Chapter5
883 Words
The words caught in her throat. She could almost hear the laughter again, the sharp orders to “get out”. She wanted to make something up, anything. But the memory of that video pressed harder than her pride would allow. Her lips parted, trembling. “It was… a video. Someone cut it up, made it look like I took money from a rival. But I didn’t,” she whispered, barely audible.
Neil’s face shifted, not soft, but sharper — like he was putting something together.
Shame burned through her skin. “Someone… twisted what really happened. And my boss — he didn’t even let me explain, he just fired me.”
She pushed on, her voice cracking. “I gave it back. The video was cut, so no one saw that part.”
Silence again. Then Neil shook his head, slow, almost thoughtful. “That’s cold … cruel, even.”
Her eyes were almost watering. “I swear I didn’t take it, Neil.”
I believe you,” he said, without hesitation.
She let out a shaky breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.
Neil leaned back, tapping a pen against the desk like he’d already made up his mind. “Forget the interview. I don’t need it. I know who you are, what you can do. You’ve got the job.”
Her eyes widened. “Just like that?”
He gave the faintest smile. “Just like that. Everyone deserves a fresh start. And maybe I could use someone I trust around here.”
For the first time since she’d lost her job, she was truly relieved. She felt like things could change. The word trust hit her harder than she expected. She wasn’t sure she deserved it, but right then, it felt like he was giving her a life she couldn’t afford to reject.
Her throat tightened again, but this time with gratitude. “Thank you, Neil. Really. You don’t know what this means.”
“Good,” he said simply, his eyes still on her. “Can you start tomorrow?”
She responded quickly with joy, “I will even start right now if you want me to, just give me…”
“Oh no. You need to go home and clear your head. You start tomorrow, I’ll see to it that the HR gives you the paperwork.”
“Oh, okay…”
She left the office with the weight on her shoulders lighter. Maybe the worst was behind her.
After Neil offered her the job, HR called her in to sort out paperwork. Aria signed documents, the scratch of the pen feeling unreal. Relief battling with anxiety, still thinking about the interview.
By the time she stepped out, her chest felt heavy. Too much had happened in just two days — being fired, the interview, and Neil’s unexpected offer. She went into the restroom with directions from HR, splashing cool water over her face just to steady herself.
Her phone buzzed. Mia.
“Girl, where the hell are you? I’ve been calling all day!”
Aria closed her eyes, pressing the phone to her ear. “I’m sorry. I should’ve called. It’s just… everything’s been insane.”
“Insane?” Mia’s voice snapped back. “Aria, you disappeared after a night of tequila and god-knows-what, and now you’re whispering like you're on the run.”
Aria gave a shaky laugh, trying to steady herself. “I’m at an office. Neil Miller’s office. He—he gave me a job.”
Silence. Then Mia practically shrieked. “What? You’re kidding. Wait. The Neil Miller? Your high school crush, Neil?!”
“Keep your voice down,” Aria hissed, glancing at the stall doors. “It’s… complicated. But yes.
He offered me the job, no interview questions, nothing. Just handed it to me like it was already decided.”
“Girl, you better not be playing. That’s insane — in the best way. I need details…”
Aria gripped the sink, lowering her voice. “I’ll explain everything when I get home, I promise. Just — don’t freak out, okay?”
Mia gasped on the other end, but before Aria could say more, someone else entered the restroom. She quickly ended the call, tucking her phone away.
She straightened her skirt, smoothed her hair, and stepped back into the corridor.
But then it hit her — HR. One of the forms she’d signed was still sitting on the corner of the desk. Without it, the process wasn’t complete.
Her stomach tightened. The last thing she needed was to screw this up on day one.
She hurried back toward the HR office, heels clicking against the floor.
Inside, the HR looked up, eyebrows raised.
“Forgot something?”
Aria offered a nervous smile. “Yeah… the contract. I think I left one page unsigned.”
The HR manager shuffled through the pile and handed her the missing sheet. “Good catch. You’d be surprised how many people overlook that.”
Aria took it, signed quickly, and handed it back, mumbling a thank-you.
A small weight had been lifted, and she headed down the hall.
That’s when she passed Neil’s office. The door was cracked open.
But a low, deliberate voice came out from his office.
“It worked”.
- Writer
