Chapter Text
The low amount of caffeine in the tea wasn't helping much in holding up her eyelids which were drooping down, and for the first time in her life,she was regretful of having a dislike towards the bitter beverage. The smell of parchment and paper calmed her nerves to an extent, but it didn't lessen the searing pain which spread across her forehead due to the lack of proper sleep.Another stack of files and papers landed on her desk with a loud thud as soon as she laid her head down for a while to soothe her searing migraine. Raising her head with a groan of annoyance, she was met with the strict but concerned gaze of her boss.
"Y/n, I know you're tired but I really need these files checked and approved urgently. I am really sorry sweetie, if you feel sick,then you can take your leave already." Mrs. Johnson was a woman of motherly nature. Having lost her own son at a young age, she doted on Y/n and cared for her like her own daughter.
"It's okay Mrs.Johnson , I can handle this. Better to get this done than prolong it any further."
"Oh and yes, Y/n. Remember to be here on Friday, you know how important this deal is for our company. I need you to be there with me at this party. But, you can excuse yourself in case you fall sick."
"Okay,got that Captain!"
"Better be like that, don't forget this at any cost. Is that okay?"
"Yes ma'am!"
"Now go get these files done."
Without wasting a second she scurried off to get her job done. The heels of shoes clicked on the floor as she hurried down the plush hallways of her office building. Her black pencil skirt reaching her knees and a crisp white shirt made her look like someone with high authority. Her mannerisms didn't help with reducing this deception any further.
Going by the looks of her, no one would have guessed that she is just a normal secretary who had to live in an old apartment, with the bare necessities to keep her stomach full and somehow at the end of the day, manage to look after her family. Where people of her age spent their twenties enjoying their life to the fullest, she was "stuck" looking after her ailing mother and taking care of her teenage brother,all in her early twenties. Not that she hated looking after them, she only wished sometimes if she had more money and amenities to provide for her family. Which is why she drowned herself in her work. Even to the extent of getting herself sick because of work overload,but all she cared about was making her family's life a bit more comfortable.
While she was returning back to Mrs. Johnson with the files, her phone buzzed. She knew it was her mum for sure, this made her even more worried. Manoeuvring her file-filled hands to get her phone and placing it on her shoulder,tilting it up and holding it close to her ear, she spoke,"Hey Mum, is everything okay? Do I need to get home? Are you feeling sick again? Do I need to call the hospital?"
"No Dear, I'm fine, You need to calm down."
"Yeah mum, I know."
" I just wanted to let you know that Jay needs some new notebooks, can you get them while you're on your way back home?."
"Okay mum, I will get them."
"Thank you sweetheart! Remember to be back home soon! I already miss you and Jack needs help with his homework. "
"Yeah mum, I will. Take care, Bye."
That was a part of Y/n's normal and mundane life. It had been four years since she graduated from Hogwarts, yet she was still figuring out her life. Ever since her mum fell ill, all her dreams dashed to the ground and broke into a million pieces. But,she was more than determined to not let the same thing happen to her brother. Investing all of her savings for her brother's education,she took up multiple jobs to feed herself and her family. Finally landing a secure job as Mrs.Johnson's PA, she earned enough to feed her family and lead a nearly comfortable life while paying for her mum's medical bills.
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"Mum, I have given away that dress to Katie,she needed it for some event and now she has it with her in New York." She replied as she frantically searched for a dress that she could wear to the office event.
As much as she knew, some big company was investing in the one in which she worked and she, as Mrs.Johnson's Personal Assistant , had to accompany her. Mrs. Johnson was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of this company and currently it was facing huge losses due to recession in the economy.
Finally agreeing to wear an elegant looking dress,she took a look at the woman standing on the other side of the reflective plane called the mirror. She stood in awe at the sight of herself. Self-appreciation wasn't her forte and not everyday did she feel this pretty. Even though she was called pretty by many if not everyone, sometimes she just felt……..not enough.
Planting a kiss on her mother's and her brother's forehead,she bid them goodbye and hauled a cab to reach her destination. Everything about the atmosphere of the party screamed business in hushed tones,even to an outsider. Being greeted with a champagne flute, she took in the look of the venue. Safe to say, it definitely was the most posh event that she had attended in her entire life. A huge chandelier hung in the centre of the ceiling, giving a soft but sophisticated golden glow to the hall. Men and women ,decked in expensive finery which probably was equal to the rent for two months that she had to pay, were chatting about their monetary investments and making small talk. The hall itself was big enough to be the residence of twenty families.
Rich people and their folly. She thought as she let out an almost silent but mocking chuckle. Searching for a familiar face, she moved her gaze from one corner of the hall to the other ,in desperate need of some sort of company. Then as if by some miracle,she finally spotted Martha,her colleague. She was chatting with someone who had his back turned towards Y/n. The only features of him being visible were his platinum blonde hair,his massive height and his sophisticated charm which could be felt from miles away.
Heaving a sigh of relief, she made her way towards her friend.
"Hey Martha! I have been looking for you for so long!"
"Hey Y/n, there you are! I just arrived a few minutes ago, and then I bumped into Draco. "
Turning her gaze to face the man of discussion, she met the gaze of pale blue eyes looking back at her with awe. She immediately found herself swooning at the way his eyes reflected admiration towards her. Clad in a black suit which was definitely custom made by some extremely famous designer and the expensive cologne that enchanted her senses were enough to let anyone know that he had enough money to buy an entire island.
Draco swore that he was in love and he had found The One. He was definitely the last person to believe in love at first sight,but now as the most beautiful woman on Earth stood right next to him, he knew how very wrong his assumptions were. Her grace,her elegance and her mysterious aura captivated his soul at the first glance itself.
"Hi,I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. " He laid out his right palm for her to shake.
"I'm Y/n Y/l/n. It's a pleasure to meet you!" She said while shaking his hand. The rest of the world disappeared as they looked into each other's eyes.