The Weight of Decisions

Chapter Five:

As I put my phone down, I heard the familiar buzz of an incoming message.

I checked it, and it was from Richard.

“Lily, you can start off on Monday. There is a project at hand.”

I stared at the message for a long moment, trying to process it. That was fast. I had just met Richard a few hours ago, and now he wanted me to start immediately? No interviews, no further meetings, just a direct offer to jump into a project at Vanguard Enterprises.

The sense of excitement was overwhelming, but it was also tinged with confusion. Was I ready for this? Was this the right move? Was I really prepared to step into a role like this, so soon after everything that had happened with Mark? I had spent so much time doubting myself, questioning every choice, and now here I was—standing on the edge of a decision that could change my entire life.

Before I could let myself spiral into another round of self-doubt, a sudden knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts.

I opened it to find Mia standing there, her worried eyes scanning me immediately. “Lily, is everything alright? You sounded worried in your message.”

I stepped aside, allowing her in. “Oh! Mia, I don’t know. I mean, everything is moving so fast. It feels like I'm standing at the edge of a cliff, about to take a leap into something huge, but I’m not sure if I’m ready.”

Mia tilted her head, her brow furrowing as she followed me to the couch. She sat beside me, crossing her legs and leaning in with a look of concern. “What are you talking about, Lily?”

I let out a shaky breath, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on me. “Richard… he just messaged me. He wants me to start on Monday. There’s a project he wants me to handle. That’s... that’s really fast, Mia. I barely know him, and now I’m supposed to just dive in? It’s like everything is happening at once. I don’t know if I’m making the right choice.” And there is Mark, he called me today to accuse me of stalking him. "

"stalking him, how? listen to me Lily,Mia’s eyes softened as she leaned back, her expression thoughtful. “Lily, this is huge. It’s a big opportunity, one that most people would dream of. But why do you feel like you’re not ready?”

“I don’t know. I guess it’s because I feel like I’m running away from my problems with Mark, and into something... unknown. I don’t know if I’m doing this because I believe in myself, or because I just want to escape.” I felt the vulnerability rising in my chest as I spoke, the fear that had been gnawing at me coming to the surface.

Mia placed a comforting hand on mine, her touch grounding. “You’re not running away from anything. You’re moving toward something. You’re choosing to build a future for yourself, Lily. You’ve spent so long letting Mark control you, telling you who you were and what you were worth. But this job? It’s about you. This is your chance to step out of his shadow, to prove to yourself that you are enough, no matter what he thinks.”

I took a deep breath, her words hitting me harder than I expected. You are enough.

“But what if I’m wrong?” I whispered. “What if I can’t handle it? What if I mess up? What if I’m just pretending I’m ready when I’m not?”

“You’re never going to feel completely ready, Lily. Life doesn’t work that way. But you’re strong. And you’re smart. And I know you’re capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for.” Mia’s words were warm, but also filled with that fire of belief she always had in me. She’d been my rock for years, and sometimes, all I needed was to hear her say the things I couldn’t admit to myself.

I wiped my eyes, feeling a little silly for letting the emotions overwhelm me. “Thanks, Mia. I needed to hear that.”

She smiled softly, squeezing my hand. “You know I’ve got your back. No matter what, Lily. But this—this is your moment. Don’t let anything or anyone hold you back.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of my fears begin to lift, just a little. I had a choice. And while it was terrifying, it was also exciting. This could be my chance to build something entirely mine. It didn’t have to be perfect. It just had to be mine.

Mia stayed for a while, chatting about other things, helping me get out of my head. But as the evening wore on, the excitement returned. The more I thought about Vanguard, about Richard’s message, the more I could feel myself getting ready for what was to come.

And then, as the night grew quiet, there was a knock at my door. . My heart jumped, not expecting anyone .

"Are you expecting someone?" Mia asked

"Not at all."

I