Beneath the billionaire's stare

"Ahhh!!!” Ava let out a frustrated sigh as she stepped out of yet another office building, the third one that day. Her shoulders slumped, and she clutched her worn handbag tighter as the interviewer's words echoed in her mind: “We don’t think you’re the right person for this job.” She dragged her feet toward the nearest bus stop, the L.A. heat sticking to her skin and making her shirt cling uncomfortably to her back. The distant hum of traffic, the honking of impatient drivers, and the chatter of pedestrians formed a harsh symphony that only deepened her exhaustion. Sitting on the faded wooden bench, she stared blankly at the people rushing by, their laughter and chatter making her heart ache. "If only Mum and Dad were still alive," she thought, biting her lip to stop herself from crying. Her mind drifted back to happier days,her father’s booming laugh filling the small living room, the scent of his aftershave mixing with the aroma of her mother’s cooking. She could see her mother humming softly while chopping vegetables, and the image was so vivid it almost made her stomach ache with longing. Those memories felt like a dream now, distant and cruel. She blinked hard, trying to hold back her tears. Crying in public was something she hated, the idea of strangers seeing her vulnerability unbearable. “No, Ava,” she whispered to herself, quickly swiping her eyes. “You can’t give up now.” The thought of her younger brother, Dean, came crashing into her mind. He was the only reason she kept pushing. He was still in school, but he had a hole in his heart, a congenital defect diagnosed shortly after their parents' death. As a result, she had been juggling two part-time jobs, yet they were barely enough to cover the expensive drugs he needed. Every rejection she faced felt like a personal failure because she knew she couldn’t afford to stop. Ava stood, adjusting her bag over her shoulder. Her part-time shift at the bar awaited her. The pay was meager, but at least it kept food on the table and her brother supplied with medication. What she truly needed was a stable, full-time job, something that could cover Dean’s medical bills and perhaps even give them a life a little closer to normal. The bar was already alive with noise when she arrived. Glasses clinked, men shouted over football highlights on the TV, and the air smelled of stale beer mixed with fried food. Ava tied her apron, forcing a polite smile as she served customers, her mind still swirling with worry. Each order she took, each table she cleaned, felt heavier than the last, but she moved with practiced efficiency. Hours later, when her shift ended, she untied the apron with relief. Just as she stepped out of the bar, her phone vibrated. She answered the call, seeing an unknown number flash on the screen. “Hello, who's this, please?” “Ava!” Miranda’s cheerful voice burst through the line. "Miranda? Is that you? Oh my God!" Ava responded, excitement breaking through her fatigue. “It’s been forever! Can we meet?” "Sure. How have you been? It's been a minute since we last saw each other," Ava replied. "I'm great. I can't wait to see you. I’ll text you the address, let's meet up," Miranda said before ending the call. Minutes later, Ava was sitting across from Miranda at a small roadside café. The smell of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint scent of flowers from a nearby vendor. Miranda hadn’t changed much. Her bright smile and fashionable dress made her stand out effortlessly in the crowd. “I’ve missed you,” Miranda said, reaching across the table to squeeze Ava’s hand. “I’ve missed you too,” Ava admitted, though her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. "So, how have you been? You just disappeared. We all wondered what happened that made you stop coming to school. I even went to your house and saw that your family moved. What happened?" Miranda inquired, her tone both curious and concerned. "My parents got into a car accident, and my relatives took us in. As a result, my brother and I left New York," Ava replied with a heavy tone. "Ohhh… I'm so sorry. How are you doing now?" " To be honest, things have been tough for me. Currently, my brother is diagnosed has a hole in his heart and needs surgery ASAP but I don't have been trying to raise the money but I can't. The jobs I do is barely enough to get his drugs and fend for us. I have been trying to get a job elsewhere but I face constant rejection as I didn't finish college. It's been exhausting." Ava said as tears rolled down her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Ava. But don’t worry, I’ll help you find something better. Leave it to me.” Ava’s chest tightened with gratitude. “Thank you, really. I don’t know what I’d do without your help.” By the time Ava got home, exhaustion weighed on her body like a physical burden. As she opened the door, she was met by Dean, sweating profusely and clutching his stomach in pain. His face was pale, and his shallow breaths were shallow and uneven. “Dean!” she screamed. “Dean, please! Don’t leave me!” Ava cried, rushing to his side. Her hands shook so badly she almost dropped her phone as she dialed for an ambulance, her mind racing with terror. At the hospital, the harsh fluorescent lights made everything feel colder, sterile, and unwelcoming. Ava held Dean’s frail hand as machines beeped steadily around them. “This isn’t the first time,” the doctor said gravely, flipping through Dean’s file. “But we cannot delay his operation any longer. The drugs can’t keep sustaining him. You must find a way to pay so he can get better." The words blurred as Ava’s heart pounded. She turned to look at her brother. Tubes snaked around his body, his once-bright eyes now sunken and tired. She remembered how he used to chase her around the compound, laughing until they both collapsed on the ground. Now he looked lifeless, a fragile shell of the boy she loved. “No,” she whispered fiercely. “I won’t lose him.” She turned to the doctor, determination burning through her tears. “Do whatever you must to save him. I’ll find the money. I don’t care how but I will.” That night, as she sat beside Dean, holding his hand and watching the rise and fall of his chest, she made a silent vow: she would do whatever it takes. For him. For the only family she had left.