There were some things in life that she didn't understand.

Like why all women would pause and admire a Vera Wang wedding gown when they passed a Barney's window display. Even if they promised themselves and many others that they just weren't interested in getting married, they would still always pause, and admire.

She always did find amusement in little things. Growing up, she didn't have many friends. Actually, she only had one friend. Lucas Scott. And that was all that she needed.

That probably explained why she was so quirky and odd and why when she went shopping in the city, she paid more attention to the people then the actual clothing. She never would've pictured herself here in the middle of a large city with sky high buildings and fancy shops.

She had grown up in Tree Hill, North Carolina and went to Tree Hill High with a student body of 800 guys and girls. Some may say she had lived a sheltered life. But, she would say she hadn't lived at all.

She had merely existed.

That was, until she met Nathan Scott. He changed her world in so many ways that it should've scared her. And, it did. It scared her. It affected her. He had made an imprint on her life and sometimes Haley wondered if he even knew that.

Maybe she would never know.

Here she was, at 24, graduated from college, in the big city, New York and all she could think about was an old flame from the past. That was her, Haley James, by far the most ordinary girl on the surface but so radically different beneath.

That was one of the things he liked most about her.

Haley walked down the streets of New York, admiring the skyscrapers and vast majority of people, going about their everyday lives. Some were smiling. Some were frowning. Some had no expression. Some were laughing. Some were yelling. Some were screaming. So many people, so different then what she was used to.

This was life. This was what life was supposed to be.

Diversity, excitement, something new, fresh, and different. Something she had once before, but lost. Something she had in Nathan Scott.

Something she still wished she had.

Haley stopped walking for a moment as she paused in the street. No one else cared. Everyone walked around her, no one touched her, talked to her or even looked at her. As if she was poison and that if they merely spared one second for her then they would be tainted.

The coldness of it all shocked her as Haley felt the numbness leaving her. She moved her legs and continued walking up the sidewalk, hoping to reach her destination sooner.

She was in New York for a job interview. She had just graduated and her prospects were high. She had majored in business at UNC Chapel Hill, one of the best business colleges in the country and back in North Carolina, she would've been big, she would've been great. She would've had a guaranteed, no questions asked, solid future.

But, she didn't want reassurances. She had safety her whole life. She was something different. She wanted something new.

She wanted something like Nathan. She wanted a challenge that was foreign but worth it.

She wanted New York. That was the reason why she was standing in front of a prestigious company, knowing that even if she did get a job, she would be at the bottom, spending months, maybe even years to work her way to the top. She wouldn't start out with a sky high gorgeous office like she always dreamed.

She would start out serving coffee and making copies. She would start out being nothing more then a lackey. The New York term was 'personal assistant' but she knew better.

At least she would be a personal assistant to a pretty darn important person. The director of international sales. Mr. Christopher Scott.

The last name stroke her at first but now it was in the back of her mind. There were probably a million other people with a last name of Scott in this world. There was no relation.

Then again, with her luck, you really never knew.

Haley bit back her surmisements and pushed her way through the revolving doors. Entering the building, she gasped as her eyes got wide and her hands became sweaty. It was the most beautiful building she had ever seen.

High rise ceiling with a crystal chandelier hanging down. Marble floor with gold lining. Every where around her were clicks of heels and shoes. It was the sound of success and Haley relished in it.

Raising her head up, she walked across the floor confidently, placing a cool and calm look upon her face as she walked into the bathroom. She turned on the faucet, the cool water flowing from the metal and onto her hands before dripping down the white porcelain. She looked up at the mirror and brushed back a stray hair before making sure her bun was still neat. Giving herself a reassuring smile, she walked out of the bathroom and into the main lobby.

She stood in front of the elevators and raised an eyebrow as she watched a man nervously stab the elevator button. Smiling, she said good naturedly, "You know, pushing it multiple times isn't going to make the elevator arrive any faster."

The man quickly turned around and smiled nervously, "Can you tell I'm anxious?"

"I'm not sure if that's the word I'll use."

"I've got a meeting with the boss. And, I can't be late."

"You won't be," Haley reassured, "Just calm down. I'm pretty sure you don't want to go in looking dissheveled."

"No, no," he said nodding, "That's the last thing I want." Letting out a sigh of relief when the elevator finally arrived, he rushed in and gave Haley a small smile.

She stepped in, moving to the back so there was space for others as well. Looking up at the ceiling, she closed her eyes and calmed her nerves, knowing that things would be going her way. This felt right. This job was going to be her ticket to the top, no matter how long it took for her to get there.

She felt someone nudge her elbow and her eyes snapped open, realizing that it was the nervous man she was conversing with only moments before.

"What level?"

"45," she answered.

There was then a mutual silence among the crowd as the elevator began to empty out, leaving only the nervous man and Haley alone.

"It must be fate," she said with a smile.

"Right," he said, tapping his shoe furiously against the floor.

The elevator bell dinged once again and Haley silently walked out the door before she turned around and said softly, "You'll do good. Relax."

Too nervous to reply, his thanks was in his eyes as he nodded before the elevator door closed. Haley turned back around and walked up to the secretary's desk. She forced out a smile before saying, "I have an appointment with Mr. Scott."

"Are you his 3:00?" She asked as she flipped through what Haley assumed was an appointment book thought it looked more like one of those large encyclopedias you found at a library.

"Yeah, Haley James."

"Ahh, Ms. James," the secretary smiled fakely before she stood up and curled her manicured finger at her, "This way please. He's been expecting you."

"Great," she breathed before she followed the secretary, wishing that her fears would subside.

"Mr. Scott," the secretary announced, "Your 3:00 is here."

Haley frowned. His 3:00? Apparently she had no name anymore, she was merely someone's 3:00. Then again, this was New York. She shouldn't have expected anymore. Immediately wiping the frown off her her face, she walked through the open door and smiled cooly. Reaching out her hand, she gave him a strong handshake before he motioned for her to sit down.

Crossing her legs, she leaned back slightly though still remaining upright. She relaxed her shoulders and lightly placed her hands against the seat rest. Making sure her posture was comfortable yet confident, she looked him in the eye and awaited the questioning.

"So, Ms. James," Mr. Scott said slowly, "I've looked over your files and might I say, impressive background," he paused, "Academic wise."

"Thank you," she said with a firm smile though she could taste the subtle jab in the two sided compliment.

"You are a bit younger then I expected. Here in New York, the competition is fierce. What makes you think you're ready?"

Slightly taken back at the audacity of his question, she answered strongly, "No one ever really knows if they're ready or not. I'd rather try my best while I can then die waiting."

"You're truthful, I like that," he paused yet again and Haley could already feel the insult upon his lips. "Rash though. I need someone who's dependable."

Haley resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She was being interviewed to be a damn coffee and copying girl for goodness sakes. Forcing a smile, she kept her voice steady, "First comes trust and you don't strike me as a character who trusts easily."

"Touche," Mr. Scott smiled before cocking his head to the side. He intertwined his fingers before nodding, "You're hired."

Surprised at his words, she smiled professionally, "When do I start?"

"Tomorrow," he said simply. "Dana will fill you in on all the details."

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Scott," she said before standing up and giving him another handshake. Walking out the door, Haley breathed a sigh of relief and walked towards the secretary's desk.

--

"This is ridiculous," Haley said to herself as she finished making the copies. Hurriedly, she sorted out the papers but this process was stopped as Haley suddenly resisted the urge to scream and a stabbing pain pounded against her right forefinger. She immediately brought her finger to her lips as she sucked, trying her best to bite back the pain.

She hated paper cuts.

Shaking her finger, she finished sorting out the papers and rushed out the copying room and into Mr. Scott's office. In a hurry, she never noticed someone was sitting adjacent from him.

"Okay, here are those copies you needed. The Miller Case will be sorted and ready by the end of the hour. Mr. Santos called and he said he wanted to renegotiate the Seine-Lorra deal and he wants you to call him back by 4:00." Letting out a sigh, Haley pushed a strand of her hair back as she looked up at Mr. Scott.

"Well done, Ms. James," he praised with a smirk before he nodded towards his guest. "I believe in your hurried frenzy, you didn't notice my guest."

"Oh, my-" she said slightly embarrassed, "I'm so sorry if I interrupted any- "

"No worries. He's just family," Mr. Scott replied easily, "He's actually still new to this city and he's stuck under my care." He paused dramatically and suddenly exclaimed, "If you're not doing anything right now, Ms. James, why don't you show him around town?"

Haley bit back the urge to roll her eyes. Mr. Scott was a lot of things but a good actor, he was not. "Sure," she said forcefully before she pressed her thumb against her forefinger.

"Well, then, Nathan, why don't you meet your escort, Ms. Haley James."

--