New beginning

Two years later

***

In the country of Nik, Mira Adams took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling as she surveyed her new apartment. This was the place her grandfather had promised her—a gift for her 21st birthday. After years of pleading, she had finally convinced him to let her leave their small village and start anew. He agreed with only one condition yet to discover.

The apartment was just as she had imagined—bright and full of potential. With a smile, she sank onto the bed and pulled out a little notebook. It was filled with a list of things to do, and first on her agenda was applying for a job. Mira was eager to embrace a normal life, one where she could leave behind the shadows of her past.

The war that had driven her into the forest had left scars she could never forget, no matter how hard she tried. Yet, she was determined to forge a new path. Moving to Nik was her chance to leave the past behind and start anew. A mix of excitement and nervousness filled Mira as she turned her attention to her future, ready to embrace this fresh chapter with a hopeful heart.

It was already late when Mira decided to unwind with a quick bath.

Wrapped in her nightwear, she settled into the quiet of her new apartment. As she opened her laptop, her gaze fell on the business card her grandfather had insisted she carry. He had been adamant that it might come in handy for her job search.

After a moment of hesitation, Mira decided to apply for jobs online instead. She spent some time searching for opportunities and submitting her application. Once she finished, she closed her laptop with a sigh of satisfaction.

Feeling a bit hungry, Mira grabbed a quick snack from the kitchen. She ate leisurely, savoring the simplicity of the moment. With her stomach satisfied and her mind at ease, she finally drifted off to sleep, ready to embrace whatever tomorrow would bring.

***

The sunlight filtered through the curtains, gently waking Mira. The persistent pinging and ringing of her phone had disrupted her sleep. Groggily, she reached for her phone and saw an email from an unknown sender and several missed calls from her grandfather.

Still drowsy, Mira called her grandfather back. "Hello, Grandpa, good morni—"

She was cut off mid-sentence. "Why weren't you answering my calls? Don't tell me you were still sleeping. This is exactly why I—"

Mira interjected quickly, knowing what was coming. "No, Grandpa, my phone was on Do Not Disturb," she fibbed to avoid further scolding.

"Check your email," her grandfather said sharply before ending the call.

Mira immediately opened her email, her eyes scanning the contents. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the job offer she had been hoping for. She couldn't contain her excitement and let out a squeal of happiness. Yet, a small part of her wondered how her grandfather had known about the job so quickly.

Determined to make the most of this opportunity, Mira decided to get ready. She took a refreshing bath and then dressed in a sharp, professional outfit—a sleek suit with a skirt and high heels. She grabbed a coffee from a nearby café and hailed a cab.

The cab ride took her to a grand, imposing building that took her breath away. It was much larger than she had anticipated. Mira's excitement was palpable; she still couldn't believe she'd landed the job so soon after applying.

When she arrived at the building, she was greeted by two stern-looking bodyguards at the gate. She presented them with the business card her grandfather had insisted she carry. After a quick inspection, they allowed her entry.

Inside, she waited at the reception until she was called into the office. There, she met a woman with mid-blonde hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. The woman asked for her name, and Mira introduced herself.

With a warm smile, the woman informed Mira that she had been officially hired. The news was both thrilling and surreal—Mira's new chapter had just begun.

The woman handed Mira a document. "Hello, Mira Adams. You've been hired as an Executive Assistant," she said. "Your role will involve managing schedules, coordinating activities, and ensuring smooth operations."

Mira's face lit up with a bright smile. "Thank you very much for this opportunity," she replied, her voice filled with gratitude.

The woman returned the smile with a professional nod. "You're welcome."

With a sense of accomplishment, Mira entered a small building designated for her new role. This space was where she would organize and manage her responsibilities. Excitement buzzed through her as she thought about this being one of her dream jobs.

As she reviewed the file she had been given, Mira began to organize her tasks methodically. Her movements were smooth and elegant as she set up her workspace, aligning everything perfectly to ensure efficiency. Mira settled into her new role with enthusiasm, ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

Mira Adams was settling into her new role when there was a knock at the door. She looked up to see a tall man with brownish-black hair standing in the doorway. He flashed a friendly smile and greeted her warmly.

"Hello, it's time for us to head to the café. It's our break time. I imagine you've done a lot of work and could use a break."

Mira nodded with a smile, though she wasn't particularly tired. Her enthusiasm for her new job had kept her energized. She appreciated the gesture and was excited to explore her new work environment.

The man extended his hand and introduced himself. "I'm Zack. Nice to meet you. And you are?"

Mira shook his hand and responded with a friendly smile, "Mira Adams"

Zack's smile widened. "Great to meet you, Mira. Let's head to the cafeteria."

With that, they both walked to the door and made their way to the café, eager to enjoy their break and get to know each other better.