I spent the next two days glued to my phone as a laptop, applying to every job I could find, I filled out application after application till my hands ached, rewriting my resumes, sending emails after emails. It was 5:35pm and I was exhausted. I needed a break, headed to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water, surrounded by plastic cups and empty mugs. My phone buzzed again, I exhaled shakily and checked my email for the 1000th time.
"We appreciate your interest, but we are unable to proceed with your application at this time."
Rejected. again.
Oh no no this can't be happening, not even one good response, rejections hitting me left and right. My stomach sank " this doesn't make sense" "I'm qualified, why is everyone rejecting me?."
I tried calling a sister company who we've collaborated with in the past, there's clearly an opening which I fit perfectly.
"Hi, I'm following up on the status of my job application…
The voice on the other end cut me short "Ms lane, we were advised to avoid hiring you, I'm sorry, please be advised to stop contacting us."
The line went dead.
I stared blankly at my phone, my heart hammering and the voice repeatedly saying in my head "we were advised to avoid hiring you"
No no no no
I called another sister company I applied for.
"Hello I'm calling about my resume..
"Name?" a bored voice answered.
"Ariana Lane."
A short pause. Then a nervous whisper before the line disconnected.
My chest tightened, this can't be happening, Panic rising like wildfire. I dialed one more company, one I had nearly been hired by previously.
"Hello, Ariana," the HR woman answered quietly, as if afraid to be heard. "I shouldn't even be talking to you but… look, someone powerful blacklisted your name. Every company that partners with big corporations has been warned. If we hire you, we'll lose investors."
My throat closed. "You mean I'm blacklisted?"
"I'm sorry. Whoever you angered, they want you gone."
The call ended.
For a moment, I couldn't breathe. My body felt numb, heavy, hollow.
I slid down to the kitchen floor, back against the wall, tears finally spilling over. My life, My future, My dreams, destroyed with a single phone call.
Her flatmate Maya came running from the hallway.
"Ariana! What happened? Why are you on the floor?"
I shook her head, voice cracking, trying to steady myself.
"It's over. I can't get a job. No one wants to hire me. They said I'm blacklisted."
"Blacklisted? By who?"
I swallowed hard. My voice was barely a whisper.
"Liam Frost."
Maya's eyes widened with fear. "The billionaire? Ari, you can't fight someone like him."
I wiped her tears, jaw tightening with fierce determination.
"I have to. I'm not going to let a man who doesn't even know the truth ruin my life. I will make him pay."
But inside, I was breaking.
That evening…..
I stood outside my apartment building, staring at the city lights
I wrapped my arms around myself , cold wind biting my skin.
For the first time in years, I felt truly helpless.
And in a penthouse far above the city, Liam Frost sat in his dark office, staring at a news photo of the slap that had gone viral.
Her face.
Her fire.
The look in her eyes.
He expected satisfaction. But instead, something unfamiliar twisted in his chest — irritation… and interest.
He took a slow breath and leaned back in his chair.
"Ariana Lane," he murmured.
"Who are you?"
She looked so soft and fierce at the same time, her honey brown hair that highlighted her olive skin so well, and her eyes those eyes where to die for, and her breasts were itching to be touched through those plaid shirts of hers,
"Who are you Ariana?" He asked again in his empty penthouse.
He didn't know it yet, but fate was already pulling them back together.