Chapter 7
1103 Words
Asia had barely fallen asleep when her phone began vibrating across her bedside table.
She frowned and pulled the blanket closer around herself. For a moment, she considered ignoring it. After everything that had happened in the past few weeks, uninterrupted sleep had become one of the rare luxuries she still possessed.
The phone continued ringing.
With a sigh, she reached over and grabbed it.
Rachel's name flashed across the screen.
Asia glanced at the clock.
"Rachel Flynn," she muttered. "Do normal people not sleep anymore?"
The moment she answered, Rachel's excited voice practically exploded through the speaker.
"Get up."
Asia immediately pulled the phone away from her ear.
"Good morning to you too."
"No, seriously. Get up right now."
Asia rubbed her forehead and sat up against the headboard.
"Rachel, it's barely morning."
"I know."
"You sound entirely too happy for this hour."
"Because I have good news."
That got her attention.Asia's expression softened slightly.
"What kind of good news?"
"The kind you don't hear over the phone."
Rachel sounded almost smug.
"Get dressed and meet me at Bellamy Gardens."
Asia frowned.
The restaurant was one of the most popular brunch spots in Flinton City.
"Rachel…"
"No excuses."
"I'm still recovering."
"And you're still coming."
"Rachel."
"Asia."
A brief silence followed.Then Rachel laughed.
"Be there in an hour."Racheal responded just before the call disconnected.
Asia pushed aside the blankets and climbed out of bed.An hour later, she stood in front of the mirror fastening a pair of pearl earrings.
She chose a cream-colored blouse tucked neatly into high-waisted beige trousers. The outfit was simple, elegant, and effortlessly professional. A pair of nude heels completed the look.
After grabbing her handbag, she headed downstairs.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee greeted her the moment she entered the dining room.
Kelvin was already seated at the table.
He was reading something on his tablet while a half-finished cup of coffee sat beside him.
Asia almost kept walking but Instead, she stopped briefly.
"Good morning."
Kelvin looked up.
His eyes lingered on her for a second longer than usual.
"You look dressed up."
Asia pulled out a chair and sat down.
"I'm going out."
A maid immediately approached to pour her coffee.kelvin returned his attention to the tablet.
"I thought you weren't working."
"I'm not."
"Then where are you going?"
Asia stirred her coffee calmly.
"To meet Rachel."
That finally earned a reaction.
Kelvin lowered the tablet.
"This early?"
"Apparently."
His brows furrowed slightly.
A few months ago, she would have explained herself.Now she simply sipped her coffee.
Eventually Kelvin leaned back in his chair.
"I see."
Within minutes, she stood.
"I'll be late."
Kelvin gave a distracted nod.
"Alright."
Asia picked up her handbag and headed toward the front door.
Bellamy Gardens was already bustling when Asia arrived.
Sunlight filtered through large glass windows while conversations floated through the elegant restaurant.
Rachel was impossible to miss.She sat near the window waving both arms dramatically.
"You're attracting attention."
Rachel grinned.
"Good. Sit down."
Asia slid into the chair opposite her and the moment she did, Rachel pushed a menu aside.
"I spoke to my father."
Asia blinked.
"Okay?"
"About you."
Now she had asia’s full attention,Rachel leaned forward.
"He asked about you a few days ago."
Asia remained quiet.
Rachel's father wasn't the type of man who casually asked about people,Especially not in business.
"And?"
Rachel's smile widened.
"And he wants to meet you."
Asia stared.
"Why…?"
"What do you mean why?"
"Rachel."
"He remembers exactly who you are."
"My father remembers how you helped your father expand Richmore Technologies."
Asia was about to respond to what Asia had said but Racheal continued before she could speak.
"Asia, you were running boardrooms while half the people in this city still thought you were just somebody's daughter."
For a moment, Asia didn't know what to say.
After losing so much recently, hearing someone acknowledge her accomplishments felt strangely emotional.
Rachel reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
"You've spent years shrinking yourself for people who didn't appreciate you."
Asia looked away.
" you need to stop doing that."
The softness in Rachel's voice nearly broke something inside her.Thankfully, a waiter arrived before she could respond.
“He’s expecting you today Asia,I really hope you brought your A game.”
Asia took a deep breath after hearing this and straightened her posture on the chair.
“I’m always ready Racheal” she confidently said.
Racheal gave a polite nod after hearing this and they had to finish up at the restaurant.
Later that afternoon, Asia found herself standing inside one of the tallest buildings in Flinton City.
The headquarters of Sterling Global Holdings,Rachel's father's company.The lobby alone was impressive.
Polished marble floors,Floor-to-ceiling windows with every employee moving with purpose.
The atmosphere reminded her of the days when her father was still alive.When business discussions had filled their home.
A receptionist escorted her upstairs.
Minutes later, she entered the chairman's office.
Harold Sterling stood from behind his desk.
Despite being in his sixties, he carried himself with remarkable energy.
His sharp eyes studied her carefully.
Then he smiled.
"Asia."
"It's been a long time."
Asia shook his hand respectfully.
"Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Sterling."
Harold waved off the formality.
"Sit."
The meeting began simply and yet as the conversation continued, Asia could tell he wasn't interviewing her.
He was evaluating her.
Testing her.
The same way experienced executives tested one another.
And for the first time in weeks, she found herself enjoying the test before her.
By the end of the meeting, Harold closed the file resting on his desk.
A smile appeared.
"I was right."
"About what?"Asia blinked looking really curious on what he meant.
His smile widened.
"About you."
He slid a document across the desk.
Asia looked down and instantly froze upon glancing through.
It was an employment contract.As the head Executive Strategy Director Of the Sterling Global Holdings.
For several seconds, she simply stared.
Harold folded his hands.
"I don't offer positions because of sympathy."His voice was calm but firm.
"I offer them because I believe they're deserved."
Asia swallowed.
Something tightened in her throat.
"You earned this years ago."
The office fell quiet.
Harold leaned back and broke the silence.
"Welcome to Sterling Global Holdings, Asia."
Asia looked down at the contract again.
Slowly, she reached for the pen resting beside the document.
For the first time in a very long time, she felt like she was standing on her own feet again.
She signed.
And without realizing it, the first real chapter of her new life had finally begun.
- Writer
