Cold Billionaire CEO

I ran to the bus station, but I was too late. The bus was already leaving.

"Huh, I'm unlucky again," I muttered, frustrated, stomping my foot against the ground.

Sighing, I glanced around. Two people were sitting on a bench, completely absorbed in their phones. With no other choice, I sat on the empty seat and pulled out my phone.

"I'm about to be late," I whispered under my breath, my fingers anxiously scrolling through my notifications.

A minute later, another bus pulled up. Without wasting time, I bolted toward it, even though only two other people stood behind me, not caring at all about my rush. I paid for the ride and quickly took a seat by the window. A girl sat beside me, barely sparing me a glance.

As the bus started moving, the large screen inside flickered on.

"Mr. Jason, the CEO of MECH, has officially become the youngest billionaire CEO of the largest tech company in Korea. However, as we all know, he has rejected numerous interview requests. We hope to invite him to our studio soon for an exclusive interview," the journalist announced.

Suddenly, the girl beside me burst into laughter—loud, almost mocking.

"Do you think my Jason would waste his time coming to your tiny, pathetic studio?" she scoffed.

Whispers filled the bus as people started discussing him.

"He's Jason—the billionaire, the CEO of the biggest company, and insanely handsome," a girl behind me said dreamily.

"But he's ice-cold when it comes to women. I heard his grandfather has been trying to set him up on blind dates for years, but it never works," another chimed in.

"Not to mention, his childhood friend, the famous model Kaia, is in LA now. Maybe she was the only one who ever got close to him," someone else added.

The gossip continued, but I tuned it out as the bus finally arrived at my stop. It wasn't right in front of the company—it was still a short distance away. I jumped out and ran as fast as I could toward MECH.

As I reached the towering building, a massive digital screen at the entrance displayed: "Welcome to MECH."

I rushed inside, panting heavily, and approached the front desk.

"Hello," I said between breaths.

The receptionist glanced up and greeted me politely, following company culture. "Hello, how can I help you?"

"I'm here for the interview," I managed to say.

"Oh, which position are you applying for?" she asked.

"Graphic designer," I replied.

She nodded. "Take the left elevator to the 39th floor."

"Thank you," I said quickly, dashing toward the elevator without looking at anyone.

When I stepped inside, two other people were already there. I pressed the button for the 39th floor, and the doors slid shut. The elevator began its smooth ascent.

Being a graphic designer has been my dream since the beginning…

A soft chime signaled my arrival, and the doors slid open to reveal a luxurious floor. My breath caught as I stepped out.

Three girls were waiting in the lounge area. Two of them were dressed as if they were attending a fancy dinner, while the other was dressed more professionally.

The elevator closed behind me, and I hesitated before walking toward them. Finally, I took a seat beside them.

A girl stormed out of the interview room, her face twisted in frustration.

Right after her, a guy walked out and called, "Next!"

One of the remaining candidates bolted inside as if they were in some kind of athletic competition. One after another, people kept coming out—each one looking just as mad as the last.

Then, finally, it was my turn.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside. The guy behind me shut the door, making my heart pound a little harder.

Seated in a luxurious office was a man—a dangerously handsome man.

His sharp jawline, sleek black hair, and the glasses resting on his nose only made him look more intense. His presence alone could make anyone nervous.

"Hello, I am Mike, the trusted assistant of Mr. Jason," the man who had closed the door introduced himself.

Mr. Jason? Did I hear that right?

I forced myself to stay composed. So this was the Jason they were gossiping about on the bus?

"I'm Jessica," I said, my voice steadier than I expected.

"Please, Jessica, have a seat," Mike said.

I blinked. Oh right—I was still standing. Embarrassed, I quickly sat down on the chair facing Mr. Jason.

His piercing gaze stayed on my CV as I placed it on his desk. He picked it up, flipping through the pages with an unreadable expression.

"What was your previous work experience?" Jason finally asked.

His voice. Deep. Smooth. Lethal. I swear, it could kill me on the spot.

I cleared my throat. "It wasn't a formal job, but I used to work at my family's restaurant."

Mike raised an eyebrow. "No payment?"

Yo, do you think I'd ask my own mother—the woman who raised and fed me—to pay me just because I helped her for a few years?

"Yeah, sir," I answered simply.

Mike gave me a look like he was already waiting to kick me out, just like all the other girls who left mad. But Jason—he was different. His eyes stayed on my CV, unreadable.

I straightened in my seat. "But I have a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, majoring in Graphic Design."

Jason finally looked up at me. His cold, calculating eyes met mine. Then, without a word, he looked back down and closed my CV.

"Miss Jessica, you may go now. The interview is over. We will contact you if you're hired," Mike said, his tone dismissive.

Oh. That's it?

I'm rejected. Not surprising. I've been unlucky for years.

I forced a smile. "Oh, okay. Thank you."

Standing up, I walked out of the office, my stomach twisting. I got inside the elevator, pressing the button with a sigh.

The doors slid shut, and I realized—I was alone.

Just then, my phone rang.

It was my best friend, Anna.

I exhaled and answered. "Hello, Anna," I said,

"Girl, where are you? The interview is over!" Anna's voice rang through my phone the moment I picked up.

I frowned, stepping into the empty elevator. "What are you talking about? I just finished mine."

There was silence on the other end before Anna asked, "Wait… what floor are you on?"

I glanced at the glowing number on the wall. "Thirty-nine. Where else would I be?"

"Jess…" Anna sucked in a sharp breath. "Did you take the left elevator?"

My stomach dropped. "Uh… no? I took the right one. Why?"

Anna groaned so loudly I had to pull my phone away. "Oh my God, Jess! You went to the wrong interview!"

I blinked. "What? No, I asked the receptionist, and she told me—" Then it hit me. She had said left elevator. I had gone right.

Anna gasped. "Jess, what position did you just interview for?!"

My mouth went dry as my eyes darted back to the door I had just walked out of. My heart pounded as I read the sign next to it:

Second Assistant to the CEO.

Oh.

Oh no.

I turned back to my phone, whispering in horror. "Anna… I think I just applied to be the CEO's assistant."

A long pause. Then—

"YOU WHAT?!"

I winced. "I—I don't know! The assistant said Mr. Jason and I thought it was normal, but—"

My mind flashed back to him—the most devastatingly handsome man I'd ever seen. His jawline was sculpted like a masterpiece, his sharp eyes hidden behind expensive glasses that somehow made him look even more alluring. And that voice… deep, commanding, the kind that could make a girl weak in the knees.

I exhaled sharply. "Anna, you should've seen him. He's… unreal. He could melt ice just by existing."

Anna gasped dramatically. "Oh my God, don't tell me you fell for him already!"

"No! But—ugh, he's so unfairly attractive. It's distracting!"

"Forget his hotness! Focus! You applied for the wrong job!"

I groaned, sliding my back against the elevator wall. "I thought it was weird when they asked about my previous jobs… but they still looked at my CV. Why didn't they say anything?"

Anna started laughing. "Jess… what if you actually get hired?"

I scoffed. "Not happening. Jason barely looked at me. He probably thinks I'm an idiot."

Anna hummed. "Well… we'll see about that."

Somehow, a strange chill ran down my spine.

What if Jason hadn't rejected me?

And more importantly… what if this mistake was about to change everything?