Amira's POV
I sat at the dining table, tapping my nails lightly against the glass surface as I waited for my father to finish his phone call. His deep voice echoed from the study, a reminder of how he always seemed to have everything under control. If there was one thing my father was known for, it was his ability to get things done. Today, I planned to use that to my advantage.
When he finally entered the room, still scrolling through his phone, I straightened in my chair. "Dad, do you have a moment? I need to talk to you."
He glanced up, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. "What is it, Amira? You look serious."
"I am," I admitted, taking a deep breath. "I need your help with something important."
He set his phone down and took a seat across from me. "Go on."
I hesitated for a moment, choosing my words carefully. "You know Aiden's company, right? The one that's been making waves in the tech world lately?"
He nodded. "Of course. Aiden's a sharp young man. His company's growth has been impressive."
"Well," I said, leaning forward slightly, "I want to work there. I think it's the perfect place for me to grow professionally. But I need your help to make it happen."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Why Aiden's company? There are plenty of opportunities elsewhere, Amira. You don't usually ask me for this kind of favor."
I clenched my fists under the table, trying to keep my composure. "Because it's the best fit for my skills, Dad. And honestly, I need to prove something—to myself and to others. I want to show them what I'm capable of."
His eyes softened slightly, though his expression remained calculating. "Are you sure this isn't about something—or someone—else?"
I shook my head quickly. "It's about me, Dad. No one else. I've been working hard to build my resume and my experience, but I can't deny that having your support would make a big difference. I know you have connections with Aiden's company, and I was hoping you could pull some strings to get me an interview."
He leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "You're asking me to put my reputation on the line for you, Amira. If I vouch for you, you'll need to prove that you're worth it. Are you ready for that kind of pressure?"
"Yes," I said firmly, meeting his gaze. "I won't let you down, Dad. I've been preparing for an opportunity like this for a long time. All I need is the chance to show what I can do."
He was silent for a moment, and I held my breath, waiting for his response. Finally, he nodded. "All right. I'll make a call. But remember, this will only get you in the door. The rest is up to you."
Relief washed over me, and I smiled for the first time in what felt like days. "Thank you, Dad. I won't let you down."
He reached across the table, placing a hand on mine. "You're my daughter, Amira. I'll always support you when it matters. But be careful. Working in a place like Aiden's company comes with its own challenges. Make sure you're ready for them."
"I am," I assured him. "And I'll make sure everyone sees that I'm not someone to overlook."
As he pulled out his phone and started dialing, I leaned back in my chair, a sense of satisfaction settling over me. This was just the beginning. Aiden's company was my ticket to proving myself—and to putting Mariah in her place once and for all.
Little did she know, I wasn't just stepping into Aiden's company to work. I was stepping in to win.
---
"It feels like it's taking forever. What are they even doing?" I asked no one in particular, while walking in circles.
It's been two weeks since I asked Dad to get me an interview, and I have done the interview. I made sure to be smart and be as professional as I could. I even asked summer to help me out, and I did great, so why are the results or email taking forever to be sent to me? I heard today was the day to see if I got accepted or not, and I have checked my email account fifteen times already but still nothing.
I paced around my room, biting my nails, anxiously waiting for the email. Every few minutes, I would refresh my inbox, hoping to see something other than the spam offers I didn't care about. My phone lay on my desk, its screen lighting up occasionally with notifications, but none of them were what I needed.
"What's taking so long?" I muttered under my breath, sitting on the edge of my bed. The anticipation was unbearable. I'd nailed that interview—at least, I thought I had. Summer had prepared me well, going over every possible question they might ask, and I'd walked in their confident, composed, and determined to prove myself.
But now, all that confidence felt like it was slipping away with each passing minute.
My phone buzzed, and I lunged for it, my heart leaping in my chest. It was just a text from Summer.
Summer: Any news yet?
I groaned, quickly typing back.
Me: Nothing. I'm going insane here.
Her reply came almost instantly.
Summer: Relax, Amira. It's only been a few hours. You'll hear back soon, I'm sure.
I sighed, tossing my phone back onto the desk. Relax? How could I relax when everything was riding on this? Getting into Aiden's company wasn't just about the job—it was about proving to everyone, including Mariah, that I belonged in this world as much as she did.
Just as I was about to check my email for the sixteenth time, the notification I'd been waiting for popped up on the screen.
Subject: Job Application Status—Aiden's Company
My breath hitched. For a moment, I just stared at it, my mind racing. What if it was a rejection? What if all my effort had been for nothing?
"No," I said out loud, shaking my head. "You've got this, Amira. Open it."
I clicked on the email, my eyes scanning the text rapidly.