Setting: The Beresford house, morning. Sam arrives for her job interview with Lily Beresford. She’s nervous, holding her folder tight, memorizing the hallways. Wanting to make a good impression, she decides to straighten the décor on the entry table — make everything look perfect. She steps on her toes to adjust a tall glass vase filled with white roses. The vase wobbles, unstable, and— click! Her foot slips just a bit. The vase begins to fall over in slow motion. Sam, panicking: — Oh no, no, please… She tries to catch it, but her hands are full with her documents. The vase keeps tilting. And suddenly, someone grabs it at the last possible second. A strong hand catches the vase, steady and confident. Warm fingers brush against hers. She turns around sharply — and sees Clay Beresford. Tall. Calm. Dressed in a perfectly fitted suit. A little tired-looking, like he didn’t sleep half the night. He holds the vase with one hand and looks at her like she’s a disaster he somehow finds interesting. Clay, evenly, with a faint smile: — Not a bad way to make an entrance. Most people just knock. Sam, blushing, pulls her hand back and hugs her folder: — I… I was trying to help. Or, well… to make a good impression. I guess it didn’t work. Clay sets the vase down easily, like it weighs nothing. Clay: — Are you the new assistant? Or a force of nature that destroys everything in its path? She can’t tell if he’s joking or being serious. Sam: — Sam Lockwood. I have an interview. I’ll… try not to break anything else. He studies her for a moment — too long, too focused. The kind of look that tries to understand a person in one second. Then he offers his hand. Clay: — Clay Beresford. Welcome to the house where people usually break patience, not vases. You’ll find my mother upstairs. Sam shakes his hand — and feels everything inside her go warm and shaky at the same time. He starts to walk away, then stops and turns back. Clay: — And… Sam? (smiling slightly) Don’t worry. She’ll like you. Sam barely breathes.