Lina's POV
My fingers trembled slightly as they hovered over the keyboard, the once familiar clacking of keys now a distant echo amidst the turmoil in my mind. Every email I sent, every report I filed, felt like an exercise in futility, a desperate attempt to anchor myself as I felt my spirits sink deeper into the abyss of dejection after Mr. Lowell's rejection.
Fortunately, another normal work week had passed, the routine of office life offering little respite from my swirling thoughts about Mr. Lowell. But despite my best efforts to distract myself, my heart continued to betray me with each passing day. And to make matters worse, our new roommate Joey seemed to have taken a liking to Sara, making their friendship appear more than just platonic. However, it was clear that Sara did not reciprocate his advances and even Melissa, who Joey treated as his "BFF", appeared wary of his actions.
Suddenly, a voice pierced through my daze, jolting me back to reality. "May I have a moment, Lina?" It belonged to Rawson, Mr. Lowell's brother, whose commanding tone demanded attention as he stood at the entrance of my cubicle like a shadow against the bright fluorescent light of the hallway. He seemed less lustful and more serious than last time, exuding an air of dependability. I couldn't help but wonder why he had come to visit our branch.
"Of course," I replied, mustering a smile that felt brittle on her lips. As she rose from her chair, she couldn't help but notice how his gaze seemed to linger, a little too long, a little too intently.
"Walk with me," he said, gesturing for her to follow. They moved silently, navigating the maze of desks and half-partitions until they reached the conference room.
"I've been very impressed by your work, Lina. You're tenacious, insightful..." His words trailed off as he looked her straight into her eyes. "How would you feel about a new position at the headquarters?"
The offer pierced the gray veil that had settled over her thoughts. It was unexpected, a lifeline thrown into the churning waters of her gloom. I searched Rawson's face for any sign of the implications of his offer, wary of the undercurrents that might flow beneath his proposition.
"Headquarters?" I echoed, the word tasting foreign yet tantalizing on her tongue. A flurry of emotions warred within me—surprise, fear, excitement. "But I...I've only just started here as an intern not so long ago."
"Exactly," Rawson affirmed, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made her heart stutter. "You've already outgrown this place. And," he paused, a faint smile curving his lips, "this offer comes with all the advantages of working at the headquarters."
The headquarters—the word sparked a surge of anticipation. The chance to see Mr. Lowell lights a flicker of warmth that pushes back against the cold shadow he had cast. Yet hesitation gnawed at my resolve, the pull of unfinished business holding me back. "There's still the museum inauguration," I found herself saying, the words spilling out in a rush. "My team—they depend on me."
"Your team will manage," Rawson assured me, his hand lifting as if to brush against my arm before thinking better of it. "You can finish everything off from the headquarters. This is a rare opportunity, Lina. Don't let past commitments stifle your future."
My mind raced, teetering on the verge of change. Accepting would mean embracing the unknown and getting closer to my dream of financial stability for me and my family. And yet, the lingering uncertainty of Rawson's intentions, the unspoken tension that arose from potentially meeting Mr. Lowell more frequently at the headquarters, cast a shadow on the prospect.
"Can I think about it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, a stark contrast to the hum of the bustling office around on the other side of the door from the meeting room.
"Take all the time you need," Rawson replied, though the edge of impatience in his voice suggested otherwise. "But don't take too long. Opportunities like this...they don't wait forever."
As I nodded, a small token of gratitude, I realized the offer was a crossroads, one that could lead her away from despair and towards a future shimmering with potential. It was a chance to redefine myself, to emerge from beneath Mr. Lowell's indifferent shadow—and yet, I couldn't ignore the gnawing feeling that with Rawson's offer came strings I wasn't sure I wanted to pull.
I stood there, rooted to the spot, fighting the urge to accept the offer immediately. Turning slowly, Rawson Lowell walked out on his own, leaving me to my thoughts.
The decision weighed heavily on my mind, a burden that seemed to grow with each passing moment.
The rest of the day passed in a blur, my thoughts consumed by Rawson's proposal. As I filed the last report of the day, every click of the keys felt like nails in the coffin of my old life, sealing my er fate either way. In the end, it wasn't until I found myself standing outside the office, staring up at its grand facade, that the weight of my decision settled over me.
It was now or never!