Maya's POV
The bustling café in downtown Fabledsands Beach provided the perfect backdrop for what I hoped would be a career-changing conversation. I selected a corner table near the large windows, positioning myself where I could project confidence while maintaining enough privacy for serious discussion. My portfolio folder sat on the table like a silent reminder of everything riding on this meeting.
Martha Fairbanks had suggested this informal approach instead of a traditional office interview. As communications director at Vantage PR, she preferred getting to know potential team members in a relaxed setting. Every career article I had consumed over the past weeks suggested this was an encouraging sign.
At the appointed time, a striking woman in her forties entered the café. Her sharp platinum bob and distinctive crimson glasses embodied everything I had heard about Vantage's reputation for being cutting-edge and slightly audacious.
