Nineteen.

The second the elevator car doors slide open. I exit, turning left, unsure of my destination. I notice a small sign directing me to the ladies room and I follow it.

The want to be free of his presence is intense.

The raunchy thoughts racing through my mind have no business being there, given I am here on a Castello-assigned mission. I've been in Aydem's company for the entirety of, what?

Five minutes.

And already I am hot and flustered.

I enter the ladies room, depositing my bag onto the opulent basin and turning on the cold water. I splash it all over my face in an attempt to chill my hot cheeks and restore their natural colour tone.

As I turn the tap off, I raise my eyes to the mirror, concentrating on my breathing and recalling the new Identity I've been given.

Clara, Clara Cross, is the name I've been given. My new nickname is C.C. I reside three blocks away in the newly constructed and furnished 'Harding and Jet' apartment complex.

I take the key card from my handbag and examine it again while I recall the conversation I had with Castello this morning when he delivered it to me.

~ Several Hours Ago ~

"This is for you to keep," Castello stated as he extended a plastic card bearing a room number.

I took it from him, flipping it over. I examined it thoroughly. "What am I going to use this for?" I inquired as I raised my eyes.

"That is a part of your cover. The address has already been submitted together with the details of your personal application. We can't give him the opportunity to track you down and link you to us." He responded while leaning against the kitchen countertop with his arms folded against his broad chest.

"Is it really necessary for me to stay here?" I questioned, my brows furrowed as I raised the card. "That was not included in the deal." My voice trembled with worry as I feared I would be separated from Sandro.

"Non lo sei. (You're not). However, he may wish to drop you off and possibly come up for a caffè (coffee). The place has been meticulously prepared, and it appears as though you have been living there for a while now." Castello went into depth about all the possible outcomes, and the more I listened, the more I began to see his logic.

"The front desk staff have been compensated well to alert you of any guests, and because the apartment complex is only two blocks away, you may show up and appear to have just returned from a run." He stated reassuringly that he had taken care of everything and that all I needed to do was earn Aydems trust in order to take the pair of shoes.

~Returning To The Present, Where I Ruminate About Myself ~

I am single and studying at a university in the Arts department. I've also previously chosen to take a year off from studying at the M.I.T Auckland University as I've recently split up with my boyfriend.

Using this opportunity to gain experience as a personal assistant for future references. I'm an Aries, I don't [refuse] to drive, and I have a fatal shellfish allergy.

My phone's alarm goes off, reminding me that I should be at my desk by now. I pick up my handbag and gaze in the mirror one last time before taking a big breath and exiting the ladies room.

I enter the 'Burak Legacy Designers' department of the building. Before me is a bulletproof glass wall that frames the reception area's twin doors.

As she sits behind a crescent-shaped desk, I show my ID card through the glass wall to the receptionist. She nods, pressing the button, and when the green light flashes, I enter. I fasten my ID card to the breast pocket of my white silky blouse.

'Hi." When I walk in, I greet her with a smile, admiring the pastel-coloured streaks running through her black thick hair, which is trimmed into a beautiful straight bob that is shorter in the back.

"You have to be Clara." She inquires, a pleasant smile on her face.

"Yeah, I'm not late, am I?"

"Actually, you're just in time. Mr Burak has not yet come out to visit you. So you might want to go to your desk."

"Great." With a wave, I enter the corridor to the left of the reception desk and continue it all the way to the end, where I take another left turn.

I'm greeted by a little room on my right with the word 'Assistant' written on the door and a large room in front of me with a gold plaque attached to the door and Aydem Burak inscribed in black on it.

I open the door to my office. A large desk takes up 80% of the space and I walk over to it, dropping my bag into the bottom draw. I boot up the computer, placing my phone on the desk and walk to the window that I assume lets me see into Mr Burak's office.

The blinds have been turned down and when I carefully lift one to have a sneaky peek. I gasp when his eyes collide with mine. I quickly step away from the window and sit behind my desk with wide eyes as I try to remember to breathe.

A tap at the window follows seconds later, and I remain in my seat, glaring at it. I'm hoping my ears are playing tricks on me and the tapping will stop. It doesn't, and the tapping grows more insistent, and I curse quietly as I slowly rise from my chair and draw open the blinds.

As I stare back at him, his Emerald green eyes penetrate into mine. When he recognises me, an arrogant grin creeps across his face, and I lick my dry lips, tucking my bottom lip between my teeth as I gradually lose myself in the depths of his irises.

He slightly loosens the tie around his neck before running his fingers across his face. "Feel free to come in and see me." Before he turns around, he says in his seductive accent.

I observe as he strides to his desk, turns around, and leans against the edge, his hands also resting on the surface.

"Fuck me!" I whisper to myself in hushed tones, meaning every word.

And when he cocks a brow, I pray to the Gods that he didn't hear me before averting my eyes as I make my way to his office.