“Sofia, calm down. You're stressing yourself out,” My hazel eyes jumped from my hands to her blue eyes, watching as concern flooded the deep blue pools.

“I know, it’s just with Adam’s condition, I’ve been freaking out. The doctor warned me, Liv. Getting the surgery isn’t an option anymore, it’s crucial.”

She threw me a sympathetic look, but it vanished as soon as I threw her an annoyed glare. She knew how much I hated pity. It wasn’t something I needed; I wasn’t battling cancer like my dad or living with a hole in my heart like my little brother.

Olivia sighed, rubbing her hands on her jeans as she gave a lengthy roll of her eyes over my antics. When she met my eyes again, her expression softened along with her voice as she spoke gently.

“You should go home, make yourself and Adam a good dinner, take a bath, and relax. Tomorrow is going to go great, but if you don’t take your ass to bed, you are going to have one hell of a morning.”

I scoffed while an amused grin danced across her features, broadening when I finally stood up to grab my phone.

“So quick to get rid of me, Liv. I’m hurt.” I feigned heartbreak as I placed a palm to my heart, and I wasn’t surprised when Olivia rolled her eyes before storming to the kitchen.

“Be careful,” I heard some pots moving and was suddenly reminded that I had to go home and make food for Adam and me.

“Let me know how tomorrow goes, and please don’t say or do anything stupid in that bloody interview.”

I scoffed, peeking my head into the kitchen to offer her a playful glare. “What’s that supposed to mean, Livvy?” Her chuckle filled the silence of the flat. “Get out of my house and take your ass home, dumbass.” I took a step back, leaving out a laugh before I blew her a kiss and walked out the door.

The cool air danced over my skin, a contrast to the heat that resided in Olivia’s flat. The trees swayed as the gentle breeze blew through them, rattling the leaves and producing a calming sound that reverberated through the streets of London.

My mind was still racing as a storm of emotions raged through my veins. I felt like I was doing everything wrong.

I felt stuck, as if I was underwater, constantly screaming for help, but the water always captured the helpless cries.

No one would ever know about the constant fear that I faced. The constant fear of something happening to my brother or my father.

After getting the news about Adam from the doctor, I knew I would have to find a well-paying job to earn more money for the surgery and for dad’s treatment, but it was the interview that I had tomorrow that was causing this turmoil inside me right now, adding to the storm of thoughts that is my mind.

I regretted quitting my job because, without it, I found myself having to budget more than usual which didn’t go down well with Adam. The only source of income I had was babysitting for the woman on the floor above our flat, and it wasn’t enough for us to survive on.

I stared at the building before me. To say it was huge was an understatement. It looked to have about seventy floors, the huge glass windows showcased how much hard work went into holding up such a high company and it was clear to see even from the outside, that slipping up was not an option.

The shape was modern and unique, the architect who designed it was clearly skilled and his ideas were innovative, it's like his mind went into this building. I couldn't spot one flaw, each window crystal clean. The inside looked hectic as employees walked at lightening speed carrying files and other things.

I noticed how most people walking down this street bypassed Reid Industries as if they were scared to go near it. Hell, even I was scared to go near it. Its structure was intimidating but I think that's what Amory Reid wanted for his building.

He wanted to scare people, exhibit his power and wealth, make people believe they were inferior to him. I stared at the huge glass doors before me in hesitance.

I cautiously made my way towards the door as if it would eat me alive. A beautiful redhead stood behind the pristine marble counter as she typed something on a computer.

I looked around me and noticed that everyone was dressed professionally, their clothes spotless and looking like they cost more than my rent, and I suddenly felt self-conscious of what I was wearing, my black pencil skirt reaching just before my knee, and my worn-out white blouse was tucked in with a few wrinkles on the arms. I shook off the thought and, instead, cleared my throat to get the receptionist's attention.

When she looked up, her brown eyes scanned my frame, and her amused chuckle reached my ears along with the sounds of heels clicking on the marble floors from the other employees.

I gave her a polite smile that didn’t reach my eyes before I spoke, trying to sound as professional as possible. "I'm here for an interview, my name is Sofia Cartier.’

A vicious glint lit up in her eyes, spelling nothing but trouble as she eyed me fora moment. “Sixtieth floor. The receptionist up there will tell you what to do.”

A gasp escaped me before I could stop it, and my jaw slacked as I watched her carefully. I knew that the sixtieth floor was the top floor the floor that Amory Reid managed his empire from.

“Surely not-“I was cut off by her frustrated exhale, which was followed by a roll of her eyes. I crossed my arms over my chest, making sure not to crinkle my resume as I threw her a glare.

“Look,“ I cast my eyes over her name tag before I latched my hazel orbs onto her brown ones. “Chelsea, I don’t know what you’re trying to get at, but I know that Amory Reid isn’t carrying out the interviews. I was told to meet with-“

She interrupted me again, looking more frustrated than she had before. “She isn’t in today. Mr. Reid’s receptionist will speak to you.”

When I opened my mouth to speak, she ignored me. She went back to typing on the computer in front of her while she acted as if I wasn’t there.

With a frustrated breath, I gathered myself, making my way towards the elevator as I attempted to mentally prepare myself for the interview that I needed to ace.