CHAPTER IV

NOTICED

Walking into the sleek lobby, I felt the familiar pang of inadequacy, but I kept my head high.

“Delivery,” I told the receptionist, handing over the package.

As I waited for her to sign the receipt, I couldn’t help but glance around. The polished floors, the soft hum of air conditioning, the sharp-dressed employees—it was a world so different from my own. But for a moment, standing there, I let myself imagine what it would be like to belong.

“Thank you,” the receptionist said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I nodded, forcing a polite smile before turning to leave. As I stepped outside, the cool evening air greeted me, carrying with it a sense of both relief and longing. Another day was done, another small victory won.

And as I pedaled home under the glow of the streetlights, I reminded myself of the prayer I had whispered the night before. Strength, not miracles—that was what I needed. And with each passing day, I felt myself growing stronger, ready to face whatever tomorrow might bring.

The morning sunlight filtered through the cracks of my curtains, waking me gently. Another day, another set of deliveries. I stretched, shaking off the remnants of sleep, and went through my morning routine. With Mama’s usual warm breakfast and her hopeful smile as my fuel, I set off to face the day.

By the time the afternoon rolled in, I was back at the delivery shop, loading my bike with packages. One of them, to my now-familiar mix of excitement and nervousness, was addressed to Rockwell Corporation again.

As I entered the towering building, balancing the food container in my hands, I felt the same wave of awe and discomfort. The receptionist, already familiar with my presence, greeted me with a polite smile.

“Delivery,” I said as usual, placing the package on the counter.

While waiting for the confirmation slip to be signed, I opened my satchel and retrieved a neatly wrapped paper bag. Inside was a simple home-cooked meal, one I had prepared early in the morning from the leftovers Mama and I managed to save.

“Here,” I said softly, sliding the bag toward the receptionist. “For you. Just a little something.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, she looked hesitant. “Oh, I can’t possibly—”

“Please,” I interrupted, my smile earnest. “It’s nothing much, just... a thank you for always being kind to me.”

She smiled, a little overwhelmed, and accepted it. “You’re too sweet. Thank you.”

“Can you also give this to the CEO? I made this,” I said.

She smiled, “Of course, I will.”

“Thank you,” I smiled.

What she didn’t know was that someone had been watching the entire interaction from the mezzanine floor above.

Antonius Rockwell, the elusive and enigmatic CEO of Rockwell Corporation, had decided to step out of his office that day. Stress from an ongoing acquisition deal had driven him to observe the daily operations of the company firsthand. He wasn’t expecting much—just routine tasks and familiar faces. Antonius Rockwell blended into the scene, dressed in casual clothes that made him unrecognizable as the CEO.

He wasn’t here by chance. Antonius often observed his company from the ground level, preferring the anonymity of being just another face in the crowd. It helped him stay connected to the people who worked for him, to see the rhythms of the building he’d spent years shaping.

But tonight, something—or someone—had drawn his attention.

But then he saw her.

The delivery girl, with her unassuming clothes and tired eyes, stood out in stark contrast to the corporate elegance surrounding her. He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but her soft voice had reached him, cutting through the ambient noise of the lobby. The way she spoke to Grace, her mix of politeness and nervousness, had sparked his curiosity. She didn’t belong to this world of suits and glass offices, and yet there was something about her presence that made it impossible to look away.

He leaned against the glass railing, watching as she handed the receptionist what appeared to be a meal. She was young, probably in her early twenties, with tired eyes that didn’t match her gentle smile. Her uniform was clean but plain, her shoes slightly scuffed. She moved with a careful precision, her hands lingering over the packages as if ensuring every detail was perfect. Her sincerity was evident in her every movement, her words so genuine that even he—someone used to insincerity cloaked in politeness—felt the warmth of her gesture from afar.

Antonius found himself watching her as she left, noting the slight slump in her shoulders, the quick adjustment of her bag strap as she stepped into the evening rush.

It wasn’t unusual for the staff to receive deliveries, but he couldn’t recall anyone so persistent about leaving something for him personally. And it wasn’t just the action itself—it was the way she did it, without arrogance or expectation.

“Who is she?” Antonius asked his assistant, who stood nearby, startled by his sudden interest.

“Oh, her? She’s just one of the delivery people. Comes here every now and then,” the assistant replied nonchalantly.

“Just a delivery person?” Antonius murmured to himself, his gaze lingering as she walked out of the building, her bike parked neatly at the curb.

Kirsten, oblivious to the attention she had garnered, adjusted the straps of her satchel and mounted her bike. She had more deliveries to complete, but as she pedaled away, she felt a strange sense of fulfillment. Small acts of kindness made her long days feel lighter.

Inside the building, Antonius stood motionless, his thoughts preoccupied with the girl who had unknowingly captured his interest. Her simplicity intrigued him, her kindness something he couldn’t ignore.

“Set up a meeting,” he said suddenly.

“With who, sir?” his assistant asked, puzzled.

Antonius’s lips curved into the faintest of smiles. “The delivery company she works for. I’d like to know more about their operations.”