"Serena?"
Lila's voice was soft, tentative, as she pushed the door open just enough to peek inside. She'd noticed the door was left ajar when she arrived, a small detail that tugged at her. Serena wasn't the type to leave her door unlocked unless something was off.
"Come in," came Serena's quiet response. Her voice lacked its usual vibrancy, and her eyes were distant, focused on nothing in particular. She sat at the edge of the bed, her posture still but restless.
Lila stepped into the room, closing the door softly behind her. She crossed the room and perched beside Serena, studying her friend's face with a careful eye. There was a calmness about Serena, but it was too still, too hollow.
"What's going on?" Lila asked gently, her concern clear.
"Nothing new," Serena replied with a half-hearted shrug, as if the words themselves were weightless.
Lila's gaze softened. "Your mom called again?"
Serena nodded, the small motion carrying an entire conversation in silence. It was the way she always communicated her pain—subtle, hidden deep beneath layers of restraint.
"And you?" Serena's voice broke through the quiet, laced with curiosity. "Shouldn't you have gone home by now?"
"I'm leaving tomorrow morning," Lila replied, her tone more matter-of-fact than she intended. "Dad wants me back for a few months to 'gain some real-world experience.'"
Serena raised an eyebrow. "A few months? What about your projects here?"
"I'll figure something out," Lila answered, her smile just a little forced. "But what about you? What are your plans for the break?"
Serena sighed, reaching for her laptop, though her fingers hovered over the keys. "I'm not sure. Maybe I'll find a part-time job. Something to stay productive, you know?" She spoke as though she was searching for answers on the flickering screen, but Lila could see that it wasn't enough.
A mischievous glint appeared in Lila's eyes as she leaned closer. "Actually, I might have the perfect solution for you."
Serena blinked, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"A job," Lila said, her tone light but purposeful.
Serena frowned. "A job?"
Lila's playful expression deepened, her excitement barely contained. "At Pearl Empire. My dad's company."
Serena's brows lifted in surprise. "Pearl Empire?"
Lila nodded, her grin widening. "Yes, there's a position available, and I think you'd be perfect for it."
Serena hesitated, her gaze uncertain. "But Lila... that's your family's company. Wouldn't your dad expect you to take the job?"
Lila laughed, a soft sound that filled the space between them. "Yeah, he does. He's even been trying to get my brother into it, which is why he's been working there."
Serena froze. Her eyes widened. "Your brother? Since when did you have a brother?"
Lila blinked, caught off guard by the question. She let out a sheepish laugh. "Wait, I never mentioned him before?"
Serena shook her head, still processing the revelation. "Not once. You've talked about your mom and dad, but never your brother. And now you're telling me he works at Pearl Empire?"
"Yeah, it's... complicated," Lila admitted, her expression shifting into something more reflective. "He's three years older than us, and my dad's been grooming him to take over the company. They've always been closer because of that, and honestly... I just don't bring him up much."
Serena, still processing the new information, raised an eyebrow. "But... I didn't even know you had a brother. I guess I never asked. You tend to keep a lot of things to yourself."
Lila shrugged, a touch of self-consciousness in her gesture. "It's not that I mind. It's just... sometimes it feels like talking about him just makes things more complicated. Anyway, it's not really important right now."
A pause lingered between them as Serena digested what she'd just learned. Finally, she spoke, her voice a mix of uncertainty and curiosity. "So... you're offering me a job at your dad's company?"
Lila's smile returned, brighter now. "Yes! It's not exactly what I envisioned for you, but it's a start. And honestly, I think you'd do great there. It's a great way to gain experience, especially with your future career in mind."
Serena's frown deepened. "But Lila, what about your dad? Doesn't he expect you to take that job?"
Lila shook her head firmly. "Yeah, he does. But I've got my own projects now. I want to prove I can succeed on my own terms. I can't just drop everything to work at Pearl Empire, especially when it's not the path I want. That's why I'm asking you. I think this could be a real opportunity for you."
Serena bit her lip, clearly torn. "I don't know if I'm ready for something like that."
Lila's expression softened, her voice sincere. "I know it's scary. You don't have to have it all figured out right now. But this job could be a way to build some experience and learn things to help you. And you'll meet people who can guide you, help you grow."
Serena remained silent for a moment, her mind whirling with possibilities. "And what exactly would I be doing?"
Lila's eyes sparkled with excitement. "You'd be working as a secretary for my brother."
Serena's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait—your brother? That's... unexpected."
Lila nodded, acknowledging the surprise. "I know, but hear me out. You'd learn a lot. You'd manage schedules, handle reports, and sit in on meetings. You'll see how the business runs. It might not directly relate to your studies, but you'll gain important skills. And trust me, it'll look great on your resume."
Serena paused, weighing her options. "And how about you? Don't you want to work at your family's company?"
Lila laughed softly. "I've got my own business now. I can't just leave it for something else. Besides, it's still new. I need to focus on it and prove I can make it on my own. That's why I'm not taking this job."
Serena looked at her, still unsure. "I just don't want to be a burden to you, Lila."
"You're not," Lila said firmly. "You're my friend. And you're part of this family now. I want to see you succeed, Serena."
Lila watched Serena, sensing her hesitation. She understood why her friend was unsure—it wasn't an easy decision. But Lila was confident it could be a great opportunity for her.
"I'll think about it," Serena said finally, her voice soft.
Lila smiled, relieved. "Good. Take your time, but don't wait too long. I know you'll do great things, Serena."
As Serena mulled it over, Lila's mind started to race with possibilities. She knew she had to act quickly to help Serena seize this chance. Without wasting another moment, she stood up, her thoughts turning to her father. It was time to ask for his help.
"Excuse me for a moment," Lila said, her voice suddenly serious. "I need to make a call."
She left the room, closed the door quietly behind her, and dialled her father's number, her heart racing. She knew this was going to be a tough conversation, but she had to try.
"Hello, Daddy?"
"Lila, why are you calling me so late at night?" her father asked, his voice laced with curiosity. It was rare for Lila to reach out at this hour, and he wondered what had prompted her to do so.
"Mmm. Dad, about that job opportunity you mentioned, can I give it to my friend, Serena?" Lila said carefully, knowing exactly how her father would react.
"Lila, I really want you to take this chance to work with Kael. I want you to start contributing something to our company. Why would you pass up this opportunity?" he replied, his voice tinged with disappointment. He'd always hoped Lila would follow this path and gain experience working at the company he'd built from the ground up through hard work and sacrifice.
"I know you care about your friend, Lila, and although I haven't met Serena, I can see that you and your mother trust her, consider her part of the family. I would do the same. But about this job opportunity... I can't just let someone else take your place. What would my staff think if they found out I gave this position away just because of your suggestion? It wouldn't be fair to them."
Lila's father cared deeply for Serena, seeing her almost like a second daughter, especially because of how much she meant to Lila. He'd been meaning to meet her for a long time, wanting to thank her for being there for his wife and daughter while he was consumed with work.
"Dad, please. I'm begging you. Let Serena have this chance too. I don't need this job. I know you've already learned about my new online business. Let me be independent. I want to succeed independently, just like you did, Dad. Isn't that something you could be proud of?" Lila's voice wavered with emotion, her plea heartfelt. She paused, waiting for his response, hoping he would understand.
"Alright," her father finally said, his tone softer. "You can continue with your business, but with one condition. Make sure it performs well in the next three months. If it doesn't, I want you to stop and come work at the company. Deal?"
He couldn't let Lila give up on this opportunity, but he also wanted to see if her determination would lead her to succeed on her own. He always thought of his children as opposites—Lila was like fire, fierce and passionate, able to protect herself, while Kael, his son, was like water—seemingly calm on the surface but with an undercurrent of uncertainty. He worried about Kael's future, unsure if he had the fire needed to truly lead the company.
"Deal!" Lila responded, her voice lighter, a smile creeping onto her face. "So... what about the job opportunity?"
Her father sighed but couldn't suppress a chuckle. "Bring her home with you tomorrow. I want to interview her first. It's only fair to do this for the sake of the company."
"Of course, Daddy!" Lila said, her heart swelling with excitement. Finally, she thought.