Unlikely Believers

Chapter 1: A Dream Awakens

 Hadassah's POV

The early morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow on Hadassah's room. She lay in bed for a moment, allowing her senses to wake up gradually. But soon, she couldn't resist the urge to start her day, a day that had been long anticipated.

She sat up and looked at the picture on her bedside table—a cherished photograph of her and her father. Her heart ached with a mix of longing and gratitude for the memories they had shared. Her father had been her guiding light, the source of her unwavering determination and the one who had instilled in her the strength to pursue her dreams.

"Today's the big day, Dad," she whispered to the photograph, her voice steady and determined. "I'm finally here, at the company I've always dreamed of working for."

In her mind's eye, she could hear her father's reassuring voice, a voice that had carried her through the darkest of times. He would always say, "With God, anything is possible, Hadassah. Seek him first, and all else will follow."

Hadassah smiled, as if her father's words were a comforting embrace. She had taken his wisdom to heart and carried it with her on her journey. Her faith had been her strength, and it had led her to this moment.

As she reflected on the years of hard work and dedication that had brought her here, she couldn't help but feel a profound sense of achievement. She had excelled in her studies, earning top marks in her pharmaceutical program. Her research on potential treatments for diseases with unknown cures had garnered attention and praise from professors and experts in the field.

She had faced adversity, personal and academic, but had never wavered in her determination to make a difference. Her father's battle with a disease that had no known cure had cemented her passion for pharmaceutical research. It had become her mission to find solutions, to offer hope to others who faced similar struggles.

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and rose to her feet, her heart pounding with anticipation. Today, she would stand before the towering glass and steel structure of the largest pharmaceutical company in the country. It was a moment she had worked tirelessly for, a moment she wished her father could have been there to witness.

But even in his absence, she knew he was with her in spirit, guiding her every step of the way. With a silent prayer of gratitude, Hadassah took a deep breath and prepared to face the day that marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life, a chapter filled with dreams, aspirations, and a deep-seated belief that, with God's guidance, anything was possible.

 Ethan's POV

Ethan's office, located on the top floor of the ChirosGen Innovations Ltd. headquarters, was an expansive space adorned with modern art, tasteful furnishings, and an impressive view of the city below. At just 35 years old, he was a business prodigy who had built his pharmaceutical research empire from the ground up, and his office reflected the power and prestige of his position.

But today, the usually tranquil environment was marred by his anger. His voice reverberated through the room as he shouted into the phone, "I can't believe this, Mother! How could you hire an intern without consulting me?"

On the other end of the line, his mother, Eleanor, who was acting as the company's ceo during his absence, tried to maintain her composure. "Ethan, we needed to fill the position quickly, and she was the best candidate available at the time. Besides, we followed the hiring procedures."

Ethan paced back and forth in front of his desk, frustration boiling over. "The best candidate, Mother? You should have waited for me to return and make that decision. You know how competitive it is to work here, and we can't afford to bring in someone who doesn't meet our standards."

Eleanor sighed on the other end. "I understand your concerns, but she's highly qualified, Ethan. She has excellent academic records and a promising research background."

Ethan clenched his jaw, his frustration mounting. "That's not the point, Mother. We should aim for excellence, not settle for the convenient choice."

As their argument continued, Ethan couldn't help but feel a deep-seated disappointment. He had worked tirelessly to build ChirosGen Innovations Ltd. into a global pharmaceutical research powerhouse, and he expected nothing but the best from his team. The news of an intern being hired without his knowledge or approval felt like a betrayal of the standards he had set for his company.

Despite the tension between them, Eleanor tried to reason with her son. "Ethan, I know how passionate you are about this company. I promise I'll make sure she meets your expectations, and if she doesn't, we can reassess the situation."

Ethan's frustration hadn't waned, but he reluctantly agreed, "Fine, Mother. But make sure she understands the high standards we expect here. I don't want anything compromising our research efforts."

The call ended with a sense of lingering tension. Ethan couldn't shake off his frustration, and as he leaned against the window, gazing out at the city, he couldn't help but wonder how this unexpected hiring decision would impact the company he had poured his heart and soul into.