THE CONTRACT BETWEEN US

Chapter 3- A New Beginning

Amelia’s POV

The entire ride home, I couldn’t stop smiling.

No matter how hard I tried, the corner of my lips refused to stay still.

“I got the job.” I whispered in excitement.

After months of rejection email, unanswered applications and interviews that helped in no way, I had finally done it.

I’m officially an employee of a company.

I looked out the window as the city rushed by, I couldn't get the interview in my mind .

It happened so fast.

I remember one minute I was in front of Sebastian Knight, convinced he was going to tell me they found someone better.

“You’re Hired.”

Replayed in my head.

I let out a little laugh, shaking my head.

If someone told me the arrogant man who almost knocked me out would be my boss, I’ll laugh in their face.

I sighed.

The taxi stopped in front of my house, I paid the driver.

I practically hurried to the front door.

“Dad!” I called before stepping inside.

“I’m home.”

His voice echoed from the living room.

“I’m in here.”

I couldn’t contain my excitement.

Dad turned off the television to listen fully ready to hear the news.

The moment he saw my grin, he smiled.

“I know that smile.”

“You do?”

“I haven’t seen it in so long.”

Tears filled my eyes.

“I got it “

His smile slowly widened.

“Wait, you got the job?”

I nodded so fast my neck could hurt.

“Yes dad! I got the job.”

He immediately stood up wrapping his hand against me.

“I’m so proud of you.”

I hugged him tight.

“You have no idea how scared I was.”

“I thought they were going to reject me.”

“ But they didn’t.”

I laughed through my tears.

“They actually hired me.”

Dad pulled away just enough to look at me.

He smiled softly.

“I never stopped believing in you, Amelia.”

Dads words hit me harder than I expected.

The past year has been difficult for both of us.

After mum died, our home had become painfully

quiet.

Me and dad tried to both stay strong for each other.

Some days we managed.

Other days..

Not so much.

I looked around the house.

Her pictures were exactly where she still kept

them.

The framed family picture.

The little photo beside the television.

The one on the bookshelf where she was laughing at something dad had said.

I swallowed a lump in my throat .

Dad followed my gaze.

“I wish mum was here.”

“So do I.”

Silence settled.

Not an uncomfortable one.

The one that only existed between people who shared the exact pain.

“I know she’d be really proud of you.” He said wholeheartedly.

A tear rolled down my cheek.

“I hope so.”

“She would.”

He smiled.

“She always said you were capable of anything you believed in.”

I laughed quietly.

“She also said you were stubborn.”

Dad chuckled.

“That too.”

For the first time in months, our laughter didn’t feel forced.

It felt real.

I walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge.

“So, tell me everything.”

I grinned.

“The company building is so huge.”

“I can imagine.”

“And everyone dressed so professional and confident.”

“What about your boss?”

I sighed dramatically.

“Mr Sebastian Knight.”

“The famous CEO?”

“I think so.”

Dad raised an eyebrow.

“So?”

“His-“

I searched for the proper word to use.

“Intimidating.”

Dad laughed.

“That bad?”

“Worse.”

“He barely smiles.”

“He barely blinks.”

“And he questions your entire existence like he wants your soul.”

Dad burst into laughter.

“I don’t think that’s physically possible.”

“Wait till you see him.”

I leaned against the kitchen counter.

“But..”

“What?”

“He hired me.”

“I’m sure you made a better impression than you think.”

Maybe I had.

Or maybe..

Sebastian Knight was simply impossible to understand.

I was still smiling long after I finished speaking with Dad about the interview.

It felt strange.

“I think we should celebrate.” Dad said as he walked to grab a wine.

I laughed.

“With what, money?”

He shrugged.

Dad placed two glass cups in front of me while pouring wine in both.

“Cheers to more smiles and my beautiful daughter's new job.”

We both laughed, cheered, and drank.

It was absolutely the perfect night cause this was the longest I’ve spent speaking with Dad.

Maybe it’s the fact we finally had something to smile about.

After the whole conversation, I went up to my

room.

The moment I entered my room, my phone buzzed.

Sophie calling…

I smiled before answering.

“I was literally about to call you.”

“Twins.”

We chuckled.

“That’s exactly why you’re my best friend.”

“So what happened today?” She said excitedly.

She did even bother greeting me.

“Tell me, Did you get the job?”

I sat at the edge of bed.

“I got the job.”

“Wait-“

There was silence for a moment.

“Hello?”

A loud scream exploded through my speakers.

“I KNEW IT!”

I quickly pulled the phone away from my ear.

“Sophie! Omg.”

She kept on screaming.

“I literally told you they would hire you.”

I couldn’t stop being happy.

“You also told me not to panic.”

“And did you?”

“Yes definitely.”

She sighed .

“I was nervous.”

“So?”

She lowered her voice dramatically.

“Tell me about it.”

I rolled my eyes.

“I knew this question was coming.”

“Well answer it!”

“He’s..” I paused.

“Complicated.”

She laughed.

“Complicated?”

“I don’t know how else to describe him.”

“So you mean he's handsome?”

I hesitated.

“What?”

“You hesitated.” Sophie giggled.

“I hesitated because you distracted me.”

“Mhmm sure.”

I sighed.

“Fine. He is good looking.”

“Girl, he is Sebastian Knight, the freakin’ CEO.”

I blushed.

“He’s also the coldest I've met.”

“Obviously, he's a CEO but they’re always the ones scared to show emotions.”

“And talking to him feels like an exam.”

Sophie burst into laughter.

“The important thing is you got the job.”

“I also have something to tell you.”

“Go on.”

“I met him yesterday”

“You what?”

“The man who almost hit me yesterday was-“ I hesitated again.

“He was Sebastian Knight.”

There was complete silence.

“No way.”

“Way.”

“You’re literally joking.”

“I genuinely wish I was.”

“Oh, this is getting interesting.”

“No it is not.”

“It absolutely is.”

“what if-“

I already knew Sophie was about saying something outrageous

“No.”

“You didn’t even get to know what I wanted to say.”

“Well I already know.”

She laughed.

“I was going to say what if fate is telling you something.”

I groaned.

“The only thing fate is telling me is to pay more attention while crossing the road.”

We both laughed so hard , we couldn’t stop.

Next thing my phone vibrated.

A new email notification appeared across my screen.

“Hang on.” I said.

“I just got an email.”

“From who?”

I look at the sender.

Knight Holdings Company Limited.

My heart skipped a beat.

“It’s from Knight Holdings.”

“Girl open it!”

I tapped the email immediately.

Dear Miss Amelia Hart,

Congratulations once again on your successful interview.

This email serves as a confirmation that you are to resume your duties as an Administrative assistant on Monday at 9:00 a.m.

We look forward to welcoming you to Knight Holdings Company.

Regards,

Emma Sinclair.

I couldn’t stop smiling.

“What does it say?” Sophie asks impatiently.

“I start Monday.”

She squealed.

“Oh my gosh! That’s tomorrow.”

“This is actually happening.” I said, In amusement.

“I’m so happy for you.”

Her words warmed my heart.

“Thank you, Sophie.”

“No, Thank you for not giving up.”

After the call ended, I placed my phone on the bed and stared at the email one more time.

Monday.

It suddenly felt true.

I quickly stood up and opened my wardrobe.

“What am I going to wear?”

Pulled out an outfit

“Nope.”

Another.

“This is definitely not office aesthetic.”

Then I finally found something good.

A fitted beige blouse,black tailored trousers, and a matching monkey jacket.

“Oh, this is professional, I love” I squealed to myself.

I carefully ironed everything before hanging them on my wardrobe door.

The next thing I did was arrange my bag.

I put in all the necessary materials I would need.

Pen.

Identity card.

“Amelia, calm down.” I whispered.

Dad knocked before gently opening my bedroom door.

“You’ve been organizing that bag for fifteen minutes I believe.” He laughed.

“I know.”

“Nervous?”

“A little.”

“That’s a good sign.” He smiled.

I nodded.

“I just don’t want to be disappointed.”

“You won’t.”

He walked over and kissed my forehead.

“You earned this opportunity, Now go and prove you deserved it.”

“I will dad, thank you.”

He nodded with a smile.

“Good night sweetheart.”

“Good night.” I hugged dad.

He walked out, closing the door behind him.

I had my shower then turned off the lights and climbed into my bed.

“Today was a long good day.”

I turned to the other side of my bed.

Sleep should come easily but it didn’t .

My thoughts drifted back to Sebastian Knight.

His sharp eyes.

His voice.

The way he stared into my eyes watching me throughout the whole interview.

I was delusional.

But something about him made me curious.

I immediately shook my head.

“He’s your boss, nothing more Amelia.”

Tomorrow wasn’t about Sebastian Knight.

It was about me.

About rebuilding my life.

With that thought, I closed my eyes.

Monday is a brand new day.

And no matter what waits for me behind the doors of Knight Holdings.

I was ready for it.