" What is the meaning of this? Emily Carter yelled at the head of the HR department as she clutched a paper in her hand.

"Mind your tone, young lady". Gregory warned.

Emily sighed and rubbed her temples. "You can't just fire me for no reason Mr Greg. I worked so hard for this company for two years. Two good years".

Gregory swivelled his chair and faced Emily. " I know you are hurt, and this is hard for you, but it's the company's decision. Ethereal Beauty isn't doing well. Sales have dropped massively this year. We had to lay off some unnecessary workers just to keep the company afloat ".

"And that includes me? Emily asked.

"It's unfortunate your name was on the list ". Gregory rubbed her shoulders with his hands.

Emily brushed his hands off her shoulders immediately, like it was some kind of dirt.

"Well, it's unfortunate that the company lost me ", she said with a proud smile.

Gregory stared at her. Confused ." How is it the company's loss? He asked with mockery.

" Well, if you don't know. I'm an asset. So it's the company's loss, not mine".

With that, Emily shoved Gregory aside and stormed towards the door.

Her mouth hung open as soon as she turned the knob and opened the door.

There stood Stella Falls, the CEO of Ethereal Beauty in front of the door. Dressed elegantly in a bright red gown that matched the colour of her lipstick. Her facial expression was stoic as always. She stared at Emily.

Emily stood transfixed.

"How long has she been standing in front of the door? Did she hear me? Emily thought.

"Good day, ma...m ". Emily stuttered.

Stella Falls said no word as she walked into the office. She took Gregory's seat.

"Welcome Mrs Falls", Gregory greeted with a smile.

Stella said nothing. Her eyes were still fixed on Emily.

Sweat broke on Emily's forehead. She wondered why her boss. No, now her ex-boss was giving her the deadly stare.

"What do I care? She thought and took a step out the door. But Stella's sweet and rich voice stopped her in her tracks.

"An asset you say?

Emily turned around. Her heart was pounding in fear. This is not going to be good. No one steps on Stella Falls's toes and walks away. She knew for real Stella heard all her banters with Gregory.

Emily pinched herself mentally. "Brace yourself. She's just a human like you".

"I heard you telling Gregory that you are an asset, isn't that? Stella's face bore an expressionless look.

Emily nodded. " Yes, ma'am".

Stella Falls scoffed. "And why do you think so?

Emily's lip felt dry. But she wore a confident look. " Because I could solve the problem of this company if I'm given the chance to ".

"Interesting ". Stella Falls laughed.

Emily swallowed before talking. "Ethereal Beauty is known for its high-quality makeup products, which earned us loyal customers. But recently, new brands are entering the market fast. They have bold social media ads, eye-catching packaging and lower prices, which is pulling our customers away ".

Emily paused and observed the look on the CEO's face. Stella's expressionless face had softened into a look of interest.

Encouraged by her observation, Emily continued. "The quality of our products is still outstanding, but we are not releasing new items as frequently as our competitors. And our social media presence isn't strong enough to attract the younger crowd, who are easily drawn to these trendy brands ".

The look on Stella's face has now been replaced with something close to admiration.

"Go on".

Emily chose her next words carefully.

" A wise person once said, 'To reach a goal, you must focus on creating a strong system '. The goal of Ethereal Beauty is to grow our audience and increase sales. To reach this, we need a system that works. I suggest launching a limited edition line with vibrant, trendy colours, promoted through influential partnerships and interactive content on social media ".

Stella Falls was blown away.

"I hope I have proved my point ma am ", Emily said politely and walked away.

"I like her". Stella Falls said with a smile as she watched Emily's retreating figure.

************

"I'm so sorry your name was on the list, dear", "Ashley pouted as she hugged a sad Emily.

" Not to worry Ashley ". Emily said, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I will get another job".

Emily and her best friend Ashley decided to unwind at their favourite café.

The place was tucked away on a quiet street, with big windows and a view of the evening sky painted in soft pinks and purples.

The café had become a ritual, a place where they could leave the worries of work behind. They ordered burgers and milkshakes, ready to relax.

As they waited, Emily looked down, cupping her chin with a worried expression. "It's sad to see the company struggling," she said quietly.

Ashley took out her cherry blossom lipstick, reapplying it with precision. "Honestly, that's not my biggest concern right now," she replied, her tone calm and indifferent.

Emily looked up, surprised. "How can you say that?" she asked, between bites of her fries.

Ashley gently stroked her brown hair back and grinned. "Let's just say I've got other things on my mind," she said, glancing over at a table nearby. A young man was sitting there, dressed in a black leather jacket and jeans, his beard neatly trimmed, with short hair that fell just to the nape of his neck. He couldn't be older than his early twenties. Catching Ashley's gaze, he smiled back.

Emily noticed her friend's attention and rolled her eyes. "Oh no, not him. He's way too young for your games," she said, shaking her head.

Ashley smirked, tracing a finger down her chest playfully. "Young or not, a man's a man," she replied. "And he looks interested."

Emily knew Ashley well enough not to be shocked. Ashley loved having fun and wasn't one to miss a chance to flirt.

Emily sighed, "You really should give up this habit."

Ashley laughed softly, her eyes gleaming. "Not until I find someone who can keep up with me." With that, she stood up, her black dress hugging her curves as she walked over to the young man, her confidence as captivating as ever.

Emily shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she watched Ashley effortlessly chat and laugh with the young man. Ashley's energy was magnetic, and her boldness made her unforgettable. As Emily took small, quiet bites of her burger, her thoughts drifted inward, reflecting on her own life.

She dreamed of love, but not the kind of whirlwind romance Ashley chased. She wanted something quieter, deeper—something with warmth that lasted long after the initial spark. Her days were a steady rhythm of work, meetings, and projects, with little time for excitement or spontaneity. While Ashley danced her way through life's social scenes, Emily lived in a routine, her world ruled by deadlines and responsibilities. Nightclubs, loud parties, and quick flings weren't her style; she preferred small gatherings, cosy evenings, and meaningful connections.

Yet, every so often, she caught herself daydreaming about a love like the ones in the movies. She imagined meeting someone who would change everything, a partner who'd see her quiet heart and share her dreams. But dreaming was where it stopped. She'd never felt the urge to push herself out of her comfort zone to make it real.

There were a few admirers at the office—kind, respectable men who occasionally glanced her way—but dating someone from work was against her rules. And Emily was nothing if not a stickler for rules. Certain principles guided her life, lines she'd drawn to protect herself from heartbreak and regrets.

"How can I be thinking about love when I just lost my job?" she slapped her head.

Emily brought out her phone and texted Ashley who was busy enjoying herself ."On my way home".