Sometimes your brain gets in the way of what your heart really wants to say.

Kiana took in a deep breath as she stared for a slight second at the young woman holding the door open for her. After making sure she was okay, she took gentle steps into the office. Eventually, she came to a standstill, as though frozen, staring at the man a bit farther from her with his head bent, focused in his work. Suddenly, the door was shut behind making her startled. After taking a look behind her, she realized the young woman had shut the door without giving her a warning.

Well, that's rude.

Kiana concluded within her. She sighed as she finally decided to march on forward, her shoes making her a bit uncomfortable. Her heels weren't as high as anyone might expect, but there was a clear difference in hers and her roommate's shoe size. Kiana had convinced her roommate that she could manage her way through the interview putting on the shoes. Her roommate had opposed to it, but Kiana wouldn't back down. The consequences of her stubbornness were gradually coming to surface but she wouldn't give in so easily.

You could've gotten a new one that fits perfectly.

Her subconscious told her but she shook it off. The money she could've spent on buying a pair of shoes could go a long way in paying up a little of her debt. She didn't have the luxury of buying herself anything. She could very well still manage.

She took in a deep breath to calm her racing heart and nerves that threatened to fail her, as she finally stood in front of his table. Kiana didn't even want to think of what she would do if she doesn't get the job. This wasn't the first company she had attempted since she graduated from college with a degree in Business Administration. She had tried several others, but was always told there was no position to accommodate her. Eventually, she gave up and settled with menial jobs. When she came across the advert on the newspaper stating that the CEO to the fastest growing Italian wine company known as Edoardo Vineyards, now based in the U.S., was looking for a personal assistant, she knew she had to give it a chance. It was worth a try and the pay would go a long way in covering up a bit of her debts compared to her menial jobs; but now, standing in front of this man whose face she hadn't spared a second due to her busy schedule to find out much about, her will was starting to waver. The thought of ifs filled her mind.

"You may have your seat." He told her without looking up to her.

"Thank you, sir." She appreciated before gently pulling a chair backwards and then having her seat, as calmly as she could.

Sir.

He thought of the word she just used and amusement filled him but he tried his best not to let it show. He put up a serious face. The world, indeed, was a small place. He self assured himself of his capabilities and of the fact that her presence meant nothing to him. The past is in the past. This is the present. This is a new him. This is Enrico Vos, CEO of Edoardo Vineyards and not the nerdy looking kid he was, nine years ago.

He raised his head, as well as his eyes up to her. Within a few seconds, he subconsciously did a thorough scanning of the physical part which weren't covered by her clothing.

Kiana Stuart hasn't changed much. She was still as beautiful as he remembered, with a face shaped like an oval. Her face looked a little older and wearier than the image he recalled. There was evidence of stress on her face. He thought of the fact that she might not have had it easy in life since they parted ways. He hadn't bothered on finding out what happened in her life since their separation. Her hair was still a colour of light golden, which she tried her best to tuck all in to the back. A few stubborn strands escaped from the pack making her entire work look a bit messy. Her lips weren't as full and protruding as most modern women love it to be. Hers was thin with a shade of light pink lipstick applied on it. Inwardly, he gave a light snort at her shady attempt at makeup. Yes, he wasn't a woman but the lot he had been with did a good job at masquerading their faces. The woman right here clearly did nothing except apply a bit of blush and lipstick to help her face light up a bit. Enrico wondered if she knew her attempt at makeup did little to hide the writing on her face. His eyes travelled down her neck away from her face but he couldn't get a better look of it as the collar of her shirt covered most of it. All he could see was a seemingly shadow of it. He gave up on any further view of her neck. Going further down, he didn't fail to notice her breasts; but just like her neck, he couldn't get a good look at her cleavage which was hidden away by her buttoned up shirt. Sad.

He looked away from her for a second wondering if she even recalled him at all. Perhaps, he had changed so much that she couldn't make out the little needy boy he once was, is now the person running a growing multi-billion company. Well, he concluded it was best. He looked down to her file below him and read through. Apparently, her résumé was filled up. She had tried almost every job there is and managed to finish school. He thought for a second on how to begin.

"You graduated at the top of your class and seemed to have tried almost every job there is... My question, Miss Stuart, is, why are you here?" He asked, as he relaxed back on his seat watching her.

He watched her lurk her eyes left and right for a second. Possibly, searching for the right answer. He waited patiently, ready to hear her reply.

She gave a light sigh as if to ease her nerves as she got ready to reply.

"Truthfully... most of the jobs I did were part times from way before I started college." She explained, her voice sounding a bit shaky in her own ears. Nevertheless, she knew she needed to continue.

The expression on his face didn't seem to change much and she worried if that was a good sign or a bad one. Either way, she had to continue, so she somehow drew in the breath she needed to go on and then continued.

"After graduation, I eventually got a job at a small retail company but after a few months, they shut down due to bankruptcy." She told him trying her best to sound a bit more confident than she did earlier. Not needy or pitiful, just experienced.

"Afterwards, I couldn't seem to find a vacant office work and my bills were pilling so I settled to menial jobs till I saw your advert on the newspaper. I knew I had to get this job." She finally rounded up keeping a straight face.

She waited patiently for, at least, a word from him but instead she got nothing. All she got was a strange stare from him. She tried her best to meet his eyes. For him to know she wasn't scared and that she was confident enough about her replies; but for some reason, it felt quite weird. There was something about his eyes that suddenly started giving off a different vibe. It felt like a sense of déjà vu which shouldn't be so. She could swear she had never met this man before in her entire life; then why does it oddly feel like this isn't the first time that she's looking into those eyes.

Suddenly, he looked away from her, twirling his pen in between his fingers. He relaxed back on his seat as he quickly tried to gather his thoughts. He wasn't supposed to get carried away at all. It was just hearing her voice after nine years brought back memories. Nine years later, he has finally gotten the chance to look into the eyes of the woman who broke his heart. After all, then, it was just nothing but a crush. He knew he was over her. He convinced himself of that but somehow, there was a strange lingering feeling.

"What makes you think that you deserve to have this job better than the applicants who walked in here today?" He finally posed a question after what seemed like ages of hesitation, as he turned his eyes back to her direction.

"It's like you said, I was at the top of my class which speaks a lot about my capabilities. I'm hardworking and trustworthy." She explained and watched as his face remained the same. All she got was a little tilting of his head to the side as if somewhat doubting her words. She knew she shouldn't dismiss his every expression to her own conclusion. It might mean something different, but then again, she wasn't going to take her chances.

"If it would put your mind to rest, you can call up some of the places I worked at." She stated confidently refusing to show any fear; but deep down, she was extremely nervous. She knew she really shouldn't, considering this isn't her first interview but she couldn't help it. This isn't a diner or one of the shop's she applied to work in. This is a big company and so getting the job of an assistant to the biggest shot of the company was clearly a big deal for her. She always knew she couldn't work a menial job for the rest of her life; at least, not if she ever wants to get out of her present situation.

He remained silent, staring at her for what seemed like minutes. He had to admit. He wasn't expecting such a reply. She had a strange fire within her, desperate to silence him which put him to thoughts. Kiana was definitely the same person he knew years ago. Her little statement had given a bit detail about her life in the last years. There had seemingly been struggles in her life. He thought for a second, if all that happened was karma. She had definitely treated him badly. She had embarrassed him in front of the whole school and till this very day, he hasn't gotten any explanation as to why that act was for. On the other hand, she's the only woman who walked in here this day and hasn't tried to seduce him.

"Are you married, Miss Stuart?" He suddenly asked, causing her eyes to widen a bit in surprise. He knew she was taken aback by the question, but he was going to take advantage of this opportunity to find out what he wants. Her marital status could also be in her file but he wanted to find out more on his own. He knew he shouldn't ask such questions. There was no need for that. She was definitely in his past. These were questions that lurked around the shadows of his mind.

"N-no." She managed to reply, a bit shocked by his question.

"Have you ever been married in the past?"

"I'm not sure, Mr. Vos, that these questions are appropriate for this interview."

"I'll tell you what is and what not is appropriate for this interview. You need a job and I need an assistant, so if I were you, Miss Stuart, I'll start answering. Your replies might cost you an opportunity to work here." He threatened as he immediately sat up. He had no idea why he was acting this way but for some reason, he was. The tables had turned and he was going to take advantage of being the head.

She gulped down as an uncomfortable feeling slowly engulfed her body. She nervously rubbed her palms together which rested on her laps.

"No, I've never been married." She simply replied as she looked away from his eyes. She hated her helpless state.

"Any present relationship?" He asked which made her raise her eyes to meet his. She couldn't understand what her past has got to do with this job. She folded her palms into a fist. This man in front of her was clearly taking advantage of his position and she, on the other hand, was helpless. She needs this job and was going to try everything possible to get it, including swallowing down her pride.

"No, sir!" She replied, her eyes still maintaining his eye level.

A light but silent sigh escaped his lips. It was one he knew nothing about having withheld. Was he crossing his limits with his questions? He preferred to believe he wasn't. He is the boss here and she is the applicant. All his questions and her replies could actually affect her ability to obtain the position she was applying for.