Chapter 4 4

Amara POV

Five years can change everything or nothing at all.

It depends on how hard you fight.

The morning sun slipped through the thin curtains of my apartment as I tied Fabian's shoelaces for the third time. He sat patiently on the edge of the bed, swinging his legs, humming a tune he'd learned at preschool.

"Mama," he said suddenly, tilting his head. "You're pulling too tight."

I smiled at myself and loosened the knot. "There, better?"

He nodded solemnly, as if we had just negotiated a business deal.

Fabian bounced on his toes, obviously to test his just-tied shoes, his little backpack slipping halfway down his shoulder.

"Mommy," he said seriously, brown eyes wide and curious, "if I'm late again, Mrs. Carter will make me sit in the thinking chair."

I bent instantly, fixing his bag and smoothing his curls with gentle fingers. "You are not sitting in the thinking chair today," I said with mock authority. "We are early. Very early."

Fabian grinned, missing one tooth at the front. "You always say that."

"And I'm always right," I replied, giving a quick kiss to his forehead.

Fabian Daniels, four years old with bright eyes, a curious mind, and a smile that could undo even my worst days. He looked nothing like the life I'd imagined for myself at twenty-nine, but somehow, he was the best part of it.

I brushed his curls into place, smoothing them back with my fingers. Every time I did, a strange ache settled in my chest, not pain, just awareness. He deserved everything I lacked growing up.

"You ready for school?" I asked.

"Yes!" he chirped, hopping off the bed. "Today is story day."

"Story day?" I repeated, grabbing my bag and keys. "That sounds serious."

"It is," he said gravely. "I'm bringing the dinosaur book."

"Of course, you are."

The walk to his school was short, the city already alive with honking cars and rushing pedestrians. Fabian held my hand tightly, swinging it as we walked, telling me all about dinosaurs and how they were definitely not scary if you understood them.

At the school gate, he hugged me hard.

"Don't be late," he said, wagging a finger at me like a tiny parent.

I laughed softly. "I'll try."

He ran off without looking back, just like children do when they feel safe.

Before I left, I checked my phone to tick the list that keeps me organized.

Drop-off done. Next is Presentation prep. Call Julian. Review merger files.

While reviewing my list, my phone buzzed.

New Mail - Cole Energy Group

My heart kicked hard against my ribs. I opened the mail, and it read.

We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected as the Executive Strategist for the Cole Corp Oil-Rig Merger Project...

The words blurred as excitement rushed through me. Executive Strategist. Billion-dollar oil-rig merger. Immediate onboarding.

I did not remember the walk back to my apartment. I kept thinking of new and fresh possibilities, and they were big, hairy, and audacious.

This wasn't just a job. It was the job. The kind of role that shifted careers, that will place me in rooms I had once only dreamed of entering.

I sank onto the couch, a breath leaving me with a shaky laugh.

I had done it.

Every late night. Every sacrifice. Every time I chose work over rest, discipline over desire, it had all led here.

I pressed my palm to my chest, grounding myself.

"Julian," I said the second he picked up. "I got it."

There was a pause. Then a sharp inhale. "You're joking."

"I'm not."

"You're not joking," he repeated, his voice rising. "Amara, that's huge."

"I know," I said, laughing now, joy spilling over. "I start next week."

"I'm so proud of you," he said softly. "I always knew you'd get here."

His belief in me had never wavered, even when mine did.

"We need to celebrate," he added quickly. "Lunch today and no excuses."

I laughed, warmth filling my chest. "Lunch. Today." I agreed.

"And don't worry," he added, softer now. "I've got Fabian. Whatever you need, you are not doing this alone."

My grip tightened on the phone.

"Thank you," I replied. His friendship meant a lot to me.

"You've never had to ask," he replied gently.

We hung up, and I leaned back, staring at the ceiling.

Executive Strategist, it sounded powerful. Dangerous, even, and that thrilled me.

Throughout the weekend, I prepared my slides and dress. I was now licensed to enter into a meeting that mattered; my hard work had gotten me here, and I intend to prove myself right from the first meeting with the executives of Cole Corp.

That morning, I had Julian drop off Fabian, who is a fashion designer, and as a more flexible work schedule, by the time I got to the busiest street in New York, the opposite stood Cole Corp was looming over the city.

I adjusted my blazer and stepped inside as my heels clicked against the marble floors, my confidence overflowing.

"Good morning," I smiled at the receptionist.

"Hello, good morning, welcome to Cole Corp, how can I be of help to you?" the receptionist replied with a charming smile.

"My name is Amara Daniels, and I have an appointment for 9 am."

"Ok, welcome, Miss Daniels, let me run a quick confirmation check for you." After a few seconds, she rang me up, leading me to a transparent elevator.

The elevator let me get to the topmost floor, I entered the executive lobby where assistant after assistant greeted me with polite enthusiasm.

I was led to the boardroom where the company board members were already waiting. We exchanged handshakes, and we all sat, ready to get the meeting started.

"This merger is delicate," one of the board members said, starting the conversation. "We're glad to have you."

"Thank you," I replied evenly. "I don't disappoint."

I meant it.

I noticed we kept waiting, and there was an empty seat in the meeting room. It was already 9:15am, and it was obvious that the CEO was late.