Chapter 4

I barely recognized the woman staring back at me in the mirror.

For a moment, I stood there in complete silence, searching my own reflection for some trace of the Athena Mallway I had known all my life.

But she was gone.

In her place stood a sophisticated brunette with long bangs, and a polished appearance, She looked like someone who belonged in corporate offices and luxury boardrooms not in an old cabin hidden in the countryside.

She looked nothing like me.

I turned to Blake, who appeared just as stunned as I was.

“This is insane,” I whispered.

He stepped closer and placed his hands firmly on my shoulders.

“I want you to walk into that company with your head held high,” he said. “I want you to become their worst nightmare. Don’t get distracted. Stay focused and remember why you’re doing this.”

Before I knew it, I had wrapped my arms around him.

“Thank you,” I murmured, my voice breaking. “Thank you so much. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for everything you’ve done for my sisters and me. I’m more grateful than you know.”

Blake hugged me back.

“You don’t have to thank me,” he said softly. “What they did to your family was unforgivable. They deserve to pay.”

I pulled away and met his gaze.

“And I will make them pay.”

A satisfied smile crossed his face.

“Good. Now let’s get you ready for your first day. Dexter is no longer the boy you used to know, so prepare yourself for whatever comes next.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Are you ready?”

I inhaled deeply.

“Yes, I am.”

Blake and I spent the next several hours reviewing every detail of my new identity.

He taught me how Mia Roberts should walk, speak, and carry herself. He explained the social world I was stepping into and how to navigate it without drawing attention.

Most importantly, he warned me about Dexter.

“Do not get distracted,” he repeated.

Those words echoed in my mind as I prepared for my first day.

“Whoa! You look amazing!”

“Oh my God,” June gasped. “I had no idea you could clean up this nicely.”

“Ouch!”

I turned and threw a pillow at June , She caught it effortlessly and tossed it at July.

“You didn’t tell us much about this new job,” July said suspiciously.

“Is it something illegal?” June asked, narrowing her eyes. “I know we’re broke, but we are not that desperate. What kind of job requires you to change your entire appearance?”

I laughed softly while adjusting my glasses.

“I already told you. I’m working as a personal assistant for a top company. The salary is incredible, I work eight hours a day, and the office is in the heart of the city. What more do you need to know?”

“I need both of you to focus on school, work hard, and leave everything else to me. Understood?”

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then they nodded.

“Good.” I grabbed my handbag and a packet of sandwiches. “I have to go now. Call me when you get settled into your dorm.”

I blew them kisses and rushed out the door.

“Hello there.”

I nearly jumped at the sound of Blake’s voice.

“Blake? What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to pick you up,” he said, leaning across the passenger seat to open the door. “It’s your first day.”

I hurried into the car.

“Am I late? I think I already missed the bus. Am I in trouble?”

He chuckled.

“No, you’re not late, and you’re not in trouble. We’ll be there in less than five minutes.”

Unfortunately, fate had other plans.

Traffic was at a complete standstill due to an accident on the main road.

Five minutes turned into thirty.

By the time we finally reached the company, my nerves were in shreds.

Blake dropped me off a few buildings away from the company headquarters.

As I stepped out, he rolled down his window.

“You’re going to do an amazing job,” he said. “Call me if you need anything.”

I smiled.

“Thank you so much for the ride. Have a great day.”

“You too.”

He drove away, leaving me alone.

I turned slowly to face the towering building before me.

This had once been my father’s company.

Even after all the renovations and rebranding, I recognized the structure immediately. I had visited too many times as a child to ever forget it.

“Miss? You’re not allowed to stand there.”

I turned to find a security guard watching me.

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“Are you looking for someone?”

“Yes.” I adjusted my glasses. “I’m Mia Roberts, Mr. Dexter El Camino’s new assistant.”.

“Of course. Here is your access card. Mr. El Camino asked me to give it to you when you arrived.”

He glanced at his watch.

“You are late, though. More than an hour late.”

“There was traffic,” I said apologetically.

He led me inside.

“Mr. El Camino is already in his office. Take the elevator to the third floor. His office is the first door on your right.”

“Thank you.”

The moment he walked away, I drew in a deep breath.

Athena would have stood frozen, overwhelmed by memories.

But Athena wasn’t here.

Mia Roberts was.

I lifted my chin and stepped into the elevator.

I had seen countless photos of Dexter online over the years.

He was everywhere—business magazines, interviews, charity galas, social events.

He had aged remarkably well.

If anything, he was even more handsome now than he had been sixteen years ago.

The same could not be said for me.

As the elevator doors slid open, I practiced my neutral expression one last time.

Then I walked down the hallway and stopped in front of the first office on the right.

Through the glass walls, I could see him seated behind his desk, eyes fixed on his computer screen.

My heart pounded violently.

“You can do this, Athena,” I whispered to myself. “Remember who you’re doing this for.”

I summoned every ounce of courage and knocked.

“Come in.”

His voice was deeper than I remembered.

I stepped inside.

“Good morning, sir. My name is Mia Roberts, and I am your new assistant.”

Without looking up, he said, “I know who you are, I didn’t ask you to introduce yourself .”

My heart sank for a split second.

Had he recognized me?

Then he finally raised his eyes to mine.

“Why are you late, Miss Roberts? Is this how you intend to begin your employment?”

“I… the traffic was unusually heavy.”

“If you plan to work for me, get rid of your excuses,” he said coldly. “Excuses are useless to me. They only reveal how unreliable you are.”

Some things never changed.

Dexter El Camino was still just as arrogant and sharp-tongued as he had been as a teenager.

“My apologies, sir. It won’t happen again.”

He leaned back in his chair.

“Two more strikes and you’re fired. Understood?”

I nodded immediately.

“Understood.”

“Good.”

He folded his hands on the desk.

“Now, let’s discuss your responsibilities.”

As he outlined my duties, managing his schedule, screening calls and emails, organizing confidential documents, coordinating travel, and handling both professional and personal tasks, I listened carefully.

Every word only confirmed one thing.

This was exactly where I needed to be.

When he finally finished, he fixed me with an unwavering stare.

“I expect punctuality, discretion, and absolute competence. I do not repeat myself. I do not chase employees. And I do not reward mediocrity.”

He leaned forward, his dark eyes locking onto mine.

“My time is valuable, Miss Roberts. Do not waste it.”

Then he picked up another file and dismissed me with a flick of his hand.

“Your desk is outside my office. You are to be available at all times. Do you understand?”

“I understand.”

“Good.”

His gaze returned to the papers in front of him.

“Your job starts now…Leave my office .”