My Last And My Only

Chapter 134: The Interview

The lobby smelled faintly of coffee and polished floors.

Aiah paused just inside the glass doors, smoothing invisible wrinkles from the front of her blouse before approaching the reception desk. Her heartbeat was loud enough that she wondered if everyone around her could hear it.

The receptionist greeted her with a practiced smile.

"Good morning. Name, please?"

"Maraiah Queen Arceta."

The receptionist checked a list, nodded, and slid a visitor's log across the counter.

"Please sign in. Someone will call you shortly."

"Thank you."

Aiah wrote her name carefully, trying not to notice how slightly her hand trembled. Once she clipped on the visitor badge, she turned toward the waiting area.

There were already several applicants seated there.

One reviewed notes highlighted in different colors. Another quietly rehearsed answers beneath his breath. A woman in a sharp navy blazer typed rapidly on a tablet, looking completely unbothered.

Aiah suddenly became very aware of herself.

They all look so prepared.

Her stomach tightened.

Maybe they have better grades.

Maybe they've done internships.

Maybe they actually know what they're doing.

Her fingers instinctively reached for the edge of her folder.

Then another memory interrupted the spiral.

"You're choosing them too."

Khae had said it so casually over breakfast that morning.

"They're interviewing you, sure. But you're also figuring out if they're the kind of people you want to work with. Don't give away all the power before you've even walked inside."

Aiah let out a slow breath.

Right.

This wasn't a test she had to ace.

It was a conversation.

The thought didn't erase her nerves, but it gave them somewhere to settle.

She leaned back in her chair and waited.

"Maraiah Arceta?"

She looked up.

A woman wearing an employee ID smiled from the hallway.

"This way, please."

Aiah stood, adjusted the strap of her bag, and silently wished her knees would cooperate.

The interview room was bright, with large windows overlooking the city.

Three interviewers sat around the table.

After exchanging greetings and introductions, they invited her to take a seat.

For the first few minutes, everything felt almost mechanical.

"Tell us about yourself."

"What did you study?"

"What projects did you enjoy the most during college?"

Those questions were familiar.

She spoke about university, the research project she'd loved despite how exhausting it had been, and the organization she volunteered with during weekends.