One night with my CEO

The small apartment was quiet except for the faint hum of the ceiling fan and the distant noise of traffic filtering in through the half-open window. Evening light spilled softly across the room, painting everything in warm gold. Zoey Lester sat cross-legged on the bed, her laptop open in front of her, dozens of tabs blinking back at her like silent reminders of rejection. Her neatly typed CV stared at her, untouched for the past thirty minutes. She sighed, long, heavy, and tired. “Another ‘we’ll get back to you,’ huh?” she muttered to herself, dragging a hand through her soft hair. The door clicked open. “Zoey, I’m home!” Lena’s cheerful voice rang out before she even stepped fully inside. Zoey quickly forced a smile, closing her laptop halfway. “Welcome back.” Lena walked in, still in her hotel uniform, crisp, elegant, and slightly wrinkled from a long day. She dropped her bag on the chair and kicked off her heels with a relieved groan. “Gosh, my feet are protesting against me,” she complained, stretching her toes before glancing at Zoey. Her expression softened immediately. “You didn’t move from that spot, did you?” Zoey shrugged lightly. “I moved… to the kitchen and back.” Lena narrowed her eyes playfully. “Ah, yes. Very productive.” Zoey let out a small laugh, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Lena noticed. Without another word, Lena walked over and plopped down beside her on the bed, leaning slightly into Zoey’s shoulder. “So,” she said gently, “how did it go today?” Zoey hesitated. Her fingers tapped nervously against the edge of her laptop. “Same thing. Applications, emails… nothing solid yet.” Lena hummed, nodding slowly. “That’s normal, you just graduated. It takes time.” “But it’s been months,” Zoey whispered, her voice barely steady. She closed the laptop completely this time, as if she couldn’t stand looking at it anymore. “I hate this, Lena. I hate waking up every day and feeling… useless.” Lena turned fully toward her. “Hey.” Zoey avoided her gaze. “I mean it,” Zoey continued, her voice cracking slightly. “You’re the one paying rent, buying groceries, handling everything. And I’m just here… existing.” “That’s not true...” “It is,” Zoey cut in softly. “I’m supposed to be helping. I want to help. I didn’t go through all those sleepless nights in school just to sit around while my best friend carries everything.” Lena watched her for a moment, her expression unreadable then she reached out and gently took Zoey’s hands. “You think I see you that way?” she asked quietly. Zoey blinked, finally looking up. Lena’s eyes were steady, warm, and impossibly sincere. “Because I don’t,” Lena continued. “Not even for a second.” Zoey swallowed. “But I should be contributing,” she insisted. “I should be doing something.” “You are doing something,” Lena said firmly. “You’re trying. You’re applying. You’re pushing forward. That’s not nothing.” Zoey shook her head slightly. “It doesn’t feel like enough.” Lena sighed softly, then shifted closer close enough that their knees touched, close enough that Zoey could feel the warmth radiating from her. “Let me tell you something,” Lena said, her tone softer now. “When I first got my job at the hotel, I cried in the bathroom on my second day.” Zoey blinked in surprise. “You? Miss Confident Manager?” Lena chuckled. “Yes, me. I thought I wasn’t good enough. That they made a mistake hiring me.” Zoey frowned. “That’s hard to believe.” “Exactly,” Lena said, nudging her lightly. “Just like it’s hard for me to believe that you think you’re useless.” There was a brief silence. Zoey’s fingers tightened slightly around Lena’s. “I just… don’t want to be a burden,” she whispered. Lena’s expression softened even more. “You could never be a burden to me.” The words landed gently, but heavily. Lena squeezed her hands. “We chose to live together, remember? This isn’t a transaction. You’re not here because you can pay half the rent. You’re here because you’re you.” “But I’ll still get a job,” Zoey said after a moment, her voice steadier now. “Soon. And when I do, I’m taking over the grocery bills.” Lena raised an eyebrow. “Oh really?” “Yes,” Zoey said with a small smile. “And maybe rent too.” Lena leaned in closer, her face just inches away now, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Careful,” she murmured. “You’re sounding very ambitious.” Zoey’s breath caught again this time for a completely different reason. “I am ambitious,” she replied softly. Their eyes held. For a second too long. The air between them shifted subtle, but undeniable. Lena was the first to pull back, clearing her throat lightly as she stood up. “Anyway,” she said, a little too quickly, “I’m starving. Did you eat?” Zoey blinked, still slightly dazed. “Uh… not really.” Lena turned toward the kitchen. “Good. Then we’ll cook together.” Zoey smiled faintly, watching her. “Lena?” “Hmm?” Lena glanced back. “Thank you.” Lena’s expression softened into something warm and quiet. “Always.” And as Zoey got up to join her in the kitchen. The soft clinking of cutlery filled the small dining space as the two of them sat across from each other, plates half-empty, the comforting smell of freshly cooked food still lingering in the air. Lena was in the middle of one of her dramatic storytelling sessions hands moving, eyes wide, completely invested. “I’m telling you, Zoey, this man has no sense of timing,” she said, dropping her fork for emphasis. “I was literally in the middle of supervising a VIP check-in and my phone just kept buzzing” Zoey laughed, shaking her head as she scooped some food into her mouth. “Maybe he just misses you.” Lena rolled her eyes, though the small smile tugging at her lips betrayed her. “Misses me? I saw him this morning.” “And?” Zoey teased. “That’s plenty of time to miss someone.” Lena pointed her fork at her accusingly. “Don’t start. You’re encouraging him.” Zoey giggled softly. “So what did you do?” “What could I do?” Lena groaned “I ignored the first three calls, then he started texting...” She grabbed her phone from the table and read aloud in a mockingly dramatic tone: “‘Baby, are you alive?’ ‘Did your boss kidnap you?’ ‘Should I call the police?’” Zoey burst out laughing. “Okay, that’s actually funny.” “I know!” Lena said, trying and failing not to smile. “And then when I finally picked up, do you know what he said?” Zoey leaned forward slightly, curious. “What?” “He goes, ‘I just wanted to hear your voice.’” Lena mimicked his tone, then immediately groaned, covering her face. “I swear, he’s impossible.” Zoey rested her chin on her hand, watching her fondly. “You like it.” Lena peeked at her through her fingers. “Maybe a little.” “Mm-hmm.” “But it’s still annoying!” Lena insisted quickly, sitting upright again. “I can’t have my phone ringing like that at work.” Zoey chuckled softly. “You’ll survive.” “I will not...” Just then... Zoey’s phone rang. they paused. Zoey blinked, glancing at the screen. The number wasn’t saved. Her heart skipped. “…Who is it?” Lena asked, noticing the sudden shift in her expression. Zoey didn't answer immediately. She slowly picked up the phone, her fingers suddenly feeling a little too stiff, her pulse a little too fast. “I...I don’t know,” she murmured. Lena’s eyes sharpened with curiosity. “Pick it up!” Zoey swallowed, then tapped the answer button. “Hello…?” There was a brief pause. Lena watched closely as Zoey’s face changed...confusion first… then realization… Then... Her eyes widened. “…Yes, this is she,” Zoey said, her voice suddenly more formal. Lena sat up straighter. “Yes… yes, I applied for that position…” A beat. Zoey’s free hand slowly came up to cover her mouth. Lena’s heart started racing for her. “Yes, I’m available,” Zoey continued, her voice trembling slightly now. “Tomorrow? Yes, that’s perfectly fine…” Lena couldn't hold it in anymore. She leaned forward, whispering urgently “What is it? What is it?!” Zoey held up a finger, eyes still wide, focusing on the call. “Thank you so much… I’ll be there. Yes… thank you.” The call ended. Silence. For exactly one second. Then... Zoey gasped loudly. “OH MY GOD...” Lena practically jumped out of her chair. “What happened?!” Zoey looked at her, eyes shining, hands slightly shaking. “It’s them,” she breathed. “The company I applied to, they called me for an interview.” Lena froze, then her face lit up. “WAIT, SERIOUSLY?!” Zoey nodded “Yes! they want me to come in tomorrow!” Lena let out a high-pitched squeal, rushing around the table and pulling Zoey into a tight hug. “I KNEW IT! I TOLD YOU!” she shouted, squeezing her. Zoey laughed, hugging her back just as tightly. “I can’t believe it, I was starting to think...” “Nope!” Lena cut her off, pulling back just enough to cup her face. “No negative thoughts. You deserve this.” Zoey smiled, her eyes slightly glossy now. “It doesn’t even feel real.” Lena shook her lightly. “It is real. Very real. Now what’s the company?” Zoey took a small breath, still trying to steady herself. “It’s… Reigns Group.” Lena went completely still. “…Say that again.” “Reigns Group,” Zoey repeated, a little more confidently this time. There was a split second of silence Then Lena screamed, she grabbed Zoey again, hugging her even tighter this time, practically bouncing in place. “Zoey, THAT’S HUGE!” she exclaimed. “Do you know how big that company is?!” Zoey laughed breathlessly. “I know! That’s why I’m freaking out!” “Oh my God, oh my God, this is amazing,” Lena said, pulling back but still holding onto her arms. “You’re definitely getting that job.” Zoey shook her head quickly. “Don’t say that, I haven’t even done the interview yet...” “And you’re going to ace it,” Lena insisted. “Because you’re smart, and capable, and ridiculously hardworking.” Zoey’s cheeks flushed slightly. “You’re biased.” “Very,” Lena admitted without hesitation. “But I’m also right.” They both laughed. Then Lena suddenly grabbed her hand again, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “We need to celebrate.” “Lena, it’s just an interview...” “I don’t care,” she cut in. “This is the first step, and it’s a big one.” Zoey looked at her, warmth spreading through her chest. “Thank you,” she said softly. Lena smiled, softer now. “Always.” There was a brief pause, comfortable, warm, filled with shared excitement and something deeper lingering just beneath the surface. Then Lena clapped her hands suddenly. “Okay! Tomorrow is serious business. We need to pick your outfit, practice interview questions, fix your hair...” Zoey laughed. “Fix my hair?” “Yes,” Lena said firmly. “You’re going to walk into Reigns Group looking like a boss.” Zoey stood up, a new energy coursing through her now, lighter, brighter. “Then let’s do it.” And as they cleared the table together, laughter filling the apartment once again, Zoey felt something she hadn’t felt in months, Hope.