The next few weeks were a whirlwind for Maria. Between the anticipation of her secret job application, the demands of her current role, and trying to maintain her relationship with Alan, her life felt like a series of spinning plates—each one teetering on the brink of collapse. But despite the chaos, there was an underlying excitement fueling her—something that kept her going even when the exhaustion threatened to overwhelm her.
It was a Friday evening when she found herself video-calling Alan from her apartment. He was lounging on his couch, dressed in a simple t-shirt, his hair tousled in that effortless way Maria loved. They had been talking for hours, catching up on their days, sharing funny anecdotes, and teasing each other in the way that made the distance between them feel just a little less daunting.
But beneath their banter, Maria could feel a slight tension simmering. She hadn’t told him about the job application yet, and it was weighing on her more than she expected. Every time he mentioned work, her heart did a little flip, as if waiting for her secret to be found out.
Alan: “So, we had this big meeting today about a new project. It’s going to be intense, but I think it’ll be a huge deal for us. Honestly, though, I could really use your perspective on it. You’re so good with these things.”
Maria grinned at his compliment, feeling a warmth spread through her. But the irony of his words hit her hard—if all went well, she could be working on projects like that soon, not just giving him advice from the sidelines.
Maria: “Oh, really? What kind of project?”
Alan: (laughing) “It’s top secret. I could tell you, but then I’d have to”
Maria: “kill me? Please, you’d miss me too much.”
Alan: (smiling) “Yeah, I would. Can’t lie about that.”
Their playful exchange made Maria’s heart ache. She wanted to tell him so badly, but she also didn’t want to jinx it. Not when it was still up in the air. Instead, she steered the conversation toward safer ground, talking about an article she had written for work that had garnered some attention.
Maria: “Oh, speaking of work, I actually got some good feedback today on a piece I wrote. My boss even mentioned it to the higher-ups.”
Alan: (genuinely impressed) “See, I told you. You’re amazing. They’d be crazy not to recognize your talent.”
Maria blushed, feeling both flattered and guilty. She hadn’t lied, exactly—her work had been praised—but her mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of the potential job at Alan’s company. She couldn’t help but wonder what he would say if she told him the truth now.
But before she could dwell on it too long, Alan’s phone buzzed, and he glanced at it with a groan.
Alan: “Ugh, sorry babe, it’s work. Let me just handle this real quick.”
While Alan was momentarily distracted by his phone, Maria let out a long breath, leaning back on her couch and staring at the ceiling. She pulled out her journal, scribbling down some thoughts while she waited for him to finish. It had become her go-to way to decompress during these moments, jotting down random ideas or little observations from her day.
That’s when it hit her—she still hadn’t really processed the enormity of what she had done. She had applied to her dream company, the very place she had fantasized about working for years. And if it worked out, it wouldn’t just change her career—it would change everything.
Just as she was lost in thought, Alan’s voice pulled her back to the present.
Alan: “Sorry about that. Crisis averted. What were we talking about?”
Maria quickly closed her journal, forcing a smile.
Maria: “Just, you know, saving the world one article at a time.”
Alan: (grinning) “Naturally. So, what’s next for the world’s best writer?”
Maria: (teasing) “World domination, of course. But first, I need a weekend off.”
They both laughed, but Maria could feel the underlying tension creeping back in. Alan must have noticed something in her expression because his smile faded slightly, and he gave her a more serious look.
Alan: “Hey, you okay? You seem… distracted.”
Maria bit her lip, debating whether now was the right time to tell him. But before she could decide, Alan’s phone buzzed again with another work notification, and he let out an exasperated sigh.
Alan: “Sorry, this project is just eating up my life right now. I don’t even get a minute to breathe.”
Maria: (playfully) “So, what you’re saying is… you need a competent partner to help you out? Someone who’s, I don’t know, brilliant, creative, and already knows you inside out?”
Alan: (laughing) “Are you offering? Because I could really use you here.”
Maria hesitated for a second, then couldn’t resist dropping a hint.
Maria: “Maybe one day I’ll be closer than you think.”
Alan raised an eyebrow, intrigued, but before he could press her further, she quickly changed the subject.
The following days were a blur for Maria. Work ramped up with deadlines looming, and she found herself putting in late nights and early mornings to meet the demands. Her article had sparked some buzz, and suddenly, she was being pulled into meetings with senior editors and executives who were noticing her work for the first time.
One afternoon, just as she was wrapping up a particularly grueling conference call, she got an email notification. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the sender—it was from Alan’s company.
She stared at the subject line for a full minute, her stomach doing somersaults. This was it. The moment she had been waiting for. With a deep breath, she clicked it open.
Email:
"Dear Maria,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for the next round of interviews..."
Maria nearly dropped her phone in shock. She blinked at the screen, rereading the words over and over again. She had made it. She was one step closer to her dream job, to being closer to Alan, to everything she had hoped for.
Her hands trembled as she picked up her phone to text Alan, but she stopped herself. Not yet. She wanted to wait until she had the full offer before telling him. Instead, she jumped up from her desk and did a little celebratory dance around her living room, laughing at herself as she twirled in circles.
Suddenly, her phone rang—it was Alan. She composed herself quickly, answering the call with a breathless, “Hey!”
Alan: “What’s got you so excited? I could practically hear you smiling through the phone.”
Maria grinned, her heart swelling with affection for him.
Maria: “Oh, nothing... just feeling good about work today. How’s your day going?”
They chatted for a while, with Alan venting about his project and Maria carefully hiding her own excitement. But as the conversation wound down, Alan’s tone became softer, more thoughtful.
Alan: “You know, I miss you. It feels like every day is just work, work, work, and I don’t get enough time with you.”
Maria’s heart ached at his words. She missed him too—so much more than she could ever put into words. But now, there was hope. She was one step closer to bridging that gap.
Maria: (softly) “I miss you too, Alan. But don’t worry—we’ll figure it out. We always do.”
And as they said their goodnights, Maria couldn’t help but smile to herself. It was still a secret for now, but soon enough, everything would change. And she couldn’t wait to see the look on Alan’s face when she told him.
YOU ARE READING
Ink and Heartstrings
Short Story"Ink & Heartstrings" crafts a compelling narrative of romance and self-discovery within the vibrant world of publishing. The images used are not my own, they have been sourced from various other places.
