Emily stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her blouse for the tenth time. It still didn't look right, no matter how much she tugged at the collar or smoothed the sleeves. The fabric was old, slightly faded but it was the best she had. She stared at herself- tired eyes, lips pressed into a nervous line, hair tied back in a loose bun that refused to stay neat.
"Just breathe," she whispered.
Her stomach felt tight. Not just from nerves, but from the small breakfast she forced herself to eat. A slice of bread and tea, barely enough, but she needed something in her system. Today was too important to be weak.
She glanced at the time on her cracked phone screen. 7:42 AM
The interview was at 9:00 AM. The company wasn't far, but the city traffic had no mercy. She picked up her bag, double- checked that her printed resume was still inside and headed for the front door.
The streets were already alive- cars honking, people rushing, vendors shouting. Emily walked fast, weaving through the crowd. the sky looked heavy, like it could pour rain any minute, but she didn't have any umbrella. She just hoped she'd make it before the storm.
The bus was crowded. She squeezed into a corner, clutching the rail with one hand and holding her bag close with the other. Her heart pounded. She tried not to think about everything riding on this. After what felt like forever, the bus stopped near the building.
Velmonte Technologies
The name was bold on both sides of the glass tower, metallic letters glinting under the grey sky. It was massive, all glass and steel, standing tall like it didn't belong with the rest of the city. Everything about it was clean, sharp and expensive. Emily stood still for a while.
She wiped her hand on her skirt and walked towards the entrance .
Inside the lobby was quiet.
A soft hum filled the air - maybe from the lights or the machines she couldn't see. The floor shine like it had just been polished. A huge silver eagle statue stood in the middle, wings stretched wide. It looked like it was watching everyone.
Emily stepped to the front desk.
"Good morning," she said. " I have an interview. Emily ward."
The receptionist didn't smile. She checked a screen, nodded and handed her a small pass.
"28th floor Elevator is to your left."
Emily took the pass with a quiet "thank you" and headed to the elevator. Her palms were sweaty.
The ride up was fast and smooth. She could see the city from the glass walls- cars, buildings, tiny people. It all felt distant, unreal.
When the elevator door opened, the space was quiet again. The hallway was long, lined with glass cases holding strange objects- old coins, small statues, even a sword.
She walked slowly, eyes wide. Everything felt cold. Not just the air, but the way it all looked perfect, untouched.
A voice broke in the silence.
"Emily Ward?"
A woman stood near a door, holding a tablet. She was tall, with dark hair tied tightly back, dressed in a grey suit that looked expensive.
"Yes, that's me" Emily said and walked close to where the woman stood.
I'm Nina Clarke," the woman said. "Follow me."
Emily nodded, her grip tightening slightly on her bag strap. Nina turned sharply and began walking down the hallway, her heel clicking softly against the floor. Emily followed glancing once more at the glass cases, her eyes catching the shimmer of strange expensive things she couldn't name.
The hallway led to a glass door with a silver handle. Nina pushed it open and stepped aside, letting Emily enter first.
The room was small but sharp- a simple table, two chairs, a sleek monitor on one side and a small tray with bottles of water.
" You can have a seat," Nina said, her voice calm, almost different.
Emily sat down, careful to keep her back straight and her hands on her laps. She glances around subtly.
Nina tapped on her tablet, then looked up. " So, Emily ward." She smiled, " Tell me a bit more about yourself."
Emily cleared her throat, trying to steady her voice.
I'm twenty-two, I studied Applied Research and Business strategy at Blakewood University. I graduated last year. "She paused. I've been looking for the right opportunity. I've followed Velmonte Technologies for a while now and I'm really interested in what the company does."
Nina raised an eyebrow. " Interesting, what exactly about Velmonte Technologies interests you?"
Emily hesitated,
"Well, the company is different. It's not just about the usual tech. It's about innovation? Value and legacy. You work with unique materials, rare items. That kind of work requires a lot of precision and care and that's what I am all for i want to research on things unique and yes everything is definitely unique in its way but not rare, things that I uncover layer by layer I am really passionate about that. I admire that."
Nina seems to study her face for a moment then nodded slightly.
"You've done your research."
Emily gave a smile. "I try."
Nina tapped her tablet again. The sound was soft, but the silence in the room made it feel loud.
" And you've had previous work experience?"
Emily shook her head. " Not official work, no just internships, but I'm a fast learner and I'm ready to work hard."
There was a pause long enough to feel a bit uncomfortable.
Finally, Nina reached for the tray and picked up a bottle of water. She held it out.
" Water?"
" Thank you," Emily said, taking it.
She quickly took a sip, letting the cold water calm her throat.
Nina sat back in her chair.
" Alright," she said. " This first part of the interview is just a basic one. The next round is more detailed. you'll be meeting the department heads if you make it through."
Emily nodded. " I understand."
There was a knock at the door.
Nina stool. "Wait here."
She stepped outside, closing the door behind her. Emily sat in silence, the bottle of water still in her hand.
She glanced at the monitor on the wall. It was blank.
She let out a slow breath.
" How strange," She murmured to herself.
A few minutes later, Nina returned.
" You'll be meeting someone now, " she said.
" Mr Alexander Velmonte."
Emily blinked. " The CEO?"
Nina smiled for real this time. " Yes. He sometimes likes to meet new candidates personally."
Emily stood slowly, masking the surprise in her voice. " Alright."
Emily followed Nina down the hallway- this one was quieter , the air was colder, like the tempers had dropped a few degrees. She couldn't hear much except the footsteps and soft him of the lights overhead.
They stopped at a large double door with black handles.
Nina turned to her.
You'll go in alone," she said, her tone unreadable. " Just be yourself."
Emily nodded slowly. " Okay."
Nina opened one side of the door and gestured for her to step in.
As Emily walked inside, the door clicked shut behind her.
The office was large, but not crowded. A dark wooden desk sag near the wide windows that stretched from the floor to the ceiling , showing a grey skyline and tall buildings in the distance. The room was filled with soft light.
There were no flashy decorations, just clean furniture, A tall shelf lined with books and a few old artifacts carefully placed in glass boxes.
Behind the desk, a man stood, looking out the window with his hands in his pocket.
Emily paused, unsure if she should speak first.
Then, without turning, the man said, "Emily Ward."
His voice was smooth, calm- not too deep, not too sharp.
" Yes sir, " Emily said, trying to keep her voice steady.
He turned slowly, stepping away from the window. He looked younger that she expected- maybe 28 at most but his presence filled the room like a shadow.
This was Alexander Velmonte, third son of the Velmonte family, owners of the company. There was nothing soft about him- no warmth, no unnecessary words. His expression was blank, almost cold.
He didn't smile. He didn't need to.
" Come in. Sit down"
Emily crossed the room, every step measured and sat down without hesitation. She met his gaze, keeping her posture straight. Her heart was beating faster than she liked but her face remained calm.
He sat opposite her, resting his hands on the table, eyes fixed on her.
" You applied for the Artifact Research Analyst position," he said, almost uninterested, "why?"
Emily didn't hesitate. " I've followed Velmonte Technologies for years. Your work in artifact based technology development is unmatched - especially your integration of ancient materials with modern systems. My background in Applied Research and Business Strategy insight to contribute to your research items. I graduated to of my class at Blakewood university."
His eyes stayed on her, unblinking.
" You think you're ready to work on things you barely understand?" He asked, his voice still calm, but with sharpness beneath it.
Emily held her gaze steady. " I understand enough to know that this company doesn't waste time on people who don't belong. I came here because I know I can add value.
Alexander leaned back his chair, still watching her.
" We don't have room for hesitation here, " he said. " Our research doesn't leave space to second chances. You make one mistake and that's it."
" I don't make mistakes," Emily replied quietly.
He didn't respond right away. Instead, he reached for her resume file on his desk and flipped through it with quick precision.
"You'll report to the Lead Researcher Nolan Grey. If he thinks you're useless, you're gone in a week."
Emily gave a single nod. " Understood."
Emily stood and Alexander closed the file. He didn't offer a handshake, didn't even glance at her again.
" You can go," he said, already turning back to the window.
Emily gave a small nod and walked out the office. The door clicked shut behind her and for a second she just stood in the hallway, letting out a breath of relief. Before making her way back down.
The woman at the front desk smiled up at her. "Done already?"
"Yeah, I think that's it, "Emily replied.
The woman gave Emily a friendly look as she stepped out.
she boarded the bus for her journey back home and took a seat by the window, watching as the buildings rolled by. The bus finally came to halt at a street close by.
The city was alive with noise, even as dusk crept in. Horns echoed in the distance and the glow from the street lights flickered on one by one as Emily walked down the cracked sidewalk, her heels clicking against the concrete. Her coat flared slightly with each step, the wind picking up just enough to bite at her skin.
Her head was down, eyes fixed ahead, but her mind replayed every second of the interview.
Alexander Velmonte
"His cold demeanor, the way he looked at her like she was nothing."
She didn't flinch when he spoke. She'd expected worse.
Still, his words stayed with her.
"You make one mistake and that's."
Emily exhaled and turned into a side street. The buzz of the main road faded behind her.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, glance at the screen and replied "Yes" shoving the phone back in.
Reaching her house, she unlocked the door and stepped in, greeted by silence. The room sim, lit only by the faint light from the window. She dropped her bag on the take and laid on the cushion letting the silence wrap around her like an armor.