Chapter 4 Let's Burn Together

I entered my room exhausted. I examined it carefully. All my memories were still here, as if time had never moved. Everything was frozen, and I was the only one who had run.

I threw myself onto the bed and stared at the ceiling.

Had I really gone back in time? Was this my second chance? Or was I dreaming? Everything still felt like a dream, and my mind had not yet accepted what was happening.

I couldn’t sleep. My thoughts kept circling around James, Lena, and my mother.

I suddenly got up and opened my old notebook. I tore out the first page and wrote on a new one with a black pen: “Things I must achieve in this life.”

1. Financial stability

I will not be broke anymore. I will get a good job suited to my skills.

I sighed when I remembered Alexander’s question: “What will you add to the company?”

“I answered with ‘the mute’…” I said, shaking my head. What a disastrous first failure.

2. Protect my mother at any cost

She is my first and most important goal. After one month, I will not let my mother die. If anyone touches her, I will burn them.

3. Revenge on James

Everything he gained—whether through me or not—he will lose. The company, the reputation, the power. I will take everything from him.

4. Exposing Lena’s true face

What she fears most is her innocent mask being exposed. And I will tear that mask in front of everyone.

“You are not the only one who knows how to act, my dear… I also deserve a Nobel Prize,” I said, smiling sarcastically.

5. Finding a man better than James a thousand times over

Not to provoke him, but because I deserve a man who does not sell me at the first turn. A man who chooses me even if the world burns.

“I think it will be difficult , but it’s fine. If there is no man worthy of me, then no idiot like James will ever have me,” I whispered with a faint bitter smile.

I closed the notebook and hid it under my mattress.

“This time, James…” I whispered as I turned off the light. “I’m the one playing.”

Suddenly… a notification.

I quickly grabbed my phone. A message from the company:

“Ms. Estrella, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted for the position. We will see you tomorrow at 8 a.m.”

I gasped and covered my mouth. I jumped off the bed ,repeating, “They accepted me! They accepted me!”

I laughed and cried, hugging my pillow. Finally.

I pulled my notebook again and marked the first goal. I never imagined it would happen so quickly… I hoped the rest would be just as easy.

The next morning…

I was the first to arrive at the company. My clothes were neat, my hair tied up, and my file in my hand. The secretary led me to the boss’s office.

I entered Alexander’s office confidently. He was sitting behind his large desk, looking at his laptop as if I didn’t exist.

I placed the file in front of him and said calmly:

“I came to submit my file… and I also want to apologize for what I said during the interview. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“Get out.”

He didn’t look up. He said it coldly.

I froze for a moment.

“But ..”

He finally raised his eyes. One look was enough to silence me completely.

“get out. The secretary will give you your tasks.”

I bit my lip and left, feeling humiliation burn inside my chest.

What did I expect? A warm welcome?

I sat at my desk, and soon the secretary placed a huge file in front of me.

“Finish it by noon.”

“Alright,” I said.

Before I could even open it, she returned with another file… then another… and another.

Within an hour, the files piled up until I could barely see my desk.

Hours passed. Employees left one by one. Night fell, and the lights of the company slowly dimmed.

I kept working until exhaustion took over, and my head fell onto the papers.

I don’t know how long passed, but I felt a shadow above me.

“Are you sleeping on your first day of work?”

A cold voice woke me up.

I opened my eyes quickly. It was him… Alexander, standing above me with his hands in his pockets.

“Get up. Make me coffee.”

I stood up nervously.

“Ah… sorry sir, right away.”

I walked toward the coffee corner, muttering under my breath:

“I wish I could spill it on him and burn that handsome face of his…”

“Did you say something?” he asked in a dangerous tone.

I turned quickly. “No! Nothing at all.”

I carried the hot cup back carefully. I was walking fast when I lost my balance.

“Watch out!”

At the last moment, he grabbed my waist and pulled me toward him. The coffee spilled completely over his white shirt.

I gasped. “Oh my God! I’m sorry! I didn’t know my wish would come true!”

He froze.

Then he slowly grabbed my wrist, stopping my shaking hands. He pulled me closer until our breaths almost collided.

He looked at me deeply.

“A wish?” he said in a low voice. “Did you wish to burn me?”

He leaned closer, his voice dropping into a whisper.

“What if I burn you too?”