Chapter 3: First Impressions

Kimberly woke up to a string of notifications lighting up her phone. She’d barely had time to process the email from Aaron Pierre’s team last night before her mind started buzzing with questions. Was this really happening? Could she actually be moving to Los Angeles for the job of a lifetime?

Her best friend Kehlani ’s text came through first: Kim, it’s happening! You’re really doing it. Can’t wait to see you shine!

Kimberly smiled, glancing at the time. She’d only had a few hours of sleep, but the excitement in her chest made it easy to wake up early. She needed to get things together—this wasn’t just another ordinary job offer. This was Aaron Pierre, and she’d been chosen.

After a quick shower, she dressed in something professional yet comfortable—black slacks and a soft blouse, her curls loosely pinned back. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that she wasn’t just going to work for any actor. She was going to be part of Aaron’s world. And somehow, that thought made her feel as if she were on the verge of something bigger than herself.

Kimberly grabbed her phone again, checking for more messages. Kehlani had already messaged her a link to Aaron’s latest red carpet event. She hesitated before clicking it, wondering if it was too soon to dive deeper into the world she was about to step into.

As the video loaded, her heart skipped a beat. There he was—Aaron, looking as effortlessly handsome as ever. The camera caught his broad shoulders and chiseled jawline in perfect lighting, and his gaze seemed to pierce straight through the screen. His hair, neatly trimmed into a clean, short cut, complemented his strong features. The simplicity of his style only highlighted his presence—there was nothing flashy, just pure confidence.

Kimberly couldn’t help but feel a flutter in her stomach, but she quickly shook it off. You’re going to work with him. That’s it. Focus on the job. She reminded herself, but her mind wandered back to his smile and the easy way he spoke to the interviewer. She wondered if he even knew how many people admired him—not just for his work, but for his presence.

She forced herself to focus on what lay ahead. In just a few hours, she’d be sitting in his office, discussing the job with his manager and the team. The nerves began to creep in, but she kept reminding herself of what she’d written in her email. She could do this. She had to.

---

Aaron sat across from his manager, Marcus, and his assistant, Chloé reviewing the list of tasks for the upcoming weeks. It was one of those rare moments when things were quiet—no filming, no interviews, no press events. The calm before another storm.

His mind, however, was far from calm.

“Marcus,” Aaron began, his voice casual but his eyes intense. “You’re sure about this? Kimberly’s the one?”

Marcus glanced up from his tablet. “You really want to put everything on her?” he asked, sounding slightly skeptical. “She’s good, but it’s a big jump for her. You’re going to be busy as hell. We’re not just talking about organizing your calendar here.”

Aaron nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. “I know. But there’s something about her. Something different. She’s got... elegance.” He paused, trying to find the right words. “She’s not like the others. It’s hard to explain. I think she’s got what it takes.”

Marcus sighed, clearly unconvinced. “Alright, I’m trusting your gut on this one. But remember, we’re putting a lot on her shoulders. This isn’t just about handling your schedule. You’ve got a lot of expectations on you right now.”

Aaron leaned back, his hands crossed over his chest. “I’m not worried about that. She’ll handle it.”

But even as he said it, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Kimberly than just her work ethic. His thoughts kept drifting back to her—the way she’d looked during the interview, how the sound of her voice had settled over him like something familiar yet new. She had a warmth that made everything around her seem a little brighter.

He didn’t know why, but he was eager for their first official meeting. He had to make sure she wasn’t just good at what she did but that she could navigate this world without losing herself.

The door to the office opened, and Marcus’s assistant stepped

in with a quick knock, breaking Aaron from his thoughts. She held a folder in her hand and a smile on her face.

“Mr. Pierre,” she said with a polite nod. “The details for your upcoming charity event have been finalized, but there’s something else.” She glanced at Marcus before looking back at Aaron. “Kimberly Monet is here.”

Aaron’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected her to arrive so soon.

Marcus raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything, his expression unreadable. Aaron stood up quickly, smoothing his shirt as he made his way to the door. "Show her in," he said, his voice more controlled than he felt.

A few moments later, Kimberly walked into the room, her presence immediately filling the space. She looked even more stunning in person than she had on the screen. Her caramel skin seemed to glow under the office lights, and the soft curve of her frame was accentuated by the professional yet stylish outfit she wore. Her dark hair pulled back but with loose tendrils framing her face, added to her effortlessly graceful look.

Her eyes locked onto Aaron’s for a brief moment, and he could tell she was just as nervous as he was, but there was something else there too—a quiet determination. She was ready for this, and that made Aaron’s respect for her grow even more.

"Kimberly," he said, offering his hand with a friendly yet slightly unsure smile. "It’s good to finally meet you in person."

Kimberly shook his hand, her grip firm yet warm. “It’s great to meet you too, Mr. Pierre. Thank you for this opportunity.”

Aaron’s gaze lingered on her for just a moment longer than necessary, taking in the way she held herself with confidence, despite the nerves he could sense beneath the surface. He couldn’t help but admire her more. She wasn’t faking it—she was genuine.

“Please, call me Aaron,” he said with a nod. “I’ve been looking forward to this.”

Kimberly gave him a small smile before turning her attention to Marcus, who was already busy organizing papers on his desk. The air between them shifted—there was something unspoken, a tension that neither of them acknowledged but both could feel.

“So, Kimberly,” Marcus began, breaking the silence. “Let’s get down to business. We’ve discussed the role, but we need to make sure you’re prepared for what’s ahead. Aaron’s schedule isn’t going to be easy to manage.”

Kimberly nodded, her face serious. “I’m ready. I know the demands will be high, but I’m here to work. I’ve handled tough situations before.”

Aaron found himself nodding in approval. There was a quiet strength in her words, and he liked it. His gut told him she was more than capable, and seeing her handle herself in person only reinforced that feeling.

Marcus leaned back in his chair, looking between the two of them. “Alright. Let’s go over the details then.”

Aaron couldn’t help but keep his attention focused on Kimberly, catching glimpses of her as she took notes. He wanted to know everything about her, what made her tick, what drove her. But there would be time for that later, right now, she was here to prove herself. And somehow, Aaron knew she would.

As the meeting continued, Aaron couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something more. But what, exactly? He wasn’t sure yet. All he knew was that Kimberly Monet had made an impression, and it was one that wasn’t going to fade easily.

The meeting dragged on longer than Aaron anticipated, but he couldn’t help but feel the pull of Kimberly’s presence. As Marcus outlined the expectations and schedule, Aaron found himself lost in thought, his attention drifting back to her every few seconds. She was focused, professional, and yet there was an air of something more. Something undeniable.

The way she’d sat across the room, her posture straight and eyes sharp, showed she meant business. But even with the seriousness of the conversation, there was an underlying softness to her. The way her eyes lit up when she spoke about her past experiences, the way she smiled when she mentioned her family—it all made Aaron curious. She was far more than just an assistant; he had a feeling there was more to her story that she wasn’t sharing yet.

As the meeting wrapped up, Marcus gave Kimberly a quick rundown of the logistics she’d need to tackle in the coming days. Aaron, however, was barely listening. He stood up and walked over to the window, his thoughts far from the business at hand.

Marcus glanced up from his notes. “I’ll leave you two to discuss the next steps,” he said, standing to leave. “Kimberly, I’ll send you the formal contract later today. Just be sure to sign it before tomorrow’s team meeting.”

Kimberly nodded, standing up as well. “Of course. Thank you.”

As Marcus left, the door closed softly behind him, leaving Aaron and Kimberly alone in the room. The air felt thick, charged in a way Aaron wasn’t used to when meeting new people. Normally, he was the one in control, the one holding all the cards. But there was something about Kimberly that made him question himself. Made him wonder if he was already in over his head.

“Kimberly,” he began, his voice low. “I think you’ll do great here.”

Her eyes met his, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. “I appreciate that,” she replied, her tone steady but with a hint of vulnerability he hadn’t expected. “I’m excited, but I also know this is going to be a challenge.”

“Don’t worry,” Aaron said, offering her a reassuring smile. “I’m confident you’re up for it. You’ve already impressed me.”

The words slipped out before he could stop them. As soon as they were out, he cursed himself internally. Was that too much? Too soon? But Kimberly didn’t seem to mind. In fact, she smiled slightly, a small but genuine curve of her lips.

“I’ll do my best,” she said softly. “And I won’t let you down.”

Aaron found himself nodding again, a feeling of satisfaction settling in his chest. She was sincere—he could see that much. And he liked it.

“Alright, well, I’ll leave you to settle in,” he said, motioning toward the door. “We’ll meet again soon to go over everything in more detail. In the meantime, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Kimberly stood up, adjusting her blazer as she smiled at him. “I’ll be ready. And thank you, Aaron. For this opportunity. It means a lot.”

The way she said his name lingered in the air, and for just a second, Aaron felt something stir within him—a flicker of something that he couldn’t quite identify. But it was there, undeniable. Kimberly Monet wasn’t just any assistant. She was something more.

“Good luck, Kimberly,” Aaron said, the words carrying more weight than he intended. “I’ll see you soon.”

With a final smile, Kimberly left the room, and Aaron’s gaze followed her out the door. He stood there for a moment, his thoughts scattered and his mind racing. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted. It wasn’t just the job that was different now—it was something about Kimberly. Something he wasn’t ready to confront.

As he turned back to the window, he found himself watching the city lights flicker below, but his mind was elsewhere. On her. On what would happen next.

As Aaron sat back in his chair, the weight of the moment settled in. It had been a typical meeting, but something about Kimberly’s quiet confidence lingered in his mind. He wasn’t sure if it was her calm demeanor or the way she seemed genuinely engaged in the conversation, but there was a connection that he hadn’t expected.

He ran a hand over his face, trying to shake off the feeling. She was his assistant, he reminded himself. He’d known many assistants, but this was different. The thought of her on his team, of seeing her every day, sent a ripple of something unfamiliar through him.

He glanced at the clock—another hour before his next meeting, and he was already thinking about how his next few days were going to unfold. Kimberly was going to be part of it now.

His phone buzzed on the desk, pulling him out of his thoughts. He picked it up to see a message from Marcus.

Marcus: "Got the contract sent over to Kimberly. I’ll be ready for our next meeting when you are."

Aaron responded quickly, his fingers moving over the keys almost absentmindedly.

Aaron: "Perfect. Let’s go over the schedule tomorrow."

He set the phone down, but his mind kept wandering back to Kimberly. She was sharp, driven—everything he’d hoped for in an assistant. But there was something more to her, something he couldn’t put his finger on. It was in the way she carried herself, in the way she looked at him, like she was trying to see beyond the actor persona.

Maybe that’s what unsettled him.

When he met people, it was always through the lens of his fame. But with Kimberly, he had the strange feeling she didn’t care about that. She didn’t care about Aaron Pierre, the actor. She cared about Aaron Pierre, the person. And that was something he hadn’t felt in a long time.