Mara Daniels wasn't expecting a phone call.
She sat at her friend's kitchen counter, still in her oversized hoodie, cereal half-soggy, when the unknown number lit up her screen.
She debated ignoring it. Curiosity won.
"Mara Daniels speaking."
The voice on the other end was smooth. Confident. Dangerous.
"Ms. Daniels. This is Thomas Langston. CEO of Langston Holdings."
Her eyes narrowed.
She adjusted her posture automatically.
"We've been watching your work for a while. You come highly recommended. Your background, your resilience. The fact that you manage chaos without ever becoming part of it…"
There was a beat. Then:
"We'd like to offer you a position. Not as an assistant. As a lead strategist. You'll be working directly with me. Full creative control. Competitive salary. And most importantly; no distractions."
Mara blinked.
This wasn't just a new job.
This was power.
"Why now?" she asked, voice steady.
"Because I believe in hiring people before someone else realizes what they're worth."
She didn't need to ask who "someone else" was.
She already knew.
Back at the office...
He was on edge. Again.
Every click of the elevator, every voice in the hallway, he thought; maybe it's her.
But it never was.
"Still no sign of Ms. Daniels?" he asked coldly.
"She's… still on leave, sir."
Leave.
Right.
Leave from him, more like.
He turned away, jaw tight, frustration simmering under his skin.
She'd left without a trace.
No explanation. No demands. No reaction.
And somehow, that made it worse.
Later that night…
He texted her. Just one line.
"We need to talk. Please."
Delivered. Read.
No reply.
Across town…
Mara sat on the balcony, crisp wind brushing her face. Her laptop glowed softly beside her, Langston's offer open in full view.
Her eyes skimmed the bold letters:
"Position: Executive Strategist. Start Date: Immediate. Location: Global."
She sipped her tea slowly. No rush.
"He finally sees my worth," she murmured.
But maybe…
Just maybe...
He's not the only one watching her now.