The decision didn't feel big when I made it.
But it changed everything.
I needed a job.
Not just for money.
Not just to survive.
But to prove something—to myself.
That I could stand on my own.
That I wasn't defined by what had happened to me.
That I could build something… even from this.
The next morning, I sat at the small desk in my hostel room, my phone in one hand and a notebook in the other.
Melyne leaned against the wall, watching me.
"You're serious about this?" she asked.
"I have to be," I replied.
Starlet folded her arms, nodding slowly. "I like this version of you."
Riley smiled. "Same. It's giving… 'don't mess with me' energy."
I almost smiled.
Almost.
We spent hours searching.
Scrolling.
Applying.
Getting rejected.
Ignored.
Or simply… no response.
Until—
Melyne suddenly sat up straight.
"Wait," she said.
"What?" I asked, looking up.
"You might not believe this…" she said slowly, eyes locked on her phone. "But there's an opening at Kingston Group."
I froze.
"Kingston… as in the Kingston Group?" Riley asked, shocked.
"Yes," Melyne said. "The biggest company in the city."
My heart skipped.
Everyone knew about Kingston Group.
It wasn't just big.
It was powerful.
Untouchable.
The kind of place people dreamed about but rarely entered.
"That's not for people like us," Starlet said.
I looked at the screen.
Reception Assistant.
Entry-level.
Requirements: confidence, communication, presence.
Something about that word stayed with me.
Presence.
I lifted my gaze slowly.
"Why not me?" I said.
The room went quiet.
Then—
Riley grinned. "Exactly."
Two days later…
I stood in front of the tallest building I had ever seen.
The Kingston Group headquarters.
Glass.
Steel.
Power.
My reflection stared back at me from the entrance doors.
Simple outfit.
Neat hair.
Calm face.
But inside?
My heart was racing.
"You've got this," I whispered to myself.
And then I walked in.
The inside was even more intimidating.
People moved with purpose.
Voices were low but confident.
Everything was… controlled.
Structured.
Serious.
I felt out of place.
But I didn't show it.
I walked to the front desk.
"I'm here for the interview," I said calmly.
The receptionist nodded and directed me upstairs.
The interview was… unexpected.
Short.
Sharp.
Focused.
The woman interviewing me studied me carefully.
"You don't have experience," she said.
"I learn fast," I replied.
She raised a brow slightly.
"You're a student."
"Yes."
"And pregnant."
That one hit.
But I didn't flinch.
"Yes," I said calmly.
She leaned back slightly.
"Why should we hire you?"
I held her gaze.
"Because I need this," I said honestly. "And I won't take it for granted."
Silence.
A long one.
Then—
"We'll call you," she said.
I didn't expect anything.
So when my phone rang later that evening…
I almost didn't pick up.
"Hello?"
"Is this Jessy?" a voice asked.
"Yes…"
"You're hired. Report tomorrow."
My heart stopped.
Then started again—faster.
I was speechless.
"Hello?"
"I—I'll be there," I said quickly.
And when the call ended…
I just sat there.
Staring at my phone.
I did it.
The next day, I walked into Kingston Group as an employee.
Me.
Jessy.
The girl everyone whispered about.
Now walking into the biggest company in the city.
Not as a visitor.
But as someone who belonged.
What I didn't know…
Was that someone was already watching me.
From the top floor.
Behind a glass wall office.
The CEO.
Elias Kingston.
Tall.
Calm.
Sharp eyes that missed nothing.
He stood still, watching the screens in front of him.
New hires.
Movements.
Activity.
But one face caught his attention.
Mine.
There was something about me.
Something different.
Something quiet…
But strong.
He didn't look away immediately.
And that alone…
Meant something.
Back on campus…
Nothing had changed.
And yet…
Everything had.
Cypher was still there.
And now, everyone knew her name.
Vanessa.
She walked beside him like she had won something.
Like she had taken my place.
Like she had replaced me.
And maybe… in his life, she had.
I saw them once.
Standing together.
Laughing.
Close.
Comfortable.
He didn't look at me.
Not even once.
And this time…
I didn't look at him either.
That evening, I returned to the hostel.
Tired.
But satisfied.
Melyne jumped up immediately.
"Well??"
I smiled.
Just a little.
"I got the job."
The room exploded.
Starlet screamed.
Riley hugged me tightly.
"I KNEW IT!" she said.
Melyne shook her head in disbelief. "Kingston Group? Jessy, do you even understand what you just did?"
I exhaled softly.
"I'm starting to."
Later that night, I sat alone.
Hand resting on my stomach again.
A habit now.
A comfort.
"A new start," I whispered.
And for the first time…
It felt real.
Not perfect.
Not easy.
But real.
Because while one part of my life had fallen apart…
Another one had just begun.
And somewhere…
In a tall glass building…
A man who didn't know me yet…
Had already noticed me.