Bound by Chance

a faint echo of the city's buzz outside, the occasional chirp of her alarm clock, and the distant so

ter how hard she tried, the words felt flat. Her thoughts kept circling bac

n the door

e late!" Lily's muffled

r. Lily stood there, dressed in her usual vibrant fashion- a floral

Emma asked, squin

rkshop! Remember? The

forehead. "I completely

g her by the arm. "And who knows, maybe y

essors, and industry professionals. A buzz of excitement filled

hat kind of workshop. She sud

spered, nudging her. "Is

around nervously. "He won't e

ed but sai

e stage to introduce Adrian. Emma sank

emed to hold its breath as he began to speak, his deep voice commanding attention.

f encounters-his enigmatic expressions, the unexpected softness in his v

he host invited stud

mma. "Go on!

mma whisper

raised

inned and stood. "My question is... um... actual

y eye in the room

was a flicker of recognition in his eyes, and for a mo

k," she began, her voice shaky but growing stronger, "you mentioned the importance of innovation.

ation of every decision. At Blackstone, we've had to make difficult choices-some profitable, others less so-but

htful. Emma nodded, feeling a

sitting down quickly

ma and Lily walked ba

"I mean, you only looked like you want

the bus," Emma retorted, tho

. And did you see ho

don't care,

er shift, determined to forget the day's events. Bu

to the counter. Instead, he scanned

aid, approaching he

Mr. Black. What bring

perhaps a conversation,

aught off guar

ounter. "I appreciated your question today

u," Emma said, fumbling with the cof

ess," Adrian said, watching her closely. "

he could see right through her

p his coffee and smiled-a small, almost imperceptible

aving Emma with more q