.・゜-: ✧ :-　

.・゜-: ✧ :-　　　

T

he building towered over the cityscape, its sleek glass walls gleaming in the morning light. It was an embodiment of power, wealth, and success—an image that made the newly arrived Lisa Manobal feel both excited and nervous.

"Yes. Stop here," Lisa said to the cab driver, her voice steady despite the flutters in her stomach. She stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement as she turned to face the driver who looked at her with raised eyebrows.

"Ma'am, you work here?" the driver asked, awe evident in his voice. "Everyone knows how difficult it is to get into this law firm—‘Kautilya,’ right?"

Lisa couldn't help but grin, her nerves momentarily forgotten. "Today is my first day," she said, her tone betraying both pride and anxiety.

The driver gave a knowing nod, then added, "I’ve heard the boss in there is… scary."

Lisa’s grin faltered, replaced by a nervous tension. The driver’s words hit her hard, intensifying her already heightened nerves. She shot the driver an unintentional glare, her mind racing with the rumors she'd heard.

"Great," she muttered under her breath as she approached the entrance, her grip tightening on the strap of her bag.

As soon as she entered the building, the atmosphere shifted. The lobby was opulent—marble floors gleamed under crystal chandeliers, while the walls were lined with sleek, modern art. Everything about the place screamed class and sophistication, making Lisa feel even smaller.

Her eyes fell on the receptionist, who greeted her with a bright, professional smile. “Good morning! How can I help you?” she asked in a polite, formal tone.

Lisa bit her lip nervously, stepping closer to the desk. “Today is my first day here,” she mumbled, trying not to sound as anxious as she felt.

The receptionist glanced down at a paper on her desk, then back at Lisa. “LaLisa Manobal?” she confirmed.

“Yes, that’s me,” Lisa replied, smiling nervously.

“Please have a seat. Ma'am will be here in about ten minutes.”

Lisa glanced at the clock—it was still ten minutes to nine. She nodded, muttering a quick “thank you” before walking over to the nearby couch.

As she sat, she observed the office, the light-hearted atmosphere somewhat calming her nerves. Employees around her were chatting, laughing, and sipping coffee. Their ease momentarily settled her jitters, but that calm was short-lived.

The sound of a vehicle pulling up outside shattered the casual air. A sudden hush fell over the room. The light-hearted banter ceased, replaced by silence and tension. The atmosphere thickened.

Lisa’s eyes darted to the entrance. A sleek black car had pulled up, and one of the guards swiftly opened the door. Out stepped a figure that instantly commanded attention.

Cha Y/N.

Her tailored black suit clung to her slender frame, exuding an air of professionalism and power. The crisp white shirt beneath the jacket added to her sharp, calculated appearance. As she walked, her heels clicked with a sense of authority. Her jet-black hair cascaded down her back, every strand perfectly in place, and her eyes—though hidden behind dark designer sunglasses—were rumored to be as cold and piercing as her reputation.

Lisa gulped. So, this is her.

Everyone in the room straightened instinctively, standing in alert silence as Cha Y/N passed by. Her face was expressionless—perfectly composed, giving nothing away. Despite her ethereal beauty, there was something about her presence that radiated power and control, a force that made people stand still.

Lisa, trying to contain her nerves, whispered under her breath, "So… this is the woman everyone fears."

The employees chorused their greetings, “Good morning, ma’am,” as Y/N walked by, but she only gave the slightest nod, acknowledging them without stopping. She moved with grace, confidence oozing from her every step. The mere sound of her heels seemed to echo dominance, as though she owned not only the building but everyone in it.

Lisa watched in awe as Y/N made her way to the private elevator reserved only for her use. She tried to catch up but quickly realized her mistake, darting toward the regular elevator reserved for employees. She didn’t dare make the error of entering the same one as her boss.

Inside the employee elevator, Lisa's heart was still racing. Her mind flashed with all the stories she’d heard about Cha Y/N. Every aspiring law student worshipped her—a genius in the courtroom who never lost a case. But that brilliance came with an edge—Y/N was also known for her ruthlessness. Rumor had it she could destroy someone’s career with a single word. Her connections in politics were legendary, and it was said that she had enough dirt on powerful people to bring down empires.

And she didn’t hesitate to use it.

Lisa fidgeted with her bag strap, the weight of her decision to work here settling heavily on her shoulders. Am I really ready for this? she wondered.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft ding of the elevator doors opening. She stepped out, walking towards her department, but her mind was still spinning with everything she'd just witnessed. The legendary Cha Y/N had a presence that not even the highest-ranking officials could rival.

As she passed through the hallway, whispers followed her.

"Did you see her? She’s like a ghost—no emotion at all.”

"That’s what makes her terrifying. She doesn’t need emotion. Her mind is ten steps ahead of everyone."

Lisa heard these conversations in passing, a knot forming in her stomach. She had entered a world where power ruled, and Cha Y/N was its queen.

Suddenly, Lisa found herself standing outside the office where she’d start her new career. She straightened her back, took a deep breath, and reminded herself why she was here. This was her chance to learn from the best.

But as she stepped into the office, one thought kept echoing in her mind: Am I ready to work for the devil in disguise?

___________

Lisa gulped, standing stiffly outside Y/N's office door. She could feel her palms growing sweatier by the second. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door, her hand trembling slightly as she did.

"Come in," a sharp voice called from inside.

With that, Lisa slowly pushed the door open, her eyes immediately widening as she took in the room. The office was an exquisite blend of brown and grey, modern yet classic, with sleek wooden furniture that looked both elegant and intimidating. Her eyes trailed along the massive bookshelf that lined the wall behind Y/N's desk. It was packed with books—an almost intimidating number, but impressive all the same. Lisa knew Y/N’s reputation as an avid reader.

One of the first things anyone learned about Cha Y/N was her obsession with books and novels. Rumor had it that there was a library downtown that was cleared out every evening at 6 PM just for her private reading sessions. Y/N was highly intelligent, and everyone said her addiction to knowledge was what made her the most feared lawyer in all of South Korea.

"Done checking out my things?" The voice snapped Lisa out of her daze, her head whipping around to see Y/N sitting behind her desk, one eyebrow raised in amusement. Her sharp tone left no room for error.

Lisa flushed, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I-I'm sorry, ma'am," she stuttered, adjusting her glasses with a nervous hand. "Good morning. I'm Lalisa Manobal, your new assistant."

Y/N’s eyes, cold and piercing, locked onto Lisa. Her brown orbs were fierce, commanding attention, and they did exactly that—made Lisa feel smaller under their intense gaze.

Y/N glanced briefly at the file in front of her, then back at Lisa. "My new assistant," she mumbled as if the information were mildly interesting at best. Her eyes flicked back up to Lisa, who was visibly trembling under her scrutiny. But Y/N didn’t seem to care.

"If you’re done trembling, bring me my coffee," Y/N ordered, her attention already shifting to the laptop in front of her as if the conversation had ended.

Lisa didn’t need to be told twice. She spun around and rushed out of the room, feeling her heart racing. What have I gotten myself into? she thought as she dashed towards the kitchen area.

Back in her office, Y/N narrowed her eyes at her laptop’s reflection, adjusting her posture to study her appearance. Her sharp jawline and glossy skin stood out, a result of her self-care regimen. She smirked at her reflection, admiring the way her wavy hair framed her face. The dimples that formed when she smiled only added to her allure.

Y/N prided herself on her beauty and intellect. Why shouldn't she? She was self-obsessed, unapologetically so. She pampered herself regularly, went on self-dates, spent money lavishly on herself, and explored the world at her leisure. One thing was clear: she didn’t need anyone, least of all a man, to find her happiness.

"I don’t depend on anyone," she muttered under her breath as she switched on the television, keeping it muted as background noise while she sorted through a few files.

Men, in particular, disgusted her when they thought she owed them something. They’d offer help, only to remind her of their 'kindness' later, as if she were supposed to be grateful for it.

Y/N shook her head and focused on the paperwork in front of her. The soft knock on her door moments later signaled Lisa's return, this time holding a tray with a cup of coffee.

Lisa, trying to keep her composure, placed the cup gently on the desk. "Your coffee, ma'am," she said quietly, waiting for any form of response, but Y/N’s expression remained indifferent as she picked up the cup and took a sip.

Lisa fidgeted nervously. Was it good? Did Y/N hate it? The silence was unbearable.

Y/N continued sipping quietly, internally satisfied but far too prideful to admit it. No, her ego wouldn’t allow her to praise anyone that easily—especially a new assistant.

She can figure it out on her own, Y/N thought, placing the cup down and turning her attention to the news playing on the TV.

"That bitch! She ruined my brother’s life!" The voice on the screen caught Y/N’s attention immediately. She raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued.

The camera cut to a furious man getting into his car, his face red with anger. It was Choi Soobin, the younger brother of the businessman Y/N had recently brought to justice. His brother had been caught in a web of smuggling and human trafficking, and Y/N had made sure he paid for it in court.

The news reporter continued in a tone far too sympathetic for Y/N’s liking. "You can see how Mr. Choi is deeply affected by his brother’s imprisonment. He has publicly vowed to make lawyer Cha Y/N pay for her actions."

Y/N scoffed, leaning back in her chair. "Please," she muttered, shaking her head. Soobin was nothing but a hypocrite. She knew the truth—he didn’t care about his brother. Tonight, he’d be celebrating having taken over all of his brother’s properties and assets. A ‘secret’ party, as she’d heard from reliable sources.

"I guess the wrath of men knows no bounds," Y/N muttered with a smirk, turning her gaze to Lisa, who was still standing nervously by the desk. Lisa's face was pale, her eyes wide as if she feared for her life.

Y/N let her gaze linger on Lisa, amusement tugging at the corner of her lips. "You’re five minutes late with the coffee. I won’t tolerate that again," she said coldly. "Tomorrow, I expect it on my desk by 8:45 sharp."

Lisa quickly nodded, her voice shaking. "Y-Yes, ma'am."

"Here are the files you need to study," Y/N continued, sliding a thick stack of papers across the desk towards Lisa. The sight of the files made Lisa’s heart sink. There were so many.

"Go through them thoroughly. I won’t repeat myself," Y/N ordered, her tone leaving no room for hesitation.

Lisa nodded again, gathering the files. She was about to leave when Y/N's voice stopped her. "And one more thing," Y/N added, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Next time, learn to stop wasting your time standing outside my office, rubbing your sweaty palms together. You’re here to work, not daydream."

Lisa’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment yet again as she stammered out a "Yes, ma'am" before quickly exiting the room.

As the door closed behind her, Lisa let out a shaky breath. She’s really a devil, she thought to herself, clutching the files tightly to her chest.

Meanwhile, Y/N chuckled softly, watching Lisa leave. Let's see how long this one lasts, she mused, turning her attention back to the television, a satisfied smirk still playing on her lips.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

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