Chapter Four: The Interview That Was Never Meant to Happen
546 Words
Chapter Four:The Interview That Was Never Meant to Happen
Aria woke before dawn.
Sleep had come in fragments, interrupted by the doctor's words replaying in her mind.
"He'll need surgery."
The sentence echoed louder than the alarm she had silenced an hour earlier.
She stood by the tiny kitchen sink, watching rainwater slide down the windowpane while the kettle hissed softly behind her.
Another day.
Another chance to find a way.
She refused to believe the story ended here.
───
"You're leaving already?"
Liam appeared in the doorway, his hair still messy from sleep.
"I have a few places to visit," Aria replied, forcing a smile. "You promised you'd stay home and rest."
He folded his arms dramatically.
"I don't like being treated like I'm made of glass."
She walked over and flicked his forehead.
"No. You're being treated like my annoying little brother."
He laughed.
"And that's different?"
"It means I get to boss you around."
───
Two hours later...
Aria stepped into the lobby of Westbridge Communications, one of the few independent media firms she hadn't applied to.
The receptionist accepted her résumé.
"I'll let the editor know you're here."
Aria nodded.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
Finally, a man in a navy suit approached.
"Ms Bennett?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry, but we've decided not to proceed."
She blinked.
"You haven't even interviewed me."
He looked uncomfortable.
"I know."
"Then how did you decide?"
"I'm not at liberty to say."
She understood.
Someone had called ahead.
Again.
As she turned to leave, a familiar voice stopped her.
"Ms Bennett."
She looked back.
Nathan Cole stood a few metres away, dressed in a charcoal suit.
"I believe we've met."
She recognised him instantly.
He had been standing beside Lucien after the incident with the little boy.
"What do you want?"
Nathan smiled politely.
"My employer would like to speak with you."
"I don't know your employer."
"You've met him."
"I've met many people."
"Lucien Devereaux."
The name settled heavily between them.
Aria's expression hardened.
"If this is about yesterday, tell him he doesn't owe me anything."
"It isn't."
"Then what is it?"
Nathan held out a simple white business card.
"Mr Devereaux believes you deserve the chance to explain what happened to your career."
For a second...
Her heartbeat stopped.
Explain?
After three months of being judged without a hearing...
Someone was finally asking for her side.
She looked down at the card.
Then back at Nathan.
"And if I say no?"
He slipped the card back into his pocket.
"Then I'll wish you a pleasant day."
No pressure.
No threats.
Just a choice.
That surprised her.
Nathan added quietly,
"The meeting is entirely up to you."
He turned and walked away.
Aria remained rooted to the spot.
She had spent months knocking on closed doors.
Now one had opened.
The question was...
Could she trust the man standing behind it?
───
Across the city, Lucien stood alone in his office, looking at a framed photograph on his desk.
His father.
His grandfather.
And a much younger version of himself.
His phone buzzed.
Nathan's message was brief.
She received the invitation. She hasn't decided yet.
Lucien placed the phone face down.
For the first time in years...
He found himself hoping a stranger would say yes.
- Writer
