Sinclair Enterprises – Corporate Tower, Milan
Leila adjusts the collar of her blazer for the tenth time in the elevator mirror. Her palms are slightly damp despite the calming breaths she's been taking since morning.
The building is steel and glass — pristine, powerful. Even the air smells expensive.
She clutches her portfolio like it's her lifeline.
You've done the course. You've prepped. You belong here.
The elevator dings. She steps out, greeted by a sleek reception space with an oversized "S" emblem behind the desk.
"Leila Zaman for the project manager interview," she says softly.
The assistant smiles and nods. "Please take a seat. Mr. Moretti will be with you shortly."
Leila sits, back straight, knees together, ankles crossed — the posture of someone raised on quiet discipline. She watches others pass by — purposeful, polished.
Unbeknownst to her, several floors above, Elias stands in a darkened room, hands in pockets, gazing at a screen that displays the reception area. His face is unreadable.
Kai leans against the console beside him, chewing gum.
"She's early. And nervous."
"She's composed," Elias corrects, not looking away.
Kai grins. "So we're watching job applicants now? Or just this one?"
Elias says nothing.
Cut to: Interview Room – 10 Minutes Later
Mr. Moretti, a senior manager with sharp eyes but a fair tone, sits across from Leila. Her résumé rests between them.
"You've completed a project management certification alongside your degree?"
"Yes," Leila replies. Her voice is soft, but steady. "It was a remote course I took during semester breaks. I wanted to understand how ideas translate into action. Especially in structured systems like corporate or lab environments."
Moretti nods, intrigued. "Why Sinclair?"
Leila thinks for a beat. "Because it feels like a place that values precision and innovation. I've read a lot about your tech and logistics initiatives. I want to be a part of a place where details matter."
And because something about this place pulled me in...
From behind a mirrored panel on the wall, Elias watches her. He catches the faint crease between her brows as she concentrates, the way her fingers rest neatly folded in her lap — calm on the surface, but he knows she's calculating, focused.
"She doesn't know you're the boss," Kai mutters beside him, still watching.
Elias doesn't answer.
Inside the room, Moretti stands and offers his hand.
"Thank you for your time, Ms. Zaman. We'll be in touch soon."
Leila bows her head politely and thanks him. She exits with quiet grace.
Back Upstairs
"She doesn't fit," Kai says finally, stretching.
"She does," Elias replies.
Kai blinks. "Seriously? She's… soft."
"She's sharp. Just quiet about it," Elias murmurs, eyes still on the now-empty screen. "Send her a formal offer. Three-month contract."
Kai whistles low. "You sure that's not your soul talking instead of your strategy?"
Elias turns away, already walking back to his office.
"Maybe," he says simply.
Leila and Sofia's Dorm Room – That Evening
Leila stares at her phone screen, rereading the email as if the words might change.
"Dear Ms. Zaman,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for the position of Junior Project Coordinator at Sinclair Enterprises…"
Her mouth parts slightly. "I got it," she whispers, almost to herself.
Sofia turns around mid-hair-braid. "What did you say?"
Leila blinks, then looks up, stunned. "I got the job… at Sinclair."
Sofia gasps, jumping off her bed. "You're joking! That was fast—wait, they already sent the offer?"
Leila nods slowly, holding out her phone. "Three-month probation contract. Starts next Monday."
Sofia squeals. "Leila! This is huge! Sinclair isn't just a company—it's the company."
Leila exhales and sits down at the edge of her bed, fingers tightening around the phone. "I didn't think I'd actually get in."
"Well, you did," Sofia says proudly, flopping down beside her. "You're amazing. But… Can you manage this with your classes?"
Leila is already thinking about that. Her brows knit, gaze drifting to the calendar on the wall.
"It'll be tough. I'll have to juggle everything tightly. Morning lectures, lab hours, then the internship." She pauses. "But I can do this. I have to do this. I didn't come this far just to stay safe."
She picks up her planner and begins writing out a rough weekly schedule, marking in time blocks: Lecture, Research, Work Shift, Study.
You've always carried others. It's time to carry yourself too.
She doesn't say that part aloud, but it pulses quietly under her ribs.
Sofia watches her in awe. "You're seriously impressive, you know?"
Leila smiles, a little sheepishly. "I'm just trying to hold everything together without falling apart."
"But you do it so gracefully."
Leila shrugs with a quiet chuckle. "Graceful panic, maybe."
She glances again at the offer letter, then at the Sinclair logo at the top.
Strange name. Familiar feeling…