Chapter 4 The Job Offer

"Congratulations! You've been employed as the Brand Manager Assistant at Cross Empire."

Ava read the words over and over, her heart pounding in her chest.

She was sitting on a bench just outside the tall, glass covered building of Cross Empire, phone in her hand, sunlight warming her skin, but all she could feel was the rush of something powerful. Relief. Shock. Victory.

She had passed.

The email came in just ten minutes after her interview ended. Short and official, with her name in bold and a formal welcome. She didn't expect to hear back so soon especially not with good news.

She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.

"Project Manager Assistant."

It sounded big. It was big. This wasn't just some entry level desk job. She would be working directly under Jace Cross-the son of Sebastian Cross, the CEO himself. The same man who, years ago, destroyed her family's name.

They didn't recognize her. Not yet. But they would.

Soon.

Her fingers clenched around the phone, but she quickly relaxed them. She couldn't let emotions take over now. She had to stay sharp. Calm. Clever.

She stood up, still looking at the screen, a slight smile tugging at her lips. She was too distracted to notice the man walking toward her

Wham.

Ava bumped straight into him. Her phone almost slipped. His coffeespilled on the floor.

"Whoa!" the guy said, stepping back. "That's one way to say hello."

Ava gasped. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry!"

Brown coffee dripped down the sidewalk. The man looked down at his cup, then at her. And then... he laughed.

"It's alright," he said. "I've had worse mornings."

Ava blinked. He was about her age, wearing a grey hoodie and jeans. A camera hung around his neck, and he looked more like a college student than a professional.

"I wasn't paying attention," she said. "I just got an email."

"From them?" he asked, nodding toward the Cross Empire building behind her.

She smiled. "Yeah. I just got hired."

"No way." He raised his eyebrows, impressed. "Big company. What's the job?"

"Project Manager Assistant."

"Wow. Fancy title." He held out his hand. "I'm Liam."

"Ava," she replied, shaking it.

"I'm a blogger," Liam added. "I write about companies like Cross Empire. Tech stuff. Business. Sometimes a little gossip, if it's interesting."

Ava tilted her head. "You write about them? Is it... good or bad?"

"Depends on the day," he said with a grin. "But mostly, I try to tell the truth."

She chuckled. "Well, I just joined the enemy, then."

He laughed too. "Don't worry, I won't publish your name. Not unless you give me something juicy."

"You'll be waiting a long time," she said quickly.

But her smile faded just a little.

Because she had a secret. A reason for being here. And it had nothing to do with building a career or climbing a corporate ladder.

It was about justice. And revenge.

But Liam didn't need to know that.

Not yet.

"Well," he said, glancing down at his empty hand. "I lost a coffee, but I gained a new story. You owe me a cup."

Ava grinned. "Is that your way of asking me out?"

"It's my way of asking for caffeine," he replied. "But hey, if it turns into more-bonus."

She laughed, shaking her head. "Alright, blogger boy. One coffee. That's it."

"Deal."

They walked off toward the nearby café, chatting lightly. Ava had no idea why she felt so comfortable talking to him. Maybe it was because he didn't wear a suit. Maybe it was because he didn't ask too many questions. Or maybe, deep down, she just needed someone to talk to.

Even if she couldn't tell him the full truth... not yet.

But for now, she let herself enjoy the moment. A new job. A new beginning.

And maybe... a new friend.