Beneath The CEO's Terms

The smell of stale beer and disinfectant clung to the air as Evenly leaned against the counter of the quiet bar, her eyes fixed on nothing in particular. The dim, flickering neon sign outside cast a tired glow on the dusty windows, and the faint hum of the refrigerator was the only sound that broke the silence. Even the old jukebox in the corner sat dormant, its once-catchy tunes now forgotten like the dreams of those who used to crowd the bar after a long workday. The world outside felt far away, its worries and hustle blurred in the haze of empty glasses and the slow drip of time.

Her thoughts swirled-restless, heavy.

Is this it? she wondered. Will I be pouring drinks behind this counter for the rest of my life?

The thought caused a tight knot to form in her chest. Dreams of something more-something brighter-had grown dim over the years, buried beneath long shifts and quiet disappointments. She watched as her hands, worn from years of polishing glasses and mixing drinks, idly tapped against the smooth wood of the bar.

A few years ago, the idea of working behind the counter had seemed like a temporary thing. But now, with each passing year, the thought of escaping this place felt like a distant, unreachable goal. Evenly had once been the girl who dreamed of a career, of making a real impact. Now, the future seemed like a constant blur of work, worry, and waiting for something to change-anything.

The bar door swung open with a loud bang, snapping her out of her daze.

"Evenly!"

She flinched, startled, and turned toward the sound.

Standing in the doorway was Diana Cole, her best friend since college-bright, confident, and always on the move. Her curly hair bounced with every step as she stormed into the bar, face twisted in mock annoyance.

"I've been banging on that door like a lunatic!" Diana huffed, throwing her bag onto a barstool. "Thought you were passed out or something. Turns out it was open, and you're just here... zoning out."

Evenly gave a weak smile. "Sorry. I was just... thinking. Needed a moment before I start setting up."

Diana crossed her arms, her tone softening, concern replacing the teasing. "You've been doing that a lot lately. Thinking, drifting, surviving-but not really living."

Evenly exhaled slowly and pulled her apron off the back of the chair. "It's hard to think about the future when the present is this exhausting."

"What would you like to drink?" she asked, trying to change the subject.

"Tea. I've got somewhere to be soon," Diana replied, glancing at her phone. "But first, I came to ask-what's up with that job I told you about? You haven't started yet, or... don't tell me you're still unsure?"

Evenly handed her the mug, avoiding eye contact. "I applied," she said quietly. "Interview's tomorrow morning."

Diana's eyes lit up. "Finally! That's the best thing I've heard all day."

Evenly cracked a tired smile. "You've always believed in me more than I believe in myself."

"That's because I know you," Diana said, reaching across the bar to touch her hand. "You're not meant to rot in this place. You've got too much fire to be dimmed by this life."

Evenly paused, watching the steam rise from Diana's cup. A weight settled in her stomach. She had heard those words so many times before-"You've got fire," "You can do better"-but somehow, they didn't feel like truths anymore. Her heart longed to believe it, to believe in herself the way Diana did, but it felt like an impossible feat.

"And you?" Evenly asked, her voice a little softer now. "How's the salon going?"

Diana's face brightened, her eyes sparkling with a kind of energy Evenly hadn't felt in a long time. "Busy! Two new stylists started this week. We're booked solid for the next month. I've barely had time to breathe."

Evenly smiled softly, genuinely proud of her friend. "Look at you," she said, her voice full of admiration. "Running things. Living your dream."

"You could too," Diana said seriously, her voice low. "And maybe this job is your way out. It's not forever, but it could be your first step."

Evenly looked away, her throat tight. Diana had always been her anchor-her only real support system since her parents passed and life turned uphill. It was hard to believe that things could truly change, despite her friend's unwavering faith in her.

"I'll be there," Diana added with a grin, grabbing her purse. "Tonight, after my meeting. We'll celebrate your new beginning early." She stood, taking the tea with a smile. "You've got this."

Evenly nodded slowly, watching her friend leave. The moment the door clicked shut behind her, the bar fell silent again. The faint hum of the refrigerator seemed louder in the quiet, and the stale air seemed to press down on her shoulders. But Diana's words, those hopeful words, echoed in her chest, louder than before.

Maybe... just maybe, tomorrow could be different.

Evenly rolled up her sleeves and began preparing the bar, just in time for her boss to walk in.

"Evenly, you're here already? Thought you had the afternoon off."

Her boss, Rick, was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a perpetually furrowed brow, as if the world itself weighed heavily on him. Evenly's response was a casual shrug. "Needed to clear my head. Plus, I figured I'd get ahead on things."

Rick grunted, grabbing a bottle of whiskey from the shelf. "Well, don't burn yourself out. We've got enough hours in the week to get everything done."

She nodded, watching him pour a glass, his movements quick and efficient. He didn't know the kind of exhaustion that pressed into her bones, didn't understand the kind of weariness that made even the thought of a simple change feel impossible.

"I'll be fine," she said, trying to convince herself more than him.

Rick didn't reply, his focus on the glass in front of him. Evenly's eyes lingered on his face for a moment before she turned away, busying herself with the bottles in front of her. She wished, just once, someone would ask her if she was okay-not just about the work, but about the person behind it all. The weight of her life, the choices she hadn't made, the ones she had... no one seemed to notice.

The doorbell jingled again, another customer. Evenly straightened, wiping her hands on her apron, and prepared to continue the dance she knew so well. Another night. Another shift. Another day closer to tomorrow.