CHAPTER 1: THE DESPERATE JOB
Emma Parker stared at the hospital bill in her hands, her fingers trembling slightly.
Twenty-five thousand dollars.
The numbers felt unreal, like they belonged to someone else's life.
Her father lay asleep in the hospital bed beside her, pale and weak after his heart surgery. Machines beeped quietly around him, reminding Emma of how fragile life really was.
She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"How am I going to pay this?" she whispered.
The doctor had been clear earlier that morning.
"If the remaining bill isn't settled soon, the hospital may not continue treatment."
Emma's chest tightened.
She would never forgive herself if something happened to her father because she couldn't afford it.
Her phone buzzed suddenly.
It was a message from her best friend, Lily.
Emma, are you still looking for a temporary job?
Emma typed back immediately.
Yes. Anything.
The reply came quickly.
There's a private event tonight at the Royal Grand Hotel. They need extra staff to serve drinks. The pay is good.
Emma hesitated for only a moment.
She had never worked in such a luxurious place before. But right now, pride was the last thing she could afford.
I'll take it.
That evening, Emma stood nervously in the staff dressing room of the Royal Grand Hotel.
The black uniform dress felt strange on her body, and the heels made her slightly uncomfortable.
Around her, other workers chatted casually as if this was just another normal shift.
But Emma's heart was pounding.
Through the large ballroom doors, she could hear the sounds of laughter, music, and clinking glasses.
Rich people.
Powerful people.
People whose lives were nothing like hers.
"First time?" one of the waitresses asked kindly.
Emma nodded.
"Don't worry," the woman smiled. "Just serve drinks and avoid spilling anything."
Emma managed a small smile.
"I'll try."
A moment later, the doors opened.
And Emma stepped into a world she had never imagined.
Crystal chandeliers glittered above the enormous ballroom. Elegant guests dressed in expensive suits and gowns filled the room.
Everything looked perfect.
Almost unreal.
Emma carefully balanced a tray of champagne glasses as she walked through the crowd.
Her goal was simple.
Work the shift.
Get paid.
Help her father.
But fate had something else planned.
Across the room, a tall man stood near the large window overlooking the city.
His dark suit was perfectly tailored. His sharp jawline and intense gaze made him stand out immediately among the guests.
People approached him with respect, even fear.
Emma heard two women whisper nearby.
"That's Adrian Blackwood."
"The billionaire?"
"Yes. CEO of Blackwood Industries."
Emma tried not to stare.
Men like him existed in a completely different universe.
But as she walked past his table with her tray of champagne…
Adrian Blackwood looked up.
And their eyes met.
For a brief moment, everything around them seemed to disappear.
Emma quickly looked away and kept walking.
But Adrian's eyes followed her.
For the first time that night, the powerful billionaire felt curious.
CHAPTER 2: THE BILLIONAIRE'S EYES
Adrian Blackwood had attended hundreds of events like this.
Charity galas.
Business dinners.
Luxury parties filled with people trying to impress him.
They were all the same.
Boring.
Predictable.
But the moment he saw her, something felt different.
The waitress with soft brown hair and nervous eyes moved carefully through the crowd, clearly uncomfortable in such an extravagant environment.
She didn't smile at the guests like the others.
She simply did her job.
Adrian found that strangely refreshing.
Most women at these events tried far too hard to get his attention.
But this one avoided him completely.
Which only made him more interested.
"Another drink, Mr. Blackwood?" his assistant asked.
Adrian shook his head.
His gaze was still following Emma.
"Who is that waitress?" he asked.
The assistant looked confused.
"Which one?"
Adrian gestured subtly.
"The one carrying the champagne tray."
The assistant glanced over.
"I'm not sure. Probably temporary staff."
Adrian nodded slowly.
Yet his eyes never left her.
Emma could feel someone watching her.
It made her nervous.
When she finally looked up again, she realized it was him.
Adrian Blackwood.
The billionaire.
His dark eyes were fixed on her with an intensity that made her heart beat faster.
Why was he looking at her?
She quickly turned away and moved toward another table.
But a few minutes later, a deep voice spoke behind her.
"Champagne."
Emma turned around.
Adrian Blackwood stood directly in front of her.
Up close, he was even more intimidating.
Tall.
Confident.
Dangerously handsome.
She carefully handed him a glass.
"Here you go, sir."
But Adrian didn't take it immediately.
Instead, he studied her face.
"You don't belong here," he said calmly.
Emma blinked in surprise.
"Excuse me?"
"You look like someone who'd rather be anywhere else."
Emma hesitated before answering.
"I'm just working."
Adrian took the glass.
"And what made you take this job?"
She didn't want to tell him.
But something about his gaze made lying impossible.
"My father is in the hospital."
For the first time, Adrian's expression softened slightly.
"I see."
There was a brief silence between them.
Then Adrian said quietly,
"Life can be cruel sometimes."
Emma nodded.
Before she could respond, someone called Adrian's name from across the room.
Business partners were waiting for him.
He turned to leave.
But before walking away, he looked back at Emma once more.
And something in his eyes made her heart race.