Maya had almost convinced herself that the application wouldn't go through.
It had been days since she submitted it, and she had tried not to dwell on it. The café was her safe space, her routine. The thought of stepping into a corporate environment again—one that reminded her of her past life—felt suffocating.
But she needed this.
Not just for herself, but for the tiny life growing inside her.
So when her phone buzzed one evening while she was wiping down the counter, her breath caught. She hesitated before picking it up, her fingers trembling slightly.
Unknown Number.
Her heart pounded as she swiped to answer.
"Hello?"
"Hello, is this Miss Maya Evans?" A polite, professional voice came through the speaker.
"Yes, this is she," Maya answered, gripping the cloth in her hand.
"I'm calling from Carter Enterprises regarding your recent job application for the Administrative Assistant position. We'd like to invite you for an interview tomorrow afternoon. Would you be available?"
Maya's pulse quickened. Tomorrow? She hadn't expected a response so soon. Hadn't expected one at all, really.
"Yes," she managed to say. "That works for me."
"Great. Please arrive at our headquarters by 2 PM. Bring a copy of your resume and any supporting documents. We look forward to meeting you."
The call ended, leaving Maya staring blankly at her phone.
It's happening.
She exhaled slowly, pressing a hand against her stomach. A job at Carter Enterprises—it would be steady, secure. It would give her the stability she needed.
But working under Aiden Carter's company?
She hadn't considered that part until now. He wouldn't be involved in her hiring—he was too high up for that—but the possibility of running into him in the office felt unsettling. He was already suspicious of her.
Would this make things worse?
Maya shook her head, pushing away the doubt. She didn't have the luxury of overthinking.
This is for the baby. For our future.
The Reality of Change
That night, after locking up the café and returning to her small apartment, Maya sat at the tiny desk by the window. The city lights flickered outside, but her focus remained on the screen of her laptop.
She opened a blank document, staring at the words she had typed out days ago—a rough outline of her resume. It was nothing impressive. She had been a housewife for most of her marriage, only doing minor freelance work here and there.
Would that be enough?
Her fingers hesitated before she began typing, filling in the gaps with whatever experience she could muster. Data entry, scheduling, bookkeeping—she had done all of that while managing the household. It wasn't much, but it was something.
After printing out a copy, she exhaled, rubbing her temples.
Now came another problem.
She needed something to wear.
Her café uniform was out of the question, and the few casual outfits she owned were far from business-appropriate.
The next morning, she stopped by a small thrift store before her shift. With limited money, she carefully picked out a second-hand blazer and a blouse that was slightly too big but would work. The skirt she found wasn't perfect, but it was clean and formal enough.
As she paid at the register, she ignored the way her hands trembled.
This was real now.
And tomorrow, she would step into Carter Enterprises—not as a barista, but as a candidate.
Would she be good enough?
She wasn't sure.
But she had to try.
The Interview
The next day, Maya stood outside the towering glass building of Carter Enterprises, staring up at its intimidating height.
She had taken the bus, clutching her resume tightly in her hands the entire ride. Now, standing before the entrance, her nerves felt like they were unraveling.
You can do this.
With a deep breath, she stepped inside.
The lobby was sleek, modern, and bustling with employees who moved with purpose. Maya felt out of place immediately. The polished floors, the expensive suits—it was a world she had once been part of but had long since abandoned.
A receptionist greeted her with a polite smile. "How can I help you?"
"I'm here for an interview," Maya said, forcing her voice to stay steady.
"Your name?"
"Maya Evans."
The receptionist checked her list and nodded. "You're scheduled with MissGreene in HR. Take the elevator to the twelfth floor."
Maya muttered a quiet "thank you" before making her way to the elevator.
Each floor that passed felt like another step toward a future she wasn't sure she was ready for.
Finally, the doors opened, and she stepped into a sleek office space. A woman in a navy-blue suit glanced up from her desk.
"MissEvans?"
"Yes."
"Right this way."
Maya followed her into a conference room where a woman in her late thirties sat reviewing a file. She had sharp eyes and an air of authority.
"Miss Evans, please have a seat," the woman said, offering a polite but unreadable smile. "I'm Claire Greene, the hiring manager."
Maya sat down, gripping her resume.
"Your application caught our attention," Claire began, flipping through the pages. "However, I noticed you have a gap in corporate experience. Can you tell me more about that?"
Maya swallowed, her mind racing.
"I spent a few years managing a household, which involved bookkeeping, scheduling, and handling financial matters. Before that, I worked part-time in administrative roles."
Claire studied her. "Managing a household, you say? And why the shift to corporate now?"
Maya hesitated before answering. "I need stability."
It was the truth, but Claire's expression didn't reveal whether she found it convincing.
The rest of the interview passed in a blur—questions about her ability to multitask, handle deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment. Maya answered as best as she could, but uncertainty clawed at her.
Had she said enough?
Was she even remotely qualified?
Claire finally closed the file, looking at Maya thoughtfully. "We have a few more candidates to interview, but we'll contact you within a few days."
Maya nodded, standing up. "Thank you for your time."
As she walked out, she released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
It was over.
Now, all she could do was wait.
A Chance at Change
The next evening, Maya was back at the café when her phone buzzed again.
Her stomach twisted as she saw the caller ID.
Carter Enterprises.
She hurried to the backroom, answering with a hesitant, "Hello?"
"Miss Evans?" Claire's voice was crisp. "We'd like to offer you the position."
Maya's knees nearly buckled.
"You… you're offering me the job?"
"Yes. It's an entry-level role, and your salary will reflect that, but we believe you show potential. Would you be interested?"
Would she be interested?
Her hands trembled. The weight of her unborn child, her uncertain future—it all pressed down on her.
"Yes," she said, barely above a whisper. Then, firmer: "Yes, I accept."
"Good. Report to HR on Monday at 9 AM to complete the paperwork."
The call ended, and Maya stood in the dimly lit backroom, gripping her phone.
She had done it.
It wasn't a high-paying job. It wasn't glamorous.
But it was a start.
A step toward the future she so desperately needed.
And, for the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to hope.