Chapter 3 Five Years Later

Lola Tanner

"You look like hell," Chloe muttered beside me, throwing her gloves into her bag.

I shot her a dry look. "Thanks, I was hoping I looked like paradise."

She smirked. "If paradise smells like bleach and despair, then maybe."

I slammed my locker shut, exhaustion pressing down on my bones. Another shift done.

Another day wasted in a place that treated us like garbage.

I'd been working here for over a year now, barely managing to survive after the world turned its back on me.

For five years, I couldn't count how many odd jobs I'd done just to survive. I'd tried getting a decent job, but no one would hire a twenty three years old school drop out like me. I was stuck with all these, barely managing to survive and saving the little money I could.

I let out a tired chuckle, running a hand through my messy ponytail. My cleaner uniform stuck to my skin, damp with sweat after hours of scrubbing floors and wiping down office desks.

"I swear, if one more executive messily leaves their half-eaten food on a table for me to clean up, I'm throwing hands," I muttered.

Chloe groaned. "Right? And don't get me started on the managers. I swear, they think we're invisible until they need someone to blame for something."

"Like this morning," I mumbled, tightening my fists.

Chloe's expression darkened.

"That poor girl. Just one mistake, and they humiliated her in front of everyone. I mean, it was a coffee spill, for god's sake."

I nodded, my stomach twisting at the memory. The girl had been practically in tears, apologizing over and over as her supervisor berated her like she was dirt.

And we had all stood there, watching, unable to do anything. Because if we spoke up, we'd be next.

"I can't do this anymore," I said, exhaling sharply.

Chloe turned to me, studying my face. "You're serious this time, aren't you?"

I nodded. "I've completed my online classes, and recently got my degree. I sent out applications last week. I don't know where I'll end up, but I can't stay here. I refuse to spend the rest of my life being treated like I don't matter."

Chloe nodded slowly. "I get it. You deserve better, Lola. We all do. But until we find a way out, we're stuck in this cycle."

"Not me," I said. "Not anymore."

**********

Fate finally smiled upon me shortly after and I was called upon for an interview for a secretary position at the prestigious Goldberg Corporations.

I wasn't ready for it but I was definitely ready to leave my previous job as a cleaner at that godforsaken company.

Still, I wasn't ready...

Not physically, not mentally, and definitely not emotionally.

As I stepped into the grand, glass-walled skyscraper, I felt so painfully out of place. Plus, it was easy to tell I was not welcome, judging from how the receptionist buried her head in the desk even with my presence.

My cheap, secondhand blazer suddenly felt like an insult to the elegance of the room.

"Name?" the receptionist asked without looking up.

"Lola Tanner," I answered, trying to sound confident. "I have an interview for the secretary position."

Her gaze flicked up briefly, scanning me like she was assessing whether I was even worth speaking to.

I clenched my jaw but forced myself to stay calm.

"Top floor," she said. "CEO's office."

I blinked. "The CEO is conducting the interview?"

She sighed like she was bored. "Obviously."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned toward the elevator. I was even more nervous now but I couldn't turn back for sure.

I pressed the button, stepping inside as the doors slid shut behind me.

The numbers ticked upward.

12th floor.

18th floor.

23rd floor.

With each passing second, my heart pounded harder.

The doors finally slid open, revealing a sprawling, modern office space. A woman in a sharp gray suit motioned for me to step forward.

"Mr. Kensinger will see you now."

Kensinger.

My stomach dropped.

No.

No, it couldn't be.

I stepped forward on shaky legs, my breath catching in my throat as I pushed open the doors-

And froze.

Because sitting behind a massive, glass-topped desk was him.

Lucius.

I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.

He was right there.

The man I had once given everything to. The man I had suffered for. The man who had been my entire world-

And he didn't even flinch when he looked at me.

"Take a seat," he said, his voice cool.

Like I was just another applicant.

I sat down, gripping the arms of the chair to keep my hands from shaking. That was when I noticed the other man present and my mind ran down memory lane.

Derek!

He was Lucius' very good friend back then and when our eyes met, something flashed in his eyes... recognition.

He recognized me!

"Your name?" Lucius asked, glancing at the file in front of him.

"Lola Tanner," I managed, my throat tight.

He still didn't react.

Not even a hint of familiarity crossed his face.

I swallowed hard.

"What qualifications do you have?" he asked, his tone detached, professional.

What qualifications?

Did almost dying for you count?

Did five years of struggling alone after being abandoned by my family and friends because of you count?

I forced a breath, keeping my voice steady. "Its all in my file. I'm also hardworking, organized, and quick to learn."

Why was I even still doing this?

He nodded, flipping through my file. "You've worked as a cleaner for the past few years. Do you have any experience in office administration?"

No.

But I wasn't about to let that stop me.

"I can handle schedules, paperwork, and client calls," I said firmly. "I may not have formal experience, but I can assure you that I am more than capable."

He looked at me for a long moment. And for one brief second, I thought I saw something flicker in his gaze.

A trace of something buried deep within him. But then it was gone, and he exhaled, closing my file.

"The position requires discipline and discretion," he said. "I expect complete professionalism."

"Of course," I said in a low voice.

He tapped his fingers on the desk, then finally nodded.

"You're hired."

My breath caught.

Just like that?

"Report here on Monday," he continued. "7 AM sharp. Don't be late."

I stood, my legs feeling weak beneath me. "Th...Thank you."

His cold gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he turned back to his papers.

I shot another final glance at Derek. He was staring now with a knowing smile playing on his lips.

As I stepped out of the office, a sudden realization dawned on me...I would be working for Lucius Kensinger.

My heart instantly began to burn with revenge.

After seeing him at that party, he had vanished. I never saw him again-until today.

Maybe fate was finally on my side. Maybe life had seen how much I'd suffered and handed me this chance to get even.

I smiled to myself. I would slip into his life, gain his trust, and then destroy him. He would pay for everything he did to me.

An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth.