When the ashes bloom

Amara stared at the glass doors of Blackwood Holdings and took a slow breath. She had been standing outside for almost five minutes. Not because she was nervous. Okay. Maybe she was a little nervous. She looked down at her clothes. A simple black skirt, a cream blouse, and the only pair of heels she owned that hadn't started making strange noises whenever she walked. “Please don't embarrass me today,” she whispered to the shoes. A security guard glanced at her. Amara straightened immediately. Right. Dignity. She walked inside. The reception area was exactly what she'd expected from a company owned by one of the richest men in the country marble floors, enormous glass windows, expensive-looking furniture, and employees who somehow managed to look as though they had never experienced financial stress in their lives. Amara suddenly became very aware of her handbag. It was old. Very old. But it was clean. That counted for something. “Good morning,” the receptionist said. “Good morning. I'm here for an interview.” “Name?” “Amara Williams.” The woman typed something into her computer. Then she looked up. “Mr. Blackwood's office.” Amara blinked. “Sorry?” “Your interview is with Mr. Kian Blackwood.” Her stomach dropped. The billionaire himself? She had applied for a junior administrative position. She hadn't expected the owner of the entire company to personally interview her. “Is that normal?” she asked before she could stop herself. The receptionist smiled politely. “No.” Wonderful. Amara swallowed. “Okay.” She followed the assistant toward the private elevators. As the doors opened, she stepped inside and tried not to look terrified. She had one goal. Get the job. She needed the money. More importantly, she needed a fresh start. The elevator doors opened on the top floor. The atmosphere immediately changed. It was quieter here. Colder. The assistant pointed toward a large office at the end of the hallway. “He's expecting you.” Amara nodded. She knocked. “Come in.” The voice was deep and calm. She opened the door. And stopped. Kian Blackwood stood beside the enormous window overlooking the city. He wasn't what she had expected. He looked younger. Late twenties, perhaps. Tall, sharply dressed, with dark hair and an expression that gave absolutely nothing away. His eyes moved from her face to the folder in her hand. Then back to her. “You're late.” Amara glanced at the clock. “I arrived seven minutes early.” “I know.” She frowned. “Then why did you say I was late?” One of his eyebrows lifted. “Because you spent five minutes outside.” Her mouth opened. Then closed. Was this man serious? Kian walked toward his desk. “Sit.” Amara sat. He picked up her résumé. “You have no corporate experience.” “No.” “Your previous employer closed down.” “Yes.” “You've been unemployed for four months.” “Yes.” He looked at her for a long moment. “Why should I hire you?” Amara tightened her fingers around her handbag. Because I need this job. Because my life has fallen apart. Because I don't know what else to do. But she wasn't going to tell him any of that. “Because I'm willing to learn.” Kian's expression didn't change. “That answer is ordinary.” Amara leaned forward slightly. “Then maybe you should ask me an extraordinary question.” Silence. For the first time, something almost resembling amusement appeared in his eyes. “Fine.” He placed her résumé on the desk. “What is the biggest mistake a person can make when they've lost everything?” Amara stared at him. Then answered quietly. “Believing they've lost themselves too.” Kian said nothing. But this time, he didn't look away. And Amara had no idea that her answer had just changed everything.