REJECTED OFFER
Elijah's Childhood: chapter 1
(FLASHBACK)
Elijah was born into a modest, tight-knit family in a small town. His father, a hardworking mechanic, and his mother, a high school teacher, instilled a sense of responsibility and determination in him from an early age. His parents were loving but strict, always pushing him to do his best, though sometimes their expectations felt like a heavy burden.
Elijah's home was filled with the sounds of hard work and education. His mother would often sit at the kitchen table, grading papers late into the night, while his father tinkered in the garage, fixing cars or building things. The house was small, but it was filled with love, and there was always a sense that family came first.
Elijah had one younger sister, Rachel, who was the opposite of him. Where Elijah was serious, introspective, and driven, Rachel was outgoing, carefree, and rebellious. Their sibling dynamic was complex, with Elijah often feeling protective over her but also somewhat resentful of how she seemed to get away with things that would have earned him a lecture from their parents. Despite this, they shared a bond that was strong, especially when their parents faced difficulties.
School was where Elijah found his true calling, not in academics, but in his ability to understand people. He was a quiet, observant child, preferring to listen rather than speak. He had a few close friends but often felt like an outsider, caught between being a top student and someone who didn't quite fit the mold of social norms in his school. He was always the one chosen for leadership roles, but he never really wanted them—he preferred the comfort of being behind the scenes, solving problems, and making things work.
His love for books was evident from a young age. He would often escape into novels, reading about places far away or different worlds. This became his refuge, as he sometimes felt disconnected from his peers. He found solace in learning, but it was never about showing off—it was his way of making sense of the world.
When Elijah was 12, his father lost his job. The family struggled financially, and his mother had to pick up extra tutoring jobs while his father took on odd jobs to make ends meet. This was the first major crisis in Elijah's life, and it marked a turning point. The pressure of knowing that his parents were struggling made him more determined to succeed. He began to work harder in school, hoping to get a scholarship and ease the financial burden on his family.
At this point, he became much more focused and goal-oriented, though he never shared these feelings with anyone. He internalized his emotions and started to see the world as a place that needed to be fixed or conquered, something he could shape with his own hands. He also began to feel the weight of responsibility for his family's well-being.
His father's blue-collar work ethic had a profound influence on Elijah, but his mother's intellectualism shaped his love for learning. His father taught him practical skills like fixing things around the house, how to think logically, and the importance of hard work. His mother, on the other hand, taught him the importance of knowledge, critical thinking, and nurturing his intellect. They both instilled in him the value of perseverance, but in different ways.
However, there was an unspoken tension in the household. Elijah's father would occasionally express frustration over the lack of opportunities, and his mother, while supportive, was often overwhelmed by her responsibilities. This created an underlying feeling in Elijah that he was somehow responsible for fixing things, for ensuring that his family would rise above their struggles. It was a silent pressure that never left him, even when things seemed better.
At 16, Elijah's world was shaken again when his father became ill with a chronic condition that limited his ability to work. His mother was forced to pick up even more work, and Elijah, now in his senior year of high school, took on a part-time job to help cover the costs. Despite his academic achievements, he felt torn between his studies and his family's needs. This is where his determination to succeed became both a strength and a burden. His desire to escape the small town, where opportunities seemed scarce, grew stronger Elijah worked really hard to get money to support the household at a very young age and also focused on his studies even when there were heavy situations around him, soon a bright path opened for him
Before Elijah left for college, his father's condition worsened, and his family's financial situation became even more strained. Elijah had the opportunity to attend a prestigious university on a scholarship, but it meant leaving his family behind in a difficult situation. It was a decision that tore at him—his desire to build a better future for himself clashed with his responsibility to support his family.
In the end, Elijah chose to leave for college, but he made a silent promise to himself that he would return to help his family once he had the means
College.
Elijah arrived on campus like a shadow. He didn't come to find a tribe or fit into any crowd. His mind was made up: no distractions, no parties, no friendships he'd have to carry or explain. The offer he once made—the one that was rejected—had closed something inside him. He turned the pain into purpose.
He rented a tiny room off-campus, barely big enough for his books and bed. He kept his schedule ruthless. Wake before dawn. Study while the world still slept. Work two shifts at the library. Attend every lecture. Review every note. Rinse and repeat.
He was always present, always silent. Professors came to recognize his name for his grades, not his voice. Classmates learned not to bother inviting him—he wouldn't come. While they laughed in dorm lounges, Elijah memorized market trends and built prototypes no one saw.
His isolation became a fortress. And within it, he grew.
By junior year, he was already consulting for small businesses. By senior year, he had turned a class project into a pitch that got funded. He graduated without a single close friend, but with more than one offer waiting on his desk.
No one clapped for him when he left school. He didn't need them to.
(FLASHBACK ENDS)
Elijah sat alone in his quiet office, high above the city skyline. The glass walls gave him a view most people only dreamed of, but tonight, the lights below couldn't distract him. His thoughts were far away—not in the present, not among the awards on the shelf or the company bearing his name.
They were back in a time no one ever asked about.
The office clock ticked. Elijah leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. People called him a self-made man. He never argued. But deep down, he knew the truth: he didn't build this life because he never got the offer—he built it because his was rejected.
And still, there was a pause in his soul. A pause that even success couldn't fill.
But he wasn't ready to admit that yet.
Not tonight
Elijah had spent years building his empire, a successful business that was now recognized globally. His childhood dreams had turned into a reality through hard work, resilience, and countless sacrifices. But in the quiet moments, when the noise of his achievements faded, he couldn't help but think back to the simpler days. Days when he wasn't consumed by the weight of success, but instead, by the innocence of youthful dreams. He had often wondered why, despite being well-known and admired, he still found himself alone.
He had never settled down, never found that one person who could make him feel whole. There were women, of course—plenty of them—but none who ever captured his heart.
Now, as he sat in his favorite café—his haven from the chaos of his public life—he was reminded of his past. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, the soft hum of the barista behind the counter, and the warm glow of the vintage lamps. This was where he came to find peace, away from the cameras and the endless meetings. It was here that he could just be Elijah, not the face of a thriving company.
That day, as he walked into the café, he noticed someone new. She was sitting alone at a corner table, her eyes focused on a book in front of her, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she read. There was something about her—something unique. She wasn't like the women he was used to seeing in high society, who were often caught up in their own games and agendas. No, Maya had a quiet strength about her, an air of mystery that drew him in.
He couldn't explain it, but she felt familiar. It was as though he had known her in another life, or perhaps, he had simply remembered her from his past. He watched her for a moment longer, then shook his head, wondering why she stirred something deep within him.
As fate would have it, their eyes met just as he was about to leave. He smiled politely, but she returned it with an unexpected warmth. For a second, time seemed to slow, and Elijah felt something he hadn't felt in years: connection.
The next time he saw her, she was at the same table, reading the same book. This time, he didn't hesitate. He walked over, his curiosity pushing him forward.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked, his voice steady, though his heart raced slightly.
She looked up, her eyes widening for just a moment before she nodded. "Sure," she said, her voice smooth and welcoming. "I don't mind at all."
As they began talking, Elijah felt a strange comfort in her presence. She didn't care about his success or his name. She asked questions, shared her own stories, and laughed without reservation. There was no pretension, no expectations. It was just two people talking as if they had known each other for years.
In that moment, Elijah realized something: He had never truly known peace until now, when he was sitting across from someone who wasn't impressed by his achievements. She saw him as he was—flawed, human, and real. And in that simplicity, he found something he had been missing all along.
As they parted ways that day, Elijah couldn't stop thinking about Maya. He wasn't sure yet what this connection meant, but he knew one thing for certain—he wanted to see her again.