4

Nicole was immediately greeted by a male security guard stationed at the entrance of the large building she was supposed to enter.

“Good morning, sir,” she politely greeted the guard, whom she estimated to be in his forties.

She greeted him with a good morning, even though she knew her own morning was anything but good—thanks to the rude man who not only snatched her coffee but also had the audacity to insult her and try to bribe her with three thousand pesos.

The nerve of that man! If they ever crossed paths again, Nicole would make sure to crush him like a tick—though, admittedly, he didn’t look anything like one. With his handsome face and muscular build, he could easily pass for a model—one she would have had a crush on if he weren’t so infuriating. Maybe that’s why he was so arrogant—because he was too good-looking for his own good.

Shaking the thought away, Nicole forced herself to focus on the security guard in front of her.

“Good morning to you too, ma’am. What brings you here today?” the guard asked politely with a friendly smile.

In fairness, he seemed like a kind man—unlike the grumpy security guards at her old university.

Nicole found herself smiling back. His positive energy was infectious, and despite being hungry and losing her coffee earlier, she felt a bit more energized just because of his cheerful demeanor.

“Ah, sir, I was called in for a job interview at eight o’clock,” she replied, reaching into her bag to retrieve her phone.

She quickly scrolled through her messages and handed the phone to the guard, showing him the text message she had received from the company the day before. It was an invitation for an interview.

The guard took her phone, and Nicole winced as the back cover and battery fell off.

“Oh no, sir, I’m so sorry about that. My phone is ancient—it’s practically from the Spanish era,” she said apologetically as the guard bent down to pick up the cover.

Her phone was an old Nokia 3310, practically an antique. She was probably the last person in the entire Philippines still using one. But it had taken her months of saving to buy it, and even though it was falling apart, she had kept it together with scotch tape and rubber bands.

The guard chuckled at her remark before reading the message.

“Oh, so it was Sir Luis Montefalco who called you in. Don’t worry—once you start working here, you’ll be able to buy a new phone,” he said with a smile.

Nicole’s annoyance from earlier started to fade, thanks to the guard’s friendliness.

Wait—what? Sir Luis Montefalco?

She hadn’t known that. The message had only contained a number—no name. How did the guard know it was Sir Luis Montefalco?

She shrugged off the thought, deciding it wasn’t worth overthinking.

Taking her phone back, she said, “Oh, I hope your words come true, sir. I really need this job.”

“I’m sure you’ll do fine. It’s rare for Sir Luis Montefalco to personally contact a job applicant,” the guard replied.

Luis Montefalco—he was the man who had helped her get into university and graduate. She had seen him a few times during meetings for students in his study-now-pay-later program and had even spoken to him once or twice. But with all the people he interacted with, she wasn’t sure if he even remembered her.

Maybe everyone who finished the program had been invited for an interview. That seemed like the most logical explanation. She decided not to dwell on it—she didn’t want to get distracted before her interview.

“Well, thank you, sir. I appreciate your help,” Nicole said, ready to head inside.

She had taken a few steps when she realized she had no idea where to go.

Quickly, she turned back to the guard. “Ah, sir, where exactly should I go?”

She felt like an idiot. She had confidently walked in, only to realize she didn’t know where she was headed.

Thankfully, the guard didn’t laugh at her. Instead, he simply pointed her in the right direction—to the company’s front desk.

Nicole thanked him again and followed his directions. But as she walked through the massive building, she quickly realized just how easy it was to get lost.

She wandered past various hallways and counters, taking multiple turns, until she finally spotted a large reception area.

She retraced her steps, realizing she had just walked past it. Approaching the front desk, she suddenly felt self-conscious.

The women behind the counter were dressed in matching cream-colored mini skirts and blazers, with crisp white long-sleeved blouses underneath. Their high heels clicked against the floor, and their hair was styled in sleek buns.

Nicole glanced down at her own outfit.

A pair of old black slacks she had bought at a thrift store for thirty pesos, paired with a faded white blouse. And this was the only decent outfit she owned for an interview at a prestigious company.

Suddenly, she felt painfully out of place.

Nicole let out a deep sigh. Why hadn’t she thought of borrowing a proper formal dress from Leah? Now, she was regretting it.

She exhaled sharply, closed her eyes tightly, then walked toward the front desk. The people there immediately greeted her with smiles, as if silently asking what she needed.

Forcing a nervous smile, she handed the folder she was holding—containing her precious résumé—to one of the women at the desk.

“Oh, you are Miss Lorenzo? Sir Alexander is expecting you,” the woman said with a polite smile.

Nicole forced another smile and nodded.

“Please follow me,” the woman added before leading the way. Nicole obediently followed.

Follow me, huh?

The woman led Nicole to an elevator, where they waited for the doors to open. Nicole felt like she was about to pee herself from nervousness. It didn’t feel like a job interview she was about to attend—it felt more like a trial where she would be sentenced to death.

Should she back out? Maybe she should just work at her strict Aunt Norma’s eatery instead?

But she was already here. Surely, the interview wouldn’t last for days, and she would make it out alive.

Nicole nearly jumped in shock when the elevator dinged, signaling that the doors were about to open.

She had no choice as the woman who had accompanied her from the front desk gently led her inside.

“You’re applying as an aeronautical engineer?” the woman asked, breaking the silence as the elevator doors closed.

“Y-yes,” Nicole answered nervously.

The woman smiled, making Nicole want to scowl. How could she smile so effortlessly while Nicole felt like she was about to pass out from anxiety?

“Your credentials are impressive. You graduated from a prestigious university and were even a summa cum laude. You’ve got everything this company is looking for, so you have nothing to worry about. Cheer up, Miss Lorenzo,” the woman said with a reassuring smile.

Nicole forced another smile. It was rude to say, but her words did nothing to ease her nerves.

“Relax, Miss Lorenzo. Save your nervous energy for when you finally meet Sir Alexander,” the woman added.

Nicole grew even more anxious at that. Now, she was convinced that this Sir Alexander was some terrifying monster she had no choice but to face.

She was about to ask a question, but the elevator dinged again, and the doors opened.

Nicole’s jaw dropped at the sight before her. Was this really an office? Or had they entered another dimension?

The place looked like paradise, filled with small trees, beautiful plants, and various types of flowers.

Awestruck, Nicole quietly followed the woman, who stopped in front of an elegant door before turning to her with a smile.

“Wait here,” the woman said, then knocked gently before entering. She had taken Nicole’s résumé with her, likely to hand it to the boss before letting Nicole in.

Nicole waited anxiously. Soon, the woman emerged.

“Sir Alexander is inside. He will be interviewing you personally. Just knock when you’re ready. Good luck! We’re looking forward to working with you as the newest member of the aircraft design department,” she said sincerely.

Overwhelmed with nerves, Nicole instinctively grabbed the woman’s hand, surprising her.

“I won’t… die after this interview, right?” Nicole whispered.

The woman was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter. Though her voice was soft, her laugh was hearty.

“What are you saying? Of course not! Just relax. It’s just an interview—a typical job interview. Nothing a summa cum laude like you can’t handle,” she reassured Nicole after laughing.

Nicole knew she was just trying to calm her down, but it wasn’t working.

“I have to go back to the front desk. Just knock when you’re ready,” the woman said, preparing to leave.

Nicole didn’t want her to go, but she had no choice. She reluctantly nodded.

“Th-thank you,” Nicole said.

“You’re welcome. And good luck, Miss Lorenzo,” the woman replied with a smile before turning away.

The woman had told her to knock when she was ready. But was she? Her nervousness still hadn’t faded.

But as she had reminded herself earlier, she was already here. There was no harm in trying. She had worked hard for years to earn her degree—she could handle a simple job interview.

Nicole took a deep breath, then mustered her courage and knocked three times.

Moments later, a voice came from inside.

“Come in.”

Nicole felt another wave of anxiety rush through her upon hearing the man’s voice.

Slowly, she turned the doorknob—and was immediately greeted by the sight of a handsome man.

A very familiar handsome man.

Because just earlier, she had been absolutely annoyed at him for stealing her coffee.

‘Just my luck,’ Nicole muttered to herself.

“Miss Lorenzo, I’ve been waiting for you.”