Between files and feelings

The rain had started before dawn. By the time Lina Hassan stepped off the crowded bus, the streets were soaked and the sky hung low and gray above the tall glass buildings of downtown. She tightened her grip on the thin folder pressed against her chest. Inside it were the only things she had left to prove she deserved a job—her certificates, a faded resume, and a passport photograph that barely looked like the exhausted girl she had become. Her shoes were already wet. Of course they were. Lina glanced down at them briefly. The soles had started peeling weeks ago, but replacing them was a luxury she couldn't afford. Not when the hospital bills were piling up. Not when her younger brother still needed school fees. She exhaled slowly and lifted her eyes toward the towering building ahead of her. COLE INDUSTRIES. The name was written in bold silver letters across the glass entrance. People said it was one of the most powerful companies in the city. People also said the CEO was a nightmare to work for. But Lina didn't have the luxury of being afraid. She stepped inside. The lobby was enormous. Shiny marble floors reflected the bright lights above, and the air smelled faintly of expensive perfume and polished wood. Everyone looked… perfect. Men in tailored suits walked briskly while women in elegant heels typed on sleek tablets or chatted quietly near the reception desk. Lina instantly felt out of place. Her blouse was neat but old. Her skirt had been carefully ironed, though the fabric had faded with time. She lowered her gaze, trying to avoid the curious looks that briefly flickered in her direction. Just focus. You need this job. She approached the reception desk. The receptionist barely looked up. "Name?" "Lina Hassan," she said softly. The woman typed something into her computer. "You’re here for the administrative assistant interview?" "Yes." "Twenty-first floor." Lina nodded gratefully. "Thank you." The elevator ride felt longer than it should have. Her heart pounded against her ribs as the numbers climbed higher. 12… 15… 18… She adjusted the strap of her worn handbag and tried to steady her breathing. Mom’s hospital bill is due in three days. The thought alone made her stomach twist. If she didn’t get this job… No. She couldn't allow herself to think like that. The elevator door opened. The waiting area outside the interview room was filled with candidates. And they all looked far more qualified than she did. A woman in a sharp navy suit scrolled confidently through her tablet. Another man rehearsed answers under his breath. Their resumes probably had impressive internships, top universities, recommendations. Lina slowly sat in an empty chair near the wall. Her fingers nervously smoothed the edges of her folder. She had graduated with decent grades, but she never had the chance to build an impressive career. Life had other plans. Her phone vibrated suddenly. She quickly pulled it out. Hospital. Her chest tightened. She answered immediately. "H-hello?" "Lina?" the nurse’s voice said gently. "Your mother asked about you again this morning." Lina swallowed. "How… how is she?" "Stable for now. But the billing department is asking about the payment." Lina closed her eyes briefly. "I’ll… handle it soon." "We understand you're trying," the nurse said kindly. "But the hospital administration is getting strict." "I know." She forced a small smile even though the nurse couldn’t see it. "Please tell her I’ll visit tonight." "I will." The call ended. Lina stared at the phone screen for a moment before slowly slipping it back into her bag. Her hands trembled slightly. You cannot fail today. "Next." The voice was sharp. Lina looked up. A tall woman in glasses stood near the office door. "Lina Hassan." Her heart skipped. She quickly stood. "That’s me." "Come in." The interview room was colder than she expected. Three people sat behind a long table. Two of them were scanning through papers. The third person was the tall woman who had called her. "Sit." Lina obeyed quietly. The woman picked up her resume. "You graduated three years ago," she said. "Yes." "And your work experience is mostly temporary administrative jobs." "Yes, ma'am." The woman studied her. "Why do you want to work at Cole Industries?" Because I’m desperate. Because my mother is dying in a hospital bed. Because my little brother still believes I can fix everything. But Lina only said, "I’m willing to work hard." The two men exchanged brief looks. One of them leaned back in his chair. "This company requires long hours." "I understand." "You may have to work directly under senior management." "I’m prepared." The woman closed the resume slowly. "You seem… quiet." Lina lowered her eyes. "I focus better that way." For a moment, the room was silent. Then the door opened. The temperature in the room seemed to drop instantly. Every person at the table straightened. Lina turned slightly. A tall man stepped inside. His dark suit was perfectly tailored, his posture sharp and controlled. Cold gray eyes scanned the room. Even without introduction, Lina somehow knew who he was. Adrian Cole. The CEO. The rumors hadn’t exaggerated. His presence alone was intimidating. "Continue," he said calmly. But his voice carried authority that made the room fall completely silent. His gaze shifted briefly— And stopped on Lina. For a second, something unreadable flickered in his expression. Then he spoke. "This candidate," he said, tapping the table once. "She’ll work under me." The interview panel blinked in surprise. Lina felt her heartbeat freeze. Under him? No one questioned the decision. Because when Adrian Cole spoke… It wasn’t a suggestion. It was an order. Lina walked out of the building twenty minutes later with a strange numbness in her chest. She had gotten the job. But the whispers she overheard in the hallway replayed in her mind. "Working directly under the CEO?" "Poor girl." "She won’t last a week." Lina looked up at the towering building once more. Then she clenched her folder tightly. No matter how difficult it was… No matter how cold her boss might be… She would endure it. Because survival didn’t give her another choice.