FINDING ROSE

ROSE

I walked across campus, my bag swinging lightly against my side. The morning sun warmed my shoulders, and I tried to focus on getting to class without thinking about the internship though, of course, Elsie had other plans.

"Rose! Did you apply for the Sterling & Co. internship yet?" she practically shouted the second I reached the steps. Her eyes were wide, sparkling with that impossible energy she always carried.

I laughed nervously, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Ah... I completely forgot. I was buried in studying last night." I answered walking into the lecture room with her.

Before Elsie could start her lecture, the lecture hall swung open, and Professor Hale's authoritative presence immediately commanded attention. "Good morning, class," she announced, and suddenly all the energy Elsie had tried to release was redirected into polite silence. I sank into my seat with a quiet sigh, grateful for the reprieve.

The lecture passed in a blur. I scribbled notes without really reading them, my mind spinning with thoughts of what Elsie would say about the internship and about everything else. When the bell finally rang, I felt my shoulders loosen.

As we stepped outside, Elsie linked her arm through mine. "Lunch?" she asked, practically bouncing. I smiled, letting her drag me toward the cafeteria.

Just as we passed the administration building, a familiar voice called my name. "Rose?"

I turned to see Mrs. Pamela, our guidance counselor, striding toward me. Her expression was kind but carried a sense of urgency that made my stomach twist. "Good morning, Rose. The school administrators would like to see you, they requested an audience."

I froze for a moment, unsure if I should panic or stay calm. "Oh... okay. Thank you for letting me know, Mrs. Pamela."

I glanced at Elsie, who had stopped beside me. "Sorry, I have to go. Something's come up," I said apologetically.

Her eyes widened, and she opened her mouth, probably to lecture me about the internship again. "Go on, then," she said, her voice softening. "Don't keep them waiting."

I nodded, giving her a quick smile, and began walking toward the administrators' block. My mind raced. Did this have something to do with Sterling & Co.? Could it be about the internship? My heartbeat quickened, and I realized I'd started walking faster without meaning to.

As I entered the building, I passed the polished floors and the familiar portraits of past school leaders. Everything smelled faintly of polished wood and fresh paper a comforting yet intimidating mix. I stopped at the front desk and was directed to the administrators' conference room.

Sitting there, waiting, I tried to calm myself, folding my hands in my lap. My eyes wandered over the room: tall windows letting in the afternoon sun, sleek chairs, and a long table that made the space feel serious, official. My thoughts kept flicking back to Elsie's warnings, the Sterling & Co. internship, and... well, everything I had yet to figure out about the future.

Finally, a door opened, and one of the administrators stepped in, giving me a small, encouraging smile. "Rose, thank you for coming. We have someone very important who would like to speak with you regarding an opportunity at Sterling & Co."

My pulse quickened. I straightened in my chair, trying to hide the mix of nerves and excitement that bubbled inside me. "Yes, sir," I said quietly, my voice steadier than I felt.

As the minutes ticked by, I tried to imagine who it could be, my mind racing through the list of names Elsie and I had discussed, the stories about the company, the few glimpses I had of their top executives. Whoever it was, I knew this meeting could change everything.

The door opened again. I held my breath, and my stomach tightened.

I froze.

Two men stepped in, their presence filling the room in a way that made the air feel heavier. The first tall, broad-shouldered, with an aura so commanding it was almost suffocating walked with the kind of confidence that didn't need to be announced. 

His dark eyes were calm but sharp, as though they saw through everything and everyone. Beside him was another man, slightly younger looking, with a composed expression and a sharpness in his gaze that told me he wasn't just a shadow he was someone who got things done.

My throat went dry.

It couldn't be...

My heart pounded against my chest as recognition slammed into me. The car. The black luxury car with the custom plate I had taken petty revenge on yesterday. The man with the silver-eyed stare that had left me fuming.

No. No. No.

I forced myself to sit straighter, gripping the edges of my chair so tightly my knuckles ached. Did they know? Had they seen? My mind flashed back to the hiss of air leaving the tires, the guilty thrill of satisfaction I'd felt scribbling my revenge. That thrill now curdled into dread.

"Rose," one of the administrators said warmly, completely oblivious to the storm raging in my chest. 

"Allow me to introduce Mr. Adrian Sterling, CEO of Sterling & Co., and his associate, Mr. Ethan Cole."

My stomach dropped so hard I thought I might faint. Sterling. CEO.

Oh, God. I had vandalized the CEO's car.

I forced a weak smile, praying it didn't look as terrified as I felt. My thoughts raced. Maybe they didn't know. Maybe they hadn't checked the dash camera yet. Maybe... just maybe...

But  Adrian's gaze landed on me, calm, unreadable. His eyes lingered a fraction too long, like he was piecing together a puzzle I didn't want him to solve. My skin prickled.

Don't look guilty. Don't look guilty. Just breathe.

Ethan leaned in slightly to murmur something to him, his expression neutral. I swallowed hard, wishing I could rewind time, wishing I had walked past that car yesterday instead of letting my temper win.

My heart screamed regret, but my face, I prayed looked calm.

Because if they knew? My little act of "sweet revenge" might just ruin everything.

Adrain looks at me once more before asking " Do you like cars miss rose".

......

That's it, I'm done.