The next morning came fast, and Ayla didn't wake up to her alarm as usual.Not that she needed one anymore She lay still for a long time, staring at the cracked ceiling of her room. Her head ached from crying, and her eyes were puffy. The sun peeked through the thin curtain, so this was her life now "no job."The voices from the kitchen broke her chain of thoughts "Why isn't she at work?" Ema's voice, sharp and suspicious."She is probably still sleeping," Aunt Clara muttered. "Lazy girl. It's not like she's paying rent."Ayla winced. She got out of bed and dressed slowly , her limbs heavy. As she stepped into the kitchen, their eyes snapped to her."So," her aunt said, folding her arms, "Why are you just waking up, aren't you going to work ?""I lost my job," Ayla mumbled, trying to keep her voice steady."Of course you did." Ema scoffed, tossing her hair. "Can't even do anything right.""I didn't.." Ayla started, but stopped herself. There was no use explaining. They never listened anyway."You're not going to sit around all day feeling sorry for yourself," Aunt Clara said. "You'll go out and look for another job. You hear me?""Yes," Ayla whispered, nodding. "I'll go.""You just want to sit at home and enjoy free food without working, that was why you got yourself fired in the first place" Ema added Ayla didn't reply, she packed her small bag, wore her shoes, stepped out, and started her search for a new job. The city felt louder than usual. Cars honked, dogs barked,buses passed,people rushed by.Ayla walked for hours.She stopped at cafés, bakeries, stores, and even a florist. But everywhere she went, it was the same story: "We're not hiring right now." Or worse"You're not the right fit." After searching for hours she sat on a bench by the roadside staring at her resume, brought out a card from her bag she made up her mind, and boarded the busBy 3:45 p.m., she found herself standing in front of the tall glass building she'd seen in her search last night: Lumina Technologies.Ayla stared for a long moment.Then she took a breath and pushed the doors open.The lobby was cold and stunning. Polished marble, tall ceilings. She approached the reception desk, her heart pounding."I'm here to inquire about the Executive Secretary position for the CEO," she said softly.The receptionist, a tall woman in dark lipstick, looked her up and down, unimpressed. "Do you have an appointment?""No," Ayla admitted. "I saw the listing online. I just wanted to ask""The final interview round is closed. You should have applied through the formal channel," the woman said with an irritated tone.Ayla's lips parted. "Please. I just need a chance to explain. I'm qualified ""I'm sorry, miss," the receptionist said, already turning back to her screen. "You can't be seen without clearance."Ayla stood there, disappointed, she hadn't expected much from this but she had to try. Her fingers clenched around her resumeBut just then, Heads turned as a group of executives crossed the lobby, and there at the center, tall, silent, and commanding in his presence, was Liam Cross.Ayla's breath caught. She hadn't expected to see him. But there he was in his black suit, jaw set, gaze fixed ahead. He passed without glancing in her direction.But then he paused, just for a second.His eyes flicked toward her, Recognition.But no words.Then he turned away, continuing toward the elevator,Ayla was confused "Did he recognize me or not ? But if he did then why did he just ignore me, maybe he didn't recognize me". She felt bad but just as she was about to take her leave, a voice approached."Excuse me, miss?"Ayla turned to see a man, she remembered he had followed Liam into the elevator. This was her first time meeting the manHe smiled "I am Nathan Cole personal assistant to Mr. Cross."Ayla's eyes widened. "Oh I didn't mean to cause trouble, I was just..""You didn't cause any trouble. Mr. Cross doesn't usually accept walk-ins, but you've been offered a rare courtesy. Come back tomorrow at 8 a.m. sharp. Final interview for the position you mentioned."Ayla blinked. "I… yes. Thank you. I will."Nathan gave a short nod, then walked off, leaving Ayla frozen in place, stunned.The Next Morning — 7:45 a.m.Ayla stood in front of the building's doors, dressed in her neatest white blouse and black skirt. Her hair was tied back, and her only makeup was the light gloss on her lips. She held her resume in a slim folder, though she wasn't even sure if it mattered anymore.At 7:58 a.m., a man approached her tall, dark-haired, and suited in charcoal gray. His face was serious, but not unkind.Nathan Cole.He looked directly at her with a slight nod. "Miss Ayla," he said. "Right on time. Follow me."Without another word, he turned and led her to the elevator.The ride was silent. Tense.The moment they stepped onto the executive floor, Ayla felt it this place was a different world. Quiet and intimidating.Nathan guided her to a sleek conference room.Inside was Liam Cross, seated at the head of a long glass table. His posture was relaxed, but everything about him felt controlled. His cold gaze flicked to her, unreadable."Sit," he said.Ayla took the seat across from him, setting her resume on the table. Her heartbeat was loud in her ears."Why are you here?" Liam asked without looking up."I saw the vacancy," Ayla said, keeping her voice calm. "I believe I'm qualified."He picked up the folder and skimmed its contents. "You don't have experience as an executive secretary.""No, but I've worked in high-pressure roles. At the café, I managed inventory systems, trained new hires, and worked with scheduling apps. I'm also trained in systems operations I graduated with a degree in software engineering."Liam didn't look impressed. But he asked, "What do you know about Lumina Technologies?"Ayla answered without missing a beat. "Founded in 2008. You focus on AI development, internal smart systems, and enterprise platforms. You recently launched Mirage, a predictive scheduling interface for corporate clients."She paused, then added, "There were issues in the beta, but you patched most of them during Q2."That made Liam glance up just barely."And the CEO?" he asked."You don't give many interviews," Ayla replied carefully. "You let your work speak for you. People say you're disciplined and efficient."Liam closed the folder."Why do you want this job?"Ayla met his gaze. "Because I want to prove I can thrive outside the life I've been handed. I won't waste your time."A pause.Then he said, "You start Monday."Ayla blinked. "I… I got the job?"Nathan, who had stood quietly by the wall, stepped forward."You'll be sent a confidentiality agreement and onboarding packet within the hour. Read and sign before Friday."Liam didn't speak again. His attention had already shifted to the next document on his desk.Ayla rose from her seat and gave a respectful nod."Thank you, Mr. Cross."She didn't wait for a response.Outside the office, Nathan gave her a rare, small smile."You did well," he said.And for the first time in days, Ayla exhaled.She was glad she had researched the company the previous nightShe wasn't just surviving anymore.She was finally starting.
The interview ended around 9 a.m., but Ayla wasn't ready to go home. Not yet. The idea of seeing Aunt Clara's glare or Ema's smirk so early in the day made her chest tighten.
So, she wandered until she found a small café not far from the office buildings. She ordered a cup of tea and sat quietly in the corner, letting time pass. For the first time in days, she felt like something in her life had shifted.
By noon, she boarded the bus and made her way home.
As she stepped inside, Aunt Clara looked up from the kitchen sink. "Where have you been since morning?"
Ayla placed her bag down gently. "I got a job."
Ema glanced up from her phone, surprised. "Seriously?"
Aunt Clara raised a brow. "Well, it's about time. At least now you won't be lazing around here or eating for free."
"I'll start on Monday," Ayla said quietly.
Neither of them asked where. They didn't care as long as she wouldn't be a burden, the rest didn't matter.
"Just don't lose this one," Ema muttered, already scrolling again.
Aunt Clara turned back to the sink. "Since you're back early, make dinner. I've been on my feet all day."
Ayla said nothing. She walked to the counter, and started peeling potatoes.
she held on to one quiet thought
She finally got a job she deserves.