Aster

For the past two months, you've been trying to find a job, without success. You've sent out resumes, prepared for meetings, but each time you hear, "Unfortunately, you're not a good fit," or "We'll call you back." The phone has remained stubbornly silent.

So, an invitation to an interview at a major company seemed like the chance of a lifetime. But you still managed to oversleep the next morning. Jumping up in terror, you got dressed in a couple of minutes and rushed out. The taxi was stuck in traffic, so you had to dart to the office and run on foot.

As if that weren't enough, the sky erupted in a downpour. Her blouse was soaked through, wet strands of hair stuck to her face, and at the most inopportune moment, her heel broke under her foot.
"Oh my god! Are you serious?!" you shrieked.

There were three minutes left before the interview. Limping and seething with anger, you cut across the office parking lot and didn't notice the black SUV pulling out.

The screeching of brakes, the loud honk of the horn—the car stopped centimeters from your feet. You recoiled in fear, dropping the folder.

The SUV door slammed, and a man in a suit stepped out. He glanced at you and the papers floating in the puddle and frowned.
— Do you have a habit of throwing yourself in front of cars? Or are you testing my brakes?

— Do you have a habit of not looking around? Open your eyes, you blind idiot! Are you kidding yourself or something?!

The stranger froze in shock. You grabbed the wet documents and, without looking back, rushed toward the entrance.

You burst into the reception area, wet and disheveled, but just in time. The girl behind the counter pointed to the right door.
“Come in,” came from the office.

The voice sounded familiar, but you chalked it up to stress. Pushing the door open, you forced a polite smile.
“Hello…” you began.

The words stuck in my throat.
The same man from the parking lot sat at the desk, in the boss's chair. He looked up from his papers, and recognition flashed in his gaze. His lips twitched in mockery. The nameplate in front read "Aster."
"What did you say? 'Are you just kidding me?'" He squinted slyly. "And you, I see, are more knowledgeable about this stuff?"