ticia

nothing compared to the burning

o rebuild my life. When the driver stepped out of the ca

asked, his voice a mixtur

ng arm. "I'm fine. I... I just

You might nee

me up." I pleaded. "I c

d. His grip was firm as he pulled

craped knee.

resumed my race, ignorin

was a few minutes late. My chest heav

more interviewees waiting, and I

voice besid

r dress more suited for a runway than an interview. She

ust loud enough for the others to he

n a calming breath. This was n

lly rehearsing answers

yself in five years. Anything to kee

Galden." A v

oothing down my crumpled blouse,

with sharp glasses, a man with salt-and-pepper hair, and a y

reeted, forcing my

s offered a tight smile.

at, clasping my

ard. "Tell us a lit

ne and am eager to contribute my skills in administration and organization. I

ledger Inc.?" The y

on for valuing employees. I want to be part of a team that

Your resume shows a one-year gap. Can you

n self-improvement. I took online courses in business administration, volunteered at a local community centre, an

g. "Sledger Inc. values innovation and forward-thinking. Hav

weren't providing the efficiency we needed. I proposed integrating a low-cost inventory tracking software and tr

s and high pressure, so how do you

ge stress. I prioritize tasks, break them i

ou had no prior experience with? Ho

be to research thoroughly and learn as much as possible. I'd

d her hands up, halting him. "Sledger Inc. is a competitive envir

so deeply empathetic, which helps me connect with people and understand diverse perspectives. I bring not just skills but a perspective that blends

ent, my heart thudded painfully, but t

Inc., Ms. Hale. You

"Thank you! I promise

nding to wash off the dirt and grime of the day. That's

my fingers brushi

eep down, I already knew where it was. T

y link to my past. I had no memory of my life from when I was six ye

s it hurt, I

w. And I shouldn't dwell on a p

e was no food in the house, and my empty stomac

., I was directed to my department, and the mom

en." The voice w

r was pulled back into a bun, and her red lips twisted into a smirk

She said, w

you." I

sickly-sweet melody. "Everyone, me

ome faces lit up with curiosity, whi

wo women approached me. "So... you're rea

not obligated to disc

d they stalked off, their wh

chful eye. She assigned me impossible tasks, criticiz

lf. I entered the office, with my head held hi

laudia, whose hands were still raised. "Where

I don't know. I placed it

. "Are you call

o, b

er. "Pack your t