WHEN LOVE FINDS YOU

Chapter 10- Promoted

At Luxe Atelier, Mia sat at her desk, reviewing the latest documents Emma had given her.

As she was finishing up, Emma walked into the room with a bright smile. "Mia, do you have a minute?"

Mia looked up, putting down her papers. "Of course, Emma."

Emma gestured for Mia to follow her into her office, which was always impeccably designed, with plush chairs and walls lined with photos from her many successful fashion lines. Once they were seated, Emma leaned forward, her expression warm and inviting.

"I’ve been thinking, Mia. You’ve been with us for some months now, and you’ve done an incredible job. It’s clear that you’re talented, dedicated, and very much capable of handling more responsibility."

Mia blinked, feeling a rush of nerves and excitement. She wasn’t sure where Emma was going with this, but she listened attentively.

"To be honest," Emma continued, "I think you’re overqualified to be my personal assistant. You’ve shown so much skill, especially with the recent work we’re doing for Mr. Grey’s project. I’d like to offer you a promotion."

Mia’s heart skipped a beat. She tried to keep her composure, but she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. "A promotion? Are you serious?"

Emma nodded, smiling warmly. "I am. I want to make you head of our new line – the Luxe Streetwear Division. It’s something we’ve been discussing for a while, and with your attention to detail and fresh perspective, I think you’d be perfect to lead it."

Mia’s mind was spinning. The thought of moving from assistant to head of a division felt like a dream, one she hadn’t dared to consider. She felt a mix of gratitude and disbelief. "Emma… I don’t even know what to say. Thank you. This means so much to me."

Emma reached across the desk and took Mia’s hand. "You’ve earned it, Mia. You’re a hard worker, and you have a natural eye for design. This isn’t just about loyalty; it’s about talent. I know you’ll take this division to new heights."

A surge of joy bubbled up in Mia. She thought about how this promotion would impact not just her, but also Mickel and Diva. This could provide more stability, more opportunities, and maybe even a chance for her be able to finally achieve her goals. "I promise, I won’t let you down," she said, her voice filled with emotion.

Emma smiled. "I have no doubt you’ll exceed my expectations. Let’s get started as soon as possible – there’s a lot of groundwork to lay out, and I want to introduce you to the rest of the team next week."

Mia felt like she was floating as she returned to her desk. She replayed Emma’s words in her head, a mix of disbelief and excitement washing over her. For so long, she had been just surviving, doing what she could to provide for her family, but this felt like a step toward building something meaningful.

---

That evening, when Mia returned home, she found Mickel in the living room, going through some things on his laptop. She sat down beside him, her excitement barely contained.

"Guess what?" she said, her voice almost a whisper as if speaking too loudly would shatter the moment.

He looked up, smiling. "What’s up?"

"I got a promotion," she blurted out, grinning from ear to ear.

Mickel’s face lit up with pride. "Mia, that’s amazing! I knew you could do it!"

She nodded, feeling a surge of warmth at his support. "Emma said she’s putting me in charge of a new division. It’s such a huge opportunity, Mickel. I can hardly believe it."

He reached out, pulling her into a hug. "You deserve this, Mia. You’ve worked so hard, and it’s about time people recognized that."

"You can go to college now!".

"Actually there's something I want to tell you". Mickel said as he sucked in his lips.

"You don't want to go to college anymore?". Mia asked with a hint of disappointment in her voice, she didn't want him to end up like her.

She couldn't even finish high school. She wanted Mickel to complete his education.

"No, I definitely want to go!", a sparkle of excitement in his eyes as he shared the news with Mia. "I found this scholarship to a really prestigious college," he said, holding a printed page that detailed the program. "If I get this, it’ll cover everything – tuition, housing, even books. I know things are better now that you’re working, It's great that you have a very good job now, but I hate seeing you spend so much on me. I want to help you out, Mia. I want to be able to stand on my own."

"I'm applying right now".

Mia looked at him with a mixture of pride, relief and a bittersweet feeling that tugged at her heart. She could still picture Mickel as that skinny fourteen-year-old, always looking to her for comfort during those tough years when his illness consumed their lives. Back then, he had been frail, but his spirit was always resilient. Now, he was tall and healthy, with a newfound determination that made her chest swell with pride.

"Look at you," she said softly, shaking her head as a small smile played on her lips. "You’re all grown up now, Mickel. Sometimes I feel like I blinked, and you went from that little kid who’d curl up with a book to… well, this." She gestured at him, marveling at his growth. "You’re so mature, and the fact that you’re thinking about this – about saving money – it means so much to me."

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "It’s the least I can do, Mia. You’ve done so much for me. And now, I want to make things easier for you. I know I couldn’t go to college last year because we couldn’t afford it, but if this scholarship works out, I’ll finally be able to chase after my dreams."

Mia reached out, squeezing his shoulder. "You’ve always been meant for great things, Mickel, and I’ll be right here supporting you every step of the way. I believe in you – I always have. I hope you get the scholarship."

Mickel’s eyes softened as he looked at her. "Thank you, Mia. You’ve been my rock. I don’t know where I’d be without you."

Mia felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Life had thrown so many challenges at them, but in this moment, she felt like they were finally turning a corner.