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CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
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2025-09-27 21:05:08
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Once won't hurt CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
Mira Standing on the too-familiar porch, I felt nothing—no rush of emotions, no longing, just a faint nerve reminding me I was about to see their faces. Laughter rang out—melodious and free. I heard my mom’s voice, faint but distinct, followed by another burst of laughter. I stood there, bag in hand, wondering how they would receive me. Taking a deep breath, I pressed the doorbell. It was mother’s habit to answer the door, no matter how busy she was. My grip on my bag tightened as I pictured her face. My heart pounded as soft footsteps approached. The glass door swung open, faster than I’d imagined. Nerves kicked in, and I wished the ground would swallow me whole. She stepped out, one hand on the frame, the other hanging loosely by her side. My feet stayed rooted; words failed me. She was exactly as I remembered—still beautiful, barely aged, just a little plumper. Her gray joggers and green T-shirt made her seem taller somehow. Her face shifted from surprise to a warm smile, one th
Once won't hurt CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
Mira The long-awaited day had arrived. Friday—the day I would see my family after years. The thought felt like torment: to finally face them, especially my grown-up siblings. Time was running faster than I wanted; in a few hours I’d be standing on my parents’ porch. Laura would book a hotel while I stayed at my parents’; if I sensed I wasn’t welcome, I’d decamp. Perfect plan. I wasn’t going to try fitting in if they weren’t accommodating. Work came first. Voughan was set for next week and I had projects to wrap. To me now, Gigs building had lost its lustre—or maybe it never had any. I exchanged pleasantries with the receptionist, still congratulating me, when clapping and the click of heels announced Sarah. I smiled. The fool was digging her own grave. “You don’t bother about work anymore.” She planted a hand on her hip, the other on the desk. I didn’t respond and she took the bait. “You spend time with Elen instead of facing your designs. You were always serious—what happened?” I
Once won't hurt CHAPTER TWENTY
Mira It had been a week since I was enlisted for Voughan’s training. A dream come true — I still basked in the euphoria, relieved every time I remembered hearing my name. It was a messy mixture of joy, nerves and disbelief. I’d always wanted a bigger, tougher game: a place of endless possibilities, where I could learn from experts and use the best equipment. I never saw this coming. Seeing Clara’s face that day — the anger as she left, the confusion — said everything. She’d expected it; it felt planned. She had given hints before he appeared. I could tell they’d schemed. What a joke of a company. Bernard… that was who he was: ready to throw others under the bus for someone else’s sake. Now I saw him for who he really was. It hurt me, I had been loyal, respectful and diligent, and he would rather chose Clara over me? Maybe she’d been rejected by Voughan and I’d slipped onto the list, but I was happy nonetheless. I called Laura and she was over the moon. She insisted we celebrate in a
Once won't hurt CHAPTER NINETEEN
Ken Finally, Friday. I chuckled inwardly as I stood at the farthest corner of the boardroom, my back resting against the wall like I had no stake in what was unfolding. My eyes scanned the faces one by one, quietly, deliberately. It felt almost biblical, as though the day of reckoning had arrived. I had never been in this position before. Always the boss, always the one who controlled the flow of a room, giving orders that made people stiffen or second-guess their worth. But today, the silence was suffocating, the tension tangible enough to slice. I could almost hear the thrum of nerves beneath the stillness—shallow breathing, feet tapping under tables, fingers drumming discreetly against the wood. Some wore nervous smiles, flimsy masks that failed to hide the storm brewing inside them. Others had hardened their faces into blank walls, unwilling to reveal anything. And then there were those who looked almost smug, the ones who thought they had played their cards right by running
Once won't hurt CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Mira Finally, the long-awaited week arrived. The employees selected for the training would be announced soon. I was sure it would be Thursday or Friday—no one could work with the pressure if the names came out earlier. What if I got selected? Yes, everyone knew how devoted I was, how diligent, but I wasn’t certain. At first, I had disregarded the opportunity. Bernard could pick whomever he pleased; I hadn’t seen any signs that he had his eyes on me. We spoke, but always about work—nothing more. Thinking about it made my heart race. Such an opportunity was rare. It was my dream to work somewhere bigger, and Voughan was the highest anyone could aspire to. Then it struck me like lightning—Lizzy’s wedding. My heart skipped. None of them had called me since they delivered the date. They hadn’t bothered to update me with the process. How would I face them? Should I go home first or straight to the venue? I was utterly confused. I just wanted it to come and go, too awkward to bear. I had
Once won't hurt CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN Ken Layla walked in, swaying her hips to captivate me. She smiled, flashing her teeth. I wondered what was funny. She had taken it as a habit to walk in uninvited, she prided in it, like she was the only one allowed to. "Hello, handsome." She leaned on my desk, her buttons unfastened again. "Hello, Miss Layla. What can I do for you?" "Lunch?" "Nope." She did that thing with her hands under her chest again, pouting like a child. Honestly, she was annoying and shameless. Her antics were pitiful—cheap tricks that only deepened my irritation. "Why are you always refusing me? It’s just lunch. We can know ourselves in the process. Ken—" My phone rang, cutting her off. It was Bernard. Thank goodness—I had been rescued. I never liked being in Bernard’s space, but I hated Layla more. I answered the call. He summoned me. "If you’ll excuse me, I have something to do." I rose from my chair, straightening my sleeve. "You really don’t want to have lunch with me?" she g
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