Once I walked into Tech Innovators, Inc., the fresh smell of coffee intertwined with the scent of cleaning chemicals hit my face. I thought the outside of the building was impressive, but the inside was absolutely luxurious. Workers moved in and out of the building, some heading to lunch breaks, others clocking in. A few sat in the lounge, grabbing coffee and pastries from the in-house café.
I stood there for a moment, taking it all in. The polished floors gleamed under the fluorescent lights, and the open-plan design of the office felt both spacious and sleek. I could feel the weight of the opportunity ahead of me, the sense that this could be the place where everything finally clicked into place.
A receptionist at the front desk looked up, her smile warm and welcoming. "Can I help you?" she asked, her tone professional but friendly.
I cleared my throat, trying to sound calm despite the rapid beating of my heart. "I'm here for an interview. Asani Saidi."
She nodded and tapped a few keys on her computer. "Ah, yes, Mr. Saidi. You're expected. Please take the elevator to the 16th floor, and someone will meet you there shortly."
I gave a quick nod, my nerves still buzzing in the pit of my stomach as I turned and headed toward the elevator. The ride up felt slow, each floor passing as my thoughts raced. This was the moment I'd been waiting for, the opportunity I had worked so hard to earn.
When the elevator doors finally opened to the 16th floor, I stepped out into a large, bright space, with open desks and modern workstations spread across the room. There were clusters of people working together, talking in hushed tones, and I couldn't help but feel the energy of the place—fast-paced, efficient, and full of potential.
A tall man in a well-fitted suit walked over to greet me, his expression professional but warm. "Mr. Saidi, welcome. I'm Liam, the head of recruitment. We're glad to have you here. If you'll follow me, we can get started."
I smiled and nodded, trying to keep my composure. "Thank you. I'm excited to be here."
As I followed him down the corridor, I couldn't help but wonder what the future here would hold. Would I finally be in the place I was meant to be? Only time would tell, but for now, I had to focus on the interview ahead.
After being interviewed by the recruiters, I was led to a different room where I waited for a few minutes. The minutes felt like hours, each tick of the clock making my nerves flare up a little more. I took deep breaths, trying to calm myself, but the anticipation was almost unbearable.
Finally, the door swung open. "Mr. Saidi," my name was called.
"That's me," I replied as I got up from my seat.
I followed the voice into a sleek conference room, my heart pounding in my chest. Seated at the modern desk were two women. One looked kind and approachable, while the other radiated authority. She was dressed in a sharp black suit, her posture impeccable and her gaze sharp, as if she missed nothing. The first woman, dressed in a more casual but still professional outfit, gave me a warm smile and gestured toward the chair across from them.
"Mr. Saidi, please, take a seat," the strict one said, her tone professional but not unkind.
I sat down, trying to keep my composure despite my racing heart. I couldn't help but notice how strikingly different the two women were—the sweet one seemed relaxed, almost welcoming, while the other exuded an air of authority that made me sit up straighter in my chair.
The woman in the black suit spoke first. "I'm Nala Quinn, manager of the programming department. And this," she gestured toward the other woman, "is Mila Grey, our head of recruitment."
"Nice to meet you both," I said, offering a polite smile. Mila smiled back warmly, but her eyes flickered with curiosity as though already evaluating me.
"Please tell us a little about yourself," Ms. Quinn said.
I took a deep breath, settling into the chair, and began to speak with as much confidence as I could muster.
"Of course," I started, giving them a brief smile. "My name is Asani Saidi. I've been working in software development for the past six years, primarily focusing on backend systems. Over the years, I've worked with various teams, tackling challenges ranging from system optimizations to integrating cutting-edge technologies. I'm passionate about problem-solving and improving efficiency within systems."
I paused, looking at both of them. Nala's gaze was steady, while Mila's expression remained warm but inquisitive.
"I thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy pushing the boundaries of what's possible with code. But I've also learned that leadership is just as important as technical skill—how you communicate, support your team, and handle pressure. Those are qualities I try to embody in every project."
"That's a solid background," Mila said, her voice thoughtful. "But we noticed you've had a few short-term positions in the past. Can you tell us more about that?"
I felt the familiar knot tighten in my stomach but kept my voice steady. "Yes, I've had a few different positions, but it was never about being unhappy with the role or the company. I've always been looking for the right fit. Sometimes the team dynamic or the work didn't align with my long-term goals, and I realized it was better to move on and pursue something where I could grow and contribute meaningfully. I'm here now because I believe Tech Innovators aligns perfectly with what I've been searching for."
Nala seemed to appreciate the honesty in my response, and I could see Mila nodding slightly.
"Finding the right fit is important," Nala said, her tone softer now. "So, tell us, what interests you most about this role here?"
"I've followed your work for a while now, especially the innovative projects you've launched. The way you blend technology with creativity is exactly what I want to be a part of."
Nala nodded. "Thank you for sharing that, Asani. We'll review everything and get back to you soon."
I left the room feeling more confident than I had in a long time. This could be the opportunity I had been waiting for.
——————
After the interview I was ready to head straight home and make dinner for the twins but as soon as I got on the subway my phone started ringing, I pulled my phone out of my pocket, seeing Grace's name flash on the screen. My stomach sank as I swiped to answer, immediately hearing her frantic sobs.
"Asani! Oh my God, I can't believe I let this happen!" she cried through the phone, her voice shaky and overwhelmed.
"Grace, slow down," I said, trying to stay calm. "What happened? Are you okay?"
She hiccupped, taking a few shaky breaths. "I—I knew it, I knew something was off about him. But I still let him in, and now… he's just… he's gone! And I don't know what to do!"
I rolled my eyes internally, recognizing the situation. "Grace, is this about Ben again?" I asked, already knowing the answer. She'd been on and off with him for months, despite all my warnings. The guy had a bad track record, and I wasn't surprised this happened.
"Yes! He just—he blocked me! After everything we talked about, after I let him back in! I'm so stupid!" She sniffled, sounding utterly defeated.
I sighed, sinking back into my seat on the subway as the train rumbled along. "I could've told you that."
"You're not fucking helping!" She shouted.
"Okay, okay, fine. How many packs of beer should I bring?" I chuckled.
There was a brief silence on the other end before Grace let out a shaky laugh. "I swear, you're the only person who can make me laugh right now. I'll take two packs—one for me, and one for you. You deserve it after dealing with my drama."
I smiled, relieved to hear her tone shift just a little. "Alright, two packs it is. I'll pick up some snacks too. I'm coming over now, so get the couch ready."
"Deal. But seriously, Asani, I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Probably be dead."
Grace let out a small laugh, though I could hear the tiredness in her voice. "Yeah, you're probably right. I swear, I'm like a walking disaster. But I'm lucky to have you around."
"You're not a disaster, just… a work in progress," I said, half-joking but also meaning it. "And that's why I'm here. I'll be there soon."
"Thanks, Asani," she whispered. "You're the best."
I hung up the phone and stood up as the subway screeched to a halt. Grace was a hectic friend to deal with, but she was the only friend that stuck by my side when my world fell apart. She was there for me day and night, helping me take care of the twins even when they got their first periods she was their to guide me through it.
I guess you can also say over the years I've developed a crush on her, but there's no way I could confess to the only friend I had around me. As much as it hurts me to see her cry over shitty guys, I can't just tell her I love her when I know dang that she doesn't reciprocate my feelings.
I sighed, letting the weight of my thoughts settle in. Grace was the best thing in my life, and yet, she was the one person I couldn't have. My feelings for her were a complicated mess, tangled in years of friendship and the fear that if I said anything, I'd lose her completely. So, I kept it to myself, the way I always had.
Shaking my head, I forced myself to focus on the present. I couldn't afford to get lost in my emotions right now, not when she needed me. I reached my stop and stepped off the subway, the cool evening air hitting my face as I walked toward the nearest store to grab the beer and snacks.
As I walked, I couldn't help but think about how I had ended up in this mess. Grace was the one person I could count on, the one person who had never judged me for my mistakes, my failures. And I didn't want to ruin that. But sometimes, it felt like I was drowning in this unspoken truth that could never be addressed.
I just had to be the good friend. That's all I could be.
I grabbed two six-packs of beer and some chips, then made my way to her apartment. Even if I couldn't fix her love life, I could at least make her feel better tonight. That's all that mattered.
TBC