Chapter 1

“Desiree, don't you think you've had enough?”

Desiree paused from applying lipstick and faced her best friend from the driver's seat.

“This would be your third day and tenth company…” Sophia, her best friend, added with a heavy sigh.

“It's your fault that we got caught, so I need a job to feed myself,” she retorted, her tone laced with blame.

“And who came up with the idea to ruin her father and stepmother's engagement party?” Sophia shot back, clearly irritated. “I already warned you, but yet, you still continue with your plan.”

Desiree was caught off guard by her best friend's words. Growing up as her mother's only and spoiled child, she was used to getting everything she wanted. However, after her mother passed away six years ago and her father's recent engagement to her stepmother, it had been difficult for her to accept that her father had moved on and replaced her mother.

“You know, why don't you go to your dad and apologize?” Sophia suggested, as if that were the only solution for Desiree. “That's all it takes to resolve this issue. We both know that they can't resist you, so stop being so hard on yourself.”

“Please stop lecturing me.” Desiree couldn't help but roll her eyes. “I'm not going to beg them.”

“So what knowledge do you possess regarding being a secretary?” Sophia challenged, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I am capable of learning it," Desiree arrogantly replied.

“Your dad could secure a higher position for you, Desiree—”

“I know," Desiree cut her off. “But begging for his forgiveness means accepting that he is remarrying and will be replacing my mother.”

Sophia sighed wearily. “Don't you want him to be happy again?”

“And what about me?”

“Desiree…”

“Thanks for the ride.” Desiree abruptly ended the conversation. “I'll see you later.”

Desiree stepped out of Sophia's car and walked across the street. She paused, taking a deep breath as she stood in front of the massive building of Rothschild Group of Industries, located in one of the most expensive and industrial areas of the city. With most of its exterior made of glass, this gray building outshone the surrounding structures.

This was her tenth interview since her graduation a few months ago. Each of those companies wanted her to work for them, not because she was first in her class at Harvard or had six letters of recommendation, but solely due to her last name: Hilton.

Dominique Hilton, her father, owned a multinational company in Washington D.C and was easily one of the most successful businessmen in the US. Every company desired her because having Dominique Hilton's daughter working for them was an achievement on its own. However, using her father's name to excel was not how she wanted to start her professional life.

That's why she found herself standing in front of Rothschild, the nightmare of every business student. The reason being Elijah Rothschild, the CEO rumored to be the Lucifer reincarnated. He had made many of Desiree's old classmates and seniors burst into tears during interviews, and she was likely going to be the next in line.

Heaving a sigh, Desiree entered through the massive glass door and reached the receptionist. Taking off her sunglasses, she flashed her dazzling smile and rested her arm on the front desk in a charming manner.

"Yes, Ma'am? How can I help you?" he asked sternly.

"Good morning to you, too. Can you tell me which way to go for the interviews for Elijah Rothschild's new assistant?" She stared deep into his eyes, and he turned flustered for a brief moment but regained his poise.

Desiree was aware of her effect on the opposite gender and didn't mind using it to her advantage every now and then.

"Eighteenth floor. The elevator is on the left," he replied.

"Thanks," she said, making her way toward the elevator. Inside the empty elevator, she pressed the button for her destination floor and moved to a corner to reassess her resume.

The elevator stopped at the third floor, and someone entered. Her eyes shifted from the paper to the pair of strong legs standing a few inches away from her. Her gaze moved up his broad shoulders and well-fitted suit. He looked hardly a day above thirty, with dark hair falling on the side of his face.

"Hi, Desiree Hilton." She stepped forward to introduce herself. Instead of replying, he kept looking ahead. "Are you here for the interview?" She asked again, receiving no response.

"Well, if you are, then good luck. I've heard that the CEO is a tough nut to crack!" She added.

For a moment, he turned his neck to look at Desiree as his eyes darkened. "Really?" he asked.

"I am sure he is one of those men in their late sixties who own dogs and stay alone in a big mansion," she said. "But you don't have to worry about it as I will be the one working for him."

"Hmm," he mumbled under his breath and turned his eyes back to the front.

"What? You don't think so? Have you looked at me? No one can resist a piece of this, not even that Lucifer" She smirked. It was meant as a joke, but for some reason, his jaw hardened.

"L-Lucifer…? Is that what everyone calls him?"

"Yeah. Lucifer, Devil—these are only some of the names my seniors and classmates have told me." She chuckled.

The man nodded in return and left the elevator when it stopped on the thirteenth floor, while Desiree remained inside until she reached the eighteenth floor and then stepped out of it.

Everybody on the floor was engrossed in their work. As she stepped forward, a woman came to ask her if she was one of the interviewees and then led her to a waiting area. Sitting beside a guy of her age, she began tapping her feet on the marbled floor.

Almost ten minutes had passed when suddenly, havoc emerged on the floor. Everybody started rushing to and fro, reorganizing things and settling at their desks.

Desiree stood up and walked into the hallway to have a clearer look at what was happening.

"What the hell are you doing here? Are you trying to get me fired?" the woman she met earlier said to her in panic.

"What is happening?" Desiree asked, noticing everybody in their frantic state.

"Mr. Rothschild has arrived. So if you love your life, go sit in your spot," the woman said.

Narrowing her eyes in confusion, Desiree went back to her seat and sat down with the others here for the interview.

As the man arrived through the hallway, many people surrounded him at once, informing him of today's projects and other supposedly important things. Curiosity piqued in Desiree, and she tried to catch his glimpse, but the crowd around him didn't let her. Soon, he was out of her sight, and everybody released the breath they were holding in unison.

Is it too late to run now?

For the next few minutes, Desiree kept sitting there like a statue, too anxious to even breathe. After about fifteen minutes, her name was called for the interview, and her heart started racing in her chest.

Bracing herself, she straightened her coat and walked forward towards the conference hall where the interviews were being held. All the people on the floor were looking at her with pity, as if she was a cow being taken to the slaughterhouse.

He can't be that bad, can he? After all, he is just a human being. Right?

As her feet finally reached the conference hall, she ran her fingers through her hair and exhaled deeply. Plastering a confident smile on her face, she entered through the glass door, and that's when her gaze landed on the familiar man she met earlier in the elevator.

"Shit..." The word left her mouth before she could control it.

All three pairs of eyes moved towards her; one belonging to Lucifer himself and the other two to two old men sitting on her sides. Desiree couldn't care less about the other two as the only focus of her attention was the man she just called Lucifer and Devil to his face some time ago.

“I do not tolerate profanity in my presence, Ms. Hilton.” His cold, distant voice echoed in the room.