Unlikely Union

**Chapter Sixteen & Seventeen: The Unexpected Interview**

The day of the interview had arrived, and Ella could barely hide the nervous excitement that bubbled inside her. She had barely slept the night before, going over her resume and cover letter again and again, rehearsing her answers to every possible question that might come her way. She had expected this moment to feel empowering—a defining step in her career—but now, with the actual interview on the horizon, she was overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions.

What she hadn’t anticipated, though, was the sudden realization that the job she was applying for was tied directly to Asher's world. Asher had been supportive, yet there was a subtle tension between them ever since she learned the job was at **Blackwood Global Enterprises**—the massive company he helmed. Though he reassured her that she was free to make her own decisions, something about working for his company felt different now. It felt personal.

She spent the morning in the penthouse, pacing the living room in her new interview outfit—a sleek navy blue blazer paired with a simple white blouse and black trousers. Her hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and she had applied just enough makeup to feel confident without looking overdone. She had the look of a woman who was ready to step into her own.

But the closer the clock inched toward the scheduled interview time, the more she began to second-guess herself. *Am I doing the right thing?*

Just as she was about to check the time again, her phone buzzed. It was a text from Asher.

**“I hope you’re ready, babe. I know you’ll do great. I believe in you.”**

The warmth in his words settled some of her nerves, though they couldn’t fully dissipate. Asher had been supportive from the moment she started looking for jobs, but this was different. This was his world. Would her success be seen as a reflection of him? Would their marriage complicate things?

Before she could overthink it any further, a knock at the door broke her train of thought.

“Come in!” Ella called, hoping it was just her assistant with some last-minute details about the interview. But to her surprise, Asher walked into the room, dressed in his usual sharp suit, his expression unreadable.

“Hey,” he greeted her, his tone a little quieter than usual. His gaze flickered from her outfit to her face, and then he smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re looking stunning, as always.”

“Thanks,” she said, offering him a small, reassuring smile. “I’m trying to get into the zone. I feel like I’m about to take a final exam or something.”

Asher’s smile widened a little, but there was a definite trace of unease in his expression. “You’re not nervous, are you?”

“Of course I’m nervous,” she said with a slight chuckle. “This is a big deal for me. You know how much I want to prove I can do this on my own.”

Asher nodded slowly, his fingers running through his hair in a gesture that betrayed his own internal conflict. “I get it. You want to make sure you’re doing this for yourself. You don’t want to be ‘just Asher Blackwood’s wife.’”

Ella was caught off guard by the candidness of his words. She turned to face him fully, setting down her purse. “Well, yeah. But… this is also your company. I mean, I had no idea I was even applying for a job at Blackwood Global. It feels… weird. Like I’m walking into a situation where everyone will know who I am, and they’ll think it’s because of you. Not because I earned it.”

Asher’s expression softened. He stepped closer to her, closing the distance between them, and took her hands in his. His touch was warm, grounding. “Ella, you’re more than just my wife. You’re brilliant. You have the talent, the experience, and the vision to be a leader in your own right. If anything, I’m proud of you for applying. But I don’t want you to feel like you have to live up to anyone’s expectations—mine, my family’s, or anyone else’s. If you get this job, it will be because you earned it. Not because you’re married to me.”

His words soothed some of the doubt swirling in her chest, but the weight of the situation remained. “But what if my success there is seen as you helping me? Or what if they think I’m using you to get ahead?”

Asher’s jaw clenched, his gaze intense as he searched her face. “No one would ever think that. If anyone doubts you because of me, then that’s their problem, not yours. I believe in you, Ella. More than anyone else ever could. And if this job is really what you want, then I’ll support it, no matter what.”

She inhaled deeply, then nodded slowly. “Thank you, Asher. I know you have my back, but… this is scary, you know?”

“I know,” he said softly. “But you’ve got this.”

Ella took another breath and forced a smile. “Okay. I guess it’s time to go face the music.”

Asher smiled, but this time, his eyes held a note of something else—something deeper. “I’ll be right here when you get back. Whether it’s good news or bad, we’ll handle it together.”

Ella leaned in, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Thanks. I’ll see you soon.”

---

The drive to the Blackwood Global headquarters was uneventful, but Ella’s heart was racing by the time the cab pulled up to the sleek, modern building. It loomed over the streets of downtown New York, a symbol of Asher’s family’s empire, and for a moment, Ella wondered if she was ready to walk inside and stake her claim.

She entered the building, passing through the grand lobby, and made her way to the receptionist desk. The woman behind the desk was polite and efficient, handing Ella a visitor’s pass with a smile. “You’re here for an interview with Mr. Blackwood’s team, correct?”

Ella blinked at the mention of Asher’s name. “Uh, yes, that’s right.”

The receptionist nodded and gestured to the elevator. “Please take the elevator to the 14th floor. Someone will be waiting to escort you to the conference room.”

Ella’s pulse quickened. She had a sinking feeling in her stomach as the elevator doors closed behind her. This was real. This was happening.

When the elevator arrived on the 14th floor, a sharply-dressed woman greeted her, offering a brief but warm handshake. “Ms. Blackwood, thank you for coming. Mr. Larson will be with you shortly.” The woman led her down a long hallway, and Ella couldn’t help but notice the grandeur of the office—the glass-walled meeting rooms, the polished floors, the high-end furniture. It was impressive, to say the least.

Finally, they reached a glass-walled conference room at the end of the hall. Inside, Ella was introduced to a group of senior executives, but her gaze was drawn to one person in particular.

Standing near the back of the room, with his arms crossed, was **Asher**.

Ella’s heart lurched. She hadn’t expected to see him here—certainly not as part of the interview process. He wasn’t supposed to be involved, not directly. But there he was, watching her closely, his dark eyes steady but unreadable.

She had been prepared to face the group of executives, to answer their questions about her qualifications, her experience, and her vision for the future of Blackwood Global. But now that Asher was here, she found herself second-guessing everything she had planned to say.

Asher offered her a slight, almost imperceptible nod as she walked into the room, and her nerves intensified.

“Please, have a seat,” one of the executives, Mr. Larson, said, gesturing toward the chair at the head of the conference table. “We’re excited to hear more about your background, Ms. Blackwood.”

Ella sat down, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, but she couldn’t help the flurry of questions racing through her mind. *Why is Asher here? Did he want to watch me fail? Or is he secretly hoping I’ll make it, to prove something to his family?*

As the interview began, Ella tried to focus on the questions at hand. She talked about her background, her passion for business management and psychology, and her ideas for organizational change. She spoke with confidence, though her gaze kept straying to Asher, who watched her closely from across the room.

Each time their eyes met, she felt a strange mix of determination and vulnerability. She didn’t know if he was there to help or to judge her performance. But what she did know was this: *Whatever happens here, I’m doing this for myself.*

By the time the interview ended, Ella felt both drained and exhilarated. The questions had been tough, but she’d done her best to hold her own.

As the executives filed out of the room, Mr. Larson gave her a reassuring smile. “Thank you for your time, Ms. Blackwood. We’ll be in touch soon.”

As the door closed behind him, Ella turned to face Asher, who was still standing in the doorway, his arms still crossed. His gaze was intense, but it softened when their eyes met.

“Well,” Ella said, her voice a little shaky, “how did I do?”

Asher stepped forward, a faint smile on his lips. “You did great. Better than great, actually.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

He nodded.

“Really. You were confident, articulate, and you owned the room. You didn’t let anyone push you around, and you made a solid impression.”

Ella’s heart skipped at his words. “Thanks. I was… nervous, but I tried to stay focused.”

Asher walked over and placed a hand gently on her shoulder, his thumb tracing the outline of her neck. His touch was warm and comforting. “You’ve got this, Ella. No matter what the outcome is, you’ve already proven that you belong here.”

She smiled, feeling a surge of pride. *Maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something truly her own.*

---

That evening, as they sat together in the quiet of their penthouse, Ella allowed herself to relax. Asher’s words had given her the reassurance she needed, even though she still didn’t know the outcome of the interview. The uncertainty of it all lingered, but she felt a little less anxious.

“We’ll see what happens,” she said, leaning her head against his chest. “But whatever happens, I feel good about it.”

Asher wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “Whatever happens, I’ll be here. You’re not alone in this, Ella.”

The words rang true. And for the first time in a long while, Ella felt at peace with her decision.