The interview room at Star Entertainment was bright, modern, and intimidating in equal measure.
Jasmine sat with both hands folded neatly over her handbag, forcing herself to breathe evenly despite the nervous flutter in her chest. A long conference table separated her from the three interviewers seated opposite her, each with a copy of the résumé she had painstakingly prepared.
Or rather...Maliyah’s résumé.
Every time one of them flipped a page, Jasmine felt another bead of sweat gather at the back of her neck.
The woman seated in the center adjusted her glasses before looking up.
“Miss Maliyah Gallo?”
Jasmine nodded calmly. “Ye?”
“We’ve gone through your application.”The woman exchanged a glance with the other two interviewers before continuing.
“According to your résumé, you graduated with a degree in Arts Management.”
“That’s right.”
The interviewer smiled politely. “May I ask why you’re applying for the position of Assistant Music Director?”
Jasmine had anticipated the question.
“I’ve always been passionate about music.”
One of the male interviewers tapped his pen against the résumé. “Passion alone isn’t usually enough.”
He looked directly at her. “The role requires a strong musical background. You don’t possess a degree in music.”
Another interviewer added; “Nor have you worked professionally as a music director before.”
Silence settled over the room.
Jasmine knew this was the critical moment.
If she stumbled now, everything would end before it even began.
She took a slow breath. “I understand your concerns.”
The confidence in her voice surprised even herself. “My degree may not be in music but my ability is.”
The three interviewers looked intrigued.
“What do you mean?”
Jasmine straightened her back. “I’ve studied piano since childhood, I can read scores. I’ve arranged music. I’ve accompanied performances.” She paused briefly. “I simply never obtained a formal degree.”
The oldest interviewer leaned back thoughtfully. “That’s easy enough to claim.”
Jasmine smiled. “I know. So...” She gestured toward the grand piano positioned in the corner of the room. “Would you allow me to prove it?”
The interviewers exchanged surprised looks.
None of them had expected such confidence.
After a brief discussion among themselves, the woman nodded. “Go ahead.”
Jasmine rose from her seat. Her heartbeat quickened with every step toward the piano.
The polished black instrument reflected her nervous expression. She gently lifted the fallboard.
Her fingers hovered over the ivory keys.
For one terrifying second, her mind went blank.
Then muscle memory returned. She closed her eyes.
The first note floated through the room. The melody gradually blossomed into something vibrant and emotional, filling every corner of the interview room.
Her fingers danced effortlessly across the keyboard.
The music rose then fell and soared again.
Each note carried warmth. Each chord carried feeling. The interviewers stopped taking notes altogether.
Instead, they simply listened.
Jasmine had spent countless lonely evenings practicing while everyone else slept. Those years hadn’t earned her a diploma.
But they had given her this.
When the final note faded into silence, the room remained quiet for several seconds.
No one spoke.
Finally, the oldest interviewer smiled. “That...was impressive.” He said as he applauded.
The other two quickly joined him.
Jasmine stood and bowed politely. “Thank you.”
The female interviewer folded her hands. “I’ll be honest. The position of Assistant Music Director has already been filled.”
Jasmine’s heart sank.
“But we’re currently looking for capable artist agents.”
Hope immediately returned.
She continued. “Many of our music department employees began as agents before transferring internally.”
Another interviewer nodded. “Your musical understanding would actually make you an excellent fit. If your performance meets expectations, an internal transfer can certainly be arranged.”
Jasmine blinked. “So...”
The woman smiled warmly. “We’d like to offer you the position.”
Relief washed over Jasmine so suddenly that she almost forgot to breathe.
“You’ve been hired.”
A grin spread across the interviewer’s face.
“Can you start tomorrow?”
Jasmine’s eyes brightened. “Yes. Absolutely.”
The interviewer extended a hand. “Welcome to Star Entertainment.”
Jasmine shook it with both of hers. “Thank you.”
This wasn’t exactly the position she’d hoped for but it was a beginning.
A chance.
And right now, that was more than enough.
*************
Meanwhile, several floors above, Dante Esteban had exhausted every ounce of patience he possessed.
He glanced at his watch again.
Nearly three hours.
Still no Marcel Ortega.
His irritation had long since turned into fury, he shoved his chair backward.
“I’m getting some air.”
His assistant immediately followed. The moment Dante stepped into the corridor, the cool air did little to calm him.
He loosened his tie with an impatient tug.
“What the hell is Marcel playing at...” He muttered under his breath.
As he turned the corner, a familiar figure entered his line of sight.
A slender young woman with long dark hair walked toward the elevators, clutching a handbag against her chest.
Dante froze. “Jasmine?”
His heartbeat skipped.
Even from behind, he could never mistake her.
Without another thought, he strode after her. “Jasmine!”
The woman stepped into the elevator just as the doors began closing. Dante broke into a run.
“Jasmine!”
Just before he reached the lift, someone called from behind.
“Mr Esteban.”
The man stepped directly into his path, Dante stopped abruptly.
His expression darkened. Marcel Ortega’s secretary bowed politely. “I’ve been looking for you.”
Dante frowned. “Can you give me a second...I have to...”
“I need to inform you of something first.”
Dante’s patience finally snapped. “I said...”
The secretary remained perfectly composed. “The acquisition meeting has been canceled.”
Dante stared at him. “What?”
“The negotiations are no longer necessary.”
“Why?”
“The company has already been sold.”
Dante blinked once, not believing his ears. “Sold?”
“Yes.” His voice remained professional. “The ownership transfer has already been completed.”
A vein bulged faintly at Dante’s temple. “To whom?”
“I’m not authorized to disclose that information.”
His fists slowly clenched. “Contact Marcel right now.”
“I can’t do that, sir.”
Dante’s eyes turned frighteningly cold. “You can’t or you won’t?”
The secretary lowered his head slightly.
“I’ve been instructed not to disturb Mr. Ortega.”
For several seconds, Neither man spoke.
Finally, Dante laughed.
It wasn’t a pleasant sound. “So...” He adjusted his cufflinks. “I’ve wasted half my day here?”
“I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”
Dante looked once toward the elevator Jasmine had entered. It was already gone.
His jaw tightened.
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
The secretary quietly released the breath he’d been holding.
*********
The underground parking garage was unusually quiet.
Jasmine stepped out of the elevator carrying the employment documents the company had handed her.
She couldn’t stop smiling.
She’d done it.
She finally had a job.
Her smile widened as she searched for Bruno’s familiar black Rolls-Royce.
She spotted it almost immediately.
Before she could reach the passenger door
The rear door opened andLeonardo stepped out.
His perfectly tailored black suit made him seem completely out of place in the dim concrete parking garage.
He walked toward her without a word, Jasmine instinctively stopped.
Leonardo’s eyes briefly landed on the folder in her hands.
“You got the job.”
It wasn’t a question.
She nodded happily. “I did.”
“Congratulations.” The simple words somehow sounded sincere coming from him.
He reached for her handbag. “I’ll carry it.”
Before Jasmine could object, he’d already taken it from her shoulder with practiced ease.
She blinked. “Thank you.”
Leonardo opened the rear door for her. “The wedding dress arrived.”
She looked up.
“We’re going to try it on.”
Her ears warmed. “So soon?”
“Our wedding banquet isn’t far away.” He spoke as though discussing an ordinary business schedule. “It should fit perfectly.”
Jasmine quietly climbed into the car.
Leonardo followed, closing the door behind him. The Rolls-Royce glided smoothly out of the parking space.
Only then did Jasmine steal a proper look at him.
She frowned slightly. There were still faint shadows beneath his eyes.
Dark circles.
Subtle but unmistakable.
He looked tired.
Her thoughts drifted back to last night, she remembered waking up, drowsily at some point in the night to find him standing alone by the window.
Unable to sleep, unable to come near her. The realization quietly settled inside her.
He hadn’t touched her.
Not because he’d changed his mind, But because he truly couldn’t.
An almost invisible sigh escaped her lips.
At least, she didn’t have to spend every night terrified that he might force himself on her.
The knot that had lived inside her chest since becoming his substitute bride loosened ever so slightly.
Leonardo’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
“What are you thinking about?”
She was startled. “No...Nothing.”
He turned to look at her. “You sighed.”
“I was just...” She searched desperately for an excuse. “thinking about work.”
Leonardo watched her for another second.
Then he simply hummed. “I see.”
Jasmine quickly looked out the window instead.
Hopefully, he hadn’t noticed what she’d really been thinking.
As the Rolls-Royce approached the exit of the underground garage, movement near the elevators caught Jasmine’s eye.
She froze.
Dante.
He had just emerged from the lift, his expression dark and impatient as he strode across the garage.
Jasmine instinctively stiffened.
Leonardo noticed immediately.
His gaze shifted from her face to the direction she was looking.
His voice remained calm. “You know him.”
It wasn’t a question.
Jasmine hesitated only briefly. “Yes. My ex-boyfriend.”
She didn’t see any reason to lie.
Leonardo looked through the tinted window at Dante’s retreating figure.
His expression revealed nothing.
No jealousy.
No surprise.
Only silence.
Then he reached into the inside pocket of his suit jacket.
Jasmine watched curiously as he removed a small white medicine bottle and unscrewed the cap.
Several pills rolled into his palm.
Without hesitation, he tossed them into his mouth before taking a sip from the bottle of water Bruno silently handed him from the front seat.
Jasmine frowned. “What medicine is that?”
Leonardo replaced the cap. “For mental illness.”
She stared at him, intently.
“What?” He looked at her with the faintest hint of amusement in his otherwise indifferent eyes. “I have severe mental illness.”
He gently shook the bottle. “Would you like some?”
Jasmine opened her mouth and closed it again.
She had absolutely no idea whether he was joking or telling the truth as he spoke so casually.
Seeing her speechless expression, the corner of Leonardo’s lips lifted almost imperceptibly.
For the briefest moment, the cold, untouchable CEO looked almost entertained.