Chapter 58
Aria’s POV
The phone buzzes on my desk, cutting through the soft hum of the office. I glance at the screen, already knowing who it is before I pick up.
The executive’s name flashes across my phone, and a knot forms in my stomach. I’ve been expecting this call, but that doesn’t make it any easier.
“Aria, we really need an answer soon,” the voice on the other end says. There’s a pressure there, not overt but lingering between the words.
“We’ve been patient, but we need to know if you’re going to accept the promotion.”
I grip the phone tighter, my mind racing. I thought I’d have more time to decide, but here it is—now or never. The decision looms over me, casting a shadow on everything else.
“I understand,” I say, trying to sound calm, even though my thoughts are anything but. “I’ll get back to you soon.”
The call ends, and I drop the phone onto the desk, letting out a shaky breath. Stress clings to me like a second skin, and the weight of it all feels overwhelming.
I need advice.
I need Isabel.
Later that afternoon, I find myself sitting in Isabel’s office, nervously playing with the edge of my sleeve as she listens patiently.
She always has a way of making me feel heard, and right now, I need that more than anything.
“I don’t know what to do,” I admit, my voice tinged with frustration. “The promotion is a huge opportunity, but what if I’m not ready? What if it’s too much too soon?”
Isabel leans back in her chair, her expression thoughtful but calm.
“Aria, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by something like this. But remember, saying yes or no doesn’t mean you’re locked into that decision forever.”
I blink, slightly confused. “What do you mean?”
“You’re young,” Isabel continues.
“Your career is yours to shape. If you say yes to the promotion and later realize it’s not right for you, you can always make a change. And if you say no now, that doesn’t mean opportunities won’t come up again.”
I nod, trying to let her words sink in. Isabel’s advice is practical, but it’s still hard to see past the fear of making the wrong decision.
“You need to listen to your gut,” Isabel adds, her tone firm but encouraging. “You’ve always had good instincts, Aria. Trust yourself.”
I give her a small, appreciative smile, feeling a bit more grounded after our conversation. Maybe she’s right—maybe I’ve been so caught up in the fear of making a mistake that I’ve forgotten I have the power to steer my own path.
The next day, I’m standing in front of a small team during a training session, my hands gripping the presentation clicker a little too tightly.
I’ve had this presentation prepared for weeks, but the stress of the promotion is weighing on me, making my thoughts feel scattered.
I click to the next slide, trying to focus on the information in front of me, but I stumble over my words.
A brief moment of silence fills the room as I pause, trying to gather myself. My heart races, and I can feel the eyes of my team on me.
“Uh, sorry about that,” I mutter, giving a half-hearted chuckle. “Let’s, um, move on.”
The team is generally forgiving, offering nods and encouraging smiles.
But as I glance around, I notice two pairs of eyes that seem more concerned than the rest—Liam and Jackson.
They’re sitting near the back, both of them watching me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle.
Liam’s expression is more guarded, but there’s a subtle crease in his brow that tells me he’s worried. Jackson, on the other hand, looks directly at me, his gaze full of unspoken questions.
I manage to finish the presentation, though it’s far from my best work.
As the team begins to filter out of the room, I pack up my materials quickly, hoping to escape without having to explain myself.
But Jackson catches up to me before I can slip away.
“Hey, Aria,” he calls, his voice gentle but insistent. “You okay?”
I pause, turning to face him. His concern is genuine, and for a moment, I feel the weight of everything press down on me again.
“I’m fine,” I lie, forcing a smile. “Just... a lot on my plate right now.”
Jackson crosses his arms, clearly not buying it. “Look, I know when something’s bothering you. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, but just know I’m here if you need to.”
His words hit me harder than I expect.
Jackson has always been there, quietly supportive without pushing too hard. It’s comforting, but at the same time, it stirs up emotions I’ve been trying to suppress.
“I just... I don’t want to lose everything,” I blurt out before I can stop myself. “This promotion... the people I’ve met along the way... I don’t know how to balance it all.”
Jackson tilts his head slightly, his expression softening.
“Aria, you’re not going to lose anyone. You’ve built relationships that go deeper than a job title. And anyone worth keeping in your life will stick around no matter what.”
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, feeling a small wave of relief wash over me. Jackson’s words make sense, even if I’m still not entirely sure what the future holds.
“Thanks,” I say quietly, offering him a genuine smile this time. “I needed that.”
He grins back, giving me a playful nudge on the shoulder. “Anytime. Just don’t keep all that stress bottled up, okay? You’ve got people who care.”
I nod, feeling lighter as he walks away. He doesn’t push for more answers, and I’m grateful for that.
That night, sleep doesn’t come easily. I toss and turn, my mind racing with thoughts of the promotion, Joe, Liam, and Logan.
When I finally do drift off, my dreams are a confusing blur of emotions.
In one dream, I’m standing at the entrance of a new office, a sleek nameplate with my title gleaming on the door. Inside, everything is polished and pristine, but it feels cold, distant.
I turn around, and Joe is standing at the doorway, looking at me with wide, questioning eyes.
In another dream, I’m with Logan, sitting at a familiar café. He’s smiling at me, but there’s a sadness in his eyes, like he knows I’m slipping away.
He reaches across the table to hold my hand, but before he can, the scene shifts, and suddenly I’m standing on the beach with Liam.
The waves crash against the shore as he speaks, his words muffled by the wind, but the way he looks at me... it’s the same look he gave me when we first met.
I wake up feeling more confused than ever. The dreams linger in my mind, making my decision feel even harder.
But one thing is clear—whatever choice I make, it’s going to change everything.
