Chapter 10 - The Interview

Jennifer barely remembered the drive into the city.

Every red light had felt longer than normal. Every glance from another driver had made her wonder if they somehow knew. By the time she reached the parking garage beneath the office building, her palms were damp against the steering wheel.

She slowly pulled up to the valet station at the entrance to the underground garage.

A parking attendant stepped forward immediately.

“Morning, miss,” he said politely as Jennifer rolled down the window. “Here for the office tower?”

Jennifer froze for half a second before realizing he was speaking to her.

“Yes,” she answered softly.

The attendant smiled and handed her a claim ticket while another employee moved toward the driver’s side door.

“We’ll take it from here, miss.”

Jennifer carefully climbed out of the car, smoothing her navy dress nervously as she handed over the keys.

“Thank you,” she said automatically.

The attendant gave a quick nod before driving her car down into the garage.

Jennifer stood there for a moment holding the valet ticket in disbelief.

Miss.

Not a hesitation. Not confusion. Not a second glance.

Just… miss.

Her phone buzzed.

Michelle:

I’ll meet you at the security desk in the lobby at 8:45 and walk you up.

Jennifer took a deep breath and headed inside.

The lobby was massive — polished marble floors, floor-to-ceiling glass, people moving quickly with coffee cups and ID badges. Jennifer suddenly became hyperaware of every step her heels made across the floor.

At exactly 8:45, Michelle appeared from the elevator bank and walked toward her with a reassuring smile.

For just a second, Michelle visibly paused when she saw her.

Not because Jennifer looked ridiculous.

Because she didn’t.

“There she is,” Michelle said warmly.

Jennifer gave an anxious laugh. “I feel sick.”

“You look beautiful,” Michelle replied quietly. Then she leaned in slightly and smiled. “And you smell really nice.”

Jennifer actually blushed a little.

“Kathy may have gotten carried away with the perfume.”

Michelle laughed softly. “No, it’s perfect.”

Jennifer exhaled, some of the tension easing from her shoulders.

Michelle guided her through security and toward the elevators.

“Remember,” Michelle said gently as they waited, “slow down when you answer questions. Smile. Breathe. You know your experience better than anyone.”

Jennifer nodded nervously.

The elevator ride felt impossibly fast.

When the doors opened, Jennifer stepped into a sleek modern office floor lined with glass walls and quiet conversations. Michelle walked beside her toward the reception area outside the conference room.

“You’re early,” Michelle said approvingly. “That’s good.”

Jennifer adjusted the strap of her purse anxiously.

Then Michelle reached over and lightly fixed the edge of Jennifer’s cardigan.

“Good luck,” she said softly.

Before Jennifer could answer, the receptionist stood.

“Jennifer Russo?”

Jennifer instinctively turned.

“Yes.”

The receptionist smiled warmly. “They’re ready for you.”

Jennifer looked back at Michelle one last time.

Michelle gave her a calm reassuring nod.

And then Jennifer walked into the conference room.

The interview started rough.

Her nerves were obvious during the first few questions. She stumbled slightly introducing herself and nearly lost her train of thought once while answering a question about leadership experience.

But after a few minutes, something shifted.

The panel — one man and two women, one of which was Paula — relaxed around her quickly.

They liked her experience.

They liked how personable she was.

And once Jennifer stopped panicking, her confidence slowly started taking over.

Paula smiled during Jennifer’s explanation of handling difficult clients.

“That’s actually a really thoughtful answer.”

Another interviewer laughed warmly after Jennifer made a self-deprecating joke about surviving endless corporate reorganizations.

By the halfway point, Jennifer realized something shocking:

She was actually doing well.

Really well.

The conversation became natural. Comfortable.

By the end, they weren’t just asking formal interview questions anymore. They were talking about company culture, team dynamics, and future goals.

As the interview wrapped up, the man at the center of the table smiled.

“Jennifer, this was great. We’re very glad you came in.”

“Thank you,” Jennifer answered honestly.

And for the first time all morning, she said it without panic attached.

When Jennifer stepped back out into the hallway, the conference room door closing behind her, Michelle was already waiting nearby.

The second Michelle saw her face, she grinned.

“Well?”

Jennifer stared at her for a second in disbelief.

“I think…” she said slowly, “…I think it actually went amazing.”

Michelle’s face lit up immediately.

“I told you.”

Jennifer laughed shakily, adrenaline finally crashing all at once.

“I can’t believe that just happened.”

Michelle smiled and gently squeezed her arm as they walked toward the elevators together.

“You did it,” she said softly. “Now stop replaying every answer in your head.”

Jennifer gave her a guilty look.

“I already started.”

“Of course you did,” Michelle teased.

The elevator doors opened and they stepped inside.

As they rode down, Michelle looked over at her warmly.

“Go home,” she said. “Take those heels off, relax, and decompress. You’ve been stressed out for two straight days.”

Jennifer exhaled slowly, finally allowing herself to feel the relief settling in.

“And Jennifer?” Michelle added with a smile.

“Yeah?”

“You really pulled this off.”

For the first time all morning, Jennifer smiled without nerves attached to it.