Eva stood in front of the mirror in the company bathroom, adjusting the collar of her blouse for what felt like the hundredth time. Her reflection stared back at her with anxious eyes, a sharp contrast to the composed, professional outfit she had chosen. A deep breath later, she smoothed her skirt and reminded herself of all the preparation she’d done. She had studied every detail she could about the company, memorized potential questions, and rehearsed her answers. And yet, the nervous butterflies still fluttered persistently in her stomach.

"You’ve got this, Eva. It’s just an interview," she whispered to herself, trying to push the anxiety aside as she walked out and sat in a chair.

As she scrolled through some last-minute notes on her phone, a familiar voice broke her concentration. Andrew’s smirk was evident even before she looked up.

“The interview won’t be so easy, you know. Don’t waste your time playing phone games,” he teased, leaning casually against the doorframe, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

Eva’s irritation flared as she shot him a look. “I’m not playing games. I’m preparing,” she replied, holding up her phone to show him her study notes.

Andrew raised an eyebrow, unimpressed but amused. “Good. Just remember, don’t let it slip that we’re married. The company doesn’t need to know about us.” His tone was casual, but the underlying command in his words made Eva’s pulse race for a different reason.

Married. The word still felt surreal to her, even though they’d exchanged vows a few days ago. The circumstances of their marriage were complicated, far from the romantic dream she once imagined. Now here she was, about to interview for a position at his company, the one where she’d have to pretend to be just another applicant.

“Don’t worry,” she muttered, trying to hide her unease. “I know how to keep secrets.”

Andrew nodded, his eyes lingering on her for a moment before he straightened. “Good luck, Eva. I’m sure you’ll do fine.” He turned to leave, pausing only to add, “And don’t expect any special treatment.”

Eva rolled her eyes as she watched him walk away, his confident stride carrying him towards the elevator. Shaking off her irritation, she made her way to the receptionist’s desk. The woman behind the counter glanced up at her with a polite smile.

“Hi, I’m Eva Foster and I’m here for an interview,” Eva said, her voice steady even though her heart was racing.

The receptionist’s smile faltered as she checked her schedule. “I’m sorry, but there’s no interview scheduled under your name.”

Confusion clouded Eva’s mind, but before she could respond, she saw Andrew entering the elevator from the corner of her eye. He didn’t even glance back. Typical.

Just then, a man approached her, his expression formal yet warm. “Ms. Eva Foster, please follow me. I’m Edward Perkins, Mr. King’s personal assistant,” he introduced himself, guiding her toward a waiting area. “Mr. King will be here shortly, so I’ll need you to wait for a few minutes.”

Eva sat down, trying to calm her racing heart. She could feel the pressure mounting as she imagined the faces she’d soon be facing. Despite everything, she gave herself a quiet pep talk. You’ve prepared for this. You can do it. Just breathe.

When the moment finally came, Eva was escorted into a sleek, modern room. At the center of the room was a large table where several people sat, their eyes immediately fixating on her. The weight of their gazes made her palms damp with nerves, but she forced herself to focus.

One of the interviewers began the formalities, but was quickly interrupted by Edward’s voice. “Mr. King will be joining us shortly.”

Eva’s stomach dropped. What is he up to? she wondered, feeling her anxiety spike. She glanced nervously toward the door, her mind racing. Andrew wasn’t just her husband—he was the CEO of the company. Was this all part of some test?

Meanwhile, in the corner of the room, Andrew leaned back in his chair, a subtle grin tugging at his lips. He was watching. He wanted to see how she handled the pressure, how skilled she really was. Let’s see how talented you are, my dear wife, he mused, crossing his arms as he waited for the show to unfold.

The interview began, and despite her nerves, Eva found herself slipping into the rhythm of the questions. She answered confidently, recalling everything she had studied. As each question came, she felt her confidence grow. She noticed the nods of approval, the way the interviewers exchanged impressed glances. Even with Andrew’s shadow looming over her, she knew she was doing well.

When the final question was asked, another interviewer leaned forward and thanked her for her time, assuring her that they’d let her know if she passed. Eva gave them a polite smile, her heartbeat steady as she thanked them in return.

From his hidden vantage point, Andrew listened intently. She’d exceeded his expectations, answering with a poise that intrigued him. He could tell she would be a valuable asset, though he’d never admit it out loud just yet.

As the interviewers began to deliberate, they discussed Eva’s potential. “She’s smart, clearly prepared,” one commented. “She could be a great addition to the team.”

Another nodded. “Perhaps as Mr. King’s assistant?”

Andrew finally stood, listening to their praise with an unreadable expression. He agreed internally, though his lips remained sealed. As he walked out of the room, he found Eva waiting in the hallway, her eyes filled with curiosity.

“Well?” she asked, her voice laced with hesitancy. “How did I do?”

Andrew’s response was casual, almost dismissive. “Just okay.”

Eva’s brow furrowed in disappointment. “Just okay?” she repeated, not sure if she should feel relieved or concerned.

He shrugged nonchalantly. “Were you expecting something more?”

Before she could press further, he smoothly changed the subject. “By the way, Irene wants you to go shopping with her. I can drop you off at the mall if you’d like.”

Eva sighed, watching as he led the way toward the exit. His cool demeanor was always such a mystery to her. As she waited for him to pick her up later at the entrance of the company, she couldn’t help but wonder. How do I make this man, my husband, fall in love with me?

But for now, she had to focus on surviving life with Andrew King—and the secrets they were forced to keep.