"Nariah! You're actually doing this?" Rick's voice burst through the phone, loud enough that the woman sitting two seats away glanced at me.
I turned slightly, lowering my voice as I tucked my hair behind my ear. "Can you not sound like I'm about to jump off a cliff?"
"You kinda are," he shot back instantly. "Just… in a cute, career-building way."
I laughed despite myself, shifting in the stiff airport chair. My carry-on sat at my feet, my fingers tapping restlessly against the handle. "It's not funny, Rick. I'm serious. This is a big deal."
"I know it is," he said, softer now—but still with that edge of excitement he never bothered to hide. "That's why I'm hyped for you. Do you even realize what you just landed? A private chef position. Live-in. For a billionaire."
I exhaled slowly, staring out at the glass windows where planes taxied lazily across the runway. "When you say it like that, it sounds… insane."
"It sounds like you're about to level up," he corrected. "Massively."
I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. "You're too optimistic."
"And you're overthinking. As usual." There was a pause, then, "Tell me exactly what's going on in that head of yours."
I hesitated.
Because where did I even start?
"I don't know," I admitted finally. "It's just… everything. The job, the city, living with someone I've never met. What if he's difficult? What if he's picky? What if I mess something up on the first day and he regrets hiring me?"
Rick let out a dramatic sigh. "Nariah. Listen to me carefully."
I rolled my eyes automatically. "Here we go."
"The job. Is. Secured."
I blinked. "You sound like you're casting a spell."
"I might as well be," he said. "Because clearly, you need it. You were recommended for a reason. Not just by anyone—by me. And I don't attach my name to just anybody, you know that."
I smirked. "Wow. The ego."
"Call it confidence," he corrected smoothly. "You're good, Nariah. No—scratch that. You're excellent. You think I'd risk my reputation at the restaurant recommending someone who can't handle pressure?"
I leaned back in my seat, letting his words settle. "When you put it like that…"
"There is no 'when you put it like that.' That's the truth. You earned this. Not luck. Not chance. You."
My fingers tightened slightly around my phone. "It still feels like a lot."
"It's supposed to," he said. "If it didn't scare you a little, it wouldn't be worth it."
I went quiet for a moment, watching a plane lift into the sky, smooth and effortless.
"I just keep thinking about the pros and cons," I said slowly.
"Oh God," Rick groaned. "You made a list, didn't you?"
"…maybe."
"Nariah!"
"What?" I laughed. "It helps me think!"
"Okay, hit me. Let's hear it."
I sat up straighter, counting on my fingers. "Pros: amazing opportunity, better pay than anything I've had before, exposure to high-end clientele, and—okay—living in a beautiful house in a city I've always wanted to experience."
"Good. Keep going."
"Cons…" I hesitated, chewing on my bottom lip. "No privacy. Pressure. I'll basically be on call all the time. And I don't even know what kind of person he is. What if he's one of those cold, impossible-to-please types?"
Rick was quiet for a second.
Then he snorted.
"You're ridiculous."
"I'm being realistic!"
"No, you're being dramatic," he corrected. "First of all, yeah, he's rich. Probably busy. Probably used to things being done a certain way. But that doesn't automatically make him a villain."
I huffed softly. "You don't know that."
"I know you," he said. "And I know that within one week, max, you'll have him wrapped around your finger—strictly food-wise, before your mind starts running again."
I laughed, shaking my head. "You're impossible."
"And you're worrying for no reason," he shot back. "You'll walk in there, cook one meal, and that's it. Done. He's not letting you go."
I leaned back again, letting out a slow breath. "I hope you're right."
"I am right," Rick said confidently. "So, what time do you land?"
"In about six hours," I replied. "Once I get there, I'll probably just go straight to the house. They said everything's already prepared."
"See? Smooth transition. They're literally rolling out the red carpet for you."
I smiled faintly. "It does feel a little unreal."
"That's because you've been playing small," he said bluntly. "Now you're stepping into something bigger, and your brain doesn't know how to process it yet."
I paused.
That… hit a little too accurately.
"Maybe," I admitted.
"No 'maybe' about it," he said. "Just don't let fear ruin this for you. You deserve to enjoy it too, not just survive it."
I nodded slowly, even though he couldn't see me. "Okay."
"Say it with confidence."
I rolled my eyes, smiling. "Okay, Rick."
"Nope. Again."
I laughed under my breath. "Fine. I've got this."
"Better."
Boarding was called just then, the announcement echoing through the terminal.
"That's me," I said, standing up and adjusting my bag.
Rick's voice softened slightly. "Hey."
"Yeah?"
"You're going to be amazing, Nariah. Don't forget that."
Something warm settled in my chest. "Thanks, Rick. For everything."
"Always. Now go—and try not to overthink on the plane."
"No promises," I teased.
"I know," he said, laughing. "Text me when you land."
"I will."
The call ended, and for a second, I just stood there.
Then I took a deep breath and started walking.
As I stepped onto the plane and settled into my seat, my mind immediately began to wander again—images of unfamiliar streets, a massive house, a man I'd never met but would soon be cooking for every single day.
Excitement.
Fear.
Curiosity.
It all tangled together, settling deep in my chest.
As the plane lifted into the sky, I stared out the window, watching the ground grow smaller.
No turning back now.
A new city.
A new job.
A new life.
And somewhere in all of that…
A man who could change everything.