Time passes the way it always does for Valentina—quietly, relentlessly, disguised as routine.
Work fills her days again.
Meetings stack on meetings. Emails blur together. She sits across polished tables, exchanging long looks with Adrian that linger half a second too long, loaded with things neither of them says. When their eyes meet, it's never accidental. Never casual.
He watches her.
She feels it.
And she pretends not to.
By evening, she's exhausted in the dull, emotional way that doesn't come from work alone. She's just changed into something softer when her phone lights up.
Jenna.
She smiles despite herself and answers.
"Hey," Val says, tucking the phone between her ear and shoulder as she moves toward the window.
"Thank God," Jenna exhales. "I was worried you'd be busy."
"I'm always busy," Val replies lightly. "What's wrong?"
There's a pause. Not long—but long enough.
"My mom's sick," Jenna says finally. "Not… dangerously. But it's getting expensive. Meds, tests. And my brother's starting university next semester."
Val's smile fades.
"I didn't know," she says softly.
"I didn't want to burden you," Jenna rushes out. "I just—look, I hate asking, okay? But I need something stable. Something better than bouncing between freelance gigs."
Val leans against the glass, watching the city glow below.
"You don't have to apologize," she says. "What are you asking me?"
Another pause.
"Do you think… maybe I could work at your company?" Jenna asks. "Even entry-level. Anything. I know it's a lot to ask, especially through reference."
Val doesn't hesitate.
"Send me your resume."
Jenna sucks in a breath. "Wait—really?"
"Yes," Val says simply. "You're one of the best communicators I know. You talk people into agreeing with you before they realize it. Half the time, they thank you for it."
Jenna laughs, relief cracking through her voice. "You always exaggerate."
"I don't," Val replies. "You're articulate, persuasive, emotionally intelligent. You read people well. That matters more than most degrees."
"Oh my God," Jenna says. "Thank you. Val, seriously. Thank you."
"Just send the resume," Val repeats. "I'll see what makes sense."
They talk a little longer—about her mom, about her brother, about how strange it feels to ask for help at their age. When the call ends, Val sits there for a moment longer, phone still warm in her hand.
Then she does what she knows she has to.
---
Adrian listens without interrupting.
They're in his office—glass walls, low lights, city humming outside. He stands near the desk, jacket off, sleeves rolled, expression neutral in that way that always makes her feel like she's being assessed even when she's the one speaking.
"She's sharp," Val says, finishing. "Exceptionally well-spoken. She knows how to de-escalate, persuade, redirect. She'd be wasted in a purely administrative role."
Adrian considers this.
"Personal relationships complicate professional judgment," he says calmly.
"I know," Val replies. "I'm not asking for favoritism. Just consideration."
His gaze lifts to her—slow, measuring.
"Skills and experience still matter," he says. "HR will evaluate her like any other candidate."
Val nods. "Of course."
A beat passes.
"She could fit well in client relations," Val adds. "Or strategic communications. Somewhere people-facing. Somewhere her voice actually matters."
Adrian's mouth curves slightly—not a smile, exactly.
"You've thought this through," he observes.
"She needs stability," Val says. "And she's good. Really good."
Another pause.
"Send her details to HR," Adrian says at last. "If she's as capable as you believe, it will show."
"And if she is?" Val asks quietly.
"Then she'll earn her place," he replies. "Like everyone else."
The answer is clean. Professional. Controlled.
Still, as she turns to leave, she feels his eyes on her again—lingering, unreadable.
At the door, she stops. "Thank you," she says.
Adrian doesn't answer right away.
"Valentina," he says instead, voice low, even, "be careful not to take responsibility for things you can't control."
She meets his gaze.
"I already do," she says.
She leaves before he can respond.
Adrian remains where he is, staring at the closed door.
HR will see everything through.
Of course they will.
And if Jenna is as persuasive as Val claims—
That will be interesting.
Very interesting.
---