CHAPTER 5- THE WEIGHT OF A SIGNATURE
750 Words
Aria barely remembered how she made it home.
Rain tapped steadily against the apartment window.
Aria sat at the small dining table, the black envelope resting untouched before her. Hours had passed since she left Blackwell Holdings, yet Adrian Blackwell's voice still echoed in her mind.
"You have forty-eight hours."
Forty-eight hours to decide whether she was willing to step into a life that wasn't hers.
Lucas walked into the kitchen carrying two steaming mugs of instant coffee. He placed one beside her before sitting across the table.
"You've been staring at that envelope for twenty minutes."
She managed a tired smile.
"I didn't realize it had been that long."
"You've read the first page at least five times."
Aria sighed.
"It's not a normal job offer."
"So... don't take it."
"If only it were that simple."
Lucas leaned back in his chair.
"Is it dangerous?"
"I don't know."
"Illegal?"
"No."
"Then why do you look like you're about to cry?"
His question caught her off guard.
She looked away.
"Because I'm scared that if I say yes, my life won't be mine anymore."
Lucas didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he reached across the table and gently closed the folder.
"You've always told me that fear isn't a reason to quit."
Aria smiled faintly.
"I also said you should think before jumping."
"And have you?"
She nodded.
"Every second since I walked out of that office."
.......
Across the city, the lights on the top floor of Blackwell Holdings still burned.
Nathan Brooks stepped into Adrian's office without knocking.
"I had a feeling you'd still be here."
Adrian didn't look up from the stack of reports spread across his desk.
"The merger won't negotiate itself."
Nathan dropped into the chair opposite him.
"You've reviewed the same page three times."
That finally earned a glance.
"I don't repeat mistakes."
Nathan folded his arms.
"I know you don't"
A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"But you do overthink people."
Silence.
Nathan tilted his head.
"You're wondering if she'll accept?"
Adrian closed the file.
"I'm wondering if i judged her correctly."
"That's practically the same thing."
Adrian didn't argue.
Nathan chuckled softly.
"You know, this is the first time I've seen you take a personal interest in someone you interviewed."
"It isn't personal."
"Right."
Nathan stood.
"Then stop looking at the elevator every time it opens."
The office fell quiet again after he left.
Adrian glanced toward the glass doors.
For the first time in years...
Waiting felt unfamiliar.
The next morning arrived far too quickly.
Aria stood outside Blackwell Holdings, clutching the envelope against her chest.
She hadn't planned to come back today.
She'd told herself she only needed more information nothing more.
The receptionist smiled as she approached.
"Good morning, Miss Monroe."
"You... remember me?"She asked in shock
"We were told to expect you."
Aria's heart skipped.
"He knew I'd come back?"
The receptionist simply smiled.
"The thirty-second floor is waiting."
As the elevator climbed higher, her reflection stared back at her in the polished metal doors.
She barely recognized the woman looking back.
Not because she'd changed.
Because she was standing on the edge of a decision that could change everything.
The doors slid open.
The assistant who had escorted her the day before greeted her with a polite nod.
"Mr. Blackwell is expecting you."
"Does he always know who's coming?"
A small smile crossed the assistant's face.
"He prefers to."
Aria followed her down the now-familiar hallway.
This time, her footsteps sounded steadier.
Not because she wasn't afraid.
Because she'd decided fear wouldn't make the decision for her.
The assistant stopped outside the walnut doors.
She knocked once.
"Come in."
The deep voice from inside was calm, confident, unmistakable.
The door swung open.
Adrian was standing by the window, hands in his pockets, the city stretching behind him.
He turned as she entered.
"I was beginning to think you'd use all forty-eight hours."
Aria lifted the envelope and met his gaze.
"I still haven't made my decision."
A flicker of curiosity crossed his face.
"Then why are you here?"
She took one step closer.
"Because before I sign anything..."
She placed the envelope on his desk.
"...I need you to tell me everything."
For the first time since they'd met, Adrian didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked at her with an expression she couldn't quite read.
Then he reached for the contract.
"I'm glad you came."
And somehow...
Those four words made the room feel even quieter.
- Writer
