. "Thank you for coming." Ciara nodded, trying to hide her nervousness. "Of course, Mr. Cooper. I'm excited to be here.
Benedict gestured to a chair, and Ciara sat, her hands clasped together in her lap. She tried to compose herself, but her mind raced with thoughts of what to expect.
"So, Miss Woods," Benedict began, his eyes piercing as he studied her. "Tell me, why do you think you're the right fit for this role?"
Ciara took a deep breath and launched into her well-rehearsed response, highlighting her organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work under pressure. Benedict listened intently, his expression unreadable.
As the interview progressed, Ciara found herself feeling more at ease, despite the initial intimidation. Benedict's questions were probing, but she sensed a glimmer of curiosity behind his stern demeanor.
Finally, he leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "Thank you, Miss Woods. That will be all for today. We'll be in touch soon."
Ciara left the office building with mixed emotions - hope and trepidation warring within her. Had she made a good impression? And what lay ahead if she were to work for the enigmatic Benedict Cooper?

Days passed, and Ciara heard nothing. She tried to push the interview to the back of her mind, focusing on her current job and the mundane tasks that filled her days. But she couldn't shake the feeling that her life was about to change.
Then, on a typical Wednesday morning, her phone rang. She hesitated, wondering if she should answer, but something compelled her to pick up.
"Miss Woods, this is Benedict Cooper's office. He would like to offer you the position of Personal Assistant."
Ciara's heart skipped a beat. She had done it. She was going to work for Benedict Cooper.
"When do I start?" she asked, trying to sound calm.
"Monday at 9 am. Please report to the top floor."
The line went dead, leaving Ciara stunned and elated. She had taken the first step into a new world, one that both thrilled and terrified her.
As she hung up the phone, Ciara felt a sense of trepidation wash over her. What had she gotten herself into?

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Hi everyone, so i have been away for a longtime and I'm back,stay tuned....So I'm rewriting this book....so please stay with me....Yeah enjoy reading... muah

Thanks for reading pls vote and comment down below. ❤️❤️

xoxo
M.