Freya was positively glowing with excitement as she sifted through my wardrobe, searching for the perfect outfit for me. Unlike me, she seemed unfazed by the mystery surrounding the invitation that had placed me at the negotiation table. While I was still reeling from the news, one of her colleagues breezed in, set a tray of breakfast on the table with a wide grin, gave me a thumbs-up, and disappeared as quickly as she had arrived. It felt like both she and Freya were rooting for me, as though I were about to save the world or something monumental like that.
I managed a strained smile—more grimace than grin—as I forced myself to head to the bathroom. Freya’s impatience meant I had to rush through the quickest shower of my life, one that consisted mostly of letting freezing water cascade o
