The sun was already halfway up, with birds chirping outside when the alarm clock started screeching like a banshee in the cramped little apartment on the corner of Kal Street, right above a noisy roundabout.
Eve Valentine groaned, her face mashed into a pillow, hair in a tangled mess, tank top clinging to one shoulder, and legs sprawled half off the bed. Her hand lazily searched for the snooze button like a blind mole.
Beep... Beep... Beep— Click.
Silence. Inner peace. She sighed in relief.
Then her eyes opened. And she sat up.
8:45 AM.
"Oh no no no no no—!" she shouted, leaping out of bed like she had forgotten to turn off the oven.
She was supposed to be up at six. She had to take her daughter to school, prep her portfolio, get to the commercial district, and somehow not show up to the most important interview of her life looking like roadkill.
"Vanessaaa!" she called, rushing out of the room, toothbrush jammed in her mouth.
But the apartment was silent. The front door had just clicked shut. She ran over and saw a note taped to the mini fridge she found dumped on the sidewalk.
[You looked super tired so I didn't wake you. I made my own lunch today. Don't worry. Love you, Mum.]
Next to it, a sandwich wrapped in foil with a heart drawn on it, and her daughter's old pencil scribbled: For you. Eat something today.
Eve chuckled softly, holding back a tear. "You're sweet, baby... but why the hell didn't you wake me? I've got an interview today."
She rushed to the bathroom brushing, washing, slapping on deodorant. She threw on a decent blouse and a second-hand skirt, stuffed her portfolio into her bag, and bolted for the stairwell because of course, the elevator had been broken for four months.
Ten floors later, she burst out into the street just in time to see the bus pulling up.
"Wait!! wait!!" she shouted, heels clacking across the pavement, sounding like a crazed woman. Jerry the bus driver looked through the rearview mirror and stopped.
She made it.
"Another stressful night, Eve?" Jerry asked, already quite acquainted with her since they were actually building neighbors.
"Like you... huff! wouldn't believe." She waved before making her way to the back.
Breathless, she slumped into a seat, hugging her bag tight as pickpocketing was quite common in this part of the city, so it was better to be safe than sorry.
"Calm down," she told herself. Just breathe. You're fine. You're okay. You've been through worse. You got this. You're a strong independent mother who will definitely nail this interview.
She had been coasting by, working two jobs while also doing night shifts, and the moment she saw the flyer for a job opening for over 400,000 Dennies, she didn't hesitate to apply.
That was more than both of her part-time jobs combined. More than she'd seen in years. And all for answering phones and managing schedules?
Feeling it was too good to be true, she of course did her due diligence and made sure she wasn't applying to some shady business. Thankfully, they were N.E.P.S. approved and apparently part of Eridu's Business Association.
And to make sure she could give her daughter the best future, she would do her best in this interview. 'If I get it, I'll also be able to put Vanessa in that business camp her teacher recommended.' Her expression changed, feeling more determined than ever while looking out the window.
----
Thirty minutes later, Eve hopped off the bus in the Commercial District, surrounded by glass buildings and sleek towers.
She stopped by the Coff Café for a much-needed caffeine injection. The Tin Master behind the counter gave her a kind nod.
"Good morning, miss. It's always a pleasure to see a new face. What can I get for you?" the Tin Master of the Commercial District greeted her warmly.
"Just a cappuccino, please. And could you draw a flower pattern on the top? Also, mhh… these aren't the pastries I usually see at the other Coff Cafés."
"Yes, they're a new batch of pastries we're experimenting with. Do please give us your honest opinions. Every person's true thoughts help us tremendously."
"Oh, then let's see. I'll have the double-glazed Moon Fritters, and… man, those Bangboo Bombs look nice. And I'll get an Ember Cake for my daughter."
"That's no problem at all. Will you be eating in or going out?"
"Eating and drinking in."
The Tin Master nodded and said he would prepare her order and that she could sit anywhere. Looking around the room, the Coff Café wasn't super busy, but it wasn't empty either. She finally found an empty table near a child reading some manga.
As soon as she sat down, she didn't have to wait too long before her cappuccino and pastries arrived.
"Please enjoy." She thanked him before taking a sip of her drink—then immediately fanned her tongue. "Too hot!!!"
She blew on the drink before taking a small sip. Yep—just as good as all the other Coff Cafés. Tin Master really was a master when it came to coffee.
Next were the pastries. The pastries surprised her. Warm, perfectly flaky. A hint of cardamom and some soft custard inside. A thousand times better than anything she had last week. She made a mental note to grab some extra for Vanessa and herself later.
The child who had been reading his manga looked up from his book over to Eve and chuckled, seeing her gooey expressions, then stood up and left the store, though not before giving the Tin Master a nod.
After finishing her food and drink, she went to the counter to pay. She obviously seemed nervous, and the Tin Master couldn't help but ask—
"You look nervous. A first date, perhaps?"
"Job," she smiled weakly. "Maybe the last one I'll ever need."
He handed her a receipt and some pastries to go. "Good luck. Try not to think too much. You'll do great."
She blinked at him. "...Thanks. I needed that."
"I hope to see you again soon."
----
She had arrived.
LX Prime Tower. Oval-shaped. Five-story lobby with a glowing waterfall feature that probably cost more than her entire block.
Eve approached the front desk, told the receptionist she was here for the Yummy Goods Interviews.
"Please sign here, and it's on floor 53. Take the main hall, first right. Wait there until you're called."
Eve nodded and rode the elevator, thankfully functional—to the 53rd floor.
There were already four women waiting in the lounge. All of them were stunning. Polished hair. Designer heels. Skirts short enough to qualify as belts. Full makeup.
Eve felt like a walking second-hand sale.
She offered a polite smile. They didn't return it. Just glanced at her, then leaned into each other and whispered.
"Did you see her shoes?"
"Like, did she fish them out of a charity bin?"
"Do you think she's here to clean the office?"
She heard every word. Years of anxiety about people talking about you trained her ears well.
But she sat down quietly, ignoring them. This job was too good to pass up just to defend herself. It was about her daughter. About finally not choosing between groceries and rent.
The gossiping grew louder. One even fake-coughed the word "charity."
"..."
'Let it go, Eve. They don't matter.'
A soft chime echoed through the waiting room.
"Candidate #1, please proceed to the interview room."
The first girl stood. The others wished her luck. Twenty minutes later, she came storming out in tears.
Everyone froze.
The second candidate was called. Five minutes later, she exited, looking like she'd seen a ghost.
Now it was down to three.
And then—"Candidate Eve Valentine, please proceed." Eve stood, took a breath, and straightened her skirt.
No fear. Just do your best. It's for Vanessa.
She stepped inside.
A quiet hallway greeted her. A small desk and a clipboard sat waiting. A speaker above her crackled.
"Please answer all questions on the sheet before proceeding to the main office."
She nodded and sat down on the chair before picking up the clipboard.
And paused. What... the fuck?
---
1) If animals could talk, which would be the rudest?
2) Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or a hundred duck-sized horses?
3) You're given an elephant. You can't give it away or sell it. What do you do with it?
4) Explain how to make a sandwich to someone who's never seen one.
5)...
Her brow furrowed. "Is this a joke?"
"..."
But no one was laughing. So she picked up the pen and got to work. She didn't know if she was answering right. But she was answering honestly.
After she filled the last line, the speaker buzzed again. "Please enter through the door ahead and bring your sheet."
She stood and stepped inside. The office was modern. Minimalist. Bright window behind a tall-backed leather chair, facing away.
On the right side of the room, a small fox Thiren with orange hair, tidy appearance, barely older than her daughter, approached, took her paper politely, and gestured for her to sit.
It was a white plastic chair, one you would find in someone's back garden.
Eve sat down, gripping her knees. The fox boy placed a juice box on the armrest without saying a word.
"…Thank you?" she said, still very confused.
He nodded and walked to the desk, setting the paper in front of the person in the chair.
The voice that followed was calm and deep. Male. Clearly in his late twenties, early thirties. She couldn't see him, as the chair and desk were covering his appearance and the window didn't show a reflection.
"Miss Valentine. Why did you come today?"
She had a rehearsed line ready. About career growth. But she swallowed it. That wasn't why she was here. She didn't know why she suddenly felt this way, but her instinct had always helped her, so she answered truthfully.
"I'm here for my daughter. I work two jobs to keep a roof over our heads. I've never worked in an office-type setting, but I'm good with people, loyal, a fast learner. And if I mess something up, I'll do everything I can to fix it... I just need a chance."
The voice was silent for a moment.
"And the questions you answered. What did you think of them?"
"They were… strange. But I didn't try to answer them half-heartedly. I figured they were looking for personality."
Another pause.
"One more thing," the voice said. "The pastry you had at the café this morning. What did you think?"
That surprised her. How did he... This window is facing the east side while the coffee shop was on the west?
"...They were amazing," she said, reminiscing on the taste and how they made her feel. "Fresh. Sweet, but not too much. I even bought one to take home to my daughter."
"And if a rival company were selling those exact pastries, how would you make yours stand out even more if you believed in the quality?"
Eve didn't even take her time and answered.
"Branding, a story. People connect with a good story. It doesn't even matter if you mix in a few truths with lies, as long as you get their attention and interest. And if the product doesn't lose out to those pastries, then I believe even just through word of mouth it will spread. I noticed that the pastries at Coff Café didn't have any logos. Either they're a small independent group or individual with a small team, or they're testing the waters, seeing if any big fish catch the bait and are looking to potentially do a partnership."
Eve took a breath, then looked toward the chair, but it remained in the same position, not moving an inch.
The silence felt deafening. Then he spoke. "Thank you, Miss Valentine. We'll be in touch."
Her heart sank. That line again. Always that line.
She nodded and stood, holding back the tears.
"Thank you for your time."
And she walked out.
She hadn't even noticed the waiting room was empty now. She walked to the lobby, sighed out, and made her way home.
Clouds thundered above, and before long, rain poured down. Everyone nearby scrambled to get to cover, but—
Eve continued walking in the rain.
Alone.
---
An hour later.
Eve sat on her worn couch, staring at the ceiling. Her dress undershirt soaked. Her shoes were off. A pastry sat on the table, wrapped up for Vanessa for when she got home.
"…"
'That's it,' she thought. 'I blew it.'
---
Back at LX Prime.
The chair finally spun around.
Tata Barbosa sat cross-legged, a lollipop in his mouth. He grinned as he looked at Eve's answer sheet.
Tata leaned forward.
"Contact her," he said. "Tell her she got the job. First meeting's in a week. I want her here when we launch Yummy for real."
Steve, the balding assistant, nodded and stepped out to make the arrangements.
Kip stood and grabbed his rain coat. "Now that we're done, can we get ice cream for everyone at the orphanage?"
Tata grinned. "Two scoops."
They both walked out, the office doors sliding shut behind them.
------
A.N
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