Nyla's POV
Two days.
That was how long I had to move back to a place I swore never to see again. New York.
Was I just supposed to put my life on hold for this.
I had never seen Leah this excited, she kept sending me outfit idea's, tips on how to ace my interviews she even went as far as midnight calls and voice messages just to ensure I was fully prepared.
"You'll do great, Nyla," she said.
"Yeah, sure. Can't wait to disgrace myself in front of a bunch of rich people."
"Come on be positive."
She meant well. She always did. But nothing about this felt right, I couldn't shake off my uneasy feeling.
The night before the trip, I tucked my little boy into bed. He was already half-asleep, his tiny fingers curled around my thumb.
"Mommy's going to be gone for a few days baby." I whispered.
He mumbled something I didn't catch, but his lips curved into a sleepy smile.
I stared at his face a little longer, memorizing every line. He was my only reason for pushing on.
Karen agreed to watch him while I was away. She was good with kids, probably better than I was. Still, leaving him felt wrong, he was my whole life, my sole purpose for existing I don't think I could forgive my self if anything were to happen to him, but I couldn't bring myself to take him with me to New York.
The next morning, Karen had to take some days off so she could properly, care for my baby. I gave her some last minute tips before kissing his sleepy head and heading off.
The train ride to New York was long and noisy. I felt sick to my stomach my brain refused to rest. Every stop reminded me that I was one step closer to the place where I promised not to step foot. I didn't want to be here, not after everything that happened years ago.
When we pulled into the city, the noise hit first. Cars honking, people yelling, the smell of coffee and rain. Same old New York.
I muttered under my breath, "Back where it began."
Leah met me at the station, all sparkly and smiling.
"You look exhausted," she said.
"I feel worse," I replied, pulling her into a hug.
"Relax," she teased. "It's just a job interview nothing serious."
That night, I crashed on her couch while she talked nonstop about her own office drama. I listened half the time, mostly staring at the ceiling, wondering if coming here was a mistake.
By morning, I was a mess of nerves . My stomach was twisted in knots, but Leah shoved a cup of coffee in my hand.
"Smile," she said. "You've got this."
"Sure," I mumbled, trying not to spill the drink on my only clean blouse.
I took a cab to my interview venue, Reeds Corporation.
It was impossible to miss. The building, just as I pictured it tall, cold and polished, definitely a hostile work environment.
I stood in the lobby for a second, trying to catch my breath before the receptionist smiled at me.
"Good morning. Interview?"
"Yes, I'm Nyla Park."
"45th floor, Ms. Park. Elevator's to your right."
The elevator walls were mirrored, so all I saw was my own anxious reflection.
"You're doing this for him," I whispered to myself. "Stay calm. Don't panic.
When the doors opened, a tall woman in a gray suit greeted me. She was tall and pretty. Probably HR.
"Ms. Park?"
"Yes."
"I've had so much about you from leah, we go way back"
I smiled politely trying to hide how anxious I was.
"Right this way. Mr. Reeds would be conducting the interview personally."
My heart skipped. "The CEO?"
She nodded. "He likes to approve his personal staff himself."
"Personal staff?" I muttered to myself
I had assumed I was going to be assisting some dead beat secretary or something. I never once imagined I'd get to meet him not to talk of working under him.
I stepped into the extremely cold office of "The Mr. Reeds"
His office was huge, the view of the city from the glass walls, breathtaking. He stood with his back to me, talking into his phone, his tone calm but sharp. Even before he turned, something about his voice made my chest tighten.
Then he turned around.
For a moment, everything stopped.
The face. The eyes. The same dark hair, just a little shorter now.
It was him.
The man from that night. What were the odds.
The mistake that changed everything.
My throat went dry. My palms went cold.
I tried to keep my expression neutral, but my body betrayed me. My knees felt weak.
He stared at me, polite, professional, unaware.
"Ms. Park?" he asked. His voice was steady, businesslike.
"Yes," I managed, forcing a smile.
I stared awkwardly at him, searching his face for any sign of recognition or shock.
Disappointed, I struggled to act natural.
He didn't recognize me. Of course he didn't. Why would he? To him, that night was probably nothing. To me, it was the night that changed my life.
"Please, have a seat," he said, gesturing to the chair across his desk.
I sat, gripping my hands together to keep them from shaking.
He glanced through my résumé. "You've worked in administration before?"
"Yes, sir."
"Tell me about your experience."
I talked, though I could barely hear myself. My heart beat rising by the second. He spoke softly, his voice as magnetic as I had remembered it, his fragrance was the same as well though a bit more concentrated.
When the interview ended, he stood and offered his hand. His touch, still as gentle as I'd remembered.
"We'll be in touch soon, Ms. Park."
"Thank you, sir," I said quietly.
I stepped out of the office shakily. Cold shivers ran down my spine.
The elevator ride down had been the longest of my life. I found it hard to breathe as huge waves of emotions flooded my chest making it impossible to breathe.
Out of all the men in New York I just had to run into the guy I was trying to avoid.