I stared at the pile of bills on the kitchen table, each one a cruel reminder of how bad things had gotten. Rent overdue. Electricity on the verge of being cut off. And the credit card payments? I couldn't even think about them without feeling worried. I'd been working double shifts for weeks, yet it still wasn't enough. It was never enough.
Dropping my head into my hands, I felt tears sting the corners of my eyes. "How did I end up here?" I whispered to the empty room, the pressure felt heavier every second. Just then, my phone lit up beside me. I didn't need to look to know who it was—my landlord.
"Natalie, you've got until Friday. If you don't pay, I'll have no choice but to start the eviction process."
Friday? Just four days from now. I could barely breathe. I didn't know how I was going to find the money by then. With my mother and little sister heavily depending on me, it felt like I was carrying the world on my shoulders. I couldn't let them down. But the walls were closing in fast, and I was running out of options.
I got up from the table and walked to the window, staring out at the rain tapping softly against the glass. The grey clouds outside mirrored the storm in my life. Many thoughts raced through my mind as I tried to figure out what to do next. I was so lost in my thoughts that the knock at the door made me jump.
Opening the door, I found Mrs. Henderson, my elderly neighbor from down the hall. Her eyes were kind, but they held a worried look I had seen more than once lately.
"Natalie, dear, you've been working yourself to the bone. Are you alright?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
I forced a smile, but it didn't reach my eyes. "I'm fine, Mrs. Henderson. Just tired."
"Where is your mother and Bella?" she asked.
"They stepped out a while ago," I muttered.
Mrs. Henderson shook her head. "You young people take on too much. Here, I made some cookies and thought you might like some." She handed me a small plate of cookies wrapped in plastic.
"Thank you," I said, accepting the plate. The small act of kindness warmed me, but it also made me feel even more aware of how fragile everything in my life had become. After she left, I closed the door and leaned against it, fighting back the tears again.
Everyone thought I was strong, but they didn't know how close I was to breaking.
Just then, my phone pinged with a new message. This time, it was from Lisa, my closest friend.
"Hey Nat! There's a networking event tonight. You should come. Some important people are going to be there. Might be a good chance to meet someone who can help. Let me know if you're up for it!"
I stared at the message for a moment. A networking event? The last thing I wanted was to be surrounded by strangers, pretending my life wasn't falling apart. But what other choice did I have? Maybe this was the break I needed. Maybe there'd be someone there who could offer me a job or help me find a way out of this mess.
"I'll be there, please, kindly send me the address. I texted back, already wondering if I was making the right decision.
I didn't know why I agreed to go. Desperation, maybe. I just knew I couldn't keep doing this—living paycheck to paycheck, scrambling to keep my life from falling apart. I needed a break.
..At the Event..
I walked into the ballroom of the luxurious hotel where the event was being held, and immediately, I felt out of place. Everyone was dressed to impress—expensive suits and gowns, champagne glasses in hand, talking about investments and business deals like they owned the world. I clutched my purse tightly and tried not to feel like the smallest person in the room.
"Nat!" Lisa waved at me from across the room. Her bright smile and familiar face were a relief in this sea of strangers.
"Hey," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I don't know if this is really my scene."
Lisa linked her arm with mine and grinned. "You never know who you might meet! Trust me, it'll be worth it. Besides, I told a couple of people about you."
About me?" I asked, suddenly uneasy. "Why?"
"Don't worry! I only mentioned how hard you've been working and how talented you are. Some people are looking for fresh talent." She winked, trying to reassure me. "Actually, one of my friends knows someone pretty important here tonight."
Just as she said that, a tall man passed by, and every head in the room seemed to turn in his direction. He carried an air of authority, the kind that made people take notice without him saying a word. His sharp features, slicked-back hair, and tailored suit made him stand out even more.
I turned to Lisa. "Who is that?"
Her eyes widened. "That's Sam Lean. He's a billionaire, Nat. Owns half the city, from what I hear. Ruthless, though. People say he's not someone you want to get on the wrong side of."
I swallowed hard. He looked every bit the part of a man who had built his empire on cold, calculated decisions. Just as I was about to tell Lisa I didn't belong here, a woman approached us. She smiled at Lisa before her gaze landed on me.
"You must be Natalie," she said, extending her hand. "I'm Jen. Lisa told me all about you."
I shook her hand, trying to keep my nerves in check. "Nice to meet you."
"Actually, I'm friends with someone who might be able to help you out," Jen continued, her eyes darting across the room. "That man over there—Sam Lean. He's always looking for new talent. I've seen him help people before, but only when he sees potential. He's... selective."
My heart jumped in my chest. Sam Lean? The billionaire Lisa had just warned me about? Before I could respond, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Lisa smiling nervously.
Um, Nat, I think he's coming this way."
I spun around, my chest beating, as Sam Lean himself walked directly toward me, his intense gaze locking onto mine. He didn't know who I was. There was no reason for him to stop in front of me, yet here he was, his presence towering over me.