Chapter 20

DORIS

On the day morning of the interview, I felt pretty good.

Running into Arthur at the club was really wonderful, even if I only saw him for a few minutes.

The club let me take home the flowers from on the bar that Arthur had presented to me.

It reminded me of the roses he gave me earlier and made me feel cherished.

Nina insisted on meeting me for an early breakfast. When I got to the diner, it was clear Nina's reason for making sure I came to breakfast with her was so she could pump me up.

She really was a great friend.

When it was time to leave for the interview, I left a little early to make sure I had plenty of time.

Like so often during the past days, I dreamed of Arthur as I rode the subway to my destination. I don’t know what I expected the first day I approached him in the club, but I never expected he would turn into someone who believed in me.

I got to the appropriate building a little early. I was surprised to see it was a major skyscraper, not a smaller building.

I took a minute to stock of myself. I woke up in a good mood and hopeful.

I’d taken a few minutes and dressed up in my best suit and new blouse. I'd studied.

I was as ready as I could be.

I stepped into the magnificent lobby of Heritage Properties' office building, and my jaw dropped in awe.

The lobby was an architectural masterpiece. I gawked.

This was the most beautiful lobby I had ever seen. It had white and gold marble floors that glistened under the soft glow of chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling.

The walls were decorated with intricate paintings and framed black-and-white photographs of New York City. Also, photos of the deals that showcased the rich history of the company.

A few larger abstract paintings' vibrant colors added warmth to the grandeur of the surroundings.

The lobby was bustling with activity from people in expensive business attire. They rushed by me, probably hurrying to their offices.

Their footsteps echoed loudly on the polished floors.

The air carried a faint scent of fresh flowers, mingling with the subtle aroma of coffee from the lobby's café. It felt like stepping into a world of elegance and ambition, where dreams had the potential to become reality.

I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness.

I snapped a quick photo, wanting to capture the essence of this moment to share with Nina later.

I really wanted to join Heritage Properties. I’m glad I napped a few quick photos of the lobby to share with Nina. She’d like to see the beginning of my journey.

Maybe I could even post these photos on social media someday.

I headed back to the fancy elevator, and just as the doors were closing, I saw a familiar figure in the next elevator standing mostly facing away from me.

Wait. What? Was that Arthur?

Could it be? No, it couldn’t. Could it?

I couldn’t help running towards the elevator, but before I got there, the elevator doors slowly closed.

Through the gradually narrowing gap in the elevator, I saw that the man’s face inside was indeed very similar to Arthur’s. Very, very similar.

But this guy… his aura was sharp and his eyes were cold. The line of his jaw was hard, like he was clenching his teeth, which was certainly different from the Arthur I knew.

"Hey, you can't go in there! That elevator is for top-level executives only!" A stern-looking security guard next came up to me and informed me—reprimanded me really— that this elevator was private and only for top level executives.

The security guard asked me to leave.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't realize. I was just..."

He chided me for not checking in at the front desk. The truth was, with my excitement about the interview, and looking at all the wall art, I didn’t even see it.

"No excuses!” the security guard said. “You should have checked in at the front desk. This elevator is off-limits."

"I apologize. I’m really sorry,” I said. “I didn't mean to break any rules. I'm here for an interview."

"Well, you should know better. Go back and check in properly. Take the staff elevator."

I had to apologize profusely and explain again that I had an interview.

The security guard pointed me to the bank of elevators for employees and staff. He looked like he would walk me there as if he didn’t trust I’d get there by myself.

In the end he just scowled and pointed again.

It wasn’t a good start, but I wouldn’t let it shake me.

I obediently walked to the staff elevator.

As I waited for the elevator, I was supremely puzzled.

Who was that man in the elevator? His serious expression was so different, but other than that, it seemed like Arthur.

Why is a Heritage Properties executive so similar to Arthur? So incredibly similar. Maybe Arthur has a brother? Or even a twin.

The elevator came and I was obsessed with the question the whole way up to the floor I was going to.

I wished I knew if Arthur had siblings or not. He still hadn’t told me much about himself.

But…that really seemed like Arthur in the elevator.

“Doris, stop. Get your head in the game.” I had to stop thinking about Arthur, at least for the next few hours.

The woman who met me was very nice, and she explained I’d do the written test first.

Not only would I get a grade, I’d be compared to everyone who took the test this year, which made me nervous.

Very nervous.

But just like I survived Bob's cheating, and losing my job, and singing when I was drunk, and again when I was sober, I'd survive this.

My hands were sweating when the written test started, but after the first few questions, I realized I knew all this.

It went very well, thank God.

I waited in the reception room while she tallied the results compared to past applicants.

I won the first place. Yes.

That gave me even more confidence in the interview, and I thought I performed well there too. The HR lady asked me to stay for a follow-up interview later in the afternoon.

Soon, two others and I started another interview.

Then to my surprise, the HR lady informed me that the big boss would interview me personally.

I felt uneasy. I secretly gave myself a pep talk to encourage myself and cheer myself on.

If I felt nervous meeting the big boss. Then I decided I could just imagine it was Arthur and picture him as the kind, caring man I knew.

When I walked into the big boss's office on the top floor of the building and saw the man sitting behind the massive desk, my heart beat wildly, and my breathing almost stopped——

The big boss looked exactly the same as Arthur.

No... he was Arthur.