Chapter Eight - Into The Lion's Den

~Helena~

  I sat by the window of my room, staring into the night. Tomorrow, I will leave Pennsylvania for Washington, D.C. A new city, a new job, and a new life. My heart clenched at the thought. This house carried so many memories, my father’s laughter, the warmth of family dinners, the safety of childhood. I whispered softly, Dad, I hope you’re proud of me.

Packing was harder than I imagined. Every dress, every book, every photograph seemed to weigh double with the emotions they carried. I finally collapsed onto my bed, exhaustion pulling me under.

 The next morning, sunlight slipped into my room, warm against my face. I squinted, covering my eyes with my palm. It’s moving day, I reminded myself, my voice barely above a whisper. My stomach twisted between excitement and fear.

Boxes lined the floor. I had packed my essentials, but it still felt like I was leaving half my life behind.

When I stepped into the living room, my mother was already waiting. I curled beside her, resting my head on her shoulder. Since Dad passed, it had only been the two of us, and leaving her behind felt like tearing out a piece of myself.

“I’m going to miss you, Mom,” I said, my voice breaking.

Her hand squeezed mine, steady and warm. “I’ll miss you too, baby. But you need this. You deserve to live your life. Don’t be afraid, there’s more out there for you. I’ll be fine. You have Mrs. Lawson and Tasha watching over me, and I’ll have you visiting. Go make me proud.”

Tears blurred my vision. “Thank you, Mom.”

A car horn blared outside Tasha's signal. I hugged my mother tightly one last time before stepping out. We packed my things into her brother’s car, and with one final wave, Pennsylvania grew smaller in the rearview mirror.

The drive to Washington was long but not unbearable. Tasha made it easier snacks, my favorite songs, silly jokes to break the silence. At times, we napped. At others, we fell into deep conversation. Still, the further we drove, the more I felt like a small fish swimming into an endless ocean.

When we finally pulled up to my new apartment, relief and nerves clashed inside me. The place wasn’t luxurious, but it was cozy, clean, and most importantly mine. That night, we unpacked, laughed, and wandered the city streets for food and sightseeing.

The next day, Tasha dragged me into stores. “You need a new look,” she insisted, stuffing my arms with clothes. By the time we left, I had shoes, blouses, skirts, and even a fresh haircut with soft curls. For the first time in weeks, I felt like I was shedding my old skin.

But goodbyes came too soon. When she finally drove off, waving through the window, I forced a smile, even as tears slipped free. Alone in the quiet apartment, I whispered to myself, I can do this.

Monday came faster than I expected. My alarm buzzed at dawn. I showered, brushed my teeth, and stood before the mirror, smoothing a cream blouse into a charcoal skirt. My fingers trembled as I pinned my hair into a neat bun and slid into black heels that felt far too tall.

“You’ve got this,” I whispered, though my reflection didn’t look convincing.

As I grabbed my bag and headed for the door, my eye caught a red car parked across the street. My heart skipped. It looked eerily familiar, like the one I’d noticed back in Pennsylvania. But before I could look closer, the car sped away.

I shook it off. Not today, Helena. Focus.

  

The taxi pulled up in front of Fisher Corporation, its towering glass windows reflecting the morning sun. My chest tightened. This wasn’t just a company, it was a fortress. I paid the driver, stepped out, and adjusted my skirt before walking through the pristine lobby.

“Miss Hart?” a voice called.

I turned to see a young man with sharp features and a professional air. “I’m Daniel, Mr. Fisher’s assistant. Follow me.”

He guided me briskly through the building, pointing out key offices and staff areas before leading me to my desk. “Your duties are simple, until Mr. Fisher decides otherwise.” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

As I settled in, a cheerful voice greeted me. “Hi, I’m Rachel. You must be the new secretary.”

“Yes, I’m Helena,” I replied with a small smile.

“Don’t worry,” she said warmly. “It’s tough at first, but you’ll find your footing. Just… be prepared. Mr. Fisher isn’t the easiest man.”

I thanked her, grateful for the kindness.

A sudden hush fell over the office, the sound of approaching footsteps. I looked up.

Mr. Fisher.

My chest tightened as he stopped in front of me, eyes sharp, unreadable.

“My office. Now.” His voice cut through the air, leaving no room for hesitation.

I scrambled to my feet and followed him in, nerves pounding.

He sat behind his desk, expression cold, fingers drumming lightly on a thick file. Without a word, he pushed a stack of documents toward me.

“These reports need to be organized, cross-checked with last quarter, and summarized into a two-page brief. Have it on my desk by six.”

I froze, staring at the hundreds of pages. It was an impossible task. But the way he watched me, measuring, testing, told me this wasn’t about paperwork.

“I’ll handle it,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt.

The hours blurred. I skipped lunch, worked with aching fingers, eyes burning as I cross-checked and typed. By 5:55, I finally held the finished brief in trembling hands.

I walked into his office, placing the papers before him. He scanned them silently, his brow furrowing only once before smoothing out. Finally, he leaned back, lips curling into the faintest smirk.

“Noted,” was all he said.

My heart was hammered. Did I pass? Did I fail? His silence was suffocating.

I turned to leave, heels clicking across the floor. I could feel his gaze on me like a blade.

Behind me, his voice dropped into a low murmur, too soft for me to hear.

“Let’s see how long you’ll last, Miss Hart.”

Ethan’s smirk lingered in the dim light of his office.