---
The creaky kitchen door groaned as Alicia leaned against it, her hands gripping a chipped porcelain mug of lukewarm tea. It was late, but sleep felt like a luxury she couldn't afford. She glanced at her younger sister, Emma, sitting at the dining table with her schoolbooks spread out. The fifteen-year-old's forehead was creased in concentration, but Alicia knew her sister was as worn out as she was.
"I'm fine, Alicia," Emma said without looking up. "I'll finish this and go to bed."
Alicia sighed, setting her mug down. "You've said that three times already. You need rest."
"I need to ace this exam if I want that scholarship," Emma countered, her voice firm but tired. "It's our way out of this mess."
The words stung because they were true. Life had been a series of uphill battles since their parents died three years ago in a car accident. Their aunt, a cold and bitter woman, had begrudgingly taken them in, only to constantly remind them how unwanted they were. When she passed away six months ago, Alicia and Emma had been left with nothing but a pile of unpaid debts and an apartment that was falling apart at the seams.
"I'll figure something out," Alicia whispered, almost to herself.
But would she? Every night she stayed up, her mind racing with worries. Bills, groceries, school fees, rent—it all added up to a mountain she couldn't climb. At 22, she had no college degree, no formal training, and only a handful of odd jobs on her résumé. The world felt as though it were closing in on her, and she had no idea how to fight back.
---
The next morning was a blur of routine. Alicia woke before dawn, packing Emma's lunch and ensuring her sister had everything she needed for school. As Emma waved goodbye, Alicia forced a smile, watching her little sister disappear down the street.
With Emma gone, the apartment felt suffocatingly quiet. Alicia opened her laptop, its screen flickering to life. She scrolled through job postings, her stomach tightening with each one. Most required degrees or years of experience she didn't have.
Then, her eyes caught an ad: Administrative Assistant Wanted – No Experience Necessary, Training Provided. The company name—Halcyon Industries—rang a bell. It was one of the largest tech firms in the country, known for innovation and competitive salaries.
Alicia hesitated. Was it too good to be true? The job description was vague, but she had nothing to lose. She grabbed her folder of resumes, brushed the wrinkles out of her only blazer, and headed out.
---
The Interview
The bus ride to Halcyon's headquarters was nerve-wracking. Alicia stared out the window, her heart pounding as she rehearsed possible answers to interview questions. The city passed by in a blur of tall buildings and bustling streets, a stark contrast to the quiet, run-down neighborhood she called home.
Halcyon's building was a towering structure of reflective glass and steel, its modern design exuding power and sophistication. Alicia hesitated at the entrance, feeling small and out of place.
"You've got this," she whispered to herself before stepping inside.
The receptionist directed her to a waiting area on the 12th floor. The chairs were sleek and uncomfortable, and the air smelled faintly of coffee and disinfectant. Alicia clutched her folder tightly, watching as other candidates, all impeccably dressed, were called in one by one.
Finally, her name was called. She followed the receptionist into a large conference room where a panel of three interviewers sat, their expressions unreadable.
"Good morning, Ms. Carter," said the woman in the center, her sharp suit and steely gaze making Alicia's nerves spike.
"Good morning," Alicia replied, forcing her voice to stay steady.
The questions began, and Alicia did her best to answer honestly. She spoke about her experience managing finances and schedules while caring for her sister, emphasizing her ability to adapt and learn quickly.
As the interview progressed, Alicia sensed their skepticism. She wasn't the most qualified candidate, and she knew it. But she refused to let her desperation show.
"We'll be in touch," the lead interviewer said at the end, her tone giving nothing away.
Alicia left the room feeling drained. Her steps were heavy as she walked back to the bus stop, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her.
---
The next few days passed in a haze of tension and anticipation. Alicia checked her email obsessively, her hopes dwindling with each passing hour. By the fourth day, she had almost given up.
Then, there was a knock at the door.
Frowning, Alicia opened it to find a man in a dark suit holding a crisp envelope.
"Ms. Carter?" he asked.
"Yes?"
He handed her the envelope. "I'm here on behalf of Halcyon Industries. Congratulations, you've been selected for the administrative assistant position. Training begins next week."
Alicia stared at him, stunned. "I… I got the job?"
The man smiled. "Yes, ma'am. Welcome to Halcyon."
As he walked away, Alicia closed the door, the envelope trembling in her hands.
"What is it?" Emma asked, peeking out from her room.
Alicia turned to her sister, her voice shaky. "I got the job."
Emma's face lit up. She threw her arms around Alicia, laughing. "I told you things would get better!"
For the first time in months, Alicia allowed herself to believe it.
---
Stephen West stood on the balcony of his penthouse, his gaze fixed on the city skyline. It had been ten years since he left this place, a decade spent abroad studying, building his career, and living up to the expectations of being the heir to WestCorp, one of the world's leading tech empires.
But returning home felt strange, almost hollow.
Stephen leaned against the railing, his thoughts drifting to Alicia. Her face was still vivid in his memory—the way her eyes lit up when she laughed, the passion she poured into everything she did. They had been inseparable in high school, but life had pulled them apart.
He wondered what had become of her. Did she still laugh the way she used to? Did she ever think about him?
"Mr. West?"
Stephen turned to see his assistant standing in the doorway. "Yes?"
"The new hires for the administration team have been finalized. Would you like to review the list?"
"Not now," Stephen replied, turning back to the view.
Unbeknownst to him, one of those names was Alicia Carter, setting the stage for a reunion that neither of them expected.
---