To Love A Villain-Chapter 184: I Got A Job

>>Amber

Amongst all my misery, I hadn’t expected to get a job so quickly. And yet, here I was, grabbing my bag and heading down the stairs to meet with someone about a position. I paused in the lounge, where my little brother, Ron, was sprawled out on the couch, flipping through his phone without a care in the world. When he saw me, he glanced up, raising a hand in a lazy wave. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Yo," He said casually. "Good luck."

I narrowed my eyes, already suspicious. "What did you do, Ron?" I asked, knowing full well that he had something to do with me landing this job in the first place.

He smirked and shrugged, as if it were no big deal. "A friend of mine told me about a job opening, so I sent in your CV. You’re welcome."

I sighed, rubbing my temples. " Seriously?"

He sat up a little, still grinning. "Come on, the pay’s good. Besides, you’re the one who said you needed a job as soon as possible. This is as fast as it gets."

I couldn’t argue with that. Still, the idea was a bit overwhelming, especially because I hadn’t even been told what position I would be working at. Ron told me he didn’t know either and that when I get to the office they’ll tell me.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Yeah, thanks, I guess." With that, I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed out the door, bracing myself for whatever was ahead.

The walk to the office felt longer than it should have. My thoughts kept swirling around the fact that I was about to start something I wasn’t entirely sure I was ready for.

When I arrived,

My breath caught in my throat as I stared up at the enormous building towering above me.

!?!?!

I blinked at it in confusion. The sleek glass windows reflected the sky, and the structure seemed to go on forever.

No...

I had my doubts

This was where I was supposed to work? My mouth hung open for a moment before I quickly pulled out my phone to double-check the address.

No mistake. It was the right place.

My heart raced as I stood there, staring at the massive building, feeling smaller by the second. How in the world did I get a job here? I could hardly believe it. The place looked like it belonged to a Fortune 500 company, not somewhere that would be interested in me. I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to push down the rising anxiety.

There was no turning back now. I needed a job, if this really was it, then jackpot I guess!

I steeled myself and walked inside, stepping into the lobby. Everything was pristine—marble floors, high ceilings, soft lighting. It felt almost unreal, like I had accidentally walked into a high-end hotel instead of a workplace. My nerves buzzed as I approached the front desk, trying to look like I belonged, even though I felt completely out of place.

Before I could even introduce myself, a staff member spotted me and rushed over, her smile bright and welcoming. "Ah! You must be the new manager!" She said, "Amber right!?" It was almost as if she’d been waiting for me.

I blinked. "Uh, yeah... I guess?"

She didn’t waste a second, grabbing my arm with excitement. "Great! Follow me, I’ll take you to him." She spoke quickly, as if there was no time to lose, and before I knew it, she was leading me towards the elevators.

But, wait, did she say manager?

Manager. The word hung in the air between us as we rode the elevator up. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I’m going to be a manager? It didn’t seem real. The word "manager" kept repeating in my head, growing heavier each time. I didn’t know what to expect, but I hoped it wasn’t as intimidating as it sounded.

I wasn’t sure how I had gotten myself into this, or why anyone would think I was capable of managing anything. Anxiety swirled in my stomach as I stared at the glowing floor numbers, trying to wrap my head around the situation.

What if I couldn’t do this? What if I failed miserably? Damn, I’m a cafe girl, I’m not meant to be in high stress places like these!!

By the time the elevator doors opened, I was practically drowning in doubt. But there was no backing out now. The staff member led me down a polished hallway, chatting away, but I barely heard her. My nerves were too loud, my mind too busy imagining worst-case scenarios.

We reached a door, and she opened it with a flourish. "Hey! Your manager is here!!" She gestured for me to step inside while she was in the room, looking at someone with a bright smile, "She’s a punctual person, looks like you’ll get along!" She gestured to me again, this time looking at me.

Taking a deep breath, I walked in. But the moment I stepped through the door, my heart stopped.

The room wasn’t what I expected at all. It was a makeup room, fully equipped with vanity mirrors, lights, and an array of cosmetics laid out on the counters. But it wasn’t the makeup room that made my world flip upside down.

Sitting in front of one of the mirrors, surrounded by a team of stylists, was none other than a very famous celebrity—one everyone had only ever seen on TV and magazines. My eyes went wide, my mouth going dry.

I’m... managing him?!

My entire body froze. My mind struggled to process what I was seeing, but nothing made sense. This couldn’t be real. But as the staff member beamed at me and the celebrity looked up, smiling faintly, I realized it was real.

"Hael..." I whispered but my voice wasn’t audible. He was getting his hair done.

"Amber," He called my name as he looked at me, my CV in his hand as he went through it, "Right?" He doubled glanced at my picture of the CV and it made me panic

Ah! Why is he looking at that! I flushed. That’s such as ugly picture of me!!! My face is bloated and my eyes are red! I look high!!

"Yes!" I replied to him, hoping he would stop staring at my picture but he wasn’t taking his eyes off of that ugly thing, "Um..." I started when he let out a subtle chuckle while staring at my ugly picture

!!!!!!!!!

It made my cheeks burn bright red

I balled my fists and looked away.

God! Kill me! I don’t want to live this life!!

Suddenly someone placed their hand on me, scaring the shit out of me. I jumped, then looked to my side. It was the female staff member who brought me here, "Hael has a photoshoot here in the building, so it won’t be too much for you too." She patted my back, "Just keep him company and introduce yourself to everyone there."

The heat in my face began to die down, "Yes," I nodded.

"Good," She smiled, "I’ll get going then." She then walked out of the room and I turned to look at Hael again. He had his eyes closed as the makeup artist did some final touches on his face.

...

I stared at him softly while I felt a hollow space in my heart.

So, I’ll be managing Hael....

I looked down

This is going to be hard...

***

"Amazing!!" Sets of lights, green background and floor, "Give me a pose with closed eyes!" The camera man said as he clicked the pictures of Hael who stood in front of the green screen. It was an industrial space with high ceilings that stretched far above me. The sound of footsteps and hushed conversations echoed faintly against the metal rafters, giving the entire place a sense of open grandeur. Sets of large, circular studio lights were positioned all around, casting a soft, even glow across the area

"Staff, bring his back open shirt!" His voice echoed off the walls as he clicked away, capturing each moment. I was standing far away from him and the camera and lighting staff, staring at him as he posed for his pictures. My heart rate was slightly elevated.

I watched as he changed his clothes and posed again. Hael had a good figure but the directors seem to know where his beauty lied and they made him wear stuff that would make his fans swoon even more.

"Bring the chair, and the white cloth!!" He sat to pose for his pictures. The way the white was draped over him and the way the pictures were taken were heavy for me. I stood in the shadows, craving him but unable to approach as he stood in the brightest corner of the room

"Bring the cigarette and wine!" The staff was running everywhere, "Bring the table!"

I never thought a photoshoot would be this hectic but By God, every concept that was being set, Hael was doing an outstanding job as a model.

The sound of shutter and light flashes didn’t seem to bother me. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.

"Bring the elf ears! And all the accessories!! Where are his themed clothes?!"

There was even a concept of elf pictures. He got prosthetic ears that were easily wearable with silver accessories on them. It got my mind to go back to the time where we were married again.