A week later. Iris had just stepped out of the shower, she sat down in a towel at her desk and opened her laptop, when an email notification had popped in.
Application For Ace Industries – the heading read.
Iris froze. She didn't know if she should open it right now or wait till the day was over, so she can sleep the sadness away if it was bad news.
She sat there questioning herself for a few minutes.
After a while she decided she was going to open the email.
Iris stared at her screen in disbelief.
"Dear Iris Monroe,
Thank you for applying to Ace Industries. Your application to Ace Industries has been accepted. You've been shortlisted for an in-person interview with our Media Strategy & PR Division."
She blinked at the screen.
Then she reread it over and over again – her heart pounding against her chest.
Iris was in disbelief. She wasn't sure if she was excited or panicking.
Ace industries is one of the biggest industries in the world. And she got in??
It was a place for the elite. And she wasn't even strong in media and communication, she was just a literature student who loved metaphors.
Yep I'm panicking – she thought to herself.
This was terrifying.
Iris ran out of her bedroom to the kitchen to tell Myla.
"I got in" she said still in disbelief.
"Got in? Got into…. Oh My Freaking Gosh. You Got In!!!!" Myla left the pancakes she was frying and ran to Iris, jumping in excitement.
Then Myla noticed Iris wasn't jumping with her and had a frown on her face, "What's wrong?"
"I don't know how to feel about this. It feels weird and different. It almost feels like I don't deserve it cause how am I going to fit in."
"Iris listen to me – you're one of the smartest person I know. Professor Riley saw this and that why she recommended this place, and Ace Industries accepted you because they also see something amazing in you."
She continued, "You belong there just like anyone else. And I'm so proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone."
Iris teared up, "You love me so much," she teased.
"Thank you so much Myla, this actually meant a lot. Uhmm…Is something burning?"
"Oh Gosh the pancakes," Myla ran over to take the pan off the stove.
Iris laughed, "That smells amazing"
"Very Funny. By the way you do realize you're in a towel right?"
"Yep."
Iris walks back to her room and sits back on her desk.
She looks at the email again, then takes a deep breath. And with a trembling hand, she clicks 'Confirm.'
Well here goes nothing.
--------
That night. Myla decided to take Iris and Bryan for a celebratory dinner.
Her best friend had just gotten accepted into one of the league industries and she wasn't going to let the moment pass by without making it special.
They chose a warm, quiet rooftop restaurant, where they get a lovely view of the whole city.
Iris was feeling so much better about the acceptance now – she felt excited for this new experience.
Myla, buzzing with excitement – kept gushing on about plans and hopes for the future.
They sat on a rounded table and were having an active conversation. Although Bryan couldn't take his eyes of Iris.
While they were he kept glancing towards her – watching her as she laughs softly or play with her hair whenever she felt shy about something Myla said.
Bryan has had the biggest crush on Iris for a while now. He knew how Iris felt towards love and didn't want to impose himself on her. So he just kept it to himself, hoping one day she may give him a green light.
Iris had noticed Bryan doing extra little things for her, but brushed it off as nothing. And she wasn't interested in that either ways.
Iris checked her phone and had receive a text that her interview was scheduled for the next day at 9:00a.m.
The night ended and they eventually stood up to leave. Myla walked ahead with her phone in her hand texting someone while humming and left Iris and Bryan behind.
They walked in silence for a bit.
"You seem quiet tonight," Bryan said while glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
"I just have a lot of things on my mind," Iris replied, not meeting his gaze.
"Well if anything is bothering you, please remember that you can always come and talk to me about it."
Iris looked up at him and smiled, "I will, thank you."
Their taxi arrived, then Iris and Myla left for their dorm.
------
The day of the interview arrives.
Iris stands in front of Ace Industries. Then she began to take everything in, the big glass doors, the marble floors and very bright lightning. She looked at her watch, it was 8:45 a.m.
Iris is dressed in a white blouse and wide-legged navy trousers, and her best pair of sensible heels. Her hair is pulled up into a bun, looking both elegant and professional. Her resume was folded neatly into a folder which she tucked away into her bag. She kept reciting her pitch in her head like a spell.
Iris took in a deep breath and swallowed hard. She shoved all her doubts away and walked into the building.
When she walked in she was even more astonished. It was even more prestigious on the inside.
She walked over to the receptionist, "Good morning, I'm here for an interview," she said trying to hide her nervousness.
The receptionist smiled at her, "Head over to the 22nd floor, you'll find the Media Strategy Department." She responded while handing over a visitor's pass.
"The elevators are to your right," the woman adds, "just don't take the private ones to your left."
Iris nodded politely. She walked across the hallway – distracted by the interior design of the place. It was truly amazing. It screamed precision.
She steps into the elevator and press the button.
As she got closer to the 22nd floor, she felt the air leaving her lungs and the elevator getting smaller. "Deep breaths Iris, deep breaths."
The elevator dings and the doors slides open. She steps out, the office space on the 22nd floor was as intimidating as she imagined—white walls, muted branding, digital displays with running campaigns. It felt like stepping inside an ultra-polished magazine cover.
She walked over to the door that read - Media Strategy Department.
Iris steps in, she sees about 3 other people waiting, "They're probably also here for the interview," she thought.
She walks over to a man sitting at a desk, "Hello, I'm here for an interview."
"Of course. Have a seat and we'll get to you shortly." He smiled politely.
After 45 minutes. Iris was finally called in.
She walked into a door and was met an interviewing panel. Iris raised her head high in confidence even though she was terrified on the inside.
"Good Morning," she said confidently.
They ask her different questions about her degree and writing portfolio. Although she was tense at first and answering slowly, Iris eventually found her rhythm.
When it ended, they said they'd reach out to her in the next few days.
Iris stepped out of the room, unsure of how it went. She was able to answer most of their question and add in some inputs so she thinks it went well.
She looked around to find that it was just her standing in the room with the man from earlier sitting and typing away on his computer, not paying any mind to her.
Seems like she was the last person to take the interview then.
She walked out and stepped into the elevator and clicked the button to take her to ground floor. She hummed as it went down.
As she reached the ground floor, the elevator doors slides open. Iris looks up – there he was.
The stranger from the bookstore.
He stood there – waiting standing still and composed. He was still as tall and handsome as the last time she saw him.
They locked eyes, and a familiar wave of recognition flared through both their eyes.
Her breath ceased.
He didn't show any expression, but his eyes burned darker now.
They both stood there. Neither of them moved.
At least not yet.