one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city, the kind you only see in magazines or from a car window. I was surprised to see a building like this in this par

ghtly trembling. A voice crackled through, and I quickly introduc

trimmed hedges, a sprawling garden to one side, and what I was pretty sure was a pool house in the distance. As I appr

were polished wood, and the soft scent of lavender drifted through the air. A wom

saw them-the o

king quietly among themselves, others flipping through portfolios, resumes in perfectly bound folders. I felt a pit of insecurity form in my stomach. They all l

, wondering how many more people would show up. I hadn't expected this level of competition. The pay was

ommanding the attention of everyone in the room without him even having to say a word. He was sharp-featured, with jet dark hair

his voice icy and cli

n. Just straight to the point, and it stung. I

Volkov," I stammere

is tone dripping with impatience. "Punctuality is a basic expec

ords, feeling sma

ss Clarke, that time management is essential for someone responsi

"I understand, and again, I ap

rowed just slightly as if he was weighing whether he should even bother wit

d. Her eyes, big and bright, scanned the room with a mix of curiosity and shyness. She was dressed in a tiny swea

s low and measured, with a slight accent I couldn't quite place. "Thank you all for coming today. My daughter, Anastatia, is three, and we

he room. He knelt down beside Anastasia and spoke softly to her, s

n, giving us each a firm look. "My assistant will call you in as we're re

ring behind the heavy wooden doors while the rest of us wait

smoothing my blouse, and followed the assistant through the hall. My heart

r. Volkov sat at a large desk, but what caught my eye immediately was his daughter , sitting on a small chai

" Mr. Volkov asked, hi

ep my tone steady. "It's ni

, have a seat." He gestured

the other hand, seemed more interested in the crayons scattered in front of he

hem with experience, degrees, or long resumes," my heart pounds in my chest as i hear those few wo

response. He glanced at Anastacia, then back at me. "Why do y

my dad's irresponsible departure, I've had to take care of her and if i can take care if a grown adult, I'm sure I can handle a child. Besides, i've ba

word. I gave her another small smile. She shyly picked up a crayon

u gave earlier-your tardiness but I agree." He leaned forward slightly, his gaze intent. "My daughter h

t as a good sign. Before I could say anything, she tugged on her father's sleev

hing," he said, his tone softenin

ay toward me, and handed me the paper. It was a drawing-her version of a family, with a tall figure I ass

aid, her voice bare

in my chest. I looked up at her and smiled, genu

en scurried bac

Volkov gave me a long, measured look before speaking again. "Miss Clarke, we will be in

. "Thank you so much

plicants were still there, but I barely noticed them as I left th

ater, I go

n shock as the words s