Chapter Two

Emily quickly set up the studio lights in our living room and went live. She was full of energy, radiating the kind of positivity I desperately needed. Suddenly, in the middle of the broadcast, she turned to me, excitement flashing in her eyes. "Baby, I got you an interview for Monday!" she shouted, and just like that, my world brightened. I felt a surge of relief and happiness as I wrapped her in a tight hug. I stepped in front of the camera to thank everyone who had offered their support, and as I did, more suggestions began pouring in. I dropped my email in the chat, inviting people to send in any leads they had. Feeling a renewed sense of purpose, I headed to the kitchen to prepare a dish for our impromptu gathering. The atmosphere was electric as we all danced and sang together while I cooked. The kitchen, once a place of quiet reflection, was now filled with laughter and music, and for the first time in a while, I felt genuinely hopeful about the future.

Early in the morning, I went for a run to clear my mind and get myself ready for the day ahead. When I returned home, I noticed an outfit carefully laid out on the bed. "I don't know what you planned on wearing, but this is better," Emily said with a smile as she placed a pair of heels by the bedside. I glanced at the outfit and nodded, appreciating her thoughtfulness. "I probably would've chosen something like this. Thank you so much. You're heaven-sent," I replied, feeling grateful. She hugged me briefly and left me to finish getting ready.

I took a quick shower, curled my hair, and slipped into the outfit, which fit perfectly and hugged my body just right. As I was about to leave, Emily handed me her car keys. "You can take my car today so you don't run late," she offered, always thinking one step ahead. I kissed her on the cheek, feeling more prepared and confident, and then headed out the door.

I noticed a café on my way and checked the time, deciding I had a few minutes to spare. I stepped in and grabbed a coffee. As I tried to slip my wallet back into my bag, I accidentally bumped into someone—a very solid someone—and my coffee spilled, thankfully not on me. Panicking, I immediately started apologizing profusely. "It's fine," he muttered, barely giving me a glance. Embarrassed, I apologized again and handed him a tissue. In my haste to leave the awkward situation, I stubbed my toe and lost my balance. Closing my eyes, I braced for impact with the floor, thinking this day was off to a rough start.

To my surprise, I didn't hit the ground. Slowly, I opened my eyes to find myself staring into a pair of blue ones. I flushed with embarrassment, mumbled my thanks, and quickly walked out of the café. I could feel everyone's eyes on me, but I kept moving until I reached my car.

Once inside, I let out a scream of frustration and pounded the steering wheel before starting the engine. Maybe the universe didn't want me to have coffee today after all.

I pulled into the parking lot, my heart pounding with a mix of nerves and anticipation. Before stepping out of the car, I glanced in the rearview mirror, carefully checking my reflection. My hair was neatly in place, my makeup subtly enhancing my features, and I took a deep breath to steady myself. Satisfied that I looked presentable, I grabbed my bag and stepped out into the warm air.

The building in front of me was enormous, its glass facade reflecting the bright morning light. As I walked towards the entrance, I could feel the butterflies in my stomach fluttering with every step. The automatic doors slid open, welcoming me into the cool, spacious lobby. I paused for a moment to take it all in—the high ceilings, the polished floors, the quiet hum of activity around me.

With purpose in my stride, I headed straight for the reception desk. A woman sat behind it, her expression professional yet warm. I gave her my name, my voice steady despite the nerves bubbling beneath the surface, and asked for Queen, the person who had told me about the interview. The receptionist's eyes twinkled with a hint of amusement, and to my great surprise, she smiled and introduced herself as Queen.

"You're Queen?" I asked, my surprise evident. She nodded with a reassuring smile and gestured for me to follow her. We walked through a corridor lined with sleek offices until we reached a room where about a dozen people were already seated. The atmosphere in the room was charged with anticipation, much like my own. Queen turned to face the group, her voice clear and confident. "We only accept 15 people for interviews," she began. "Anyone who gets to this phase will definitely have a job. The positions and pay may vary, but rest assured, you've already made it this far." Her words washed over me like a soothing balm, easing the tension that had been building in my chest. I found myself breathing easier, the weight of uncertainty lifting just a bit. I thanked Queen sincerely and took a seat, trying to calm my racing thoughts. The room was silent except for the occasional rustle of papers and the quiet tapping of fingers against the table. Time seemed to stretch on, each minute feeling like an eternity as I waited for my turn.

Finally, after what felt like hours but was probably closer to just one, I heard my name called. I stood up, nerves tingling once again, and followed the voice that had summoned me. This was it—the moment I had been preparing for. I took another deep breath, ready to face whatever came next.

I stepped into the large, well-appointed office, and the door clicked shut behind me with a soft thud. The space was impressive, with tall windows that allowed the morning light to filter in, casting a warm glow over the polished wooden furniture. An elderly woman sat behind an imposing desk, her expression calm and measured. She looked up as I entered and gestured towards the chair in front of her. "Take a seat," she said, her voice carrying the weight of years of experience.

I crossed the room and carefully sat down, taking a moment to adjust to the setting. After a polite greeting, which she acknowledged with a brief nod, she looked at me with a discerning gaze. "We've reviewed your résumé," she began, her tone neutral but probing. "So tell me, what brought you to New York?"

The question hung in the air for a moment, and I could feel the weight of it. This was more than a simple inquiry—it was an invitation to share a part of myself, to explain why I had chosen to leave behind everything I knew. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts, and then cleared my throat to speak.

"All my life," I started, choosing my words carefully, "I've been surrounded by people who have always taken care of me. I was born into a close-knit family of four, with three older brothers who were always there to protect me. As the youngest, I was sheltered, shielded from many of life's challenges. My family ensured that I was never in harm's way—so much so that I've never even stubbed a toe. They were always there, ready to catch me before I could fall."

I paused, glancing at the woman to gauge her reaction, but her expression remained unreadable. Encouraged to continue, I pressed on. "But as I grew older, I began to realize that while I was grateful for their care, I was missing out on something important—something fundamental to growing up and becoming my own person. I wanted to know what it felt like to stand on my own two feet, to navigate the world without the constant safety net my family provided. That's why I decided to come to New York."