Chapter 2 THE UNEXPECTED OFFER

Claire was dreaming about drowning in coffee beans when her phone shattered the silence.

6:47 AM. Unknown number.

"Hello?" Her voice came out as a croak.

"Miss Blake? Claire Blake?" Female, crisp, professional.

"Yes? Who is this?"

"My name is Jennifer Park. I'm calling on behalf of Mr. Cole. Damian Cole."

Claire sat bolt upright. "Oh God, he's suing me, isn't he?"

A pause. "I'm sorry?"

"The coffee. The shirt. I know it was expensive, and I said I'd pay..."

"Miss Blake," Jennifer interrupted gently, "Mr. Cole isn't suing you. He'd like to offer you a job."

The words didn't compute. "A... what?"

"A job. He was impressed by your initiative yesterday and believes you might be a good fit for a position within his organization."

Claire looked around her tiny bedroom. Was she still dreaming?

"This is a prank, right?"

"I assure you, this is not a prank. Mr. Cole would like to meet with you today. Are you available at ten AM?"

"I have a shift at the café."

"What time do you finish?"

"Two. But I don't understand. What kind of job? Why me? I dumped coffee on him!"

Jennifer's voice warmed slightly. "Mr. Cole has his reasons. He'll explain everything when you meet. Shall I schedule you for two-thirty? At Cole Enterprises headquarters?"

Claire's mind raced. This had to be a mistake. But what if it wasn't?

She thought about her mother's prescriptions. Clara's MIT applications. The loan payments she'd been deferring.

"Two-thirty works," she heard herself say.

"Excellent. I'll text you the address. Business casual is fine."

The call ended, leaving Claire staring at her phone.

Clara rolled over. "Was that a robocall?"

"I think I just got a job offer from the guy I assaulted with coffee."

"What?"

"I don't know! His assistant called. I'm meeting him this afternoon."

Clara sat up, fully alert. "The billionaire? Claire, that's amazing!"

"Or terrifying. Possibly both." Claire swung out of bed. "Don't get excited. It's probably a misunderstanding."

But even as she said it, hope flickered in her chest.

The morning shift dragged on. At 9 AM, a text arrived: address, parking validation, Security will be expecting you. 47th floor. -Jennifer Park

The 47th floor. Of course.

Mrs. Chen noticed her distraction. "You okay, hon?"

"I have a meeting this afternoon. After my shift."

"What kind of meeting?"

"Maybe a job interview? At Cole Enterprises."

Mrs. Chen nearly dropped her mug. "Honey, if Damian Cole is offering you a job, you take it. Whatever it is, you say yes."

"But what if.."

"No buts. Opportunities like this don't come twice."

At 2:15, Claire changed in the bathroom. Navy blazer from Goodwill, black slacks slightly too short, white button-down, ballet flats. Not billionaire-world appropriate, but presentable.

She wrestled her curly hair into a bun and gave herself a pep talk: "Don't throw up, don't throw up, don't throw up."

The Cole Enterprises building was a gleaming glass tower piercing the sky. The lobby was marble and modern art. Security checked her ID, made a call, and handed her a visitor badge.

"Forty-seventh floor. Elevators to your left."

The glass elevator offered panoramic views as it rose. Other passengers - expensive suits, leather briefcases - looked like they belonged.

She definitely did not.

The 47th floor was even more intimidating. Floor-to-ceiling windows, sleek furniture, massive silver logo: COLE ENTERPRISES.

"Miss Blake?" A woman approached - Asian, mid-thirties, burgundy designer suit. "I'm Jennifer Park."

"Nice to meet you." Claire shook her hand, trying not to think about her sweaty palms.

"Mr. Cole is finishing a call. Can I get you water? Coffee?" Jennifer's lips twitched.

"Water would be great."

Jennifer led her to a sitting area. Through glass walls, Claire saw busy offices, conference rooms, and purposeful people.

"Mr. Cole can be a bit direct," Jennifer said, returning with sparkling water. "Don't take it personally. He's actually quite kind once you know him."

"That's reassuring in a terrifying way."

Jennifer smiled. "You'll be fine. He liked you."

"He doesn't know me."

"Maybe not. But Damian has good instincts about people." She stood as a door opened. "That's him now. Ready?"

No. "Sure."