SKY
I stood in front of the mirror one last ti, smoothing down the white blouse that hugged just right, not too tight, just professional.
Black trousers, simple low heels, and my navy wool coat because the wind outside was biting cold.
I pinned my hair back neatly, added small gold earrings, took a deep breath, and grabbed my folder with my resu and notes. Ready. Or at least pretending to be.
When I opened the door, Levi was standing there.
"Good morning... Where are you going?" he asked, eyes already suspicious.
My whole mood crashed at once when I saw him. "Why do you even care? And why are you here?"
He stepped closer to with a small smile. "I wanted to invite you for lunch. I am eting Mr. Voss, and he asked to et my girlfriend..."
I rolled my eyes. "I have sowhere to be." I cut him off and tried to close the door, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled back inside, shutting the door behind us.
"Sothing’s wrong with you," he whispered. I saw fear flash in his eyes for a second. "You are so cold now. Like you don’t care about anymore. Did I do sothing? Please tell ... You don’t even look at the sa way."
I pushed his hand off. "Levi... I asked for a break and that’s because I don’t have feelings for you anymore."
"But why? I love you. We were good. Is it because you got fired?"
I gave a bitter laugh. "So it’s true? You only loved the work version of , the one with the position and the title?" he argued.
"I don’t have ti for this. I have to go." I replied.
"Where?"
"You don’t expect to sit inside all day doing nothing." I fired back at him.
"I am your fiancé. I deserve to know where you’re going!" He raised his voice and pushed back against the wall.
"Levi!"
"Yeah, I am tired of your gas. I won’t just let you treat however you want. When was the last ti I even touched you? Maybe if I remind you..."
"What the fuck!" I shouted, almost slapping his face right there.
His hands were already on my coat, yanking the buttons open roughly. Fingers pulled at my blouse, popping a button loose.
He pressed his body against mine, mouth coming toward my neck, hands sliding down as he owned . "You need this," he muttered. "You will rember."
Panic exploded in my chest. My coat twisted around my arms, blouse half-open, cold air hitting my skin. I thrashed, but he was stronger.
No, I can’t let him have his way. At once I brought my knee up hard, straight into his groin.
He scread and doubled over, hands flying down. "You...!"
I shoved him with everything I had, making him stumble back. I didn’t wait before I ran out the door, coat flapping, blouse ssy, hair coming loose. My hands shook so badly I could barely get the key in the car door.
The second ti he did this. The second ti I felt truly scared of him.
I jumped into the car William gave , slamd the door, and drove off fast. Tears burned my eyes, but I blinked them away. I couldn’t fall apart now. Not when I had an interview, I quickly adjusted my outfit by checking myself in the rearview mirror before I drove out.
Not quite long the building ca into view.
"W.H. Agency."
It had huge, tall glass walls that sparkled in the morning sun, clean lines, and beautiful gardens all around it.
The na sat in big silver letters above the entrance, Won’s Horizon Agency. My heart pounded. How was I even here? How could soone like get a chance after everything?
I parked, fixed my blouse as best I could, buttoned my coat, smoothed my hair, and walked inside.
The lobby was bright and calm, with fresh flowers, soft music when I got to the receptionist she smiled at .
"Good morning. How can I help?" she asked, giving a bit of hope that I could be given this position I am requesting for.
"I am here for the interview. Sky Morgan for the youth girls’ football coach position."
She checked her screen for a while and then she spoke out. "Yes. Third floor. Ms. Ellis will et you."
I thanked her and rode the elevator up, stomach twisting tighter with every floor.
Ms. Ellis, a nice woman in her forties, shook my hand. "This way, please... we are done for the day but I feel like you should be given an opportunity so I will squeeze you in.."
She led to a conference room with big windows and a long table. Three won were already sitting there.
One of them was William’s mother.
My heart stopped for a second. I felt my face go hot, then cold, I really hoped badly that she wouldn’t recognize , thank goodness I didn’t wear the bracelet she had given to . She smiled that polite, sly smile from the masquerade ball.
I was the last one, so Ms. Ellis pointed to a chair. "Please sit." I handed her my CV with a lot of prayers and sat, hands clasped tight in my lap so no one would see them shake.
The woman with glasses spoke first. "You are Sky Morgan.. the one who used to coach Levi Grant’s youth team, right? The one who got fired?"
I swallowed at once, why would I think I wouldn’t be recognized? "Yes. That’s ." I replied.
William’s mother stayed quiet, just watching.
Then the red-haired woman next to her leaned forward. "Your firing was all over the news. Parents read those things. Why should we let soone with that kind of reputation coach our girls?"
I took a breath before finally speaking. "I know it looks bad. But that firing wasn’t because I was bad at my job. It was politics. I took a losing team and made them win more gas with a 40% better record in one season. I never did anything wrong. If you give a chance, I promise I will show you the results. If I don’t work out, I’ll leave."
The glasses-wearing woman asked, "You were known for pushing a hard and aggressive style. These are young girls. We care more about them growing and enjoying football than winning every ga. How would you change?"
"I already changed," I said quietly. "For older players I pushed, but for girls this age I will focus on basics and building confidence, good technique, and teamwork. Winning cos after they feel strong and happy on the field."
William’s mother finally spoke. Her voice was calm, but I felt every word like a test. "You lost your job because of rumors, people said you got special treatnt because of connections. How do we know you won’t bring favoritism here? Maybe play favorites with certain girls who have powerful families?"
My throat felt right at once. "I never played favorites. I gave every player the sa chance based on how hard they worked and how much they improved. My best players were the ones nobody expected. I don’t care who their parents are. I care about who shows up and tries."
The red-haired woman jumped in again. "But parents will still Google you. They will see the headlines. Why should we risk our agency’s na on soone who already has damage?"
"Because I want to fix it," I said. "Let start small. Let prove it with these girls. If the parents complain, I will understand if you let go. But I believe I can turn things around for them and for ."
William’s mother leaned back, fingers together. "One last thing. Tactics. You’re down one goal, ten minutes left. What do you tell your girls? What’s your plan for young players who might get scared?"
I pictured the field. My voice ca strong now. "I tell them to breathe. Stay calm. We press high to win the ball back fast with no panic. Switch play quickly to the wings to open up space. Fullbacks overlap, midfielders stay close for short passes. We build from the back so they feel safe with the ball and before the ga, I do quick visualization, close my eyes, see the goal, feel the win.."
Silence, everyone went mute and was all looking at .
I bowed my head a little. "Thank you for listening."
Just then the door opened and Mr. Thornfield walked in.
The room went completely quiet. He looked exactly like he did at the gala, tall, with silver hair, that quiet power that made everyone sit straighter.
"Ms. Morgan," he said. "Please finish."
I repeated the last part, shorter this ti, but clear. When I finished, I bowed again. "Thank you."
He nodded once. "We will discuss and call you with our decision. You will hear soon."
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