Sara stood nervously outside the sleek glass façade of NovaTech's headquarters, her eyes fixed on the large digital clock above the entrance. She was running perilously late, thanks to the unreliable bus that had dropped her off several blocks away with barely enough time to sprint to her destination.
As she checked her watch for what felt like the hundredth time, Sara's anxiety spiked. She had been preparing for this interview for weeks, researching the company and practicing her responses to every possible question. But now, as she stood outside the building, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was about to blow it.
With a deep breath, Sara pushed open the door and stepped into the gleaming lobby, her heels clicking on the polished marble floor. She made her way to the reception desk, where a friendly-looking woman with a warm smile greeted her.
"Hi there, can I help you?" the receptionist asked, eyeing Sara's flustered expression.
Sara took another deep breath and composed herself. "Hi, I'm Sara. I'm here for an interview with the Senior Business Analyst team."
The receptionist nodded and checked her computer screen. "Ah, yes. You're running a bit behind schedule, aren't you?"
Sara nodded sheepishly. "I'm so sorry. The bus was late, and... well, here I am."
The receptionist smiled sympathetically. "Don't worry, we've all been there. Let me just check with the team to see if they're ready for you."
Sara stood patiently in the lobby, fidgeting slightly with her purse strap as she waited for the receptionist to confirm her appointment. A few minutes ticked by, and the receptionist finally looked up from her computer screen with a friendly smile.
"Okay, Sara, you're all set. The team is ready to see you, but actually, the boss would like to meet with you personally. His office is on the 4th floor."
Sara's eyes widened slightly as she processed this unexpected twist. She had been preparing to meet with a team, not the boss himself. But she quickly composed herself, nodding professionally.
"Thank you," she said, smiling at the receptionist. "I'll head up to the 4th floor now."
The receptionist nodded and handed Sara a visitor's badge. "Just take the elevator to the 4th floor. The boss's office is the only one up there, so you can't miss it."
Sara took the badge and clipped it to her jacket, then turned to make her way to the elevator. As she walked, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves in her stomach. What did the boss want to meet with her about? Was this a good sign, or a bad one?
She pushed the button to call the elevator, and a few seconds later, the doors slid open with a soft whoosh. Sara stepped inside and pressed the button for the 4th floor, feeling the elevator begin to rise smoothly.
As she ascended, Sara took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves. She had prepared for this interview, and she was ready to showcase her skills and experience. Whatever the boss had in store for her, she was determined to make a good impression.
Sara stepped out of the elevator and onto the 4th floor, her eyes scanning the sleek, modern decor. She spotted a single door at the far end of the hall, adorned with a polished brass nameplate that read "CEO.". She took a deep breath, smoothed her jacket, and made her way to the door.
She raised her hand and knocked softly, her eyes fixed on the door handle. A deep, resonant voice called out from within, "Enter!"
Sara's smile brightened as she pushed open the door and stepped inside. But her smile faltered, and her eyes widened in shock as she took in the figure seated in front of the massive wooden desk.
It was Franklin Jenkins, her old boss from her previous job. The same man who had made her life miserable with his constant criticism and unrealistic expectations. The same man who had ultimately driven her to quit her job and search for a new opportunity.
Sara's eyes darted to the figure seated behind the desk, and she saw that it was a woman with a kind face and a warm smile. The nameplate on the desk read "Nova Carter, CEO.". Sara's gaze returned to Franklin, who was watching her with a mixture of amusement and curiosity.
Sara's smile had dropped, replaced by a mixture of shock, dismay, and a hint of fear. She felt like she had been punched in the gut, and she struggled to catch her breath. What was Franklin doing here? And why was he sitting in the CEO's office?
Franklin's face broke into a wide smile as he saw Sara, and he leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together in a gesture of satisfaction. Nova, the CEO, smiled warmly at Sara and gestured to the empty chair beside Franklin.
"Please, Sara, have a seat," Nova said, her voice friendly and welcoming.
Sara felt like she had been punched in the gut. She had been so hopeful about this job, and now it seemed like it was slipping through her fingers. She knew she couldn't work with Franklin again, not after everything they had been through. She felt a sense of despair wash over her as she sat down, her eyes fixed on the floor.
Nova leaned forward, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "I have to say, Sara, I was very impressed with your profile. You have a fantastic skill set, and I think you would be a great fit for our team."
Sara's eyes snapped up to Nova's face, and she felt a surge of surprise. How could Nova possibly think she was a good fit for the team, not after Franklin had...?
But before she could finish the thought, Nova dropped a bombshell. "I'm also happy to see that you used to work at my fiancé's company," Nova said, smiling at Franklin.
Sara's eyes widened in shock as she turned to Franklin, her mind reeling with the implications. Franklin was Nova's fiancé?
Nova's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned forward, her voice taking on a gentle, probing tone. "Sara, can you tell me why you left Franklin's company? You were one of our top performers, and we were sad to see you go."Sara's gaze flickered to Franklin, who was watching her with an amused smirk on his face. She felt a surge of discomfort as she realized he was enjoying her discomfort. Nova's question hung in the air, waiting for an answer, but Sara's mind was frozen.Just as she was about to speak, Sara felt a sudden, jolting sensation. Franklin's hand had slipped under the table, his fingers wrapping around her thigh. Sara's eyes widened in shock as she felt his hand caressing her skin, his touch sending shivers down her spine.But it wasn't a gentle touch. Franklin's fingers dug deep into her thigh, his grip tightening like a vice. Sara flinched, her body jerking away from the painful pressure. She felt a wave of panic wash over her, her heart racing with fear.Franklin's sm
Christopher walked into his cabin, expecting to see his assistant, Suzy, sitting at her desk, ready to tackle the day's tasks. But as he scanned the room, his eyes fell on an empty chair, and a sense of unease crept over him."Where is Suzy?" he muttered to himself, a hint of concern creeping into his voice.He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Suzy's number. She picked up on the first ring, and Christopher's voice was firm but controlled. "Suzy, where are you? Why aren't you at your desk?"There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, Christopher wondered if the connection had been lost. But then Suzy's voice came through, her tone hesitant and unsure. "Mr. Reed... I'm sorry... he fired me."Christopher's eyes widened in shock, and he felt like he'd been punched in the gut. "What? Why? Ask your business partner?" Suzy's voice was cryptic, but before Christopher could press her for more information, she hung up.Christopher's mind was reeling as he walked tow
Sara walked briskly along the sidewalk, her eyes fixed on the office building ahead. She was already running late, thanks to a sleep-filled morning that had left her groggy and disoriented. Madison had specifically told her not to be late, and here she was, already 10 minutes behind schedule.As she turned a corner, a black SUV sped past her, sending a wave of water from the road splashing over her. The water had accumulated on the road from the morning rain, and the SUV's tires had kicked it up, drenching Sara.Sara's eyes widened in anger as she felt the cold water seep into her clothes. She let out a string of abusive words, her voice echoing through the morning air."Seriously?The SUV sped past her, sending a wave of water splashing over her; Sara's anger boiled over. "Are you fucking blind, you rich bastard?" she shouted, her voice echoing through the morning air. "Can't you see people? Fucking dog!"As soon as the words left her lips, the SUV screeched to a halt just a few feet
"What is she doing here?" he demanded, his eyes never leaving Sara's face.Christopher looked up from the papers on his desk, a hint of surprise on his face. "Sara is here as my new assistant," he explained, his voice calm and even.Austin's eyes widened in incredulity, and he took a step forward, his fists clenched at his sides. "You can't be serious," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "This woman is rude, arrogant, and completely unprofessional. She can't work here."Sara's eyes flashed with anger, and she took a step forward, her chin held high. "Excuse me?" she said, her voice icy cold. "I'm standing right here, and I don't appreciate being talked about like I'm not even in the room."Austin's eyes locked onto Sara's, and he sneered at her. "Oh, I'm sorry," he said, his voice heavy with sarcasm. "I forgot that you're so fragile and delicate. Please, do go on. I'm fascinated by your... unique perspective."Sara's face flushed with anger, and she took another step forward, her
Sara and Madison settled into their favorite spots on the couch, eager to unwind and share stories about their day. Sara, still buzzing from her interview, couldn't stop raving about Christopher."Oh, Maddy, he's such a great guy!" Sara exclaimed, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "He's so respectful and kind, and he really listens to what you have to say. I feel like I can totally trust him."Madison listened attentively, a knowing smile spreading across her face. She had heard Sara's glowing reviews of Christopher before, but she was more interested in hearing about Sara's encounter with Austin."And what about Mr. Reed?" Madison asked, her voice laced with amusement. "How did that go?"Sara's expression darkened, and she let out a dismissive snort. "Ugh, don't even get me started on him," she said, rolling her eyes. "He's so arrogant and condescending, and he doesn't know the first thing about respecting women. I swear, he's got a chip on his shoulder or something."Madison chuckle
Sara fidgeted with her short dress, adjusting the hem for what felt like the hundredth time. She shot Madison a dirty look, still annoyed that her friend had convinced her to wear such a revealing outfit."I hate you, Maddy," Sara said, her voice low but firm. "I told you I'm not comfortable in this dress. It's too short, and I feel like I'm flashing everyone in this club."Madison laughed and playfully rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, Sara! You're such a grandma girl. At least try to stop talking like your mom for one night. Everyone wears dresses like this to clubs. What did you want to wear, a sweater set and pearls?"Sara scowled, feeling a bit self-conscious about her conservative taste in clothing. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with being classy and elegant," she said, trying to defend herself.Madison chuckled and wrapped an arm around Sara's shoulders. "I'm just teasing, girl. But seriously, you need to loosen up and have some fun. We're in a club, not a library."The two friends
Sara's eyes widened in panic as she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. She quickly pulled it out and checked the screen, her heart sinking as she saw her mom's name flashing on the display."Oh no, oh no, oh no," Sara muttered to herself, feeling a wave of anxiety wash over her. She knew that if her mom found out she was at a club, she would be in big trouble.Without hesitation, Sara grabbed her phone and quickly made her way towards the exit, trying to push her way through the crowded dance floor. Madison and Christopher called out to her, but she just waved goodbye and kept moving.Austin, who had been watching Sara from afar, noticed her sudden departure and felt a pang of curiosity. He wondered what had caused her to leave so abruptly, and his eyes narrowed as he watched her hurry towards the exit.As Sara reached the exit, Austin saw a group of boys following her, their eyes fixed on her with a mixture of curiosity and admiration. Austin's eyes flashed with anger, and he fe
Madison and Sara walked into their apartment; Sara slammed the door shut behind them and let out a frustrated scream. "I'm going to quit this job, Maddy! I just can't work with that asshole!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with rage.Madison quickly sat down beside Sara on the couch, concern etched on her face. "Sara, calm down."Sara's eyes blazed with anger as she recounted the events of the evening. "He broke my phone, Maddy! Can you believe it? And then he had the nerve to lecture me about being an attention-seeker. I mean, who does he think he is?" She spat, her voice venomous.Madison listened attentively, nodding her head in understanding. "I'm so sorry, Sara. That sounds incredibly frustrating," she said, putting a comforting arm around Sara's shoulders.Sara looked down at her broken phone, her eyes welling up with tears. "And now my phone is broken. How am I supposed to buy a new one? I'm already struggling to make ends meet," she lamented, her voice cracking with emotio
Austin sat inside the car, his face twisted in anger. He took a deep breath and answered the phone, trying to compose himself. "Hey, Dad," he said, trying to sound normal.His dad's excited voice was on the other end of the line. "Austin, I just talked to your girlfriend, Sara. She's lovely. I had no idea you were seeing someone."Austin's eyes widened in surprise, and he glanced at Sara, who was watching him with a smug expression. He felt a surge of anger towards her, but he tried to keep his cool."Yeah, Dad, we're...uh...getting serious," Austin stammered, trying to play along.His dad's enthusiasm was palpable. "That's great, son! I'm so happy for you. Your mom will be thrilled to meet Sara. When are you two coming over?"Austin felt trapped. He couldn't deny the lie that Sara had told, not now that his dad was so excited. "We'll be there in a few hours, Dad. I have to go now."He quickly hung up the phone, his anger boiling over. He turned to Sara, his eyes blazing with fury. "Y
Austin's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as he navigated the car through the heavy rain. The windshield wipers swished back and forth, struggling to keep up with the deluge of water.Sara sat beside him, her arms crossed and her eyes fixed on him with a piercing glare. Austin could feel her gaze on him, and he knew she was still seething from their earlier argument.Without looking at her, Austin said, "Stop staring. Outside is rain, but inside the car, the temperature is high because of you."Sara's gaze didn't waver, but her jaw clenched in anger. She gritted her teeth, the sound audible in the tense silence."How can you be so cool? You're crazy for doing this," she said, her voice dripping with contempt. "We could have waited for the weather to clear up, but no, you had to insist on driving. And now we're stuck on the road for the next 8 to 10 hours."Austin's eyes remained fixed on the road, his expression neutral. He didn't flinch, didn't react to Sara's outburst.But S
The sleek black car, provided by Ryder, glided smoothly through the rain-soaked streets, its windshield wipers swishing back and forth in a steady rhythm. Sara sat stiffly in the backseat, her arms crossed and her eyes fixed on the window, her anger and hurt still simmering.Austin sat beside her, his face set in a grim mask, his eyes fixed on the back of the driver's head. He hadn't spoken a word since their argument, and Sara hadn't expected him to.The driver pulled up in front of the airport, and Sara and Austin got out, dodging umbrellas and scurrying travelers as they made their way into the terminal. The airport was chaotic, the sounds of frustrated travelers and harried airline staff filling the air.Sara and Austin walked up to the check-in counter, their eyes scanning the screens for their flight information. And then they saw it—a big, red "CANCELLED" sign flashing next to their flight number.Austin's face darkened with anger. "What the...?" he muttered, striding up to the
Sara paced back and forth across the room, her anger and frustration pouring out of her. She had had enough of Austin's insults, enough of his condescending attitude. She was done.As she paced, her mind flashed back to the conversation she had with Ryder on the dance floor. He had been charming and charismatic, and he had seen something in her that no one else had—potential."You're an amazing woman, Sara," Ryder had said, his eyes locked on hers. "I think you'd make a fantastic business adviser. Would you consider joining me?"Sara's heart had skipped a beat at the offer. No one had ever seen her as more than just a pretty face, but Ryder had looked beyond that. He had seen her intelligence, her drive, and her passion.And now, as she stood in her hotel room, fuming with anger, Sara knew what she had to do. She was going to leave her job, leave Austin and his insults behind, and take a chance on Ryder's offer.A sense of determination washed over her, and Sara felt a weight lift off
The party continued, Ryder seemed to be in his element, laughing and chatting with the guests. But what caught Austin's attention was the way Ryder was fawning over Sara, introducing her to everyone as a "close friend" and singing her praises.Austin's eyes narrowed as he watched Ryder monopolize Sara's attention, barely acknowledging his own presence. It was as if Ryder had forgotten that Austin was even there, and that the whole reason for the party was to celebrate their business deal also.But what really triggered Austin's anger was the way Sara seemed to be enjoying Ryder's attention. She laughed and smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement, and Austin could sense a growing connection between them.Ryder was touching her arm, leaning in close to talk to her, and Austin's jaw clenched in annoyance. He didn't like the way Ryder was flirting with Sara, and he especially didn't like the way Sara was responding to him.Sara, however, was oblivious to the undercurrents. She was simpl
Sara's eyes fell on the shopping bag that lay abandoned near her door. At first, she thought nothing of it, assuming it was just a discarded bag from one of the hotel staff. But as she gazed at it more closely, she realized that it was a high-end designer bag, and it looked eerily familiar.Suddenly, it clicked. This was the bag Austin had been carrying earlier. She remembered seeing him walk towards her with it, but she had been too distracted by their argument to pay much attention.Sara's curiosity got the better of her, and she walked towards the bag, her eyes fixed on it. She reached down and picked it up, feeling the weight of its contents. It was surprisingly heavy.She turned the bag over in her hands, examining it more closely. The designer logo was emblazoned on the side, and the material felt luxurious to the touch. Sara's eyes narrowed as she wondered what could be inside.Without thinking, she reached for the zipper and pulled it open, revealing the contents of the bag. H
Austin walked towards the ice cream truck, still trying to process what was happening. He saw the owner, a friendly-looking man with a warm smile, and a group of kids cheering and laughing as they received ice cream cones.The owner approached him, a curious expression on his face. "Ah, Mr...?""Austin," he replied, still confused.The owner smiled. "Mr. Austin, I believe your wife just purchased all the ice cream on my truck."Austin's eyes widened in surprise, but he said nothing.The owner continued, "She said it was nothing in front of your wallet, sir. I quoted her $20,000."Austin's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "$20,000?" he repeated, his voice incredulous.The owner nodded. "Yes, sir. I need to settle the payment with you, if you please."Austin pulled out his checkbook and wrote a check for $20,000. As he handed it over, the owner smiled and thanked him."Thank you, sir. Your wife certainly has a generous spirit."Austin nodded, still trying to process what had just hap
Sara walked reluctantly beside Austin, her feet carrying her to the luxury boutique on Rodeo Drive. She hated Austin's company, hated his condescending attitude and his arrogant smirk.As they entered the boutique, Sara's eyes widened in shock. The clothes on display were exquisite, but the prices were astronomical. She felt a pang of discomfort, feeling out of place among the opulent surroundings."Austin, can we please go somewhere else?" Sara asked, her voice barely above a whisper.Austin turned to her, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I know it's expensive, but I'm not cheap like you," he sneered. "So be happy that you at least get to wear these clothes."Sara's face burned with anger, and she felt a sting from Austin's insult. But before she could respond, the store manager approached them, a warm smile on his face."Good afternoon, welcome to our boutique," he said, his eyes flicking between Sara and Austin. "I see you're looking for something special. Are you finding everyth
Austin cleared his throat, his eyes locked on Ryder's face. "Ryder, I think there's been a misunderstanding," he said, his voice smooth and confident.Ryder raised an eyebrow, his expression curious. "Oh? What kind of misunderstanding"?Austin smiled, his eyes glinting with condescension. "I'm the one who's been working on this project, Ryder. Sara here is just my assistant."Sara's eyes flashed with anger, her face burning with indignation. She couldn't believe Austin was taking credit for her work, belittling her contribution in front of the client.But she couldn't show her anger, not now, not in front of Ryder. So she forced a smile onto her face, her lips curling upward in a bright, fake smile.Ryder's eyes flicked to Sara, his expression thoughtful. "I see," he said, his voice neutral. "Well, in any case, the presentation was excellent."Austin smiled, his chest puffing out with pride. "Thank you, Ryder. I'm glad you liked it."Sara's smile grew wider, her eyes flashing with ang