Instead of feeling confident or hopeful, Amaya stepped out of the building rather feeling... lighter. A relief of it all finally being over.
The glass doors of Blooms Global slid shut with a soft hiss behind her, cutting off the polished silence of the corporate world as she returned to the familiar chaos of the street.
The afternoon air brushed over her; as noises from cars, voices and heat rising from the pavement welcomed her to the real life. She exhaled slowly, adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder.
"Well," she murmured, "at least I didn't completely embarrass myself." That, alone counted for something.
Her stomach growled in reminder. "Right." She muttered. She hadn't gotten anything down there since morning.
Fortunately across the street, a small food stall was set up. It was nothing fancy. Just a man grilling skewers while chatting loudly with customers. The warm, spicy and comforting smell immediately hit her
Amaya hesitated for a second, before crossing over. "Two, please," she said, holding up her fingers.
The vendor grinned. "Good choice."
She leaned against the side of the stall while waiting, watching while different caliber of people pass by. Office workers on lunch breaks laughing in small groups. Someone arguing over the phone. And a couple sharing drinks.
Just the normal and grounded life she needed. "Here you go," the vendor said, cutting through her distruction as he handed her the skewers.
"Thanks." She said, took a bite and nearly sighed. "Okay... worth it." She muffled with her mouth half full.
The vendor chuckled. "First time here?"
"Yeah." She nodded, enjoying her little satisfaction.
"Then you'll be back."
Amaya faintly smiled faintly. "Maybe."
She stayed a little longer than necessary, slowly eating and allowing her nerves settle. In the moment, her phone buzzed. Quickly, she wiped fingers and checked it.
Surprisingly, it was from an unknown number again. Her brows furrowed, this was somehow, becoming rampant. For a moment, she considered ignoring it. But then, something, maybe the subtle urge made her answer.
"...Hello?" She uttered, but was met with silence. Then, a click. And just like that, the call ended.
Amaya stared at the screen. "...Weird." She mumbled. And that made a small chill crept up her spine. But she shook it off. "Probably nothing."
Yet, that didn't stop her from blocking the number. Just in case.
By the time she got back to the convenience store, the afternoon rush had started. "Hey, you're late," her coworker called.
"Interview," Amaya replied, tying her apron quickly.
"Oh? Fancy."
"Not really." She slipped into routine again. Registering, restocking, and small talks with customers.
Steadily, time passed with it's normal activities.
Untile the door chimed, at an odd hour when the the door tag clearly read...CLOSED .
Intuitively, Amaya looked up. But then, froze. It was him.The man from yesterday. But this time, there was no pretence in his eyes, neither a smile.
Amaya watched as she walked straight to the counter. Her pulse spiked. "...Coffee?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"No." His gaze held hers. Direct and intense. "You applied to Blooms Global," he uttered. But that sound like a question.
Amaya's stomach dropped. "How do you?"
Slightly, he leaned in. And lowered his voice, only to Amaya's hearing. "You shouldn't have."
Her breath caught. "What?" She stared at him.
But he quickly straightened, just as if nothing had happened. And reached for a bottle of water instead. Paid, and then left. Just like that.
Aria stood there, frozen. Her coworker frowned. "You know him?"
"No." Her voice came out too tight and fast. Because that...that wasn't something normal.
~~~~~
Across the city
Lucien Blues had already read the reports, seen the candidates and analyzed the data. He didn't need interviews to make his decisions.
And yet, "Her," he said, sliding the file forward.
His assistant blinked. "Sir?"
"Amaya Bennett. Hire her." There was a brief pause as his assistant glanced at her profile.
"But she's not the strongest candidate."
"I didn't ask for the strongest." His tone didn't rise, and neither did it sharpened. But it ended the discussion anyway.
"...Understood."
Lucien leaned back slightly, with a distant gaze.
There was something about her. Something he was finding hard to ignore or trust. And until he figures out what it was, he wanted her close.
.
.
.
The evening slowly drift on. Amaya was halfway through organizing a shelf, when her phone buzzed again. And this time, it was an email.
She hesitated briefly before opening it. A few seconds after, her eyes widened.
"...No way." She muttered.
Her coworker glanced over. "What?"
"I-I got it."
"The job?" She asked.
Amaya slowly nodded, still staring at the screen. "They... hired me." Just like that. No second interview. No delay.
Her coworker let out a low whistle. "Damn. You're moving up."
Amaya softly laughed. But deep down, something about it didn't feel normal or earned.
It felt...Fast. Too fast.
After the long hours, she finally retired to bed. But the whole job thing kept hunting her. She sat on her bed, staring at the email again.
Offer letter. The start date. Everything was well documented. It was official. Like real. Her life was changing. Just like that.
But instead of the usual excitement, a strange unease settled in her chest. Remembering what the man had said.
"You shouldn't have." Those words felt funnily scary.
Amaya slowly lay back staring at the ceiling. "Why...?" She didn't know. But something told her that job...wasn't an opportunity. It was a door. And once she stepped through, there would be no going back.
But she was ready for the challenge.
Back in a dark office, the man loosened his tie, staring at a screen. A CCTV footage to the convenience store. It was paused and zoomed in on her face. Her features clear.
His lips slightlt curled. "Unlucky," he murmured.
For her. Because this time, he wouldn't let her walk away just like those passed years.
.
.
Somewhere in the city..
Lucie stood by his window. Unaware that the girl he had just brought into his world was the answer he had been searching for all those passed years.
