Chapter 8

Sarah hurriedly swallowed the last piece of bread on her plate before reaching for her glass of juice. She took a quick sip and glanced at the clock hanging on the kitchen wall.

Her interview was in less than two hours.

Immediately, she pushed back her chair and hurried toward her room.

Unlike the past few mornings, she had woken up feeling lighter than she had in days. The knot of anxiety that had followed her ever since leaving Hart Holdings seemed to have loosened, if only a little.

For the first time in what felt like forever, she wasn’t waking up with thoughts of Calvin Hart and his impossible attitude.

Instead, she had something else to focus on. A new opportunity and a fresh start.

As she sat in front of her mirror brushing her hair, her eyes drifted toward her phone resting on the dresser.

The interview email from Luc’s Enterprises was still open.

She had already read it more times than she could count.

Yet somehow, she found herself opening it again.

A small smile tugged at her lips.

Maybe because it felt real now.

After weeks of rejections and disappointments, someone had finally seen potential in her.

A knock sounded on her partially opened door.

Before she could respond, Ann poked her head inside.

The moment she saw Sarah staring at her phone again, she burst into laughter.

“You’ve checked that email at least fifteen times this morning.”

Sarah rolled her eyes.

“Twelve.”

Ann folded her arms.

“That’s not better.”

“It is in my head.”

Ann laughed and stepped into the room.

“Nervous?”

Sarah paused.

Then sighed.

“A little.”

“A little?”

Sarah turned toward her friend.

“Fine. A lot.”

Ann’s expression softened.

There was no teasing in her eyes now.

Only encouragement.

“You’ll do great.”

Sarah looked away.

“I hope so.”

“No.”

Ann walked over and adjusted the collar of Sarah’s blouse before brushing an imaginary speck of dust from her shoulder.

“You will do great.”

The confidence in her voice made Sarah smile despite herself.

“You sound very certain.”

“Because I am.”

Ann stepped back and looked her over carefully from head to toe.

“Hmm.”

Sarah immediately frowned.

“What?”

Ann tapped her chin dramatically.

“You look professional.”

Sarah raised an eyebrow.

“Good.”

“You look confident.”

“I don’t feel confident.”

“That’s irrelevant.”

Sarah laughed.

“And?”

“And you look exactly like someone who’s about to get hired.”

A laugh escaped Sarah’s lips.

“I love how specific that was.”

“I have a gift.”

Sarah shook her head affectionately.

“You really do.”

After one final check of her documents, she grabbed her handbag and headed out.

Several minutes later, Sarah found herself seated in the reception area of Luc’s Enterprises.

The atmosphere immediately felt different from Hart Holdings.

The space was elegant without being intimidating.

Employees walked past with relaxed smiles. Conversations flowed naturally. There wasn’t the same rigid tension she had felt every day at Hart Holdings.

A small part of her found herself relaxing.

Maybe it was her imagination.

Or maybe company culture really did make a difference.

She was still observing her surroundings when a young woman approached her with a pleasant smile.

“Miss Sarah Williams?”

Sarah immediately stood.

“Yes.”

The woman returned the smile.

“Please come with me.”

Her stomach flipped instantly.

This was it.

As she followed the woman through the hallway, her heartbeat steadily increased.

She silently repeated every interview tip she could remember. They stopped outside a large conference room and thewoman opened the door and gestured for her to enter.

“Good luck.”

Sarah nodded gratefully.

“Thank you.”

Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.

The interview room was spacious and bright, with large windows overlooking part of the city. Three interviewers sat behind a conference table, their expressions professional but welcoming.

Sarah greeted them politely before taking her seat.

To her surprise, the interview began smoothly.

The first few questions focused on her previous experience, administrative skills, and ability to manage demanding schedules. As the conversation progressed, they asked about conflict resolution, workplace challenges, and her long-term career goals.

With every answer, Sarah felt some of her nervousness fade.

The interviewers seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say.

They listened attentively.

They asked follow-up questions.

They even laughed once when she shared a story about handling a scheduling disaster at a previous job.

By the halfway point, it felt less like an interrogation and more like a conversation.

An entire hour passed before she realized it.

Finally, one of the interviewers closed the file in front of him and smiled.

“Thank you for coming, Miss Williams.”

Sarah returned the smile.

“Thank you for having me.”

“We’ve enjoyed speaking with you. We’ll be in touch soon regarding our decision.”

Sarah nodded politely and rose to her feet.

“Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity.”

After exchanging final pleasantries, she left the room.

The moment the door closed behind her, she released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. A smile slowly spread across her face as she walked back down the corridor.

She didn’t know whether she had secured the position but for the first time in a very long while, she felt hopeful.

She made her way downstairs and exited the building, stopping near the entrance while waiting for her cab. The afternoon sun was warm against her skin, and she found herself replaying parts of the interview in her head—not to criticize herself this time, but to appreciate how far she had come.

She was checking her phone when someone bumped lightly into her shoulder.

“Sarah?”

She looked up.

“Jenny!”

A smile immediately spread across her face.

“I didn’t know you’d be here.”

Jenny laughed as Sarah pulled her into a quick hug.

“Neither did I. I wasn’t planning on coming, but I needed to have a quick word with my dad.”

She pulled back and studied Sarah’s face carefully.

“More importantly, how did the interview go?”

Sarah smiled.

“It went well.”

Jenny raised an eyebrow.

“Just well?”

“Okay, maybe better than well.”

“There she is,” Jenny said with a grin.

Sarah laughed.

As they stood there chatting, Jenny glanced toward the road.

“Where are you headed?”

“Home.”

“Perfect. I’ll drop you.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I know.”

Sarah smiled.

“Then thank you.”

A few minutes later, they were driving through the city, talking about everything and nothing. Jenny filled most of the ride with stories about her family, work, and the chaos that came with having too many relatives who all insisted on being involved in each other’s lives.

By the time they arrived at Sarah’s apartment, neither of them seemed eager to end the conversation.

Sarah unfastened her seatbelt and turned to her friend.

“Want to come in for coffee?”

Jenny’s eyes lit up.

“Absolutely.”

The moment they stepped into the apartment, they found Ann sprawled across the couch with a bowl of popcorn balanced on her lap.

She looked up.

Jenny looked up.

For a brief moment, neither woman spoke.

Sarah, standing behind Jenny, immediately mouthed a silent be nice toward Ann.

Ann rolled her eyes.

Jenny pretended not to notice.

Within ten minutes, however, Sarah realized her concern had been unnecessary.

The years had softened whatever annoyance remained between them from high school, and before long the three women were laughing over old memories and embarrassing stories.

“You remember Mr. Davidson?” Ann asked.

Jenny groaned immediately.

“The chemistry teacher?”

“The same one.”

“The man hated me.”

“He hated everyone.”

“No,” Jenny protested. “He specifically hated me.”

The conversation dissolved into laughter.

Hours seemed to pass in a blur of nostalgia, teasing, and exaggerated retellings of school drama.

Eventually, Jenny glanced at the time and jumped up from her seat.

“Oh my God. I almost forgot.”

Sarah frowned.

“What?”

Jenny pointed dramatically at both women.

“You two are officially invited to my stepbrother’s engagement party.”

Ann sat up immediately.

“Engagement party?”

“Yes. It’s in a few days.”

Jenny smiled excitedly.

“And before either of you starts making excuses, I’m picking you up myself.”

“I’m in,” Ann declared without hesitation.

Jenny laughed.

“That was fast.”

Ann flipped her hair dramatically.

“Maybe I’ll finally meet the love of my life.”

Sarah snorted.

“The love of your life?”

“My missing rib.”

The room erupted into laughter.

Then both women turned toward Sarah.

The look on their faces immediately made her suspicious.

“Oh no.”

“Oh yes,” Jenny replied.

Sarah held up both hands.

“Slow down. Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you’ve already decided for me.”

Jenny grinned.

“We have.”

Sarah groaned.

“I’ll try.”

“No,” Jenny corrected. “You’re coming.”

Before Sarah could respond, Jenny suddenly snapped her fingers.

“Oh! That reminds me.”

“What now?” Ann asked.

“Do you both remember Calvin Hart from high school?”

Sarah nearly choked on her coffee.

Ann immediately noticed.

Her eyes narrowed.

Very slowly.

With interest.

“What about him?”

Jenny completely missed Sarah’s reaction.

“My stepbrother is getting married to his sister.”

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Then Ann blinked.

“Wait.”

She pointed.

“Calvin had a sister?”

Jenny nodded.

“Of course.”

“We never saw her.”

“She didn’t attend Winston High.”

“Oh.”

Ann leaned back.

“That explains it.”

Jenny laughed.

“Small world, right?”

Sarah forced a smile.

Small world wasn’t exactly the phrase she would have used.

Unfortunately, she remained quiet long enough for nobody to notice her discomfort.

Eventually, Jenny checked the time again and grabbed her handbag.

“Okay, now I really have to go.”

She pointed at both women as she headed towards the door.

“Don’t forget. You’re coming.”

“We’ll be there,” Ann promised.

Jenny smiled.

“Good. See you girls soon.”

A few minutes later, the apartment door closed behind her.

Silence settled over the room.

Sarah stared at her coffee cup.

Ann stared at Sarah.

Neither spoke for several seconds.

Finally, Sarah sighed.

“Ann.”

“Hm?”

“I don’t think I’ll attend the engagement party.”

Ann’s brows immediately furrowed.

“Why?”

Sarah hesitated.

She already knew the answer was ridiculous.

But she said it anyway.

“Calvin will be there.”

Ann blinked.

Then blinked again.

“That’s the reason?”

Sarah looked away.

Ann stared at her for a long moment before realization slowly dawned.

“Oh.”

“What?”

“You’re avoiding him.”

“I’m not avoiding him.”

“You are.”

“I’m not.”

“You absolutely are.”

Sarah groaned.

Ann shook her head.

“Sarah, you’ve already left the company.”

“I know.”

“You resigned.”

“I know.”

“You probably won’t see him again after this.”

Sarah remained silent.

Ann stood and folded her arms.

“You better shove those thoughts aside.”

Sarah looked up.

“Ann—”

“No.”

Her friend pointed toward the hallway.

“We’re attending that engagement party.”

“Ann.”

“We’re attending.”

Sarah opened her mouth.

Then closed it again.

Because she already knew arguing was pointless.

Satisfied, Ann nodded once.

“Good.”

Then she turned and disappeared into her room, leaving Sarah alone with her thoughts.

And unfortunately, every single one of those thoughts seemed to involve a certain dark-haired CEO she had been trying very hard to forget.