My Last And My Only

Chapter 131: Ready

Aiah woke before her alarm.

For a few quiet seconds, she simply stared at the ceiling, listening to the soft hum of the electric fan and the distant sound of tricycles beginning another morning. Her interview wasn't until the afternoon, but her heart had apparently decided it was already running late.

She reached for her phone.

No new messages.

She frowned for exactly half a second before a familiar ringtone filled the room.

"Khae."

A smile slipped onto her face as she answered.

"Good morning."

"You're awake."

"I've been awake."

"I knew it," Khae laughed. "Interview Day Jitters."

Aiah rolled onto her side. "Is it that obvious?"

"You answered on the first ring."

"...That's fair."

"Did you sleep?"

"I closed my eyes."

"So... no."

Aiah laughed softly. "You're enjoying this."

"A little."

"You're mean."

"I'm realistic."

The teasing settled the nervous flutter in her chest more than any motivational quote ever could.

"Have you eaten?" Khae asked.

"It's barely seven."

"Exactly. Breakfast."

"I'll eat."

"I'll ask tita later."

"You report to Tita Ivy now?"

"I've always been on her side."

"Traitor."

"Proudly."

The call ended with both of them smiling for no reason other than the other person's voice had become one of their favorite parts of every day.

The smell of garlic fried rice greeted Aiah before she reached the kitchen.

Ivy was already setting plates on the table, humming along to an old love song playing from the radio.

"There she is," Ivy said.

"Our future employee." Gwen smiled.

Aiah laughed.

"Don't say that yet."

"Why not?"

"I haven't even survived the interview."

Ivy pointed a wooden spoon toward her.

"Wrong attitude."

"I know, I know."

"No, listen."

She placed another egg onto Aiah's plate before sitting across from her.

"They invited you because they already saw something they liked."

Aiah looked down.

"I never thought of it that way."

"Most people don't."