Breaking Hearts

The Interview

Three days later, Savannah stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom, smoothing the front of her blouse for what felt like the tenth time.

She took a breath.

"You're overthinking this."

Her reflection didn't look convinced.

The outfit was simple but professional: dark trousers, a cream blouse, and a fitted blazer she had owned since her final year. Nothing about it was particularly expensive, but it made her feel prepared.

Or at least, prepared enough.

She checked the time.

Twenty minutes.

Savannah grabbed her handbag, made one final adjustment to her hair, and left her apartment.

The city was busier than Sunnyvale.

Much busier.

Cars moved steadily along the streets, pedestrians hurried between buildings, and the tall glass structures seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky.

Savannah had visited the city before, but it felt different today.

Today, she wasn't a student visiting for the day.

She was here looking for a career.

She arrived at the building with ten minutes to spare.

The company occupied several floors of a modern office tower, its reception area bright and polished without feeling intimidating.

Savannah approached the front desk.

"Good morning. I'm here for an interview."

The receptionist smiled.

"Name?"

"Savannah Lewis."

The woman checked her computer.

"Yes, Ms. Lewis. Someone will be with you shortly."

Savannah thanked her and sat down.

She tried not to fidget.

Her application had been submitted only a few days earlier, and she'd honestly been surprised when they'd contacted her.

She didn't have years of experience.

She had only recently graduated.

Most of her practical experience came from college projects, part-time work, and the occasional freelance writing job she'd taken to make extra money.

But she had studied marketing.

She understood branding, communication, consumer behavior, and content strategy.

And she loved writing.

That, at least, was something she knew she was good at.

The elevator doors opened.

A woman stepped out.

Savannah immediately noticed her.

She was elegant without appearing overly formal, wearing a tailored suit and carrying a slim tablet beneath one arm.

Her dark hair was styled neatly, and her expression was focused as she spoke quietly to someone beside her.

She glanced toward reception.

"Savannah Lewis?"

Savannah stood.

"Yes."

"I'm Felicia."

She extended her hand.

Savannah shook it.

"It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise. Come with me. We'll go up to my office for now."

Savannah followed her toward the elevators.

As they walked, Felicia glanced at her tablet.

"I've looked over your application."

Savannah swallowed.

"Okay."

"Your academic record is strong."

"Thank you."

"And your writing samples were interesting."

Savannah smiled slightly.

"Interesting is good, right?"

Felicia laughed.

"Very."

Some of Savannah's nervousness disappeared.

They stepped into the elevator.

"So," Felicia continued, "why marketing?"

Savannah thought for a moment.

"I like the creative side of it. I enjoy writing, but I also like understanding why people respond to certain ideas. I think the combination is what interests me."

Felicia nodded.

"That's a better answer than most people give."

Savannah smiled.

"Is that a compliment?"

"It is."

The elevator doors opened.

They entered a bright office overlooking the city.

Savannah's eyes widened slightly.

The space was modern, but not cold. Glass meeting rooms lined one side of the floor while several teams worked at desks across the open-plan area.

Felicia led her toward a conference room.

"Have a seat."

Savannah sat.

Felicia placed her tablet on the table.

"I'll be honest with you."

Savannah straightened.

"You were not the most experienced candidate."

Her stomach dropped.

"But..."

Felicia smiled.

"Your application was one of the most creative."

Savannah blinked.

"I was?"

"Yes."

Felicia leaned back.

"We're looking for someone junior. Someone who can learn quickly but isn't afraid to bring new ideas into the room."

Savannah nodded.

"I'd really like the opportunity."

"I can tell."

They spent the next half hour discussing Savannah's university projects, her writing, and some of the ideas she had developed for hypothetical campaigns.

The longer they talked, the more comfortable Savannah became.

Eventually, Felicia closed her tablet.

"I think you'd fit well here."

Savannah tried not to look too hopeful.

"Does that mean—"

"It means I'd like you to join my team."

Savannah stared at her.

"Really?"

Felicia smiled.

"Really."

A rush of relief swept through Savannah.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet."

Felicia stood.

"You start Monday."

Savannah laughed.

"I'll take my chances."

They shook hands again.

As Savannah gathered her things, the door opened.

The first man who walked into the room had greying hair and was around average height. He wore a welcoming smile as he looked between the two women.

"Felicia, and Miss..."

"Savannah Lewis," Felicia supplied, smiling as she gestured toward the man. "This is Mr. Young."

"Good morning," Savannah greeted.

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

"You too, Mr. Young."

But before Savannah could say anything else, another man slowly walked into the room.

He held a purple folder in one hand, which he closed as he entered.

Savannah looked up.

And her eyes widened slightly.

He was tall.

Very tall.

He had dark, chocolate-brown hair, sharp features, and a calm expression that immediately made her straighten.

His suit was perfectly fitted, but there was something relaxed about the way he carried himself.

He glanced at Felicia.

"Do you have a minute?"

Felicia nodded.

"Of course."

His gaze shifted toward Savannah.

For only a second, their eyes met.

But something about the moment made Savannah pause.

"Damien," Felicia said, "this is Savannah Lewis. She'll be joining the marketing team."

Damien looked at her again.

"Congratulations."

His voice was calm.

"Thank you."

He gave a small nod before turning toward Felicia.

"Frank needs you to go over this report. The numbers aren't adding up, and the idea is a bit..." He glanced down at the folder. "Bland."

Felicia raised an eyebrow.

"That's a very diplomatic way of putting it."

A faint smile appeared on Damien's face.

"I was trying to be polite."

Mr. Young chuckled.

"You're getting worse at it."

Damien ignored him.

"See to it that I have the revised version before my next meeting."

Felicia nodded.

"I'll get it done."

Damien gave a brief nod and turned toward the door.

"I'll see you upstairs."

"Give me five minutes."

Damien left as suddenly as he had arrived.

Savannah watched the door close behind him.

Felicia noticed.

"That's Damien Ashford."

Savannah looked back at her.

"Is he one of the managers?"

Felicia smiled.

"Something like that."

Savannah laughed softly.

"Everyone here seems to be 'something like that.'"

Felicia laughed.

"Welcome to the company."

Mr. Young gave Savannah a friendly wave.

"Welcome aboard."

"Thank you."

As Savannah picked up her handbag, she glanced once more toward the door Damien had disappeared through.

She still had no idea exactly what his position was.

And she didn't particularly care.

She had a job.

That was what mattered.

As she walked out of the building a few minutes later, Savannah felt lighter than she had in days.

She had a new beginning.

A new city.

A new career.

And, hopefully, a chance to leave the complicated events of Sunnyvale behind.

For the first time since graduation, she allowed herself to believe that maybe things were finally going to settle down.

She had no idea how quickly that hope would be tested.