Good

The sound of Emily's sneakers squeaking against the polished floor echoed through the wide hallway as she trudged toward the elevator stand. All eyes trailed after her— some with pity, some with judgement, and others with casual indifference, like spectators after a show. Her face burned as she avoided eye contact, each step dragging a little more than the last.

The elevator dinged.

She stepped inside quickly, turning to face the open doors just in time to see them sliding shut, cutting her off from the gazes that pierced her like darts. The walls of the elevator reflected her pale, shaken image.

"I can't lose my job," she muttered, hugging herself tightly. Her voice trembled. "I've got so many bills on my neck..."

Her hands trembled uncontrollably as she stared at them. "What am I going to do? What am I going to do? What am I going to do?"

The elevator rose higher and higher, the numbers blinking above her like a countdown to disaster.

Ding.

Top floor.

Emily gasped for air, exhaled deeply, then whispered, "Everything's going to be fine. Everything's going to be fine. Everything's going to be fine."

She stepped out, her knees almost buckling beneath her. The long hallway to the HR department had never felt so long. She reached the door, paused, and placed a hand on the knob.

"I'm fine. It's going to be alright," she said, louder this time.

Then she pushed the door open.

Inside, a long conference table gleamed beneath the soft white lights. At the far end sat a stern-looking woman and a balding man in a grey suit. The woman gestured toward a vacant seat beside her.

"Ms. Johnson, please have a seat."

Emily obeyed, lowering herself slowly.

"Let's not drag this," the woman said briskly. "We all know why we're here."

"Please... ma'am," Emily cut in, her eyes already misting. "I'll be better next time. Please."

The woman shook her head. "I'm sorry, Ms. Johnson. There is no next time. This is not a personal decision. The order came from above."

"Please ma'am," Emily choked. "I... I don't have anything else. I'm broke. I need this job. It's all I have."

"Then you should have shown up on time," the woman snapped.

Emily turned to the man. "Please, sir. Help me beg her. Please. Just one more chance."

The man didn’t flinch. "It’s done. Drop your ID. Leave everything that belongs to the company. Security will escort you out."

He turned to the uniformed guard by the door. "Make sure she takes nothing that doesn’t belong to her."

Emily's lips trembled. Her vision blurred.

"No need for all of that," she said softly, already undoing her ID lanyard. She placed it gently on the table.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I don’t have anything that belongs to the company. If you could allow me to walk out on my own... please. Spare me that last dignity."

There was a long pause. The man studied her.

Finally, he nodded.

The security man stepped back, and Emily rose.

She walked slowly through the corridor, every step heavier than the last.

"Well, well, well..." a voice sneered.

Leaning casually against the wall were Chloe and Shay.

Chloe grinned. "Looks like someone’s finally been shown the way home. Get your stinking ass outta here, you don’t belong with the elites. Go sell by the roadside. That suits you better."

Emily walked past, clenching her fists. "Shut the fuck up."

Out of nowhere, Shay lunged from behind, slamming Emily against the wall. Her head hit the concrete hard.

"Ugh!" Emily gasped.

As Shay pinned her, Chloe stepped forward and punched her straight in the gut.

Emily crumpled to her knees, blood trickling from her nose.

"What the hell is going on here?!"

The voice roared through the corridor, freezing everyone.

Carlos Antonio.

Six-foot-two, powerful frame, black tuxedo fitting his body like it was sewn into his skin. His presence alone sent a ripple through the building.

His bodyguards rushed forward, immediately restraining Chloe and Shay.

"Take them away," Carlos ordered. "Fired. Now."

Chloe and Shay screamed in protest as they were dragged off.

Carlos crouched beside Emily.

"Hey," he said softly, tilting her chin up. His touch was gentle. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crisp, white handkerchief, pressing it to her nose.

"Are you okay?"

His brown eyes locked with hers.

Emily blinked rapidly, stunned. "I... I’m fine."

Carlos rose. "Take her to the hospital," he said to one of his men. "Make sure she’s okay."

"Yes, sir."

As the guard helped Emily to her feet, Carlos glanced over his shoulder.

"Are you single?"

Emily froze.

"Y-yes..."

Carlos smiled faintly. "Good."

And with that, he walked off.

Emily's life had just turned on its head. From being fired to being noticed by none other than the boss himself— Carlos Antonio, the owner of AXSpaceline and one of the most powerful men in the country, if not the most powerful.