The summons came in the form of a curt email, signed simply "LT." No subject line, no pleasantries. Just a time and a room number. Ava felt a chill run down her spine. Room 304: Lucian Thorne's private office.

She spent the morning alternating between frantic self-reassurance and a rising sense of panic. She examined her reflection countless times, smoothing her hair, adjusting the collar of her blouse, trying to project an image of calm professionalism that felt utterly fraudulent. "Lily Thompson," she whispered to the mirror, "You are a temporary consultant. This is just an interview. Nothing more."

But she knew it was more. Lucian Thorne knew who she was. The fleeting eye contact in the elevator, the almost imperceptible curve of his lips - they were proof enough. He was toying with her, enjoying her discomfort. And now, he was ready to reel her in.

By 2:55 PM, Ava was a bundle of nerves, standing outside the imposing double doors of Room 304. The doors themselves were crafted from dark, polished wood, inlaid with a subtle, almost invisible design. They seemed to radiate power, an aura of impenetrable authority. She took a deep breath, reminded herself that she had nothing to lose except a temporary job, and knocked.

"Enter," a voice, deep and resonant, commanded from within.

The office was breathtaking. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city sprawling below. Modern art, dark and abstract, adorned the walls. A massive mahogany desk, meticulously clear of clutter, dominated the room. And behind it, bathed in the afternoon light, sat Lucian Thorne.

He was even more striking in person. His dark hair was impeccably styled, his jaw sharp and defined. His eyes, the color of deep amethyst, held an unnerving intensity as they fixed on her. He wore a tailored charcoal suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and lean physique. He was the epitome of power, wealth, and effortless control.

"Miss Thompson," he said, his voice smooth as velvet. "Please, have a seat." He gestured to one of the two plush leather chairs facing his desk.

Ava walked towards the chair, trying to maintain her composure. She sat down, her back straight, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The silence stretched, thick and heavy, as Lucian simply studied her. It felt like an eternity.

"So," he finally began, breaking the silence. "Lily Thompson. A rather common name, wouldn't you say?"

Ava forced a smile. "It served its purpose."

"And what exactly was that purpose, Miss Thompson?" His gaze was unwavering, piercing.

"To... to find work," she stammered, hating the tremor in her voice.

"Indeed," Lucian said, his lips curving into a faint, sardonic smile. "Your resume is quite impressive. A fast learner, adaptable, with a proven track record of..." he paused, looking down at a file on his desk, "...completing tasks quickly and efficiently, regardless of the challenge."

Ava swallowed hard. That was a generic enough description for almost any temp worker, but under his scrutiny, it felt loaded with implication. He was alluding to that night, to the challenge she presented, to the speed with which she disappeared.

"Is there something wrong with my qualifications, Mr. Thorne?" she asked, trying to sound assertive.

He leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers together behind his head. "Not at all. In fact, I find them… intriguing. But I'm curious about what your resume doesn't tell me, Miss Thompson."

Ava's heart hammered against her ribs. "I'm not sure I understand."

"Your past," he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Everyone has one. Some are more… colorful than others. Tell me about yours, Lily."

This was it. The moment of truth. She could lie, try to fabricate a convincing backstory, but she knew he wouldn't believe her. He already knew.

"There's not much to tell," she said, carefully choosing her words. "I grew up in a small town, went to college, worked a few different jobs. I moved here to… to expand my horizons."

Lucian chuckled softly, a sound that sent shivers down her spine. "Expand your horizons? Is that what we're calling it these days? Running away from your problems, burying your past under a new name and a new identity… sounds less like expansion and more like evasion."

Ava remained silent, refusing to meet his gaze.

"Tell me, Miss Thompson," he continued, his voice still soft but laced with steel, "have you ever made a mistake? A really, really bad mistake? One that you regret every single day?"

He was pushing her, deliberately trying to break her down. She knew that. But she couldn't stop the memories from flooding back - the drunken despair, the reckless abandon, the gut-wrenching fear that followed.

"Everyone makes mistakes," she said, her voice barely audible.

"But not everyone has the audacity to run away from them," Lucian countered, his eyes glinting. "Not everyone tries to erase their past, to pretend that it never happened."

He leaned forward, his gaze locking onto hers. "Tell me, Lily, what are you running from?"

Ava finally met his eyes, her expression a mixture of defiance and desperation. "That's none of your business, Mr. Thorne."

He smiled, a slow, predatory smile that revealed a hint of his teeth. "Everything that happens within these walls is my business, Miss Thompson. And you, my dear, are now very much within these walls."

He paused, letting his words sink in. "I've been doing some digging, Lily. It's amazing what you can find with the right resources. Ava Montgomery… now that's a name with a story to tell."

The blood drained from Ava's face. He knew. He knew everything.

"Mark… the cheating fiancé. The lavish nightclub. The tequila-fueled meltdown. It's all so… delightfully chaotic," Lucian said, savoring each word. "And then, of course, there's the small matter of a proposition made to a perfect stranger. A proposition that, shall we say, lacked a certain… follow-through."

Ava remained silent, frozen in place.

"You see, Lily," Lucian continued, his voice dangerously low, "I don't appreciate being left hanging. I don't appreciate being treated like a disposable plaything. And I certainly don't appreciate having my time wasted."

He stood up and walked around his desk, slowly circling her. Ava watched him, her heart pounding in her chest. He was like a predator circling his prey, enjoying the hunt.

"So, here's the question, Miss Thompson. Ava Montgomery. Lily, or whatever you choose to call yourself… what are you going to do about it?" He stopped directly in front of her, his eyes burning into hers. "Are you going to run again? Are you going to try to disappear and reinvent yourself once more? Or are you going to face the consequences of your actions?"

Ava swallowed hard, her throat dry. "What… what consequences?"

Lucian leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear. "That, my dear, depends entirely on you." He straightened up, his expression unreadable. "Consider this interview adjourned. You'll hear from me soon."

Ava rose unsteadily to her feet, her legs trembling. She turned and walked towards the door, feeling his eyes on her back. As she reached the door handle, she hesitated.

"Mr. Thorne," she said, turning back to face him. "Why? Why are you doing this?"

He smiled, a dark, enigmatic smile. "Because, Miss Montgomery, I believe you owe me. And I intend to collect."

With that, she turned and fled the office, leaving Lucian Thorne alone in his opulent lair, his laughter echoing softly in the air. The game had begun. And Ava knew, with chilling certainty, that she was playing with the devil himself.