Wanna Be Yours

rs. The world knew him as Jackson Woods-chart-topping singer, heartthrob of millions, and social media's golden boy. But to

age management." For her, it was "protection." Prote

meant to protect her ende

g for Jackson's promised goodnight call. It had been over a week since she last h

n, she

of cameras, laughter, and a very famili

son

l he had hi

sh

her during fights, who helped her plan secret meet

heart pl

ike she was the only girl in the world. Like Nancy didn't exist. Like the months of

she didn't move. Her mind screamed, her heart cracked, but her body ref

ame th

s. Then a paus

ugh the door. "Open up! I brought i

ked to the door, the numbness giving her

elong to her-it belonged to him. Jackson's hoodie. The same one

eyes l

irst. She just stared,

he said softl

eyes widened. "Nancy, I..

that didn't reach her eyes. "Were you?

sn't planned. We were just...

you everything, Tasha. You knew how much I loved him. And you-" she swallowed, blinking b

pened," Tash

ger in familiar skin. "No. You

d, she shut the door. S

pressed against the wood, h

cy didn't cry f

l she used to be-hope

tear, she made

r ag

crets. No

itely, no

window didn't sleep -

A loop of heartbreak. A wound that refused to scab over. Jackson Woods' name still echoed on blogs,

open any of

dn't n

ived the

like grief had made a home there. And despite the silence between her an

ry scent, every shadow reminded her of what she

t breathe h

ion. Quietly. With no

Then another

e to Jackson's first private show. The scented candle Tasha bought during their spa night. Even the cheap

ate - the city of the rich, the ruthl

n't hav

eathe. To put as much distance as possible between

was overwhel

the tinted glass towers to the silent, endless streets of wealth. No one made eye contact. No one

e knew her. No one pitied her. No one looked at her and thought, "Th

the city - high up, quiet, and far away from the no

ing deep breaths as she folded aw

ing out at the glowing skyline of Elite State. She wasn't healed. Not even

as no lon

oved. She

t was a

the night sky, voic

ed. No more being second.

red together

reak for hustle, but the c

ation. Every email sent, every job portal refreshed, every polite rejection - i

counting. But here in Elite State, experience wasn't

ers gave her the same lifeless response: "

take. The city of the rich didn't open doors easily. It watched

stant coffee and swollen eyes, Nancy scrolled thro

she s

Indus

te State - tech, finance, media, real estate - they had their

bbornness, maybe a last flicker

Found an opening fo

icked

ver the submit button, s

appen," she whis

way. Closed her lap

days p

th

r d

l no

. Rejection had a way of numbing you, dulling yo

waving noodles when her phone

ced at the screen

st didn'

ing made h

d, trying to kee

ame through, smoo

. Is this Miss

said, wary.

asha from Col

eart miss

h caught in her th

ubmitted an application for an acc

aid, trying not to

her

view at our headquarters. Tomorrow, 9

the couch. "Oh-thank you! I

t to confirm... you will be interviewing for t

stomach

for that role," s

upper HR. We believe your background, adaptability, and qualifications co

?" Nancy

pping just enough to be unsettling

ent. Her hands had gone cold.

nally said, her voice

lliams," Nathasha said, then end

ared at

ust ha

g. And now, she was being called in for an interview for the most

bout it m

mething insid

ment? Or som

't just a

art of something sh

exactly why it wa