"People always say time heals everything. That's a lie. Time doesn't heal—it just buries the wounds deeper. You move forward because you have no choice, not because you've healed."
Five years ago, Velena had left Russia behind, hoping she could escape the pain, betrayals, and the memories that haunted her. But the scars didn't fade—they just stayed hidden, waiting for the right moment to resurface. Now, at 25, with her life unraveling, she knew the truth: running wasn't the answer.
OSAKA: FIVE YEARS LATER...
Velena sat by the window of her tiny Osaka apartment, staring blankly at the empty cup of instant coffee in her hands. The rain outside blurred the city lights, mirroring her own fading hopes.
The money she had brought from Russia was gone. Every ruble, every yen—carefully saved and spent to keep herself afloat for the past four years—was now nothing more than a distant memory.
And now? She had nothing left. No job. No savings. No backup plan.
"I thought I could survive longer without working," she muttered. "But reality doesn't care what I think."
The past few years had been a blur of mere existence. Velena had allowed herself the luxury of forgetting, of breathing, after everything she had endured. But the time for forgetting was over.
She sighed and reached for the stack of papers on her desk—job listings, rejection letters, applications. Each one was a cruel reminder of her harsh reality.
THE STRUGGLE BEFORE THE FALL...
"People think I never worked a day in my life. That I grew up rich so never had to lift a finger. They don't know the truth.
Velena had arrived in Osaka five years ago as a foreigner with no identity, no connections, and no safety net. She had done whatever it took to survive.
Cleaning houses. Doing laundry. Scrubbing dishes in restaurants.
It had been humiliating.
Once, her family had owned half of Vladivostok. Now, she was scrubbing strangers' floors for pennies. The irony wasn't lost on her. But pride didn't pay the rent. Hunger didn't care about her name.
So, she had swallowed her pride, gritted her teeth, and kept going.
THE ONE THING SHE HAD LEFT: HER DEGREE...
There was one thing Velena hadn't let go of: her education.
No matter how bad things had gotten, she had held onto her dream of getting a degree. It had taken years of juggling odd jobs, sleepless nights, and saving every yen she earned. But she had done it.
"No one gave me anything. I earned my degree. I paid for every damn class. And now, it's time I use it."
She picked up her phone and scrolled through job listings. Most wanted experience she didn't have. Most wouldn't even glance at her application.
But Velena wasn't searching for just any job. She needed something more.
CEIL ENTERPRISES- THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY...
Her eyes stopped at a listing.
Ceil Enterprises.
A renowned tech company, famous for hiring only the best. They were looking for analysts, security experts, and software engineers. Positions everyone fought for.
"I should apply," she whispered.
She had the skills. She had worked for this. But doubt lingered. Would they even consider her?
She had no glowing recommendations. No polished résumé. No proof.
"I don't need proof. I just need one chance."
Velena leaned back in her chair, inhaling deeply. After everything she had survived, a job interview didn't scare her.
Opening her laptop, she began typing her application, her fingers steady with determination.
THE INTERVIEW THAT WOULD CHANGE EVERYTHING...
When she finally hit "Submit Application," her mind was made up.
This wasn't just about finding a job.
This was about reclaiming the life she deserved.
And if Ceil Enterprises had secrets hidden behind their walls? They were about to meet someone who had nothing to lose.