Chapter 1: Dreams on Repeat

Kimberly Monet didn't just watch movies-she felt them. And no one made her feel quite like Aaron Pierre. From his intense roles to his interviews where his thoughtfulness shone, he was the kind of actor who seemed too good to be true.

But it wasn't just his talent that held her captive. Aaron's striking presence went beyond the screen. His chiseled jawline, piercing eyes, and that muscular frame-the kind that made tailored suits look like they were designed just for him-left her breathless. He wasn't just attractive; he was unforgettable.

At 25, fresh out of grad school with a degree in public relations, Kimberly had big dreams. But reality looked more like coffee runs and drafting press releases for local clients who didn't care much about branding. It wasn't where she wanted to be, but it was a start. When the workday ended, though, Aaron Pierre was her escape.

Her laptop sat open on the couch, paused on his latest interview. Kehlani, her best friend, had texted her the link with no explanation other than, You need to see this.

Now, there he was on the screen, sitting confidently in an armchair, answering questions with that smooth British accent that made her heart race. His navy sweater clung to his broad chest, and the way his arms rested casually on the chair's edges made her pulse quicken.

"I'm grateful for the people who've supported me," Aaron was saying, his deep voice commanding attention. "But I'm actually in need of a new personal assistant. Someone who's organized, driven, and passionate."

Kimberly froze, her hand hovering over the keyboard. Did he just say he needs an assistant?

Her phone buzzed.

Kimberly, APPLY. NOW.

She shook her head, letting out a nervous laugh. "Yeah, right," she muttered. It was absurd. But as she stared at the paused video, her gaze lingering on his confident smile and powerful presence, a tiny voice in her mind whispered, "What if?

Kimberly leaned back, her mind racing. It was insane, wasn't it? She'd never even been to London or Los Angeles or wherever Aaron was at the moment. But then again, wasn't this the kind of leap she'd always dreamed of taking?

Kehlani texted again. I'm serious, Kim. This is fate.

"Fate," Kimberly repeated softly, replaying the clip again. Maybe it was time to stop watching and start doing.

Kimberly couldn't sleep that night. Kehlani's words replayed in her mind: This is fate. After hours of debating, she finally found herself drafting a cover letter that she'd never planned to send.

"This is ridiculous," she mumbled, staring at her screen. But something in her gut told her it wasn't. The worst that could happen? They'd never even look at her application. The best?

She exhaled sharply and hit Send.

The following morning, her nerves were on overdrive. Every email notification made her stomach flip, but by the end of the day, there was nothing. No rejection, no confirmation-just silence. She convinced herself it was for the best. What were the odds, anyway?

---

Across the country, in a sleek office in Los Angeles, Aaron's manager, Marcus Hayes, sighed as he scanned the growing pile of applications. "Passion, organization, and drive," Aaron had said. "You'd think people would understand what that means."

After hours of interviews, Marcus had yet to find anyone who stood out. The last applicant left ten minutes ago, and their response to a question about confidentiality was to ask for a selfie with Aaron.

"This is hopeless," Marcus mumbled, scrolling through the online submissions. Just as he was about to give up, a particular application caught his attention.

"Kimberly Monet," he read aloud, leaning forward. Her cover letter was detailed but concise, with a genuine tone that stood out from the rest. She'd included a list of creative crisis management strategies she'd developed during her PR internship, along with a note about her passion for storytelling and organization.

Intrigued, Marcus dialed his assistant, Chloé, "Schedule a virtual interview with Kimberly Monet tomorrow. Let's see if she's the real deal."

---

Kimberly nearly dropped her phone when the email arrived: We'd like to schedule an interview with you for the position of Personal Assistant to Mr. Aaron Pierre.

Her heart raced. This wasn't real, was it? Her fingers hovered over her screen as she read the message again, then again.

Kehlani's text came through almost immediately after Kimberly shared the news. I TOLD YOU. FATE.

---

The next day, Kimberly sat at her tiny desk, laptop propped up for the Zoom call. She had rehearsed her answers, practiced her smiles, and even worn her lucky blouse. But nothing could calm the whirlwind of nerves.

Marcus appeared on screen promptly at 9 AM, his expression neutral but professional. "Good morning, Kimberly. Let's get started."

For the next twenty minutes, she answered every question as honestly as she could, focusing on her experience and what she could bring to the role. She avoided gushing over Aaron-barely. She needed this to be about her professionalism, not her admiration.

By the end of the call, Marcus gave a slight nod. "Thank you, Kimberly. We'll be in touch."

---

A week later, Marcus sat across from Aaron in a private lounge. "We've narrowed it down to three candidates. I think this Kimberly Monet is your best bet. But, as always, the final decision is yours."

Aaron leaned back, scanning the profiles Marcus handed him. The usual candidates were polished, experienced, and predictable. But Kimberly's stood out-a combination of fresh talent, authenticity, and creativity.

"She's young," Aaron said thoughtfully, his deep voice calm. "But I like what I see. Schedule a meeting."

---

Kimberly was in shock when she got the email inviting her to meet Aaron Pierre himself. Her head spun with questions: What would she say? What would she wear? And most importantly, would she embarrass herself in front of her favorite actor?

She didn't know it yet, but this meeting was about to change everything.