The elevator doors glided open with a soft chime, and Layla stepped into the cold, echoing corridor of the 25th floor, her heels clicking against the marble like a warning. She clutched her purse tighter, adjusted the lapels of her blazer, and exhaled sharply. This was it. Her third interview this week. Her final shot at landing a job before rent was due and reality swallowed her whole.
The receptionist barely looked up as she directed her toward the large glass doors at the end of the hall.
“Wait inside. They’ll be with you shortly.”
Layla smoothed her skirt and pushed through the heavy doors into a sleek boardroom bathed in natural light. The skyline of Lagos glittered behind the tall windows, but her eyes weren’t drawn to the view.
They were drawn to the man.
He sat alone at the fa
