ROSE

I walked across campus, my bag swinging lightly against my side. The morning sun warmed my shoulders, and I tried to focus on getting to class without thinking about the internship though, of course, Elsie had other plans.

"Rose! Did you apply for the Sterling & Co. internship yet?" she practically shouted the second I reached the steps. Her eyes were wide, sparkling with that impossible energy she always carried.

I laughed nervously, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Ah... I completely forgot. I was buried in studying last night." I answered walking into the lecture room with her.

Before Elsie could start her lecture, the lecture hall swung open, and Professor Hale's authoritative presence immediately commanded attention. "Good morning, class," she announced, and suddenly all the energy Elsie had tried to release was redirected into polite silence. I sank into my seat with a quiet sigh, grateful for the reprieve.

The lecture passed in a blur. I scribbled notes without really reading them, my mind spinning with thoughts of what Elsie would say about the internship and about everything else. When the bell finally rang, I felt my shoulders loosen.

As we stepped outside, Elsie linked her arm through mine. "Lunch?" she asked, practically bouncing. I smiled, letting her drag me toward the cafeteria.

Just as we passed the administration building, a familiar voice called my name. "Rose?"

I turned to see Mrs. Pamela, our guidance counselor, striding toward me. Her expression was kind but carried a sense of urgency that made my stomach twist. "Good morning, Rose. The school administrators would like to see you, they requested an audience."

I froze for a moment, unsure if I should panic or stay calm. "Oh... okay. Thank you for letting me know, Mrs. Pamela."

I glanced at Elsie, who had stopped beside me. "Sorry, I have to go. Something's come up," I said apologetically.

Her eyes widened, and she opened her mouth, probably to lecture me about the internship again. "Go on, then," she said, her voice softening. "Don't keep them waiting."

I nodded, giving her a quick smile, and began walking toward the administrators' block. My mind raced. Did this have something to do with Sterling & Co.? Could it be about the internship? My heartbeat quickened, and I realized I'd started walking faster without meaning to.

As I entered the building, I passed the polished floors and the familiar portraits of past school leaders. Everything smelled faintly of polished wood and fresh paper a comforting yet intimidating mix. I stopped at the front desk and was directed to the administrators' conference room.

Sitting there, waiting, I tried to calm myself, folding my hands in my lap. My eyes wandered over the room: tall windows letting in the afternoon sun, sleek chairs, and a long table that made the space feel serious, official. My thoughts kept flicking back to Elsie's warnings, the Sterling & Co. internship, and... well, everything I had yet to figure out about the future.

Finally, a door opened, and one of the administrators stepped in, giving me a small, encouraging smile. "Rose, thank you for coming. We have someone very important who would like to speak with you regarding an opportunity at Sterling & Co."

My pulse quickened. I straightened in my chair, trying to hide the mix of nerves and excitement that bubbled inside me. "Yes, sir," I said quietly, my voice steadier than I felt.

As the minutes ticked by, I tried to imagine who it could be, my mind racing through the list of names Elsie and I had discussed, the stories about the company, the few glimpses I had of their top executives. Whoever it was, I knew this meeting could change everything.

The door opened again. I held my breath, and my stomach tightened.

I froze.

Two men stepped in, their presence filling the room in a way that made the air feel heavier. The first tall, broad-shouldered, with an aura so commanding it was almost suffocating walked with the kind of confidence that didn't need to be announced. 

His dark eyes were calm but sharp, as though they saw through everything and everyone. Beside him was another man, slightly younger looking, with a composed expression and a sharpness in his gaze that told me he wasn't just a shadow he was someone who got things done.

My throat went dry.

It couldn't be...

My heart pounded against my chest as recognition slammed into me. The car. The black luxury car with the custom plate I had taken petty revenge on yesterday. The man with the silver-eyed stare that had left me fuming.

No. No. No.

I forced myself to sit straighter, gripping the edges of my chair so tightly my knuckles ached. Did they know? Had they seen? My mind flashed back to the hiss of air leaving the tires, the guilty thrill of satisfaction I'd felt scribbling my revenge. That thrill now curdled into dread.

"Rose," one of the administrators said warmly, completely oblivious to the storm raging in my chest. 

"Allow me to introduce Mr. Adrian Sterling, CEO of Sterling & Co., and his associate, Mr. Ethan Cole."

My stomach dropped so hard I thought I might faint. Sterling. CEO.

Oh, God. I had vandalized the CEO's car.

I forced a weak smile, praying it didn't look as terrified as I felt. My thoughts raced. Maybe they didn't know. Maybe they hadn't checked the dash camera yet. Maybe... just maybe...

But  Adrian's gaze landed on me, calm, unreadable. His eyes lingered a fraction too long, like he was piecing together a puzzle I didn't want him to solve. My skin prickled.

Don't look guilty. Don't look guilty. Just breathe.

Ethan leaned in slightly to murmur something to him, his expression neutral. I swallowed hard, wishing I could rewind time, wishing I had walked past that car yesterday instead of letting my temper win.

My heart screamed regret, but my face, I prayed looked calm.

Because if they knew? My little act of "sweet revenge" might just ruin everything.

Adrain looks at me once more before asking " Do you like cars miss rose".

......

That's it, I'm done.

ROSE

Adrian Sterling's gaze stayed on me. It wasn't rushed, it wasn't curious it was heavy. The kind of look that made you want to squirm in your seat, as though he already knew something you didn't want revealed.

Then his voice cut through the silence. Low. Calm. Deliberate.

"Do you like cars, Miss Rose?"

The question landed like a thunderclap in my chest.

Cars? Why was he asking about cars? Of all things. My breath caught, and for a split second, I actually considered crawling under the table and disappearing. My mind screamed, he knows. He knows what you did. He's just playing with you.

But I forced a smile, brittle at the edges. "Y-yes... I do. I like cars."

My voice sounded foreign to me, too thin, too high. My palms were damp, and I dug my nails into my skirt beneath the table, willing myself not to look away from him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the administrator frown in confusion. "Mr. Sterling," he started carefully, "I don't quite see what..."

Adrian lifted a hand, a small, controlled gesture that silenced the room instantly. He didn't even glance at the administrator, his eyes stayed locked on mine, steady, unwavering.

"I'd like to speak with Miss Rose alone," he said smoothly.

The administrator blinked, startled, then gave a reluctant nod. "Of course. I'll wait outside."

He gathered his papers and left, closing the door behind him.

The moment the latch clicked, the room felt smaller. Quieter. My heartbeat pounded so loudly in my ears I thought he could hear it.

And still, Adrian Sterling didn't look away.

The silence stretched.

Adrian Sterling leaned back slightly in his chair, his fingers resting against the armrest, his posture composed in a way that made it clear he owned every space he entered. Ethan stood just behind him, arms folded, expression unreadable, though I swore there was the faintest trace of amusement in his eyes.

I swallowed hard, wishing I could shrink into nothing.

Finally, Adrian spoke again, his voice quiet but edged with something I couldn't place.

"You said you like cars."

It wasn't a question, this time it  was a statement. A test.

I forced myself to nod. "Yes, I... I do." My voice cracked on the last word, and I hated it.

His gaze swept over me, steady, clinical, almost as though he were dissecting me with his eyes. "That's interesting."

I tried to laugh, the sound shaky and thin. "Is it?"

One corner of his mouth twitched though whether it was the ghost of a smile or a shadow of irritation, I couldn't tell. He leaned forward just slightly, resting his elbows on the polished table.

"Tell me, Miss Rose," he said, each word deliberate, "if you had the chance to... change something about a car, what would you do?"

My stomach flipped violently. Heat crawled up my neck. Was this a trap? Was he toying with me? Images of his car from yesterday, its four deflated tires, my guilty hands clutching a pocket knife, flashed like neon signs in my mind.

I clenched my hands together in my lap, praying he couldn't see them trembling. "I....I guess... maybe improve its safety? Make it more reliable."

Adrian tilted his head, eyes narrowing almost imperceptibly. "Hm."

Just that. A hum, soft but weighted, like he'd caught the lie hidden between my words.

The silence that followed pressed down on me, suffocating. I wanted to run, to burst out of the room and never look back. Instead, I forced another tight smile, my cheeks aching from holding it in place.

"Why... why are you asking me this?" I finally managed, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

For the first time since entering, his gaze softened but not kindly. No, it was sharper now, more dangerous, like a blade glinting in the light.

"Because, Miss Rose," he said slowly, his voice lowering, "I believe in understanding the people I work with."

Work with. The words snagged in my chest. My stomach sank as realization set in.

The internship.

Did I get it?

The word work echoed in my mind like a warning bell. My lips parted, but no sound came out. My chest felt tight, my pulse racing so fast I thought I might faint right there in front of him.

Adrian Sterling didn't move. He just studied me calm, unreadable, in control. Then, as if he hadn't just unraveled my nerves with a single sentence, he leaned back again, his voice smooth.

"The school submitted a list of candidates for our internship program," he said, pausing long enough for my breath to hitch. "And I've made my choice."

My heart plummeted. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to look away, but my eyes stayed locked on his, caught like a moth in flame.

He let the silence drag, his words sinking in slowly, deliberately. Then he delivered the final blow.

"You."

The room tilted. For a heartbeat, I thought I misheard him. "M-me?"

"Yes." His tone was matter-of-fact, final, as if there had never been another option. "You will be joining Sterling & Co. for the internship."

I blinked rapidly, my throat dry. A dozen excuses rushed to my tongue. I'm not qualified, surely someone else deserves this, I can't possibly but none of them made it out. He had spoken with such certainty that to argue felt impossible.

"But... why me?" The question escaped in a whisper before I could stop it.

Adrian's eyes darkened, though his expression didn't change. "You'll find out soon enough."

That was all. No explanation. No reasoning. Just that cryptic promise that churned uneasily in my stomach.

Ethan shifted behind him, and for the briefest second, I caught what looked like amusement flicker in his eyes. Almost as if he knew something I didn't.

Adrian rose from his seat then, his tall frame commanding the room. "That will be all for today, Miss Rose. Report to Sterling & Co. first thing Monday morning."

And with that, he turned toward the door. Ethan followed, sparing me one last knowing glance before stepping out behind him.

The room fell silent again. I sat frozen in my chair, my thoughts a tangled mess.

He had chosen me. Out of everyone, me.

And yet... something about the way he'd said it, the weight behind his gaze, made my stomach twist.

This wasn't an opportunity.

It was a trap.

ROSE

The moment I stepped out of the administrator's block, my legs felt like lead. Each step was heavy, as if the weight of what just happened was chaining me down.

I spotted Elsie waiting under the shade of a tree, scrolling through her phone. The second she saw me, she waved dramatically. "Finally! What did they want with you?"

I hesitated, forcing my lips into something that vaguely resembled a smile. "You're not going to believe this..."

Her eyes widened instantly. "Don't tell me... you got the internship?" She whispered with a big smile on her lips.

I swallowed, pressing my books tighter against my chest. "Yeah."

Elsie squealed so loudly that a few students passing by turned to stare. She jumped up, almost dropping her phone. "Oh my God, Rose! This is huge! Sterling & Co. doesn't just take anyone! You're officially going to be working with the most powerful company in the city!"

I let out a small laugh, though it sounded awkward, thin. "Y-yeah... lucky me."

She grabbed my shoulders, shaking me with excitement. "Do you realize what this means? For your career? For your future? We're celebrating tonight, no excuses, this is so awesome ahhh my best friend is going to work in the very best sterling co... ahhh ."

Her joy was infectious, but all I felt was a pit forming in my stomach. If she knew the truth, what I did to his car yesterday, the way he looked at me in that office, she wouldn't be cheering. She'd be dragging me to pack my bags and flee the city.

"Elsie," I said softly, trying to calm her down. "What if... what if it's not as good as it sounds?"

She blinked at me, puzzled. "What do you mean? This is the opportunity of a lifetime, Rose. People would kill for this chance."

"I just..." I trailed off, shaking my head. "Never mind."

She narrowed her eyes at me, like she knew I was hiding something, but before she could press further, her phone buzzed. She sighed, glancing at the screen, then pulled me into a quick hug. "I've got to rush to. But listen, Rose... don't overthink it, okay? You deserve this. More than anyone."

I forced a smile as she hurried off, her words echoing in my head.

Deserve? No.

This wasn't luck. This wasn't fate.

This was punishment.

And Adrian Sterling, the kind of man who never forgot, had just chosen me.

By the time I got back to my tiny apartment off campus, my chest felt tight from holding everything in. The moment the door clicked shut, I dropped my bag on the floor and fell onto my bed with a groan.

"Why me?" I muffled into my pillow, then rolled over and squealed into the air, kicking my legs like a child throwing a tantrum. If anyone had seen me, they would've thought I'd lost it. Maybe I had.

The shrill buzz of my phone cut through my meltdown. I reached for it blindly and answered without looking.

"Aunty Jane," I said, already hearing her cheerful voice fill the line.

"My Rose, how are you, my dear?" she asked warmly, the familiar lilt of home wrapping around me like a blanket. "I've just finished preparing some specialties for you to stock up, your uncle will send it to you tomorrow on his way, hmm?"

My uncle, david is not the best person I know but he is definitely not the worst I have met , he is married to Jane it's been a long time since I had seen him not since that day, some memories are meant to be locked up and never looked at again.

My lips lifted despite everything, a chuckle slipping out. "Aunty, you spoil me too much." 

"Nonsense," she said firmly. "You are studying hard. You need strength. Besides, do you want to starve? It's not like you can run home every weekend. The journey is what, five hours? By the time you reach here and go back, all your energy will be gone."

I laughed softly, because she was right. Just the thought of traveling that long, switching buses, the endless road, the exhaustion, was enough to make me clutch my pillow tighter.

"That's true," I admitted. "...Thank you. Really. You're the best I love you "

She hummed happily, then launched into her usual reminders about prayer and staying focused. I murmured along, half listening, half drowning in the storm in my chest.

After we ended the call, silence filled the room again. I lay back, staring up at the ceiling, and that moment in the administrator's office replayed in sharp clarity. Adrian Sterling's voice, calm but heavy, like it had been carved into stone.

I lay still for a moment before Adrian Sterling's words replayed in my mind, low and unshakable,

"You'll start on Monday".

I sat up slowly, dragging my laptop onto my lap. My chest was heavy, my mind a mess, but my hands itched to start making lists, clothes to put together, documents to gather, research about Sterling & Co.

After scribbling a few notes, I caught my reflection in the mirror across the room. My hair was a mess, my eyes wide with exhaustion, and yet I stared at myself like I was meeting a stranger.

I pointed at my reflection. "Okay, Rose," I muttered. "You're going to walk into Sterling & Co. on Monday, smile, and survive. Even if your boss looks like he eats interns for breakfast."

The girl in the mirror didn't look convinced.

"Fine," I sighed, tugging at my hair. "You'll survive... or at least, you'll fake it till you do."

And with that, I flopped back on the bed, groaning again, but this time with the tiniest smile tugging at my lips.

Because, my aunt's food was on the way, and her prayers were wrapping around me...

This wasn't just food delivery.

This was survival prep.

And Monday was already waiting.