By the time another interview opportunity came around, I was mentally exhausted.

The interview was for an administrative assistant position at a private company downtown. Better pay. Health insurance. Actual stability for once.

I spent an hour ironing the only dress shirt I owned.

On the train ride there, I kept rehearsing answers in my head while trying not to think about how badly I needed this to work out. My stomach was in knots the entire time.

The office building itself was intimidating—glass walls, marble floors, security desk in the lobby. The kind of place where everyone walks fast and looks important.

I almost felt embarrassed walking in.

The waiting room was crowded with other applicants wearing nicer clothes and carrying leather portfolios while I sat there trying not to sweat through my collar.

Every few minutes, someone’s name got called.

Every time the door opened, my anxiety got worse.

Then suddenly the office door swung open again.

A young woman stepped out carrying a folder.

At first, I barely looked up.

But then she smiled.

And my entire body froze.

It was her.

The girl from the train station.

Except now she looked completely different. Her hair was neatly tied back, and she was dressed professionally instead of wearing that oversized hoodie. But it was definitely her.

For a second, neither of us moved.

Then her eyes widened with recognition.

“You,” she said quietly.

I swear my stomach dropped straight through the floor.

The entire waiting room suddenly felt too small.

I had no idea why she was there, who she worked for, or what was about to happen next.

But the expression on her face told me this wasn’t a coincidence…

And what she said after that completely changed my life.