The afternoon sun streamed gently through the curtains of Arabella's small rented apartment as she sat curled on the couch, scrolling through research papers on her tablet.
She wasn't sure whether it was the interview adrenaline fading or the slice of chocolate cake she'd eaten earlier, but her heart hadn't stopped fluttering all day.
She took a sip of milk, then remembered to check her emails — just in case.
There, in bold, unread letters, sat an email from Kingsley Tech Group.
Arabella's heart skipped a beat.
She squeezed her eyes shut and tapped on it, whispering, "Please… please…"
She opened one eye — and saw the word: Congratulations.
She blinked.
Then both eyes flew wide open, and she screamed — a sharp, joyous squeal that echoed in the quiet room.
"I got it! I got the job!"
She jumped up and did a happy dance right there in her pajamas, startling the neighbor's cat on her window sill.
She read the rest of the email quickly. She was to join the company on Monday — and today was Friday. That gave her the weekend to prepare.
Her first thought was to share the news with the one person who always cheered her on — her best friend, Yaasi Owen.
She dialed.
The phone rang twice before Yaasi picked up.
"Hello?"
Arabella tried to speak but ended up giggling.
"Spill it already," Yaasi demanded. "I can hear your smile through the phone!"
Arabella laughed. "Okay, okay — I got the job!"
"I knew it! I'm so proud of you!"
"Let's go out tonight. My treat. Colin's Restaurant, seven?"
"I'm in. And you better wear something cute."
---
That evening, Arabella stood in front of her mirror in a soft yellow sundress. Her hair was loosely curled, and a hint of lip gloss added shine to her nervous smile. She looked… nice. Simple. But nice.
The taxi dropped her outside Colin's, where she found Yaasi waiting in her usual bright pink — always sunshine, always loud.
They hugged tightly.
"Congratulations, babe!" Yaasi squealed. "Ugh, you deserve it so much."
"Thanks, Yaasi," Arabella said, her voice softer, but her eyes sparkling.
Inside, they chose a window seat, ordered pasta, spicy noodles, and dessert, and started chatting nonstop. It felt good — really good — to laugh without worry.
Unknown to Arabella, across the road at a traffic light, a sleek black car had slowed to a stop. Inside sat Damon Kingsley, watching the restaurant windows absently.
Until his eyes caught her.
There she was — the shy girl from the elevator — laughing over dinner with a friend. She was radiant in the soft light, her laughter visible even through glass.
His brows lifted in recognition.
It was her.
He hadn't looked at many of the new hire files himself — but that morning, his assistant had dropped a few names. One had stuck. Arabella Pearls. Tech Department.
So, she was joining his company.
The light turned green, and the car moved on. But he didn't look away until she disappeared from view.
---
After dinner, Arabella and Yaasi walked down the lane, laughing over bad dates and awkward professors.
They passed a boutique, and Yaasi practically dragged her inside. "You need work clothes! And not just two sad blouses."
Arabella groaned but didn't resist.
They picked out three crisp shirts, two pencil skirts, and a pair of formal black heels Arabella claimed she'd trip in.
Yaasi held up a blazer. "You'll thank me later when Mr. CEO notices your upgraded dope figure."
Arabella blushed. "Stop it. I don't even know who the CEO is!"
Yaasi grinned. "Oh, you will."
They ended the night with soft-serve ice cream and promises to meet again next week.
---
Back home, Arabella dropped the shopping bags on her tiny couch, changed into pajamas, and sank into bed.
She felt something she hadn't felt in a long time — a quiet kind of happiness.
She had a job. She had a plan. And for once, the future didn't seem so scary.
She drifted off to sleep to the sound of her favorite drama and the smile still lingering on her lips.