Zara remained seated for a second after the car stopped.
Her eyes stayed fixed on the building ahead. The glass doors. The uniformed staff near the entrance. The movement of people going in and out.
A hotel.
She swallowed.
Her fingers tightened slightly around her bag.
"Sir… here?"
she asked softly.
Mr. Adeyemi nodded casually, already unfastening his seatbelt.
"Yes. Let's talk inside. It's quieter."
Zara hesitated.
She had expected an office conversation. Or at least somewhere open. The eatery made more sense. Even a lounge.
But this?
She glanced around again.
Maybe there was a restaurant inside. Maybe he didn't want noise. Maybe she was overthinking.
She pushed the door open and stepped out.
The air outside was warmer than inside the car. She adjusted her bag and followed him toward the entrance.
The glass doors opened automatically.
Cool air met her skin immediately.
The lobby was calm. Soft lighting. Tiled floors. A few people sat at the waiting area. Someone wheeled a suitcase past them.
Zara walked beside him quietly.
Her heels clicked softly against the floor.
He didn't speak. Just walked confidently toward the elevator.
She followed.
They stepped inside. The doors slid shut.
Silence filled the small space.
Zara watched as he pressed a floor number.
It wasn't the ground floor.
Her mind began asking questions.
But she didn't speak.
The elevator began moving.
She could feel the slight lift in her stomach as it went up. The numbers changed slowly. One after another.
Mr. Adeyemi stood calmly, hands in his pockets.
Zara glanced at him briefly.
He looked relaxed.
Too relaxed.
The elevator dinged softly.
The doors opened.
He stepped out first.
Zara followed.
The hallway was quiet. Doors lined both sides. Soft lights on the walls.
Her heartbeat became louder in her ears.
He walked ahead, stopping in front of one of the doors.
He took out a key card and opened it.
Then he stepped aside.
"Come in."
Zara paused.
She looked inside.
A room.
Neatly arranged. Bed. Table. Curtains partly drawn. A small sitting area near the window.
She hesitated.
He noticed.
"Relax," he said calmly.
"Let's talk privately."
She stepped in slowly.
He entered behind her.
The door closed.
Zara moved a few steps forward, still holding her bag. She didn't sit. She wasn't sure where to position herself.
Mr. Adeyemi walked toward the chair and sat comfortably.
"You can sit," he said.
Zara nodded and took the edge of the seat opposite him.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he leaned back slightly.
"You did well in the interview."
Zara blinked.
"Thank you, sir."
"You were composed," he continued.
"Confident. Not like some others."
Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
"I tried my best."
"I noticed," he said.
Zara felt a small flicker of hope.
He continued speaking calmly.
"You're smart. You understand things quickly."
She nodded and smiled.
"I like people like that," he added.
She didn't respond.
He leaned forward.
"You know, if you join the company, you'll grow fast."
Zara looked up.
"You think so?"
"Yes. I can personally guide you. Make sure you're placed properly."
Her heart lifted.
This sounded like opportunity.
"You'll learn quickly. And your salary can increase faster than normal."
She listened carefully.
Her fingers relaxed around her bag.
"I always support people I see potential in,"
he continued.
Zara nodded slowly.
"Thank you, sir."
He smiled faintly.
"You just need to understand how things work."
"How things work?"
He leaned back again.
"Yes. Sometimes, the process is not as straightforward as it looks."
Zara tried to follow.
"I don't understand sir."
He studied her face for a moment.
Then he spoke more.
"Opportunities don't just come like that."
She remained quiet.
He continued.
"You need someone to help you."
"I understand," she said carefully.
"And I'm willing to help you."
Zara nodded again.
Her mind was still focused on the job.
He stood up slowly.
Zara watched him.
He walked closer.
"You're different," he said.
"You stood out."
He continued calmly.
"I rejected you for a reason."
Her brows pulled together.
"You rejected me?"
"Yes."
Her breathe seized.
"Why?"
He looked at her directly.
"I wanted to speak to you privately."
Zara's mind began connecting things slowly.
She stood up.
"I… I think I should go."
She adjusted her bag.
He didn't move.
"You're rushing."
"I just remembered something,"
she said quickly.
She turned toward the door.
Her heart beat faster now.
She reached the handle.
Turned it.
It didn't open.
She frowned.
She tried again.
Still locked.
She turned slowly.
Mr. Adeyemi stood a few steps behind her.
Calm.
Relaxed.
In his hand, the key card dangled lightly between his fingers.
Zara's stomach dropped.
Her fingers tightened around her bag.
He tilted his head slightly.
"Relax," he said calmly.
The key swung gently in his hand.
"We're not done talking"