LOGINJULIAN'S POVThree days after Emilia arrived in our company was all it took for progress to be noticeable. Investors were crawling back in like they never left. It was desired, yet in a certain kind of way, unsettling. How she was able to do that, how she was able to present the company positively to a potential client is something I have never seen. For her, it was never luck, she's just a natural when it comes to business and finance and there is just ni denying that. It was impressive as hell. Seeing the person I had rooted for beginning to prove that I didn't make a mistake since day one was epic. Even though that means I will have to deal with grumpy Cassandra. "Sir?" I snapped out of my thought as that voice reached my ears, completely taken by surprise as I had never heard the sound of anyone coming into my office. I veered around to see my secretary standing there with an iPad tucked to his chest and he waited for me to respond. "Yes?" "Miss Cassandra is adamant to see
EMILIA'S POVThere was one thing I always trusted, structure. And right now, the structure in Theodore's company was the only thing keeping me leveled. I was involved in every part of the company's growth, so it was safe to say I had clear expectations when it came to anything regarding the company. Roles are defined with predictable outcomes, nothing is out of hand. But Julian's company was an entirely different thing. First of the energy around there was tensed whenever I was around. Everything was all over the place and I knew I needed a good number of months before I could get things in order. The unpredictability was really getting on my nerves. The only thing that helps is the fact that I was too busy to dwell on worry.Today was one of those busy days. My morning started at Theodore's company. I responded to emails, read through reports, and attended two meetings. Theodore had stopped by briefly during my work. He had leaned against my desk with that easy confidence of his
EMILIA’S POVThe silence in my office was the kind I liked while I worked. Everything was calm and in place unlike my life. I flipped through the report on my desk, tapping it lightly with my pen as I read and marked inconsistencies and mistakes. My phone buzzed on the table, breaking the silence. I ignored it at first, but when the noise continued cutting through my work, I kept the pain and picked up the phone, muttering something about how I hate distractions under my breath. Without even bothering to check who the caller was, I answered the phone and placed it to my ear, waiting for whoever it was to speak first. “Hello?” The caller spoke first. When the familiar voice hit my ear, I shifted the phone away to look at the caller ID. It was an unknown number. I frowned, wanted to last out immediately, wondering how Julian could get my number this easily, then I recalled I had written it on the contract. I eased into the chair as I responded to his greeting, trying so hard to keep
EMILIA'S POVBy the time I pulled into Theodore's company's parking lot, I was completely over my meeting with Cassandra. Though it took more time than I cared to admit, at the end of the day, I realized she really doesn't have that firm grip on my emotions as she used to. At least that was what I forced myself to believe as I stepped out of the car, smoothening the little crease at the front of my skirt. I walked into the familiar building with just one task at the back of my mind that needed completion. Telling Theodore about my new offer. I was a bit nervous about that too because I wasn't sure how he was going to take it. I mean, no employer would want their staff to be working in another company right? But this wasn't a normal job; it would also provide him with an advantage in his own space. I walked slowly toward his office, my heels clicking against the marble floor. I was trying to buy myself as much time as I could afford. At the same time, I knew there was no better time
EMILIA'S POVOne thing I made sure of despite my anxiety and uncertainty was that I arrived on time.Walking through the familiar hallway brought back so many memories, memories I had buried deep in my heart and vowed never to bring them up again. I had to fight tears as I walked, keeping my head up and refusing to bend it for anyone, despite the murmurs, beside the weight of their gazes. When I finally reached the conference room Julian was in, I stood outside for a few minutes, hesitation messing with my determined mind. I could turn around and leave, and I will never have to face the challenges that come with it. It was tempting indeed. But I wasn't a coward. Scared, yes. Anxious, yes. But definitely not a weakling.I could hear faint voices speaking within the room. I placed my hand on the doorknob, took a deep breath, and pressed down. The door swung open before I could push it fully, and suddenly I was standing face to face with Cassandra. The one person I vowed to avoid for
JULIAN'S POVIt was two days after I met with Emilia that the document that would seal our deal arrived. We were in a meeting with the rest of the team, discussing the success of the event and how it will positively affect our company, moving forward from today. Cassandra had arrived late to the meeting as usual but we were just getting started and she hadn't missed much. "Overall, the event looked like it was a success on our side." one of the company's executives said, sliding the report across the table. "We secured three new investors and negotiations are ongoing with the rest, it did looks positive from my viewpoint," Daniel muttered, picking up the report. "And the new staff that was acquired?" Another team member asked. "She isn't necessarily new. She has been a part of this company before." I responded casually. My statement though, seemed to have an effect on Cassandra, she dragged her eyes across the table and set them on me, waiting for additional information, without
A Familiar VoiceEmilia’s POVWork had been exhausting.By the time I finally returned home that night, it was already well past nine.The moment I pushed the door open and stepped inside, the quietness of the house wrapped around me. Normally I enjoyed the silence, but tonight it only made the we
The Cost of AmbitionEmilia’s POV“Gosh… it hurts!”The words slipped out of my mouth as I leaned heavily against the bathroom sink.My hands trembled slightly while I stared at the reflection in the mirror.The woman looking back at me barely resembled the person I remembered.My face was pale.T
First Victory Emilia’s POVThe moment I stepped into the California Annual Tech Expo Center, my stomach twisted with nerves.The building was enormous.Bright lights hung from the high ceiling, illuminating rows and rows of company booths. Massive digital screens displayed advertisements for new te
A Risk Worth TakingEmilia’s POVI still couldn’t believe it.Even now, sitting in the tiny cubicle that had been assigned to me, I found myself staring at the signed documents on my desk like they might suddenly disappear.Twenty-five percent.An extra twenty-five percent of the company. And all i







