The rain poured heavily over the city, turning the streets into shining rivers under the glow of neon lights. People rushed along the sidewalks, holding umbrellas and trying to avoid the cold evening wind.
Emily Carter hurried through the crowd, clutching a tray filled with four cups of hot coffee. Her small café uniform was slightly damp from the rain, and strands of her brown hair stuck to her cheeks.
"Why does it always rain when I have deliveries?" she muttered.
Emily worked part-time at a café near the business district. As a university student struggling to pay tuition, every shift mattered.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
A message from her manager popped up.
"Emily! The client in Knight Tower has been waiting for 10 minutes already!"
Emily sighed.
"I'm coming!"
She quickened her pace and crossed the street toward the tallest building downtown.
Knight Tower.
The glass skyscraper rose high into the stormy sky, its bright lights glowing through the rain.
Emily pushed open the large revolving doors and stepped into the warm lobby.
"Finally," she breathed.
But before she could relax—
Someone turned the corner quickly.
Emily didn't see him in time.
Crash!
The tray slipped.
Coffee flew into the air.
And spilled directly onto a man's black suit.
The entire lobby went silent.
Emily froze.
"Oh no…!"
She grabbed napkins and rushed forward.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't see you!"
The man looked down at the dark coffee stains spreading across his expensive suit.
Then he slowly raised his eyes.
Emily felt her heart skip.
He was tall, handsome, and intimidating.
Sharp jawline.
Dark hair.
Cold eyes.
"You spilled coffee on me," he said calmly.
Emily nodded nervously.
"Yes… I'm really sorry."
The man studied her for a moment.
Then he asked quietly,
"Do you know how much this suit costs?"
Emily swallowed.
"I can pay for cleaning."
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"You?"
Emily frowned.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
The man stepped closer.
"This suit costs more than your monthly salary."
Emily's cheeks burned.
She hated when people looked down on her.
She lifted her chin.
"Then send me the bill."
For a moment, the man looked surprised.
It seemed he wasn't used to people talking back.
He stared at her for a few seconds before reaching into his pocket.
He handed her a sleek black card.
Emily looked down.
Alexander Knight
CEO – Knight Corporation
Her eyes widened.
The CEO?
Before she could react, Alexander turned toward the elevator.
"Come to my office tomorrow morning," he said.
Emily blinked.
"Why?"
Alexander glanced back.
"You said you'd pay."
Then the elevator doors closed.
Emily stood frozen.
"I just spilled coffee on a billionaire…"