WHEN HIS HEART CHANGED

WHEN HIS HEART CHANGED Chapter One — The Day We Met Amelia stared at the clock on the wall. 7:42 a.m. She had exactly eighteen minutes to get to the interview. “Please, not today,” she whispered. She grabbed her handbag from the chair, checked that her résumé was still inside, and rushed toward the door. Her morning had started badly enough. The electricity had gone out before she could finish ironing her blouse. Her alarm had failed because her phone battery had died during the night, and the rain had turned the road outside into a muddy mess. But she couldn't afford to be late. This interview wasn't just another job interview. It was her chance to change her life. For the past three months, Amelia had been searching for work. She had sent applications everywhere, attended interviews, and received countless promises that someone would "get back to her." Nobody ever did. This morning was different. The company had called her personally. Westbridge Holdings. One of the biggest companies in the city. Amelia had almost laughed when she first saw the invitation. Someone like her working for a company like that? It seemed impossible. But she had learned that impossible things sometimes became possible when a person had no other choice. She stepped outside and pulled the door shut behind her. “Amelia!” She turned. Her neighbor, Mrs. Grace, was standing by her gate. “Are you going for another interview?” “Yes,” Amelia replied, forcing a smile. Mrs. Grace looked at her from head to toe. “You look nervous.” “I am nervous.” “Don't be. Just be yourself.” Amelia smiled. “That is exactly what I'm afraid of.” Mrs. Grace laughed. “Go. And remember what I told you.” “What?” “Don't let rich people make you feel small.” Amelia smiled properly this time. “I'll try.” She hurried down the street. She didn't know that those words would stay in her mind for the rest of the day. --- By the time Amelia reached Westbridge Holdings, it was 8:09 a.m. She stopped outside the enormous glass building and stared upward. The building seemed to disappear into the clouds. People in expensive suits moved through the entrance with confidence. Cars stopped at the front, and drivers opened doors for executives. Amelia looked down at her simple black shoes. Suddenly, she felt very aware of everything she didn't have. She took a deep breath. Don't let rich people make you feel small. She walked inside. The reception area was even more impressive. White marble covered the floor. A huge chandelier hung from the ceiling, and the company's logo stood behind the reception desk. “Good morning,” Amelia said. The receptionist looked up. “Good morning. How may I help you?” “I have an interview with the administrative department.” “Name?” “Amelia Carter.” The receptionist typed something into her computer. “Please have a seat. Someone will come for you.” “Thank you.” Amelia sat down. Five minutes passed. Then ten. Then twenty. She checked the time. 8:31. She was beginning to wonder whether they had forgotten about her when a young woman approached. “Miss Carter?” Amelia stood. “Yes.” “Follow me, please.” They walked toward the elevators. As the elevator doors opened, Amelia stepped inside. “Which floor?” she asked. “Twenty-third.” Amelia pressed the button. As the doors closed, she looked at herself in the reflection. Her hair was neat. Her blouse was clean. Her résumé was ready. She had prepared for every question she could imagine. Still, her stomach was twisting. The elevator reached the twenty-third floor. The woman led her down a quiet hallway. “Mr. Cole will see you shortly.” “Mr. Cole?” “Yes.” “Is he the person interviewing me?” The woman nodded. Amelia swallowed. She had expected someone from human resources. Not the head of an entire department. Before she could ask anything else, the woman walked away. Amelia sat outside the office. A few minutes later, the door opened. “Miss Carter?” She stood immediately. “Yes.” “Come in.” Amelia entered. The office was enormous. A large window covered almost the entire wall, giving a perfect view of the city. Behind a dark wooden desk sat a man in a navy suit. He looked to be in his late twenties or early thirties. His expression was serious. Very serious. He barely looked at her before returning his attention to the documents on his desk. “Sit.” Amelia sat. He picked up her résumé. “Amelia Carter.” “Yes.” “You're twenty-two.” “Yes.” “You graduated two years ago.” “Yes.” “Yet you've never worked for a company this size.” Amelia hesitated. “No.” “Why?” She frowned slightly. “Why haven't I worked for a company this size?” “Exactly.” She took a breath. “Because nobody gave me the opportunity.” For the first time, he looked directly at her. His eyes were cold and unreadable. “You think opportunities are supposed to be given?” “No.” “Then what are they?” “Earned.” A brief silence followed. He leaned back in his chair. “Interesting.” Amelia wasn't sure whether that was good or bad. He looked back at her résumé. “Your grades are excellent.” “Thank you.” “Your references are good.” “Yes.” “But your experience is limited.” “I learn quickly.” “Everyone says that.” “I mean it.” His eyebrow lifted slightly. “Confident.” “I'm trying to be honest.” Another silence. Then he closed the file. “Why do you want this job?” Amelia had prepared an answer. She had practiced it in front of her mirror. But when she opened her mouth, the rehearsed words disappeared. “Because I need it.” The man stared at her. She continued. “I know that's probably not the answer you're expecting.” “No. It isn't.” “But it's the truth. I need a job, and I know I can do this one. If you give me the opportunity, I won't waste it.” He studied her for several seconds. “What makes you think you deserve it?” Amelia looked at him. “I don't think I deserve it more than anyone else.” That seemed to catch his attention. “I just think I deserve the chance to prove myself.” For the first time, something changed in his expression. It was barely noticeable. Then his phone rang. He answered without taking his eyes off Amelia. “Yes?” A voice spoke from the other end. His expression hardened. “I'm coming.” He ended the call. Then he looked at Amelia. “Your interview is over.” She stood. “Thank you for your time.” He didn't respond. She turned toward the door. “Miss Carter.” She stopped. “Yes?” “I'll let you know if you've been selected.” “Okay.” She left the office. The moment the door closed behind her, she released the breath she'd been holding. She had no idea whether she had impressed him or embarrassed herself. But at least it was over. --- Inside the office, Damian Cole looked at Amelia's résumé again. He had interviewed dozens of candidates that month. Most had said exactly what they thought he wanted to hear. They had talked about ambition. Leadership. Teamwork. Success. Amelia hadn't. She had simply told him the truth. He wasn't sure what to make of that. His phone rang again. “Damian.” He answered. “What happened?” his father's voice asked. “Nothing.” “Did you handle the situation?” “Yes.” “Good. I don't want another mistake.” Damian's jaw tightened. “I said I handled it.” “Then prove it.” The call ended. Damian placed the phone on his desk. He hated conversations like that. His father had spent years reminding him that Westbridge was a family business and that one day everything would be his responsibility. Responsibility. That word seemed to follow him everywhere. He glanced at Amelia's résumé again. Then he pushed it aside. He had more important things to worry about. At least, that's what he told himself. --- Amelia walked out of Westbridge Holdings feeling strangely relieved. She hadn't gotten the job. Not yet, anyway. But something about the interview had bothered her. The man behind the desk. Damian Cole. She had never met anyone who could make a room feel cold without saying much. She reached the sidewalk and checked her phone. One missed call. She called back. “Hello?” “Amelia?” “Yes.” “It's me.” Her mother's voice immediately softened her mood. “Hi, Mom.” “How did the interview go?” Amelia looked back at the glass building. “I don't know.” “What do you mean?” “I think it went well. But the man interviewing me was…” “Was what?” “Difficult.” Her mother laughed. “Then maybe you impressed him.” “I doubt it.” “Don't worry. What is meant for you won't pass you by.” Amelia smiled. “I know.” They talked for another minute before Amelia ended the call. She started walking home. She had no idea that, at that exact moment, someone was watching her from the twenty-third floor. Damian stood by the window. He watched her cross the street. Then he turned away. “Why am I even thinking about this?” He returned to his desk. But Amelia's résumé remained there. --- Two days later, Amelia was sitting at home when her phone rang. “Hello?” “Good afternoon. May I speak with Miss Amelia Carter?” “This is she.” “This is Westbridge Holdings. We're calling regarding your interview.” Amelia sat upright. “Yes?” “We would like to offer you the position.” For a moment, Amelia couldn't speak. “You mean… I got the job?” “Yes.” Her face lit up. “Thank you so much!” “You're expected to resume Monday morning at eight.” “I'll be there.” The call ended. Amelia stared at her phone. Then she screamed. Her mother rushed into the room. “What happened?” “I got it!” “Got what?” “The job!” Her mother's eyes widened. “Really?” “Yes!” They hugged. For the first time in months, Amelia felt like something was finally going right. She didn't know that her new job would bring her face-to-face with the same man who had made her uncomfortable during her interview. She didn't know that Damian Cole would become a major part of her life. And she certainly didn't know that the cold man behind the desk would one day look at her completely differently. But that was later. For now, Amelia only knew one thing. She had finally been given a chance. And she intended to make it count. Little did she know, her first day at Westbridge Holdings would change everything