bChapter /bb177 /b

    Mia tightened her grip on the strap of her bag the moment the car pulled away.

    She turned fully to face the gigantic ss building that stood in front of her.

    Her heart was already thudding, but now it picked up speed. It was real. This was happening. She was here.

    Taking a deep breath, she gave herself a tiny nod, like a silent pep talk, then stepped forward, heels clicking gently against the floor.

    The lobby was huge. Spotless. Every inch of it screamed luxury. Tall green nts stood by the corners, the floors shining like mirrors.

    People in clean suits walk from one end to another, talking on their phones or flipping through files. No one looked lost. Everyone looked like they belonged here. Except maybe Mia.

    She took a second to breathe, adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder as her eyes searched for the reception desk.

    When she spotted it, she walked up slowly, trying her best to look confident even though she felt like turning back and running away.

    The woman at the desk looked up from herputer with a polite smile. “Good morning. How can I help you?”

    “Hi… um… I’m here to see Mr. Felix,” Mia said, trying to keep her voice steady.

    The receptionist nodded professionally and picked up the phone. She made a quick call, speaking in a low tone. After a short pause, she nodded again and then looked up at Mia.

    “Take the lift to the 10th floor. He’s expecting you.”

    “Thank you,” she said quickly, offering a small smile before heading toward the lift.

    She pressed the button and waited. Her heart was pounding again. She has not even gotten to the interview room and already she was feeling the

    pressure.

    Inside the elevator, she stared at the rising numbers.

    When the elevator dinged and the doors opened, she stepped out onto the 10th floor. It looked just as polished and intimidating as the lobby downstairs.

    She looked around, then spotted a desk by the hallway and made her way there.

    “Excuse me… I’m here to see Mr. Felix,” she said softly.

    The secretary nced up, her sses sitting low on her nose. “Name, please?”

    “Mia Turner.”

    The woman looked at herputer screen for a second, then nodded. “He’s in his office. The big one ion /ithe right.”

    Mia swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded. “Thank you.”

    She walked towards therge wooden door the woman had pointed at. Her palms were a bit sweaty nowi. /iShe wiped one hand discreetly against her skirt before raising it to knock.

    She hesitated. Just for a second. Then knocked twice.

    A voice from inside responded, “Come in.”

    She opened the door slowly and stepped inside.

    12:04 Sat, 9 Aug

    Behind the desk stood a man, dressed smartly in a grey suit with no tie, sleeves rolled slightly at the forearms.

    “You must be Mia Turner,” he said with a friendly smile.

    This had to be Mr. Felixb. /b

    He looked younger than she expected. Probably in his early thirties. His voice was kind, and his eyes had this calm, approachable vibe. Definitely not what she had imagined.

    “Yes,” she replied softly, returning his smile.

    Mr. Felix walked around the desk and approached her, hand stretched out. Mia reached for it and shook it gently.

    “Your brother has told me a lot about you,” he said casually, still smiling.

    “Oh no”

    He nodded with a smile “Yeah. He’s quite proud of you, you know…

    She chuckled, a bit shyly. “Same here. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”

    Mr. Felix rubbed the back of his neck with a smallugh. “It’s nothing, really. I just put in a word. The rest will be you.”

    Mia smiled.

    “Well, I’m grateful. I’ve wanted to meet you, actually. Ethan always talks about you.”

    Heughed again, then walked back to his desk and picked up his phone.

    “Come on, I’ll take you to the interview office myself.”

    Mia nodded quickly, a little surprised that he’d do that, the guy looks like a big shot here.

    She followed as he walked to the door and held it open for her.

    They walked side by side through the hallway.

    He led her to a separate elevator, this one needing a keycard. He swiped his and the doors slid open. Mia stepped in, and he followed after.

    A man walks in itoo /iwith them. Mia’s eyes flicked up quickly, just as Mr. Felix turned slightly and gave a respectful nod.

    “Good morning, Mr. Lowell,” Mr. Felix greeted, his tone formal.

    Mia quickly added her own greeting, polite but soft. “Good morning, sir.”

    The man, tall, sharp–suited, with an air that screamed authority, barely gave her a nce at first. Then, just as quickly, his gaze snapped back to her, lingering for a second longer than it should have.

    Mia’s stomach twisted. Something about him felt familiar. Too familiar.

    She quickly looked away, suddenly too aware of her reflection in the elevator walls. Her hands gripped her handbag tightly, her breath catching. The man was still staring. She could feel it.

    Why did he look so damn familiar?

    The elevator door finally opened with a soft ding. Mr. Felix stepped out without hesitation. Mia followed quickly, eager to put space between her and that

    man.

    “That’s Julian Lowell, the CEO’s brother,” Mr. Felix said as they walked. His tone was casual, but the name hit Mia like a brick wall.

    b12:04 /bSat, b9 /bbAug /b

    She stopped for a second.

    CEOS brother Jullian…. CEO, Alex…

    What kind of joke is this..

    Mr. Felix turned to her, noticing her sudden stillness. “Is everything okay?”

    Mia forced a smile, though her heart was racing. “Yeah, everything’s fine.” Then, trying ito /ikeep her ivoice /ias even as possible, she asked, “Please, what’s the CEO’s name again?”

    Mr. Felix chuckled,pletely unaware of the storm inside her. “Alex Lowell. Come on.”

    Mia stopped.

    No.

    No freaking way.

    Take a deep breath Mia, it’s Lowell not ckwell. Deep breath. She forces herself to breathe.

    Her mind raced, but she held herself together. Her heart was pounding so loudly she was sure Mr. Felix could hear it if he listened closely.

    “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked again, this time more concerned.

    Get your act together, Mia.

    She blinked, inhaled, and nodded quickly. “Yes. Sorry. I just… got a little lightheaded. Probably nerves.”

    He nodded, though he didn’t look fully convinced.

    Mia followed him quietly, trying to shake the thoughts running through her head.

    Lowell, not ckwell.

    It had to be a coincidence.

    A terrifying, awful coincidence.

    They reached a room with ss doors. Inside, a few other people sat with clipboards and nervous faces.

    “This is the waiting room for the interview,” Mr. Felix said. He gestured toward the seats. “You can wait here. Someone will call your name shortly.”

    Mia nodded, grateful. “Thank you.”

    He gave her a smile. “Good luck.”

    “Thanks,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

    Mia sat down slowly, her legs still a little weak. Her palms were sweaty. There weren’t many people. All of them looked just as nervous as she felt.

    But none of them were shaking like her.

    She wiped her hands on her skirt and took a deep breath.

    She was overthinking.

    She closed her eyes briefly, whispering a prayer under her breath.

    Saly Aug

    She had to keep it together.

    She needed this job.

    For her.

    For Aiden.