Chapter Seven- Beginnings and Shadows

 ~Helena~

  My heart flickered when I stepped out of Fisher Corporation after the interview. I could hardly believe what had just happened, that the man I’d spilled coffee on earlier that morning was none other than the CEO himself. Ethan Fisher. The thought alone made my stomach twist.

I had been anxious before, but the moment I recognized him across the conference table, I thought my chances were ruined. Still, I had no choice but to keep my composure and do my best. Now, walking down the street, I felt wrung out, as though every ounce of energy had been drained from me.

I caught the next bus back to Pennsylvania. The moment I sat down by the window, a sense of relief washed over me. I allowed myself, for the first time that day, to really notice the beauty of the city. In the morning, I’d been too tense, too focused on my interview, but now… now I saw it. Cars streaming past with polished shine, people in crisp, stylish outfits walking briskly across intersections, the tall buildings gleaming in the afternoon light. The city seemed alive in a way my small neighborhood never did.

But as much as I admired it, my mind kept drifting back to the interview. His piercing questions. His gaze, so steady, so unreadable, as if he could see right through me. The memory made me squeeze the strap of my bag tighter. I wondered if I’d said enough or too much.

The bus finally pulled into Pennsylvania, and I climbed off, walking quickly down the familiar streets until I reached our modest home. The sight of it instantly grounded me.

“Hey, Mom,” I said softly as I entered her room. She was sitting on the bed, wrapped in her favorite shawl. I leaned down and kissed her forehead.

“Hey, baby girl. You’re back.” Her smile warmed me more than the city lights ever could. “How was the interview?”

I hesitated, sitting beside her. “It was fine, Mom. I did my best. I just… I hope they call me soon.”

“I hope so too,” she said, squeezing my hand tightly. Her touch gave me courage, though a knot of uncertainty still sat in my chest.

I left her room and collapsed onto my bed. Staring up at the ceiling, I replayed everything, spilling coffee, his expression, the sharpness of his questions. Would he really consider me, a waitress with little experience, worthy of his company? The thought made me groan into my pillow, muffling my frustration.

A knock on my door pulled me back. I dragged myself up and opened it to see Tasha standing there, her grin wide and full of mischief.

“Hi! How was the interview? I hope you crushed it,” she said, brushing past me into the room.

I sighed, shutting the door. “I don’t know. He looked so strict, Tasha. His questions… They were sharp, like arrows. I just hope I proved I could handle the job.”

She flopped onto my bed, propping her chin on her hands. “Okay, okay. But tell me the real details. Was he hot?”

I groaned. “Oh, Tasha. Really?”

“Yes, really.” She giggled, her eyes sparkling. “Come on, don’t leave me hanging.”

I chuckled despite myself, a small flush creeping up my cheeks. “Fine. His looks were… effortless. The kind that draws attention without trying.”

Her eyes widened. “Mhm, I knew it. But be careful, some CEOs eat secretaries alive.” She gave me a mock-serious stare before dissolving into laughter.

Soon we were both laughing, making a joke out of everything that had happened that day. I even told her how breathtaking the city looked and how grand the company building was. For a while, it felt good to forget the weight of the interview.

We lay across my bed, giggling over nonsense, when my phone suddenly buzzed on the nightstand. I reached for it, frowning at the unfamiliar number. My stomach tightened as I swiped to answer.

“Hello? This is Helena.”

“Good evening, Miss Hart,” came a crisp voice. “This is the Fisher Corporation. I’m calling regarding your interview earlier today.”

My heart leapt into my throat. I sat upright, clutching the phone so hard my knuckles whitened. “Yes, of course. Thank you for calling.”

“We’re pleased to inform you that you’ve been selected for the secretary position under Mr. Ethan Fisher.”

The world tilted. My knees nearly buckled, and I sank to the floor. “I… I got the job?”

“Yes, Miss Hart. You start on Monday at 8 a.m. sharp. Please bring two passport photographs and a valid ID. The formal contract will be presented for signing on your first day.”

I swallowed hard, my voice trembling. “Thank you. Thank you so much. I won’t disappoint you.”

There was a pause. The voice grew colder. “I’m sure you won’t. Fisher Corporation values loyalty and discretion above all else. Remember that.”

The words sliced through me. I blinked, confused. “Of course,” I managed. “I understand.”

“Good. We’ll see you on Monday.”

The line went dead.

I lowered the phone slowly, staring at the screen as if it might explain the unease curling in my stomach.

“Well?” Tasha demanded, bouncing on the bed. “What did they say?”

“I got it,” I whispered. Then louder, with disbelief and a shaky laugh: “I got the job.”

Tasha shrieked, tackling me in a hug. “Yes! Helena, this is huge! You’re officially out of the restaurant life. You’re moving up!”

I laughed with her, letting the excitement wash over me. Yet deep down, the caller’s final words lingered, twisting in my thoughts like a knot. Loyalty and discretion above all else. Why had it sounded less like guidance… and more like a warning?

I rushed to tell my mom, who beamed with pride and pulled me into her arms. For a few minutes, the heaviness lifted, replaced by the lightness of possibility.

Back in my room, Tasha was still buzzing. “We have to celebrate, and you can’t say no this time,” she said giddily.

“Of course, I’m all in,” I replied, her energy contagious. I changed into something casual but neat while she kept chattering about how I’d need new clothes, better shoes, maybe even a new hairstyle now that I was “a corporate girl.” I nodded and laughed, though the unease hadn’t left me.

We finally stepped out of the house, the night air cool on my skin. That’s when I froze.

A red car was parked across the street. Sleek. Polished. It didn’t look familiar.

My neighbors didn’t own cars like that. For a moment, I wondered if maybe it was new, maybe someone down the street had bought it. But even as I thought it, the driver must have felt my stare.

The headlights flared suddenly, the engine revved, and the car pulled away with deliberate smoothness. Not rushing, not hesitant. Just… gone.

A shiver crept down my spine. “Who could that be?” I murmured.

Tasha glanced at me, distracted. “Probably nothing. Come on, Lena, don’t ruin the mood.”

But I couldn’t shake the feeling that it hadn’t been nothing. That car hadn’t just been passing by.

And for the

first time, I wondered if getting this job was the beginning of something I wasn’t ready for.