TWO DAYS LATER.
The email arrived at exactly 8:14 AM.
Olivia had barely rolled out of bed when her phone buzzed — one short vibration, the kind that usually meant nothing. But when she glanced at the screen, her breath caught in her throat.
Subject: Internship Confirmation — Harrington Global Corporation
For a moment, her mind blanked.
Then her knees gave out, and she sat on the edge of the bed with both hands over her mouth.
"Is this real?" she whispered, her heartbeat racing like it wanted to burst through her ribs.
She opened the email.
Congratulations, Ms. Olivia Watson. You have been selected…
She didn't read the rest.
She screamed.
Not the terrified kind — the kind you let out when your dream knocks on your door before you're ready.
Within minutes, she was dialing her closest people.
Sarah, Eva
The trio. Her sanity. Her circle.
"Get ready," she announced as soon as they picked up.
"Emergency celebration. My place. One hour."
The chorus of happy shrieks nearly broke her speakers.
---
THE CELEBRATION NIGHT
By 8 PM, Olivia's tiny apartment pulsed with soft music, warm lights, and the smell of takeout food that was definitely too expensive for their budget.
Sarah arrived first — loud, dramatic, already holding a bottle of sparkling wine like a trophy.
"You did it!" she yelled, hugging Olivia so tightly her ribs protested.
"I told you that heels-and-hustle routine would pay off!"
Eva followed, calm but glowing, carrying cupcakes decorated with gold sprinkles.
"For success," she said simply, kissing Olivia's cheek.
"All right, future CEO, let's toast to the empire you're clearly going to build."
Laughter filled the apartment.
They talked.
They danced around the kitchen.
They replayed Olivia's chaotic interview story at least three times, each version more exaggerated than the last.
Laughter slowly softened into the comfortable hum of old memories.
They sprawled across Olivia's couch and floor, plates empty, music low, the night warm with nostalgia.
Sarah stretched her legs out dramatically.
"Do you remember second year? When Olivia tried to sneak into class after failing to wake up for any of her alarms?"
"I was awake," Olivia protested.
"I just… didn't get out of bed."
Eva giggled. "You got locked outside the lecture hall and texted us: If I die here, bury me with my blanket."
They burst into laughter again.
"And what about Katherine?" Sarah added, eyes widening mischievously.
"She's married now! With a kid! A kid who already looks more responsible than she ever was."
"And Joseph?" Eva chimed in.
"He's still posting gym selfies like he's getting paid for it."
"And Stella," Olivia said, dramatic sigh.
"Still pretending not to remember she cheated in chemistry. I swear she'd deny it even if the invigilator came back from the dead."
The room filled with laughter, teasing, stories of old crushes, lost assignments, and the girls' shared broke-college days when their biggest worry was running out of pocket money before the month ended.
Hours passed without them noticing.
Eventually, with blankets scattered across the couch and floor, the trio fell into a warm, sleepy pile — a tangle of comfort and friendship.
Sarah snored softly.
Eva mumbled something about deadlines even in her sleep.
By 2:47 AM, the apartment was silent.
Except Olivia.
Her eyes blinked open, her mind suddenly too loud, too awake.
She slipped out carefully, not waking the others. The wooden floor was cool under her feet as she reached for her phone.
One unread message stared back at her.
Her expression changed… just slightly.
Something serious. Something she hadn't shared with the girls.
Without turning on the lights, she padded to the balcony. The night breeze brushed her hair back, carrying the distant hum of the city.
She dialed a number she shouldn't have memorized.
It rang once.
Twice.
Then a low voice answered, calm… almost expecting her.
"You're calling late," the voice said.
To be continued.....