The Billionaire's Pretend Wife (Isabella)

Finally, Isabelle completed the third round of the interview at the Larson Group and was officially hired.

After the debacle with Ann was out of the way, the rest of the process had been smooth, and she completed her interviews confidently knowing that she would be judged fairly. Eventually, she passed all three rounds and signed an employment contract with the company.

On the morning of her first day at work, she went by the flower shop to buy herself congratulatory flowers. She was so excited to begin her career at the company she had always wanted to work at, and getting herself a bunch of flowers seemed well in order. They were the perfect way to symbolise the new beginning in her career. And hopefully bring more luck her way, she hoped.

She had just started looking around the shop when an attendant in a bright orange apron approached her. "Welcome to our shop, Miss. Is there anything in particular that you're looking for?"

She wished she could spend more time admiring the beautiful flowers and thinking of what she wanted in her bunch, but she had a job to get to-not that she was complaining. Plus, while she was good at designing jewellery, she couldn't say the same about her flower arrangement abilities.

"I want a bouquet to celebrate a new job," she told the attendant, confident they would know what to to do with that information.

"I'll have that ready for you in a bit," she said. "Any special request?"

"Daffodils," she said clasping her hands beneath her chin excitedly.

"Got it," the attendant replied.

With the attendant gone, Isabelle walked around the shop, admiring the flowers and picturing a few in her new house. Maybe she could come by in the evening and get some yellow daffodils for the vase at home. They'd sure brighten up the house and make it even more lovely. Subconsciously, she wondered what kind of flowers Jacob liked.

"Isabelle Cruz?"

Her eyes shot up at the voice calling her name. A tall man in a fitting charcoal grey suit stood a few paces away, regarding her with a surprised expression.

As she looked at him, his face broke into a smile and he walked forward. "It's really you!"

"Seth? Seth Holding!"

The man chuckled happily as he came to her and they shook hands. Seth Holding was the last person she would have expected to run into that morning. She had never seen him ever since he graduated college while she was still a junior.

"You look good, Isabelle. It's so nice to see you again," he said, taking a step back and regarding her with a happy look still on his face.

"You look good as well. It's good to see you again."

When they were in college, Seth was her senior, a year ahead of her. But other than being her senior, there was something more to their relationship. He had pursued her and asked her to date him a few times, but Isabelle had refused his advances. He had been a good senior to her, but she had not been interested in him in a romantic way.

"So, what are you doing nowadays? I haven't really seen you since I graduated," he told her.

She couldn't hide her joy when she said, "Actually, today is my first day at the Larson Group." Seth's eyes widened. "The Larson Group? Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"That's amazing. I work there."

It was her turn to appear surprised. "You do?"

"Yes. I've been with the company for two years now, and I'm the head of design team 1."

"Wow, that's amazing!" She wasn't surprised that he had managed to rise to such a rank after only two years at the company. He had been one of the most popular students at school thanks to his unmatched talent and leadership skills. He was the kind of senior everybody looked up to and admired.

Now that she thought about it, she couldn't help but wonder whether Seth had been involved with what happened with her interview. Besides Ann, he was the only other person in the company that she had a personal connection with. And, given how he had pursued her in college, maybe when he heard what Ann had said about her, he approached the vice president.

Having been in the same school with her and Ann, the vice president must have trusted him and decided to investigate the matter further.

The more she thought about it, the more it made sense. Seth not only had a high position in the company, but was also from a powerful family. Maybe he had some sort of influence in the company. As the two waited for Isabelle's flowers, Seth couldn't help but think about how much more beautiful she looked compared to the last time he had seen her. He had almost not recognised her. Other than her looks, she seemed even more bright and charming than she had been back then. That was what had drawn him to her the first time, and now, he felt he wouldn't be able to resist her charm. All these years, he had never forgotten her, and to meet her like this and then find out that she was joining his company? It felt like the gods were smiling on him that particular morning.

He had fallen head over heels for her in college, and it had broken his heart when she rejected him. When he graduated and left the school, he hadn't thought he would ever see her again. Now their paths had crossed again, and he couldn't help getting his hopes high again.

Since they would be working at the same company, he would have plenty of chances to win her heart. Hopefully, this time round, she would give him a chance.

Isabelle finally received her flowers and the two of them left together to walk to the company building which was nearby. They each headed to their different departments, and Seth asked whether he could show her around at lunch, to which Isabelle agreed.

Isabelle's first day was smooth, and she was introduced to her new department and space. Everybody was warm and welcoming, and she had a feeling she would enjoy working there.

At lunchtime, Seth was waiting outside her department as promised. She was glad to have someone she knew who was willing to show her around, but a little part of her was hesitant. Seth had pursued her in college. Was he doing this out of kindness, or was he hoping to endear himself to her? She pushed the thought to the back of her head. It was several years since what had happened in college. She doubted he still had that kind of interest in her. Besides, she had rejected him, so he knew where she stood on that matter.

Seth led her to the company canteen, where they got their lunch. He then brought her to a table that was already occupied by several employees. He introduced her to them as his junior from college, and they all welcomed her enthusiastically. She noted that Seth was as easy-going with his colleagues and just as popular as he had been in school. It would be a surprise if he was still single, she thought. He must have lots of admirers.

They were almost done with their lunch when Isabelle noticed Jason, the vice president, walking through the canteen down the aisle that passed by their table. He also happened to notice her and made his way over.