Eira's perspective
I stepped out of the taxi, exhausted from the long day at Arin's hospital. Thankfully, Arin was slowly recovering and it made me somehow feel at ease.
As I walked towards the biggest mansion in the area, I saw a familiar figure exiting the grand entrance. It was the rich guy from earlier.
Now that I think about it, I didn't even ask for his name.
What was he doing here?
Curiosity piqued, I slowed my pace, observing from a distance.
He descended the stairs, his confident stride faltering suddenly. His ankle twisted beneath him, and he lost balance.
My heart skipped a beat as I rushed toward him.
"No!" I exclaimed.
He tumbled down the stairs, his body rolling uncontrollably until he landed with a thud.
I sprinted toward him.
"Sir! Are you okay?" I asked, dropping to my knees beside him.
He lay motionless, a gash on his forehead.
Panic set in.
"Someone! Help!" I called out.
The mansion's doors burst open, and people rushed toward us.
"What happened?" one of them asked.
"He fell," I replied.
One of the men shot me a suspicious glance.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"I...I just saw him fall," I stammered.
The rich guy's eyes flickered open, unfocused.
"Help is coming," I reassured him.
But he lost consciousness again.
The wait for the ambulance felt like an eternity.
As the paramedics arrived and took over, I relinquished my hold on him.
As I stepped aside for the paramedics, the rich guy's hand shot out, grasping my sleeve. Suddenly, my world blurred and I found myself back in the taxi, reliving the moment I arrived.
My eyes widened in shock. Had I really traveled back in time?
Pushing aside the bewildering question, I refocused on the urgent task ahead. I had to prevent the rich guy's accident.
Racing toward the mansion, I spotted him exiting the entrance, already descending the stairs.
"Don't move!" I shouted, but he didn't heed my warning.
Undeterred, I sprinted toward him. Just as his ankle twisted, I reached him, catching his fall.
My arms wrapped around him, breaking his momentum. We swayed momentarily, our faces inches apart.
Breathless, I steadied him. "Thank goodness you are safe."
His startled eyes locked onto mine, confusion etched on his face.
He shrugged off my grasp, taking a step back. "What just happened?" he asked, bewildered.
I swallowed hard, still catching my breath. "Normal people would say thank you," I pointed out.
He frowned, and I scoffed. "What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that," he retorted. "Are you stalking me?"
I can't believe I just used my whole calories to save this ungrateful guy.
I raised an eyebrow. "Why would I stalk you?"
He pressed on. "Then why are you here?"
"I live nearby," I explained. "I was heading home."
He muttered a dismissive "Oh."
"Oh? That's all you have to say?" I asked, incredulous.
"What else should I say?" he countered.
We locked eyes, expecting a hint of gratitude. But none came.
"Forget it," I sighed and turned to leave.
Then, I spun back around. "By the way, you know my name, but I don't know yours."
"You didn't ask," he said bluntly.
"What's your name, then?" I pressed.
"I'm not telling," he replied, his expression unreadable.
I rolled my eyes. Screw him.
Just then, the door swung open, and a man in his fifties emerged. "Keith, you're still here?"
A sly grin spread across my face. So, his name is Keith.
But the man's familiar face gave me pause. Wasn't he...Chef Raven, LA's culinary mogul?
Keith addressed him as "Mr. Raven," confirming my suspicion.
What was Keith doing with Chef Raven? My mind raced.
I clamped a hand over my mouth, stifling a shocked gasp.
Mr. Raven's inquiring gaze shifted to me. "And who might this young lady be?"
Keith's response was dismissive. "Just a stranger. Pay no attention to her."
Mr. Raven nodded, then turned to Keith. "May I have a word with you in private?"
Their simultaneous glances made it clear I was expected to leave.
I pivoted slowly, descending the stairs as I pondered the unlikely encounter.
What brought Keith and Mr. Raven together here?
Having lived in this neighborhood for over five years, I'd never seen them around.
Unless...this was Keith's residence?
The possibility sparked curiosity.
"I'm home," I announced, entering the house.
Anna sat in the dining room, engrossed in her notes, her usual spot. Her constant reading habits amazed me,
Does she not ever ever get tired?
She acknowledged my presence with a brief "Welcome," her eyes never leaving the page.
I was used to her reserved nature and headed to my room.
But Anna's voice stopped me. "I have an interview tomorrow."
I turned, interest piqued. "Oh?"
"Which company is the interview with?" I asked her.
"Brady Global," she replied, her eyes still on her notes.
I raised an eyebrow. "What a coincidence. I was there today."
Anna's gaze lifted, interest sparking. "What did you do there?"
I hesitated, deciding to downplay the encounter. "I just passed by."
No need to share the embarrassing details of following the CEO and asking to be his girlfriend but I was rejected.
"Good luck with your interview," I added, turning to head to my room.
As I walked away, I couldn't help but scoff at the fact that this was the longest conversation Anna and I had had since she moved in with me three years ago.
I flopped onto my bed, scrolling through my phone with growing desperation. Finding a job, any job had become an obsession.
Years of unemployment had taken its toll, and I was grateful Anna's rent payments kept a roof over my head. The house, a legacy from my family, was all I had left.
As a last resort, I considered a drastic plan which is to find a wealthy husband to secure my future. But my conscience urged me to keep searching for a decent job.
Just as I was about to give up, a job posting caught my eye. Brady Global sought a personal driver for their CEO, with an interview scheduled for tomorrow and an immediate start. My heart skipped a beat as I processed the company name.
Brady Global.
The company where Keith works
And judging by his status, he is definitely the CEO.
This was the same man I'd saved from a stair tumble just hours ago. Fate was handing me an opportunity.
This is my chance, and I won't let it slip away.