Loving You Was Never The Plan

Chapter 1: One Chance

If someone had told me yesterday that I'd be standing in front of the biggest company in the country today, I would have laughed in their face. Life had never been that kind to me. It had always given me just enough hope to keep going before taking everything away again. But this morning felt different. As I stood across the road with my eyes fixed on the tall glass building before me, I couldn't stop asking myself one question. Was today finally going to be the day my life changed?

My name is Arinola Daniels. At twenty-four, I had already learned that life could change overnight, and not always for the better. Three months ago, I had a stable job, a small apartment and enough money to take care of myself. Then the company I worked for shut down without warning. One morning, I walked into the office as an employee. By evening, I walked out unemployed with nothing but a cardboard box holding the few things that belonged to me. Since then, every new day has begun with hope and ended with disappointment.

I lowered my eyes to the brown envelope in my hands and smiled bitterly. Inside were my certificates, my résumé and every achievement I had worked so hard for. Funny enough, none of them had been enough to convince any company to hire me. I had attended interview after interview, listened to the same polite promises and returned home with the same empty feeling. My savings had almost disappeared, my landlord had started losing patience and the hospital bills waiting for me at home continued to increase. This interview wasn't just another opportunity. It was the last chance I had before everything completely fell apart.

A loud horn broke my thoughts. I quickly looked both ways before crossing the busy road. Cars rushed past one after another while workers hurried into the company with cups of coffee in one hand and phones in the other. They looked like people who had already figured life out. I wondered what that felt like. I couldn't even remember the last time I slept peacefully without worrying about money.

The words Nova Holdings stood boldly above the entrance, shining under the morning sun. I had seen pictures of the company online countless times, but standing in front of it was completely different. The building was beautiful, modern and intimidating. It wasn't just another office. It was a place where dreams were made. Thousands of people applied every year, but only a few were lucky enough to get in. Somehow, my application had made it this far. I silently prayed it wouldn't end the same way the others had.

I smoothed the front of my cream blouse and adjusted my black skirt before taking one last look at my reflection in the glass doors. My clothes weren't expensive, but they were neat. My shoes had started wearing out around the edges, yet I had polished them carefully the previous night until they almost looked new. Looking rich wasn't something I could afford, but looking presentable was. I lifted my head, forced a small smile and stepped inside.

The cool air from the lobby wrapped around me immediately. The place looked even more beautiful from the inside. The marble floor reflected the lights hanging from the ceiling, and the fresh scent of flowers filled the air. Employees moved confidently in every direction, greeting one another with easy smiles as though success came naturally to them. For a second, I felt completely out of place. It was the kind of place where everyone looked like they belonged.

I slowly walked toward the reception desk, trying my best not to let my nervousness show. The young woman behind the desk welcomed me with a friendly smile before asking for my invitation letter. After checking her computer for a few seconds, she looked back at me.

Welcome, Miss Arinola Daniels. Human Resources is expecting you on the thirty-sixth floor. Please use the elevator on your left.

Relief washed over me. At least my name was actually on the list. I thanked her quietly before making my way toward the elevators. My heartbeat became louder with every step. This wasn't just another interview anymore. This was the interview that could decide everything.

The elevator doors opened, and several employees stepped inside. I joined them quietly, standing near the back with my envelope pressed against my chest. Nobody spoke. Some stared at their phones while others checked their watches. The silence made me even more aware of how nervous I was. I closed my eyes for a brief second and whispered another prayer. I wasn't asking for a miracle. I was simply asking for one chance.

When the elevator stopped on the thirty-sixth floor, I stepped out and followed the signs leading to the Human Resources Department. The waiting room was already filled with other applicants. Some revised their documents one last time while others sat quietly with worried expressions. I found an empty chair beside the window and sat down. Looking around the room, I realized everyone was carrying the same thing I was.

Hope.

Different faces.

Different stories.

The same dream.

Minutes passed slowly. One by one, names were called, and applicants disappeared through the interview room door. Some came back smiling. Others left with disappointed faces. Every time the door opened, my heart beat a little faster. I kept telling myself to stay calm, but my hands refused to stop trembling.

Then something unexpected happened.

The quiet room suddenly became completely silent.

Even the Human Resources staff stood a little straighter.

Curious, I looked toward the hallway.

A tall man dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit walked past with calm, confident steps. He didn't smile or greet anyone, yet every employee greeted him with respect the moment they saw him. There was something about him that commanded attention without saying a single word. His expression was calm, but his eyes carried a loneliness that didn't seem to belong to someone who had everything.

The woman sitting beside me leaned closer and lowered her voice.

That's Adrian Cole.

I turned to look at her.

m eyes met mine.

The world around me seemed to disappear.

He didn't blink.

He simply stared.

Not with anger.

Not with admiration.

It looked more like...

Recognition.

As if he had been searching for someone...

And somehow...

He believed he had just found them

The moment their eyes met, Arinola felt a strange chill run through her body. She had never met Adrian Cole before. She had only seen his face in magazines and online articles, yet the way he looked at her made it seem as though he already knew her. His expression remained unreadable, but there was something hidden behind those dark eyes. Something that lasted only a second before he turned away and continued walking as if nothing had happened. The quiet conversations slowly returned, but Arinola couldn't shake the uneasy feeling settling in her chest.

She lowered her head and tried to focus on the envelope resting on her lap. Maybe she was only imagining things. After all, why would the CEO of the biggest company in the country pay attention to an ordinary job applicant? It didn't make any sense. She had come there hoping for a chance to earn a living, not to attract the attention of someone who probably wouldn't remember her face five minutes later.

The waiting room grew quieter as more applicants were called in for their interviews. Every few minutes, another person stood up, straightened their clothes and disappeared behind the wooden door. Some returned with hopeful smiles while others walked out looking defeated. Watching them only made Arinola more nervous. She rubbed her palms together beneath the table and silently repeated the answers she had prepared the night before. She had practiced them so many times that they almost sounded like a speech, but deep down she knew interviews never went exactly as planned.

The door opened again, and the woman from Human Resources looked down at the list in her hand before raising her head.

Miss Arinola Daniels.

Her heartbeat quickened.

She stood immediately, adjusted the strap of her handbag and followed the woman down the quiet hallway. Each step felt heavier than the last. She reminded herself to stay calm, smile when necessary and answer every question honestly. This was the opportunity she had been praying for. She couldn't let fear ruin it.

The interview room was larger than she expected. Three people sat behind a long table with several files neatly arranged before them. They welcomed her politely and invited her to take a seat. Arinola thanked them and sat down carefully, placing her envelope on the table while trying to hide how nervous she felt.

The interview began with simple questions about her education, previous work experience and career goals. She answered confidently, speaking clearly without rushing her words. The interviewers listened carefully, occasionally writing notes or nodding in agreement. As the conversation continued, the tightness in her chest slowly disappeared. For the first time in months, she felt that someone was actually listening instead of searching for a reason to reject her.

One of the interviewers smiled warmly before asking the next question.

What would you do if you made a serious mistake at work?

Arinola smiled politely before answering.

I would admit my mistake, take responsibility for it and do everything I could to fix it. Nobody is perfect, but I believe honesty earns more respect than excuses.

The three interviewers exchanged quick glances.

One of them nodded with approval.

That's a good answer.

A small smile appeared on Arinola's face. Maybe... just maybe... today would finally be different.

The interview continued for several more minutes until an unexpected knock interrupted the conversation. Before anyone could respond, the door opened and a young assistant stepped inside. She walked straight to the interview panel and quietly handed a folded note to the man sitting in the middle.

He opened it.

His expression changed immediately.

The smile on his face disappeared.

He looked at Arinola.

Then he looked back at the note.

The room suddenly became silent.

Arinola's confidence faded almost instantly. Had something gone wrong? Had they discovered a problem with her application? Her mind raced through every possibility, but none of them made sense.

The interviewer cleared his throat before forcing a small smile.

Miss Daniels, would you excuse us for just a moment?

Confused but respectful, Arinola nodded.

Of course.

She stood, picked up her handbag and quietly walked outside. The door closed behind her, leaving her alone in the hallway. She looked around before sitting on one of the chairs nearby. Every passing second felt longer than the last. She had no idea what was happening inside that room, and somehow, the silence frightened her more than bad news would have.

Inside the interview room, the three interviewers stared at one another in disbelief.

The folded note lay open on the table.

It contained only one sentence.

Send Miss Arinola Daniels to my office immediately.

It wasn't a request.

It was an order.

And it came directly from Adrian Cole.

.

Arinola remained seated outside the interview room, her fingers tightly wrapped around the strap of her handbag. The silence in the hallway made every passing second feel painfully slow. She looked at the closed door several times, hoping someone would come out and explain what was happening. Instead, employees walked past as though nothing unusual had happened. They smiled politely, exchanged greetings and continued with their work, completely unaware that her heart was beating so hard she could almost hear it.

Just as she was about to lose hope, the interview room door creaked open. A voice broke the heavy silence. "Miss Arinola Daniels..." Her breath caught instantly. Whatever awaited her beyond that door would change everything forever.