Luna Wood braced herself as she strode through the glass doors of the sleek office building, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor.
At 30 years old, she was already a rising star in the cutthroat corporate world, her sharp intellect and uncompromising work ethic earning her a coveted position as a senior analyst at one of the city's most prestigious financial firms.
As she made her way to the elevator, Luna's icy blue eyes scanned the bustling lobby, taking in the familiar faces of her colleagues—some she considered allies, others mere obstacles in her climb to the top.
Her full lips were set in a thin, determined line, the only outward sign of the steely resolve that fuelled her relentless ambition. Stepping into the elevator, Luna allowed herself a brief moment of self-reflection. She knew that her ruthless drive for success had come at a price, alienating her from many of her peers. But she also recognised that this was the price one had to pay for true greatness.
Sentimentality and emotional attachments were luxuries she could not afford.
The elevator doors slid open, and Luna strode into the sleek, modern office, her gaze immediately landing on the imposing figure of her boss, Mr. Greyson, standing in the doorway of his private office.
She took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders as she approached him, anticipating another round of high-stakes negotiations and cutthroat power plays. "Miss Wood, a word," Greyson said, his voice low and grave.
Luna felt a flicker of unease, but she refused to let it show, instead meeting his gaze with cool composure. "Of course, sir," she replied, following him into the well-appointed office.
As the door closed behind them, Luna couldn't help but notice the tension radiating from her boss, a rare occurrence that sent a subtle prickle of alarm down her spine.
Greyson gestured for her to take a seat, then he moved to the window, staring out at the bustling city skyline. "Miss Wood, I'm afraid I have some... difficult news to share with you." Luna's mind raced, her heart pounding as she considered the possible implications. Had she made a mistake in one of her reports? Had a client complained about her work? Whatever it was, she was determined to handle it with her usual poise and professionalism.
"I'm listening, sir," she said, her voice even and controlled. Greyson turned to face her, his expression grave.
"The board has decided to... restructure our team. In light of the recent downturn in the market, they feel it's necessary to make some difficult decisions." He paused, his gaze meeting hers.
"I'm afraid your position has been... eliminated." For a moment, Luna was stunned, the words refusing to register in her mind. Fired? Impossible.
She was the best analyst in the department, with an impeccable track record and an unparalleled talent for making money for the firm. How could this be happening? "I don't understand," she said, the words escaping her lips before she could stop them.
Immediately, she regretted the lapse in her composure, cursing herself for allowing her emotions to show. Greyson's expression softened with a touch of sympathy. "I know this must come as a shock, Miss Wood. Believe me, I fought hard to keep you on the team, but the decision was ultimately out of my hands."
He paused, then added, "I'm sorry." Luna felt a surge of anger, hot and visceral, coursing through her veins. Sorry? Sorry?! How dare he apologise to her, as if his paltry words could somehow make up for the gross injustice of her termination? This was not supposed to happen.
She had planned her entire life around this career and had sacrificed everything to achieve this level of success. And now, it was all being snatched away from her.
"I see," she said, her voice deceptively calm as she rose from her chair.
"Well, thank you for informing me, Mr. Greyson. I appreciate your... honesty." Without another word, Luna turned and strode out of the office, her mind racing.
As she made her way through the bustling cubicles, the weight of her sudden unemployment settled upon her, a heavy burden she was unaccustomed to bearing.
Her carefully constructed world was crumbling around her, and she had no idea how to pick up the pieces. Reaching her desk, she quickly gathered her belongings, ignoring the curious stares of her colleagues. She refused to give them the satisfaction of witnessing her humiliation.
With her head held high, Luna made her way to the elevator, her steps steady and resolute despite the turmoil raging within. As the elevator descended, Luna stared at her reflection in the polished metal doors, her expression hardening with determination.
This was not the end. It couldn't be. She had worked too hard and sacrificed too much to let it all slip away. Somehow, someway, she would find a way to reclaim her rightful place in the world. The elevator doors opened, and Luna stepped out into the bustling lobby, her mind already whirring with contingency plans. She would not allow this setback to define her.
She was Luna Wood, a force to be reckoned with, and she would not be defeated. With renewed purpose, Luna strode out of the building, her steps quickening as she navigated the crowded city streets.
She needed to get home, to think, to strategize. Failure was not an option. She would find a way to turn this crisis into an opportunity, to seize control of her destiny once more. Luna crossed the road with great haste, forgetting to see if there were any cars on the road. As she was crossing the road, a dark blue car ran her over. As she lay there on the busy street, bleeding on the road, and while Luna was thinking about the past, she turned her head and saw what looked like to be a middle-aged man who was panicking.
'This must be the driver; he is so unlucky', Luna thought to herself as she closed her eyes.
'NO!', Luna voiced to herself in great panic.
'My life couldn't be over yet.'
'There are so many things I haven't done yet. Like I haven't fallen in love, got a boyfriend, had my first kiss, gotten married, and had kids.'
'If I could live again, I would do all the things I regret not doing.' 'Please, if there was a god or something almighty that could help me live again, I would give anything, including my soul and body, to get a second chance at living.'
'Beep, beep, beep,' I heard in my head as I was about to lose consciousness.
'Do you want to live again?' sounded a cute electronic male voice in my head.
'Yes', as soon as I had thought to myself, I blacked out.