Chapter One: A Rainy Beginning
1558 Words
The steady rhythm of rain pounding against the rusty zinc roof echoed through the tiny apartment, loud enough to wake anyone from the deepest sleep.
Davina Brooks stirred beneath her thin blanket, her brows knitting together before her eyes slowly fluttered open. For a few seconds, she lay still, listening to the relentless downpour. The sound was oddly comforting, wrapping the quiet night in a blanket of peace.
With a soft sigh, she pushed herself out of bed.
The wooden floor creaked beneath her bare feet as she walked toward the small window beside her bed. She slid it open just enough for the cool breeze to rush inside.
A smile tugged at her lips.
The cold air brushed against her face, carrying with it the earthy scent of wet soil and fresh rain. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply. Moments like these were rare. For a brief second, the endless worries about unpaid bills, job applications, and tomorrow's uncertainty faded into the background.
"I wish life could be this peaceful forever," she whispered to herself.
Lightning flashed across the dark sky, followed almost instantly by a loud clap of thunder.
She chuckled quietly.
"I guess that's my sign to stop daydreaming."
Closing the window, she wrapped her cardigan around herself before stepping into the narrow hallway that connected the two tiny bedrooms.
The apartment wasn't much to look at. The walls had begun to peel from years of damp weather, and the furniture had clearly seen better days. Still, to Davina, it was home. Every cracked wall and faded curtain held memories she cherished.
She gently pushed open the door to the second bedroom.
Her mother slept soundly, exhaustion evident even in her sleep. Reyna Brooks had worked two jobs for years just to keep food on the table and ensure her daughter completed college. Even now, faint dark circles rested beneath her closed eyes.
The bedroom window had been left slightly open.
Davina quietly walked over and shut it before the rain could soak the room. Then she carefully pulled the blanket higher over her mother's shoulders.
"You work too hard, Mum," she murmured softly.
Reyna shifted slightly but didn't wake.
Satisfied, Davina smiled before quietly leaving the room and closing the door behind her.
Back in her own bedroom, she lay down once more. This time, sleep claimed her almost instantly.
For a few precious hours, she forgot about interviews, rejection letters, and the burden of becoming the family's only hope.
Morning arrived with bright sunlight pouring through the curtains.
The smell of fried eggs and toasted bread drifted through the apartment while cheerful music played from Davina's phone.
Unlike the gloomy weather from the night before, today felt full of possibilities.
Davina danced around the tiny kitchen, wooden spoon in one hand and frying pan in the other.
"If nobody hires me," she joked to herself, "maybe I should become a professional chef."
She laughed at her own joke.
A few minutes later, breakfast was neatly arranged on the small dining table.
"Mum!" she called. "Breakfast is ready!"
Reyna emerged from her room wearing her work uniform. Though she had carefully tied her hair back and forced a smile onto her face, fatigue lingered in her eyes.
"Good morning, Mum."
Davina leaned over and kissed both of her mother's cheeks.
"Good morning, my sunshine," Reyna replied warmly. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did. The rain almost sang me back to sleep."
"I'm glad."
They sat together and began eating.
For a while, neither spoke. They simply enjoyed the rare chance to share breakfast before another busy day pulled them apart.
Finally, Reyna broke the silence.
"So... what are your plans today?"
Davina swallowed before answering.
"I'm going into the city."
Reyna looked up.
"I've printed several copies of my résumé. I'll visit as many companies as possible. Someone has to be hiring."
"You've already sent so many applications."
"I know."
"And many haven't replied."
"I know that too."
"So why are you still smiling?"
Davina grinned.
"Because if I stop smiling, I'll start crying."
Her mother reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
"My brave girl."
Davina smiled, though deep inside she was terrified.
College was over.
Reality had begun.
The savings they had managed to keep were disappearing faster than either of them wanted to admit.
She couldn't allow her mother to keep working herself to exhaustion.
Not anymore.
"I'll find a job," she said firmly. "No matter how long it takes."
Reyna nodded, but worry lingered in her heart.
"I believe you will."
After breakfast, Davina washed the dishes while Reyna prepared to leave.
Before stepping outside, Reyna gently cupped her daughter's face.
"Promise me something."
"What is it?"
"No matter what happens today... be careful."
"I will."
"And don't trust strangers too easily."
Davina laughed.
"Mum, I'm twenty years old."
"You'll still be my little girl when you're sixty."
Davina hugged her tightly.
"I love you."
"I love you more."
They parted ways outside their apartment.
Davina watched her mother disappear down the street before whispering to herself,
"Just wait a little longer, Mum."
"One day, I'll give you the life you deserve."
Clutching the folder containing her résumés, she took a deep breath and started walking toward the bus stop, completely unaware that before the day was over, one unexpected encounter would change her life forever.
The City of Ralivay was already alive.
Towering glass buildings reflected the golden rays of the morning sun while expensive cars streamed through the busy streets. People hurried along the sidewalks, each occupied with their own destination. It was a city where dreams were born... and just as easily destroyed.
Inside a sleek black luxury sedan, silence filled the air.
Only the soft hum of the engine and the occasional turning of paper disturbed the quiet atmosphere.
Seated comfortably in the back seat was Reese Kingsley.
Dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, he radiated authority without uttering a single word. His sharp jawline, cold grey eyes, and perfectly styled black hair gave him an intimidating appearance that made most people lower their gaze before speaking to him.
In Ralivay, his name alone commanded respect.
Some admired him.
Many feared him.
Very few truly knew him.
Reese's attention remained fixed on the stack of files resting on his lap.
Every page represented another company under the Kingsley Group, the largest business empire in the city. Hotels, construction firms, shipping companies, real estate, technology, and luxury brands—all of them answered to one man.
He flipped another page.
His expression darkened.
"This shipment should have arrived yesterday."
His calm voice instantly broke the silence.
Erin, who was driving, glanced at the rear-view mirror before answering respectfully.
"There was an issue at the harbor, sir."
Reese looked up.
"The cargo inspectors delayed the clearance because of a damaged container. The problem has already been resolved. According to the latest report, the shipment should arrive in three days."
Reese closed the file.
"I don't like delays."
"I understand, sir."
"I don't pay people to give me excuses."
"You won't hear another one from me."
A faint nod escaped Reese.
Among all his employees, Erin was one of the few people he trusted.
He never asked unnecessary questions.
He never made careless mistakes.
Most importantly...
He never betrayed Reese's confidence.
Outside the tinted windows, the city continued to rush past.
Luxury boutiques stood beside towering office buildings while cafés overflowed with customers enjoying their morning coffee.
For everyone else, it was just another ordinary day.
For Davina Brooks...
It was the day she hoped would change her life.
Davina stepped off the bus and stared upward.
The buildings seemed to touch the clouds.
She tightened her grip on the brown folder pressed against her chest.
Inside were twenty freshly printed copies of her résumé.
Twenty opportunities.
Twenty chances to escape poverty.
"You can do this," she whispered to herself.
Her nervousness quickly faded as determination took over.
One company after another.
That was the plan.
She would not return home until every résumé had been handed out.
The first company politely rejected walk-in applications.
The second accepted her résumé but offered no promises.
The third informed her they weren't hiring.
By noon, her feet already ached.
She sat briefly on a park bench and counted the remaining copies.
"Only fourteen left."
She sighed before forcing another smile.
"That's still fourteen opportunities."
She stood and continued walking.
Failure wasn't an option.
Not while her mother was sacrificing everything for her.
Meanwhile...
Reese's car continued moving through the city's business district.
His phone vibrated.
Erin answered through the car's hands-free system.
"Yes?"
A worried voice spoke from the other end.
"Mr. Erin, the board meeting has been moved forward by thirty minutes."
"I'll inform Mr. Kingsley."
Erin ended the call.
"Sir."
"What?"
"The board meeting has been rescheduled."
Reese rubbed his temples.
"Wonderful."
"I'm sorry, sir."
"Being sorry won't stop them from wasting my time."
Erin wisely remained silent.
Years of working for Reese had taught him one important lesson.
When Reese was in a bad mood...
Silence was the safest answer.
Davina hurried across the street after noticing another company building a short distance away.
"If I get there before lunch break..."
She glanced both ways before stepping off the curb.
At that exact moment—
Screech!
- Writer
