"I know! I wanted to vanish. But listen…" she paused, growing a little more serious. "I think I impressed them."
Aiden turned his head toward her. "Really?"
"Yeah. They seemed… interested. One of them even said I had the presence they were looking for. And when they asked me why Lancaster Estate, I wanted to be honest, but…"
"But?" he asked gently.
"I paused. Thought of Mum. Thought of how I need to keep supporting her and still finish my degree. That it's not about luxury for me—it's about *survival*." She took a deep breath. "But I gave them a good answer. Said I admired their integrity and structure. That I wanted to grow professionally in a place that valued both clients and employees."
Aiden stared at her for a long moment. "You know what, Leni?"
"What?"
"I've always known you were unstoppable."
She smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Stop."
"No, really. I mean—you're one of the most resilient people I know. You've got this way of falling flat on your face, then somehow flipping it into a runway walk."
She laughed, swatting him playfully. "That makes no sense, but thank you."
He got up, crossed the room, and grabbed two cans of soda from his fridge. He tossed her one and sat back down.
"I hope you get it," he said sincerely. "But even if you don't, there's something coming. I feel it."
There was a beat of silence between them—comfortable, charged with unspoken things.
Then, Elena said, "Aiden?"
"Hmm?"
"You kinda zoned out when I was talking earlier. Where was your mind?"
Aiden blinked, caught off guard. "Uhh… nowhere. Just tired, I guess."
She narrowed her eyes. "You sure? You were looking at me weird."
He looked away quickly. "Yeah, no. Just thinking."
"What about?"
He hesitated. "About how fast things are changing. About you… and your dreams. I don't know. Just proud, I guess."
Elena softened, . "Thanks. That means a lot coming from you."
Aiden nodded, giving her a quick smile. "Always."
They clinked their soda cans together and sipped in silence, the soft hum of music from Aiden's speaker filling the room.
Aiden leaned back into his bean bag chair, resting his soda on his knee, and twirled a pencil between his fingers. Elena was sprawled across his bed, eyes on the ceiling, lost in her thoughts.
"Do you ever wonder if we're doing enough?" she asked suddenly.
Aiden tilted his head. "Enough how?"
"You know… enough to change our lives. Like, everything feels like it's hanging by a string. A job interview here, a song release there. What if none of it sticks?"
He was quiet for a moment. "I think about that every day. But I think we're allowed to not have it all figured out. We're still building. That's the point, isn't it?"
Elena sighed. "Yeah. But sometimes I wish life would just hand me one clear win."
Aiden chuckled. "You mean like not spilling coffee on potential employers?"
She threw a pillow at him. "That was one time!"
"Twice, technically. Remember Professor Hudson in college?"
"Okay, that was tea. And I was nervous. He kept breathing like Darth Vader."
They both laughed until Elena's face softened again.
"I just want to make Mum proud," she said quietly. "She works so hard for me. She hasn't had a proper day off in months."
Aiden's tone changed, warm and serious. "You do make her proud, Elena. She tells me every time I go over. She thinks you're the strongest person she knows."
Her throat tightened, and she blinked rapidly. "You just made that up."
"I didn't. I swear".
Elena smiled, brushing her thumb over the rim of her soda can. "Thanks, Aiden."
He looked at her, really looked at her, and the words were on the tip of his tongue. Three simple words. But he swallowed them again, like he always did.
Instead, he said, "So… this mysterious CEO. Think you'll see him again?"
She rolled her eyes. "Probably not. I'm not even sure he's the same guy. Plus, men like that don't exactly spend time around receptionists."
Aiden's jaw tightened slightly, but he masked it with a shrug. "You never know. Life's full of surprises."
Elena nodded, finishing her drink. "And if he does turn out to be my boss, I'll just have to pretend like I don't remember spilling hot coffee on him."
"Smooth. Very professional."
"Oh shut up, like you've never embarrassed yourself in public."
"I've never spilled drinks. My shame is purely emotional."
She laughed. "That's even worse."
The room fell into a warm silence again, the kind only best friends shared. Outside, the sun had begun to set, casting a soft amber glow into Aiden's room.
He turned toward her one last time. "You know… whatever happens next—job or no job, CEO or not—I hope you remember that you're more than your circumstances. You're Elena freaking Morrison. You've got fire."
She blinked away the sudden sting behind her eyes. "You really are the softest badass I know."
"I try."
She checked the time and groaned. "Crap, I need to head home. Mum will be off her shift soon, and I promised to make dinner."
Aiden walked her to the door. "Text me as soon as you get home, okay?"
"I always do."
"And Elena?"
She turned on the porch.
He hesitated again… then just said, "You're gonna get that job."
She smiled. "You think so?"
"I know so."
With that, she waved and headed down the path, her figure slowly disappearing into the city's dusky glow.
Aiden stood there a few more seconds, staring after her.
Then he whispered to himself, "I just hope you don't fall for someone else before I finally tell you."