Page 1 of Knocked Up by the Bratva

Chapter One - Jennifer

My eyes flick across the screen as I scroll through my inbox, sitting cross-legged on my bed in the small but cozy dorm room I share with Maeve. The familiar hum of campus life filters through the window—students chatting, footsteps echoing down the hall—but all I can focus on is the email I’m about to open. My heart pounds as I click on it, holding my breath.

“Jennifer Jewels, we are pleased to inform you….”

My breath whooshes out as I read the rest.

“Oh my God,” I whisper, eyes widening.

Maeve looks up from her textbook, sitting across the room at her desk. “What is it?”

I spring off the bed, unable to contain my excitement. “I got it!” I exclaim, holding up my laptop screen as if that explains everything. “The internship! At Empire City Estates!”

Maeve’s face lights up as she snaps her textbook shut. “Wait, seriously?TheEmpire City Estates? The one you’ve been talking about nonstop for weeks?”

I nod frantically, my heart racing. “Yes! Oh my God, I didn’t think I’d actually get it. They’re one of the top real estate agencies in New York, Maeve! This is huge.”

Maeve jumps up from her chair, clapping her hands together. “Jen, that’s amazing! I knew you’d get it. You worked so hard for this!”

“I know, but still….” I trail off, looking down at the email again as if reading it a second time will help me believe it’s real. I’d applied to so many internships, sending out resume after resume with nothing but rejection or radio silence in return. When I applied to Empire City Estates, I told myself not to getmy hopes up—it was too big, too prestigious. Yet… here it is. An acceptance.

“I’m going to be working for one of the top real estate companies in the city,” I say softly, almost to myself. “This could change everything.”

Maeve grins and bounces over to me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders in a tight hug. “This is going to be huge for you, Jen. I’m so proud of you!”

I hug her back, the adrenaline still surging through me. “Thanks, Maeve. I just… I can’t believe it.”

“You better believe it,” she says, pulling back to look at me. “You earned this.”

I smile, feeling the truth of her words sink in. I did earn this. All those late nights researching companies, perfecting my resume, and writing cover letters—it all paid off. For the first time in a while, I feel like things are starting to fall into place.

Maeve flops down on my bed, looking up at me with a mischievous grin. “So… how are we celebrating?”

I laugh, the weight of the stress from the last few weeks lifting off my shoulders. “I wasn’t really planning on celebrating, but—”

“Uh, no way. You don’t land an internship at Empire City Estates and not celebrate. This calls for pizza. Maybe even champagne.”

I raise an eyebrow, crossing my arms. “You do remember we’re broke college students, right?”

Maeve waves a hand dismissively. “Minor detail. This is a special occasion. Pizza, Jen. If we can’t afford champagne, we’ll get sparkling cider.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Fine, fine. Pizza it is.”

Maeve grins, pulling out her phone to order. “We’ll figure out the rest when the pizza gets here.”

As she scrolls through the menu, I sit back on my bed, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. For the first time in what feels like forever, I’m genuinely excited about what’s coming next. The final semester of college has just started, and I don’t have too many classes this time, so the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

Empire City Estates. The name alone feels like magic. They’re the top dogs in New York’s real estate world, known for their sleek marketing, luxury properties, and impressive client list. Getting an internship there is more than just a resume booster—it’s a career-making opportunity. And somehow, I landed it.

I can’t stop smiling as Maeve continues talking. Her excitement only amplifies mine, making it feel more real. It’s still hard to believe that in just a few weeks, I’ll be stepping into that towering glass building, working alongside professionals who are shaping the city’s skyline.

“So, tell me,” Maeve says, pulling me back to the moment. “When do you start?”

I glance at the email again, my heart fluttering. “In two weeks. They said they’d send me the full schedule next Monday.”

“Two weeks? That’s perfect! You’ll have plenty of time to mentally prepare and—” Maeve pauses, her eyes narrowing. “Wait, what are you going to wear on your first day? We’re going to need to go shopping. You can’t show up at Empire City Estates in anything less than professional perfection.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Okay, slow down. I haven’t even figured out what to wear to class tomorrow.”

---