Evie’s POV
I barely made it to my desk before the weight of the world came crashing down.
Evie Hamilton will be the team leader.
Adrien’s words replayed in my head, over and over, like a broken record. How could he say it so casually? As if it was nothing. As if it didn’t completely upend my carefully constructed reality.
I wasn’t ready for this. I was just an intern—a glorified note-taker. I didn’t have years of experience or the commanding presence that Sasha had. She was the epitome of confidence, always in control, and the team respected her for it. Me? I was lucky to get through a meeting without tripping over my words.
I sank into my chair, my heart racing as I stared at the growing pile of work I’d been avoiding. I should focus—knock out an email or two, maybe draft one of the proposals waiting for review. But my mind was stuck in that conference room, reliving every second of Adrien’s announcement.
And his smirk.
That damned smirk. It was like he knew this would throw me off balance. Like he was waiting for me to crack.
“Evie, you okay?”
I looked up to find Sasha standing by my desk, her arms crossed and her eyebrows furrowed. Her sharp gaze softened when she saw my expression.
“I’m fine,” I lied, forcing a shaky smile.
Sasha wasn’t buying it. She perched on the edge of my desk, her concern shifting to curiosity. “It’s Adrien, isn’t it? Dropping that bomb on you in front of everyone?”
I exhaled sharply, the truth tumbling out before I could stop it. “I didn’t see it coming. One minute, I’m taking notes, and the next, I’m supposed to lead the team. Me.” I gestured at myself as if that explained everything. “I’m not even a full-time employee, Sash..... I’m just the intern. What if I screw this up?”
Sasha tilted her head, studying me with a mix of amusement and empathy.
“Evie, come on. You’re not just ‘the intern.’ You’ve been pulling more weight than half the people in this office since day one. Do you think Adrien gives leadership roles to just anyone?”
I shook my head, the knot in my chest tightening. “I don’t know, Sasha. Maybe he’s just testing me, or maybe he’s waiting for me to fail. Either way, it feels like too much.”
“Listen.” Sasha’s tone shifted to something firmer, more commanding. “Adrien doesn’t test people he doesn’t see potential in. He pushes because he knows you can handle it. And let’s face it—when have you ever backed down from a challenge?”
“I’m not sure this is the same,” I murmured, my fingers fidgeting with the edge of my notebook.
Sasha sighed dramatically. “You’re letting him get in your head. And, no offense, but it’s not a great look on you.” She leaned forward, her expression softening again. “You’ve got this, Evie. You’re smart, hardworking, and—whether you believe it or not—ready. And if you need backup, I’ve got your back, okay?”
Her words landed with surprising weight, cutting through the storm of doubt swirling in my chest.
“Okay,” I said finally, my voice steadier. “You really think I can do this?”
“I know you can,” Sasha said, flashing me a grin. “But you need to stop doubting yourself. That’s the only thing holding you back.”
I exhaled slowly, some of the tension in my shoulders melting away.
“Alright,” I said, straightening in my chair. “I guess I’ll give it a shot. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“That’s the spirit!” Sasha clapped her hands together. “Now, let’s get out of here for a bit. Coffee. My treat. We’ll brainstorm ideas for the proposal and get your confidence back where it belongs.”
The thought of stepping away from my desk—even for a few minutes—felt like a lifeline. “Coffee sounds perfect.”
---
Later at the Café
The smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries enveloped us as we settled into our usual booth. Sasha slid a caramel latte across the table to me, a knowing smile on her face.
“Alright,” she began, leaning back in her seat. “Let’s strategize. Adrien wants you to lead, so let’s show him what you’re made of. What’s your first move?”
I hesitated, my fingers tracing the rim of my cup. “I don’t even know where to start. The whole team is probably expecting me to fail.”
“Wrong.” Sasha’s voice was sharp, cutting through my self-doubt. “The team is looking for direction. You’ve already earned their respect through your work. Now you just need to step into the role Adrien gave you. Think outside the box, Evie. What’s something you bring to the table that no one else can?”
Her confidence was infectious. As she spoke, I could feel my brain starting to engage again, pieces of an idea forming in the back of my mind.
“What if…” I trailed off, glancing at her for encouragement.
Sasha leaned forward, her eyes gleaming. “What if what? Come on, spill.”
“What if we focus on sustainability? A system that doesn’t just improve efficiency but also reduces environmental impact. It’s bold, and it’s not something the competition would expect.”
Sasha’s grin widened. “Now that is the kind of thinking that’ll set you apart. See? You’ve got this.”
For the first time that day, I felt a flicker of confidence—small but growing. Maybe I could do this. Maybe I wasn’t as out of my depth as I thought.
“You’re right,” I said, meeting her gaze. “I can do this.”
Sasha raised her latte in a mock toast. “Damn right, you can. Now let’s make Adrien eat that smirk of his when you blow this project out of the water.”
I laughed, the sound light and freeing. For the first time since the meeting, I felt like I could breathe again.
Sasha was right. I had what it took. And Adrien? He was about to find out just how capable I really was.
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I really love Sasha😊and their friendship is sooo cuteee😭❤️
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Bitter Love
RomanceEvie's life was simple-until a fateful encounter with Adrien Lacroix, the cold and untouchable CEO, drags her into a world she never imagined. Beneath his polished exterior lies a maze of secrets, and as Evie becomes entangled in his life, she disco...
